CAMPER LOGISTICS
We hope this helps you plan your trip to Family Camp!
- A welcome message
- Travel information and when to arrive
- What to bring
- Our food philosophy and sample menu
- Camping/Sleeping info
- Contact numbers for Barb, Doug and a place to leave messages
WELCOME!!!
We're delighted that you'll be joining us for our 8th NVC Family Camp! We're looking forward to supporting and nurturing your family during the time we have together and exploring how we might be of service to your family's dreams. You all bring tremendous resources with you and we encourage you to share and connect with each other as together we practice living in a world where everyone matters.
We're celebrating changes we've made to our program based on your feedback. We have even more staff resources for the parents, to accomodate your wide range of interests and NVC skills. We've added a Tween Program and the Teens will having an overnight on Blake Island again.
By the way..to answer one teen's concern, we want to reassure everyone that no one in camp has to "do" NVC. It's our hope, especially in the Teen, Tween and Youth Realms, that NVC is invisible, you may never even hear that word. It's about slowing down a little, having fun with your family and friends, learning what you want to learn, sharing what you want to share, playing, creating, connecting, hanging out... Many people want to expand and deepen their life skills and value what NVC has to offer so, of course, we support that intention, too.
To make that first day at camp easier, please print the Photo Release Form and the Medical Release Form, fill them out at home and bring them with you to camp. Also, please take a moment to fill in the online Family Camper Survey and the Food Preference Survey that will be emailed to you. Much of what happens at Family Camp starts before you arrive....
Well, that's it for now! There's more below that will help you prepare for camp.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call us. Our contact info is at the bottom of this page.
with mounting excitement,
Barb and Doug
Your Farm and Camp Hosts
Vashon Island, WA
- TRAVEL INFORMATION:
General travel info, arrival times
Please plan to arrive on site between 2:00 and 5 pm on Sunday, July 29th. That will give you time to arrive, get your nest prepared, meet some folks & wander around a bit before 6:00 dinner. If you want to arrive on Vashon earlier in the day, we request that you find something to do on the island before coming to camp after 2:00. We will still be
Address of the Farmstad: 12108 148th Ave SW, Vashon, WA 98070
Doug's cell 206-715-3805, Barb's cell 206-653-4264,
Doug and Barb's cabin 206-567-4182
TAKING THE FERRY
You'll be taking a ferry to Vashon Island from one of four places: West Seattle (Fauntleroy), Tacoma (Pt. Defiance), downtown Seattle (Water Taxi from pier 50) or from the Kitsap Peninsula (Southworth). Ferries generally depart every hour or so.. Southworth and Fauntleroy ferries and the King County Water Taxi arrive at the same terminal on the north end of Vashon Island, and the Pt. Defiance ferry arrives on the south end (Tahlequah).. Call us before you get on the ferry and one of us will pick you up on the Vashon side! Let us know what ferry terminal you're coming from!
Ferry fares are at ( http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/fares/)
Ferry schedule link: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/schedules/current/
Water Taxi link: http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/WaterTaxi.aspx (Operates Week Days ONLY!!!)
IF YOU'RE FLYING IN
Fly into Sea-Tac Airport. You can either take a public bus (Route 560, West Seattle Express) or a shuttle van to the Fauntleroy Ferry (West Seattle). More information on the bus is at http://metro.kingcounty.gov/, including fares and the schedule from SeaTac Airport to Fauntleroy Ferry. The bus is easy to take if you don't have a lot of heavy luggage, and meets you right outside of baggage on the North End of the terminal. It's about $2.50. It takes about 1/2 hour to get to the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal, info on that above! NOTICE! DUE TO CITY BUDGET WOES, BUS SERVICE FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE FERRY TERMINAL IS NOT AS FREQUENT AS IT USED TO BE! WE STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU CHECK THE BUS SCHEDULE BEFORE YOU FLY. YOU MIGHT NEED TO TAKE A TAXI OR AIRPORT SHUTTLE.
GET ON THE FERRY! ENJOY THE RIDE!
TRAVEL FROM I-5, INCLUDING THOSE COMING FROM THE EAST ON I-90.
These directions will take you to the north end of Vashon Island. (This group includes everyone NORTH of Tacoma on the EAST side of Puget Sound) Destination: Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal (West Seattle)
Coming from the north on I-5 (Canada AND including those of you arriving from Eastern Washington on I-90 who will want to get off I-90 onto I-5 SOUTHBOUND and move immediately into a right-hand lane), exit onto the Spokane Street/West Seattle Freeway (exit 163A). From here, follow directions "Coming from the South".
Coming from the south on I-5, Exit # 163. Head west on Spokane street. Spokane Street crosses the Duwamish River (high bridge). Stay on Spokane Street until it becomes Fauntleroy Avenue (bear into a left hand lane after the first stop light - intersection of Fauntleroy and 35th). Follow Fauntleroy all the way to the Vashon Island/Southworth Ferry Terminal. Vashon Island and Kitsap Peninsula bound ferry traffic lines up along the curb (on Fauntleroy Ave.). The line often starts as much as a half mile from the terminal and has several breaks in it for driveways and bus stops.
