Mo Ad Camping Trip

August 9-11, 2002

Camp Ross Relles

This year's camping trip is quickly approaching and it promises to be another great time. We're expecting around 22 adults and 19 kids.

We recently spent part of a day at Camp Ross Relles, our soon-to-be home-away-from-home. We wanted to let you know what to expect and what to bring, plus share some pictures we took.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

-- Heidi and Joey

See pictures of the Ross Relles campgrounds

See pictures of the Ross Relles cabins

See pictures of the Ross Relles activities

What to expect:

• The camp is about 15 miles from Grass Valley. It is about 2 hours and 45 minutes from Berkeley (without traffic) and about 6 1/2 hours from LA. Figure it's 1 1/2 hours from the 80/I-5 junction. If possible, you should consider heading there early to avoid bad Friday traffic. Click here for directions.
• We can arrive anytime after 3 pm on Friday, August 9. Another group will be vacating the camp that morning, and there may be some last minute cleaning going on until 5 pm.
• We can stay at the camp until Sunday afternoon. However, lunch is the last meal that will be served.
• The weather is more mild than Sacramento. At that time of year, the days should be in the 80s-90s and the nights should be in the 60s-70s.
• The camp will be entirely ours. This means we can be as quiet or loud as we want. We have access to all buildings and facilities 24 hours a day. The staff is there just for us.
• The camp will serve breakfast from 8:30-9:30, though cereal can be made available for the early or late risers. Lunch will be at noon. Dinner will be at 6 pm. The camp also will provide an afternoon snack, and fruit and drinks are kept out for us at all times.
• The food is supposed to be very good, and we have selected the menu (including chocolate dipped frozen bananas!). Let us know of any special dietary needs or restrictions.
• There are 12 cabins and each family will get its own. The cabins are in groups of 4, and each group has 2 bathrooms and 4 showers.
• There is a swimming pool, basketball and volleyball court and baseball diamond. Check out the actitivies page for pictures.
• Inside the main building is a separate office for our use with desks and chairs, a pay phone, two refrigerators and a microwave. Washers and dryers are also in the main building.
• Cell phones do not work at the camp. In addition to the pay phone, they can give us access to a phone line for internet use.
• There is a convenience store about 10 minutes from the campsite and Grass Valley is about 25 minutes away.
• If anyone gets hurt or sick, the camp does have an infirmiry with basic medical supplies. There is a town doctor, fire station and medical clinic nearby.
• We're still waiting for the final cost, but we figure it will be about $350 for a family of four, $300 for a family of three, $240 for two and $120 for one. There likely will be no cost for kids under 2. Again, these are all-inclusive prices.

What to bring:

• Linens, towels and pillows. There are bunk beds, but they don't come with anything on them. You can either put on your own sheets and blankets or use sleeping bags. There also is space for a crib or an air mattress if you wish. Remember to bring towels for bathing and for swimming.
• Swimsuits. There is a pool on the grounds and a lake nearby.
• Snacks. Meals and snacks are provided, but you may want to bring some extra. Remember, there is a refrigerator and microwave for our use.
• Bug spray. There are bugs up there, but spray should do the trick.
• Sun screen. It's summer and we'll be outside.
• Games. Many are already provided, but not all pieces may be there.
• Fishing equipment. The lake is stocked with fish.
• Rafts. The camp does have some for our use at the lake, but I don't imagine they're too deluxe.
• Softball mitt. There is a baseball diamond if anyone wants to play.

Any questions? Email Joey or Heidi.