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Nature Day Camps

Exploring Willow-Witt Ranch

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2024 Nature Day Camp


The Crest is offering weekly summer camps for students ages 6-11. Join us at Willow-Witt Ranch for a program immersed in the volcanic geology, wetlands, and organic farm. We will explore the quiet forests, hiking trails, and turtle pond at the 445-acre property. The organic farm produces enough vegetables for every camper to take home two bags of fresh produce per week. Students will engage in activities, playing games, telling stories, hiking, adventuring with goats, collecting chicken eggs, studying turtles and birds, making crafts, performing garden tasks, service learning, and so much more. We can’t wait to see you at camp!

Nature Day Camp is summer camp fun for kids at The Crest at Willow-Witt Ranch

Weeks and Hours:

Summer 2024 dates:

  • Offering 7 weeks of camp from June 17, 2024 to August 2, 2024
  • Hours from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Transportation:

We are pleased to be able to offer busing to and from camp at three locations in the Rogue Valley: Medford Cracker Barrel, Talent Truck stop and Ashland shop n kart. Upon registering, you will be able to select the option that works for you.

Morning pick-up:
Pick-up:
7:50 am Medford (former) Cracker Barrel parking lot
8:05 am Talent Truck Stop (near the Chevron Station)
8:25 am Ashland Shop N Kart

Afternoon drop-off:
3:30 pm Ashland Shop N Kart
3:50 pm Talent Truck Stop (near the Chevron Station)
4:05 pm Medford (former) Cracker Barrel parking lot

We have partnered with the Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and the BLM for campers to have a ranger-led day every Wednesday within the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Campers will be bused or dropped off at Hobart Bluff in the Monument where our staff and the Monument Ranger will run programming.  

Meals:

A morning snack will be provided upon arrival. Lunch should be brought from home.

Packing List:

Your camper should come prepared to get dirty! Willow-Witt Ranch is located at 5,000 feet elevation and campers should dress in layers. Mornings can be chilly, even in summer!

Please have your camper wear:

  • Clothing layers of shirt, shorts and/or long pants
  • Good walking shoes or boots
  • Wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap
  • Sunscreen

Please pack into a backpack:

  • Water bottle
  • Sunscreen
  • Sweatshirt or jacket
  • A full lunch preferably in zero-waste containers (The Crest will have emergency snacks available for those who arrive without a lunch.)
  • A snack
  • A rain jacket if rain is in the forecast
  • A change of clothes, including extra socks

Cost:

Summer Nature Day Camp at The Crest is $450/week. Early sign-ups are encouraged. The $450/week rate applies to registrations received by midnight on the Friday 10 days prior to the start of camp. The rate for registrations received Saturday through Friday of the week prior to the start of camp increases to $500.00. Registration closes Friday at midnight prior to a camp week. Full and partial scholarships are available, depending on need. We offer a 10% discount for additional campers from the same family. Please enter additional siblings’ names below and remember to fill out a separate form for each camper.

Camp is offered Monday through Friday each week in the summer. We do not have the ability to prorate the week if a student is not able to attend each day. Payment in full is due 10 days prior to the start of each week’s camp.

A $50 non-refundable deposit is required at time of registration to secure a spot for students.

A limited number of camp scholarships are available. If your family has EBT (Oregon Trail Card), SNAP or free school lunches and would like to apply for a full camp scholarship, please email one piece of official correspondence reflecting that your family receives this type of assistance and we will reach out to you. Scholarships are first come, first served so please register early. We are able to offer a full scholarship for one week only at this time.

staff help nature day camp kids in the garden

Summer Camp Agreement & Policies

You can read and download our full Parental Consent Agreement, Smoke Policy, Oops Policy, Cancellation Policy, and Payment Policy below.

RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY

This Release and Waiver of Liability (the “Release”) is executed on the date indicated below, by the parent or legal guardian of the minor whose name is indicated below (“Minor”) in favor of The Crest, and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, shareholder, and affiliates (collectively, “The Crest”).The minor desires to participate in camp activities, at The Crest and engage in the activities related to being a participant at camp at The Crest. In consideration for participating, both Minor and Guardian hereby freely and voluntarily, without duress, execute this Release under the following terms:

