Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to be a Quaker camp?

We are proud to be affiliated with Friends (Quakers), who uphold values of equality, integrity, peace, and unity with nature, and have a long history of excellence in education. We are not, however, a religious education camp; we welcome people of all backgrounds, and encourage open discussion of all beliefs (spiritual, political, etc) without upholding one ideaology over any other. Our Quaker values are expressed in the way we treat all people with respect, foster healthy community, and teach children about peace and environmental sustainability. Quaker spirituality at camp is manifested in the moments of silent thanks we share before each meal, and in how we start each day with a few minutes of quiet reflection.

What are your rates?

Our rates are lower than those of other summer camps because we believe in making this incredible experience available to all, regardless of financial means. If your family needs further financial assistance, please contact us -- we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Or, if you would like to help, please consider making a donation to our campership fund to give the gift of camp to more families.
Click Here for Current Dates and Rates

What age children can come to camp?

Sierra Friends Camp is for children 9-14.
Teen Leadership Camp is for ages 15-16.
Counselors-In-Training can be 17+

What if my son/daughter is almost old enough, but is still eight?

Please contact us to talk about it. Some kids are ready for sleep-away camp by age 8, and some aren't. You know your child better than we do, and if you feel confident that they are ready to be away from home for a week, then we may be able to make them an honorary nine-year-old.

How many children are at your camp?

Our maximum number of campers at Sierra Friends Camp is 45 per session. This is a great size for kids to have lots of friends, but still get lots of personal attention from staff and allow each child to shine as an individual.

What is your staff to camper ratio?

We always have at least 1 counselor for every 4 children at camp, plus our camp directors and administrative staff, which brings the ratio under 1:3.

Can children come for more than one session, and do they have to go home in-between sessions?

Yes, Sierra Friends Campers are welcome to come for more than one session. We do provide the option for campers to stay here in-between the one-week sessions, but we do not provide that in-between the 2 week and other sessions.

In other words, if you're looking for your child to stay here for 2 weeks, you can either choose a 2-week session or 2 1-week sessions, and either way they can stay here for a full two weeks. They would have the option to go home for a day in-between the one week sessions, but they can also stay here during that time.

If you're looking for a 3 or 4 week experience for your child, you are more than welcome to register them for as many sessions as you like, but be aware that they will need to go home once during that time (in-between the 2 week session and other sessions).

What are your facilities?

• Beautiful rustic cabins set in tall pine and oak forest
• Spacious dining hall with outdoor dining area
• Clean, accessible bathhouses close to cabins
• Several campfire and campout areas
• Miles of wooded trails
• Arts and Crafts Barn
• Basketball/Tennis Court
• Scenic fish pond
• Huge garden (where we work, play, and get our food!)
• Soccer field
• Badminton/Volleyball area
• Rope Swing

Who are your staff and how are they trained?

Our staff is made up of incredibly talented people who have skill, experience and training in outdoor leadership, first-aid, lifeguarding, group building, and conflict resolution, as well as many talents to share: art, music, nature skills, drama, athletics, and more. Every person on staff is committed to giving campers the most positive, safe, fun, and growthful experience they can have this summer. Most of our counselors are in their 20s and have been working here for several years. Our minimum age for hiring new counselors is 18, and all new staff go through a rigorous application and training process.
>>Learn more about camp staff

What's the food like?

We love serving healthy, local, delicious kid-friendly meals. We cook from scratch with organic ingredients; we bake fresh bread, make pizza the old-fashioned way, and serve delicious veggies grown in our community garden. Most of what we serve is vegetarian, and we also include options for vegans, wheat and dairy-free options, and can accomodate other special diets as well. Our menu includes such favorites as lasagne, pizza, stir-frys, sandwiches, soups, salads, corn-on-the-cob, watermellon, and don't forget the chocolate cake!

Are the wilderness trips challenging?

We plan trips that are age-appropriate, fun and gently challenging group experiences. No special training or abilities are needed, and we work with plenty of kids for whom this is their first time in the woods. Kids consistently come back from trips saying things like "it was the best time of my life!" and, "I never knew I could have so much fun." The counselors who lead these trips have experience and training in backpacking skills and trail safety, and know how to help both first-timers and seasoned hikers to have a great experience.

What if my child gets homesick?

It's perfectly normal to miss one's family when away from them for the first time (or any time!). Campers get a lot of love, affection, affirmation, and support while at camp, and for most campers this is enough to help them through any sadness they may feel about being away from their families. But every once in a while a camper will get homesick. Our staff are trained and experienced in spotting the signs of homesickness and quickly responding to help the camper feel better -- often it is quickly resolved by getting them involved in a fun game or exciting activity. If not, we'll call you to discuss the situation and work together to create a homesickness care strategy. Having the camper go home is of course an option, but we may be able to help come up with ways to help your child feel good about staying at camp -- we've had good success with this in the past, and with the support of family, counselors, and their friends at camp, nearly all campers who experienced homesickness have chosen to stay.

What if my camper has social or behavioral issues?

Sierra Friends Camp is a welcoming, community-oriented camp where everyone belongs. Children at camp get to take a break from the social pressures of school cliques and experience the freedom to be themselves. We often observe kids who are not popular at school turn into rock stars at camp because of their quirky humor or obscure talents. This atmosphere of acceptance is precious and our staff work hard to model and encourage cooperative, inclusive behavior, while making it clear that the following behaviors are not acceptable at camp:

• Name calling, insults or derogatory language
• Violence or the threat of violence
• Excluding or alienating others
• Prejudiced comments or intolerance of differences

Camp staff will intervene immediately in all cases of such negative behaviors and will lovingly and firmly make our community expectations clear. We will work with the child to help them find ways of behaving that work for them and everyone else at camp. Children who repeatedly engage in hurtful behavior will be sent home. If your child is unable to control any of these behaviors, our camp may not be the right place for them. Please contact our staff if you have any questions or concerns.

What equipment does my camper need?

Click here for a complete packing list. If you cannot acquire any of these items, please let us know as soon as possible so we can help.

Can you provide references?

Yes, if you'd like to hear firsthand from other parents what summers at Woolman have done for their kids, please contact us and we'll be happy to provide references.

Got more questions? Ask away, and we'll add them to this list.