Summer Camp FAQs

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Here are the answers to some common questions parents have about summer camp.  Of course, please feel free to call or email us with any additional questions you may have!  

 

You can reach us by phone at 509.773.4536 or by email at summercamp@ekone.org.

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When can I apply?!

The link to the application will be available starting December 6. We'll accept applications until December 19 and then do a first round of application reviews. If there are more applications than spaces in any given session we'll use a lottery system to determine who gets into camp. To apply click HERE.

 

Are you still offering scholarships?

Most definitely! In the summer camp application you can indicate that you want to apply for a scholarship, and the scholarship application will show up at the end of the camp application. 

(more information about scholarships here)

 

Why are there two different costs for each program?

We utilize a  pricing model that accurately reflects the true "costs" of running programs at Ekone. We strive to keep our programs affordable, and the "Base Rate" covers the cost of facilities, food, staff time and basic operations. However, there’s a lot more to the Ekone experience and mission, like providing scholarships and equitable access to our programs, offering support to the Native people whose historic lands we occupy, protecting and stewarding this precious ecosystem, and special projects to care for place and community. This is where the "Restoration Rate" comes in. Those who are financially able to help "restore" social and ecological equity at Ekone are invited to join us in sharing abundance.

(We consider the difference between base and restoration rate "paying it forward." The IRS considers it a tax-deductible donation, and we'll provide you with a tax receipt to that effect!)

 

What if I need to cancel my registration?

You can read about our cancellation and financial policies here.
 

This is my child’s first time spending so long away from home; will I be able to check in?

Camp is a great time to use snail-mail!  Our address is 401 Ekone Rd, Goldendale, WA, and campers love to get mail at camp.  We also encourage them to write letters, if they can find time during our busy days.  Parents are also welcome to call any time and check in with Ekone staff to see how the week is going.  We don’t allow campers to make phone calls unless it’s a real emergency—our years of experience have shown that phone calls home are a leading cause of homesickness.  Ekone staff (including the 4-legged ones) have lots practice working with children who are away from home for the first time, and provide a nurturing and compassionate environment and 24-hour support to ensure that it is a very positive experience.​

 

What is the food like at camp?  Are you able to accommodate food restrictions and/or allergies?

Meals are always one of the campers’ favorite things about camp!  We provide wholesome, kid-friendly, mostly vegetarian, from-scratch dishes, using lots of fresh produce from our own garden.  Many a child has learned to love vegetables at Ekone.  We commonly accommodate campers who are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, or have specific mild or moderate food allergies.  In some cases we will ask parents to send specific foods that their child requires. Severe allergies require a discussion with the Camp Director to determine whether we can safely and practically meet the needs of the camper.  We are unable to accept campers diagnosed with Celiac disease.

 

My child will be coming with a friend; can they bunk together?

Yes, almost always. For sessions that run concurrently we will generally split campers between the sides of the bunkhouse (it is a long A-frame building with two distinct sides) so bunking together can usually be arranged.

 

What is the horseback riding experience of most of your campers?

Because of our small sessions, we can individualize the riding instruction for each child.  For some of our campers, this is the first time they have ever ridden a horse (or even seen one up close!); while other campers may ride at home. We enjoy having a mix of riding levels at each camp, so that we can tailor lessons and rides for small groups of riders with similar levels of experience.  Our horses are also well-suited for a mix of riding levels, and campers will have the opportunity to ride many different horses during their stay.​

 

What is the "skip-year" policy?

In an effort to make our camps more accessible to more campers, if your camper has come to two years or riding intensive camps, please choose another type of camp session.  Riding intensive camps include: All-levels Horse Camp, Young Rider, Wrangler Camp, and Advanced Riding Camp. You can read more about this policy here.

 

What is an average day at Ekone Summer Camp like?

A:  Well, no day at Ekone is ever average!  But here is our usual summer camp daily schedule:

7.00 am:  Rise and shine to greet another beautiful day!

7.30 am:  Time for the set-up crew to head on down to the kitchen to help the cook prepare breakfast, the feeding crew to head to the barn to give the animals their breakfast, and the garden crew to harvest some delicious veggies…or maybe some strawberries?!

8.00 am:  It’s the breakfast bell!  What scrumptious treats await at the Yummy Tummy Café?  After breakfast, the clean-up and dishes crews help to tidy the kitchen so we can move on to morning activities.

9.00 am:  Morning Circle, where we all meet to do some stretching, make announcements, and go over the activities for the day.

9.30 am – 12.00 pm:  One group heads up to the corral to get horses ready and do some riding, while the other group gets started on a craft project, work project, hike, or other activity.

12.00 pm:  Gather the set-up crew to help get lunch ready–tummies are starting to rumble!

12.30 pm:  There’s the lunch bell!

1.30 pm – 3.00 pm:  Ahhh, it’s Siesta time.  Cool off with a swim in the pond, write letters home, read a book, work on a craft project, or take a nap to rest up for some more exciting activities in the afternoon.

3.00 pm – 5.30 pm:  Those that rode in the morning start on a project, while the other group gets the horses ready to go for a ride.

5.30 pm:  Set-up crew heads down to the kitchen

6.00 pm:  There’s the dinner bell down at the Yummy Tummy!  Is it burrito night tonight?  After dinner is a little free time; a great chance to play on the rope swings, work on a song or skit for Creativity Night on Friday, or hang out in the hammock.

7.00 pm – 8.30 pm:  Time for some evening games, or maybe we’ll have a campfire and teach each other some new songs!

8.30 pm:  The sun is going down…must be time to head up to the bunkhouse and start brushing teeth and finding pajamas.  After everyone is ready, we’ll read some stories, or maybe do some stargazing outside.

9.30 pm:  Zzzzzz…better get some rest, it’s going to be another awesome day tomorrow.  Sweet dreams!​