  • Guardian Status. By my signature below, I attest that I am the parent or legal guardian of the Minor named in this Waiver and Release, and that I have the authority to execute this Waiver and Release on behalf of the Minor.
  • Waiver and Release. The Guardian releases and forever discharges and holds harmless The Crest and their respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates, successors and assigns from any and all liability, claims and demands of whatever kind or nature, either in law or in equity, which arise or may hereafter arise from the Minor’s time at The Crest. The Guardian understands and acknowledges that this Release discharges The Crest from any liability or claim that Guardian and Minor may have against The Crest with respect of bodily injury, personal injury, illness, death, or property damage that may result from activities at The Crest camps. It is also understood that The Crest does not assume any responsibility for or obligation to provide financial assistance or other assistance to the Minor, including but not limited to medical, health or disability insurance in the event of injury, illness, death or property damage.
  • Insurance. The Guardian and Minor each understand that we expressly waive any such claim for compensation or liability on the part of The Crest beyond what may be offered voluntarily and freely by the representative of The Crest, in its sole discretion in the event of such injury or medical expense.
  • Medical Treatment. The Guardian hereby releases and forever discharges The Crest from any claim whatsoever which arises or may hereafter arise on account of any first-aid treatment or other medical services rendered in connection with an emergency during the Minor’s time at The Crest.
  • Assumption of Risk and Indemnification. The Guardian understands that the Minor’s time with The Crest may include activities that may be hazardous to the Minor including, but not limited to, fast running, climbing trees, hiking on hilly and uneven trails, working with (non- motorized) garden tools, and animals. We recognize and understand the Minor’s activities at The Crest may, in some situations, involve activities which can pose risk of harm or injury to the Minor. As the Guardian for the said Minor, I hereby expressly assume the risk of injury or harm in these activities and release The Crest from all liability for injury, illness, death or property damage resulting from the Minor’s activities or the Minor’s time at The Crest. Guardian and Minor agree that if anyone makes a claim against The Crest on behalf of Guardian or Minor, that Guardian and Minor agree to indemnify, save and hold harmless The Crest from any claim, including without limitation, loss, liability, damage or cost which may occur as a result of any such claim.
  • Photographic Release. As the Guardian of said Minor, I grant and convey unto The Crest all right, title, and interest in all photographic images and video or audio recordings made by The Crest during the Minor’s time with The Crest. If I have previously withheld right, title, and interest in all photographic images and video or audio recordings made by The Crest of the subject Minor, that will override this permission. The Crest will honor that requirement while the rest of this document remains in force.
  • Behavior. As the Guardian of said Minor, I understand that the Minor’s behavior at The Crest must comply with all rules and regulations during camp at The Crest.
  • Emergency Transportation. The Guardian understands that, in the event of a medical emergency or natural disaster (such as wildfire, earthquake, or flood), The Crest may need to rush someone to a hospital emergency room, rather than relying on ambulance response, or immediately evacuate everyone in the area, rather than waiting for police or firefighters to arrive on site. The Guardian hereby releases and forever discharges The Crest from any claim whatsoever which arises or may hereafter arise on account of any accident or injury that occurs during evacuation or transportation in response to some emergency.
  • Other. The Guardian and the Minor each expressly agree that this Release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the State of Oregon and that this Release shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State. I agree that in the event that any clause or provision of this Release shall be held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such clause or provision shall not otherwise affect the remaining provision of this Release which shall continue to be enforceable.

SMOKE POLICY

Camp will run, regardless of AQI levels. We cannot guarantee indoor, sealed and filtered lesson spaces. When the AQI reaches 101, we will provide KN95 masks. At AQI 200, campers and instructors will be required to wear KN95 masks. Strenuous physical activities will be curtailed. There may be days where indoor, sealed and filtered lesson spaces are available. If the parent(s) does/do not want to send their camper(s) to camp on days when AQI levels reach above 100, they may request a refund, or apply their paid tuition to another week, or donate the paid tuition as a tax-deductible donation to The Crest.

OOPS POLICY

You have 48 hours from the time of purchase to cancel your registration with no penalty.

CANCELLATION POLICY

The Crest has implemented the following cancellation policy based on the time, resources and staffing that go into planning a camp. We cannot recover these expenses if you cancel; cancellations on short notice also prevent others from attending. If you cancel for any reason:

  • Cancellations made more than 10 days prior to the first day of camp will receive a refund, minus the $50 non-refundable deposit. Payment in full is due 10 days prior to the start of each week’s camp. Late payments incur a $25 fee. 
  • Early departure will not be refundable. Non-participation for individual days within the week will not be prorated.
  • The Crest reserves the right to cancel camp at any time in the event of unforeseeable changes including mechanical issues, staffing shortages, low student enrollment, or Acts of God.

PAYMENT POLICY

Payment in full is due 10 days prior to the start of each week’s camp. A $50 non-refundable deposit is required at time of registration to secure a spot for students. Late payments will incur a $25 fee.

If you have any questions regarding our policies, please email us at info@thecrestatwillowwitt.org.

Get involved...

Suzanne Willow talks to a group of students visiting The Crest

The Crest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

The Crest nonprofit organization relies on donations to support youth programs and give community groups the chance to experience the wonders of nature to learn about and feel a connection to the natural world. Our volunteer opportunities are a great chance to get outside, connect with others and learn more about your local ecosystem. Please consider contributing to this natural legacy by making a tax-deductible donation.