The Overnight Experience at Paradise Farm Camps
Paradise Farm Camps History Paradise Farm Camps was established as the Children’s Country Week Association in 1875. The original mission of the organization was to allow children from Philadelphia the opportunity to spend one week out of the city, and to experience the fresh air and hard work that farm life provides. In 1913 Over 600 acres of contiguous land was consolidated in what is now Paradise Farm Camps. At this time the farming aspect was largely phased out and camp became more recreation based. Since that time Paradise Farm Camps has grown to meet the needs of children throughout the Delaware Valley Region. This includes incorporating a summer day camp, a program for mothers and their children, and the Outdoor School for Environmental Education and Teambuilding.
Children’s Country Week Association is a youth development organization dedicated to serving the Delaware Valley region since 1875. We operate Paradise Farm Camps and are the proud stewards of 600 acres of scenic natural resources within the heart of Chester County. Using our unique surroundings, we encourage children to open their eyes to the wonders of the outdoors and the possibilities of their own potential.
Schedule Day 1 Groups A, B, C Groups D, E, F Students should arrive between 8:15 and 8:45 on the first day. 8:15 Arrival and Orientation After arrival, students will take their 9:20 Teambuilding Waterfront Rotation bags to their cabins and meet at the 12:15 Lunch Gym for a quick camp orientation. The students will then split into their 1:45 Learning Activity Rotations learning teams to move through their 4:30 Option Time activity rotations. 5:30 Dinner We will share all meals together in our Weitzel dining hall. 6:30 Teacher Led Activity After the afternoon activity rotation 8:00 Campfire and dinner, students will enjoy some 10:00 Lights Out free time followed by a campfire, complete with songs, skits, and Day 2 s’mores. 8:00 Breakfast Students will return to their cabins at 9:00 Waterfront Rotation Teambuilding 9:30 and lights out time is up to the teacher’s discretion. 12:15 Lunch The following day will begin with 1:30 Pack Up & Clean Out breakfast at 8:00and another activity rotation for the students. 2:15 Large Group Game The day will end with a large group 2:50 Wrap Up wrap up activity and all students 3:00 Departure should be picked up at 3:00.
Activities All activities at Paradise Farm Camps are supervised by our trained staff. Environmental lessons conform to the Pennsylvania standards for Environment and Ecology. Students will learn in small cooperative groups of 10 – 20 students. All lessons are outdoors and hands on.
Teambuilding During the teambuilding block students will move from large group desensitizers to small group initiative and teambuilding activities and finally to our low ropes challenge activities. Students will learn the fundamental tenets of teamwork, including cooperation, communication, and trust. They will use these skills to successfully maneuver through several team challenges. Instructors will use a cycle of Introduce – Activate – Debrief – Reintroduce to make sure every student comes away with a better understanding of the concept of teamwork.
Waterfront Rotation During this time students will rotate through three waterfront activities, a biological stream study, a physical stream study, and canoeing, During the bio stream study, students will be in the water looking for the macro aquatic animals that live in the stream. While the physical stream study will focus on the physical and chemical components of the stream itself.
Afternoon Rotation Students will use the afternoon rotation to explore three different ecosystems on the camp property, including the pond, the wetlands, and the forest. In each area students will engage in hands on activities that will help them to understand the importance and beauty of the land.
Option Time • Students will have time to choose their own rec activities on the afternoon of the first day. • Activity choices may vary from trip to trip, but often include: • Fishing • Rock Climbing • Sports – soccer, basketball, tennis baseball, kickball, or football. • Birding & Nature Hikes • Art • Gaga • Camp fishing rods are very limited, some students may want to bring their own rods.
All of the EE staff are professionals in the fields of education, ecology and environmental science, or outdoor adventure recreation. All staff are experts in using their natural surroundings to foster discovery moments for young students. PFC Staff will lead all learning activities, teambuilding activities, option time, meals, and campfire. All staff members have completed required police and ChildLine background checks.
Facilities Each cabin sleeps 6 students and 1 adult. The cabins are furnished with bunk style beds and storage shelves for personal belongings. All cabins have electricity. There is a centralized bathroom in each camp with running hot and cold water. Each cabin has shutters over the windows to keep out the elements and keep in some heat, but all students should be prepared for cooler nights with a sleeping bag and pajamas.
What To Bring To What To Leave At Camp Home Radios & MP3 players/iPods Cell Phone Candy, gum, & snacks Jewelry Pocket Knives Money Anything valuable that could get lost or damaged. Anything that is not allowed in school.
Meals at Camp All meals are nutritionally balanced and menus are examined by a licensed nutritionist. The Head Cook is “ServeSafe ” Certified No fried foods are served at PFC. All meals are served family style to Day 1 help reinforce our teambuilding objectives and good manners. Pizza, Tater-tots, Salad Bar, Lunch A salad bar or breakfast bar are Juice, Cookies available at every meal. Tacos, Rice & Beans, Some special diets and food Vegetable, Salad Bar, Juice, Dinner allergies can be accommodated. Please be sure to inform your Ice Cream child’s teacher of any special concerns before the trip. Day 2 Severe and extraordinary food Pancakes, Bacon, Breakfast needs may require special Breakfast Bar attention from parents . Chicken Fingers, French Lunch Fries, Salad Bar, Juice, Brownies
Safety at Camp All staff members carry two way radios on them at all times to ensure a quick response to all situations. Local police, fire, and ambulance are all familiar with the PFC facilities and location. Paradise Farm Camps is linked to a first alert weather alert system. Senior staff at PFC are trained in First Aid and CPR. Senior staff live on sight and are on call to ensure safety during night time “off” hours. All water activities are supervised by a certified lifeguard. Paradise Farm Camps is an ACA accredited camp and follows all safety guidelines they require.
Pick Up & Drop OFF All parents who are dropping off at • camp are asked to be there no earlier than 8:15 and no later than 8:45 Please enter from the gates at • Ravine Rd Follow arrows to drop off spot at • the gym Continue to follow the arrows out • Ente ter H r Here at the 1250 Valley Creek Rd. exit. We are asking all parents to stay • with their vehicles during both Drop o off/ f/Pic Pick U Up drop off and pick up, so we can load and unload campers as quickly as possible. Pick up will work in the same • Exit H xit Here directions, campers must be picked up at 3:00.
Chaperones At this time, all teams are still in need of chaperones, especially males!! Chaperones must have their clearances into the district prior to their trip. If you are not the same gender as your child but still want to chaperone, teams will work with you to be with your child during the day and a cabin of the same gender over-night. While chaperones who can stay for the entire two days are ideal, teams will gladly take chaperones that are only available for part of the time. Please contact your child’s teacher as soon as possible if you are able and willing to chaperone.
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