GET ON THE FERRY! ENJOY THE RIDE!
Once on the Island, head up the hill with the main flow of vehicles and STAY ON VASHON HIGHWAY SW all the way to COVE ROAD. (About 10- 15 minutes of travel) Travel clues: Look for the HOSTEL sign on the right hand side (west) of the main highway. If you get into the town of Vashon, you've gone too far. Ask a native for directions, they're friendly. Many of them don't know the street numbers though so be prepared to hear about landmarks....
Once on Cove Rd., head west for about 1.5 miles. Turn RIGHT (north) At 121st. Follow 121st to WESTSIDE HIGHWAY. Continue north (yes, you've made a big U-turn and you're headed back toward the ferry) Once on Westside Hwy, travel about 0.7 and turn RIGHT (east) on 148th. Go up the hill about 500 feet and turn LEFT into the driveway. We have banners hanging from the fir trees at the entrance to the FARM.
TRAVEL FROM KITSAP PENINSULA
Hwy 101 to Highway 16. Exit 16 on Sedgewick Road. Follow all the way to the SOUTHWORTH ferry terminal. Arrive at least 5 minutes before ferry departure or the ferry workers won't load you.
GET ON THE FERRY! ENJOY THE RIDE!
Once on the Island, follow the directions given to the people coming from Fauntleroy (W. Seattle) as they are the same.
TRAVEL FROM TACOMA (PT. DEFIANCE FERRY TERMINAL)
Directions to Point Defiance Terminal
From north or south I-5: Take exit 132 (Hwy 16). Proceed west on Hwy 16 approximately 3 miles and exit on the 6th Avenue exit (signed Vashon Ferry). Cross through the next stop light (6th Ave). Turn right (north) at the next stop light onto Hwy 163 (Pearl Street). Proceed north, approximately 3.5 miles, to the stop sign at the entrance to Pt. Defiance Park. Stay in the right lane and bear to the right. Do not enter the park. Auto toll booth is one block ahead. Ferry terminal is located at end of street.
GET ON THE FERY! ENJOY THE RIDE!
Once on Vashon Island,follow traffic up hill on Vashon Highway SW. Go through (count 'em) 4, four-way stops. The fourth one is the town of Vashon. Continue north about a mile and TURN LEFT (west) ONTO COVE ROAD. Once on Cove Rd., head west for about 1.5 miles. Turn RIGHT (north) At 121st. Follow 121st down the hill to WESTSIDE HIGHWAY. Continue north onto Westside Hwy, travel about 0.7 and turn RIGHT (east) on 148th. Go up the hill about 500 feet and turn LEFT into the driveway. We have banners hanging in the fir trees above the entrance to the FARM.
Arriving a different way? Private plane, boat, bikes, train...? LOST? Call Doug at 206-715-3805 OR Barb 206-653-4264
- WHAT TO BRING
Essential items
- TENT with rainfly, sleeping bag and pad.
- Pillow
- Eating gear (plate/bowl & cup, marked with your name, utensils)
- Towel
- Toiletries
- Sun Hat
- Sun glasses
- Layered clothing (be prepared!)
- Rain coat
- Good walking shoes and sandals
- Sun screen
- Swim suit
- flashlight
- Insect repellent (though not thick, we've seen more mosquitos this year than usual... so bring it, just in case.. )
- Water bottle
Optional items:
- Waterproof shoes
- Umbrella
- Earplugs for light sleepers
- Alarm clock
- Back jacks, camp chairs or pillows for sitting around at your tent
- Blanket or large towel for grass sitting
- Musical instrument
- Bikes
- Hammocks ;)
OUR REQUESTS AROUND ELECTRONICS (COMPUTERS, PHONES, GAME BOYS, ETC)
Please leave computers, game boys and phones at home or in your car. There is no internet access at the Farm, and we request that no one bring their electronics into camp. If that is a hardship for you, please contact Barbara.
Cell phones...... Hmmm. If you really need one, OK. Otherwise, can you leave it snuggled somewhere? Would you be willing to experiment with that strategy and see what life is like without the phone being so ever present? Most of the staff will have phones to communicate with each other, if you need one we'll happily lend you ours.
OUR FOOD PHILOSOPHY AND SAMPLE MENU
We're planning simple, nutritious, delicious meals for all ages to nourish our bodies and spirits. We've designed mostly organic meals that we hope will appeal to vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores. Of course the secret ingredient in everything is Love & Gratitude....for you and for our planet. We've planted our Family Camp garden again with lots of greens for big fresh salads, and we'll supplement that with other fruits and vegetables directly from farmers on Vashon Island! We cook with very little sugar and almost no processed foods. You should already have received our Dining Survey asking for your food allergies and dietary preferences. If not, please ask Barbara for that.
If you want special comfort foods, please bring them and lable them with your name. We'll have a refrigerator and cupboard dedicated to individual special foods. There is an excellent food market and farmers market on the island "just incase"!
Here's a sample menu:
Breakfast:
Oatmeal, Fresh fruit, nuts, bread, raisins, fresh scrambled eggs. Beverages: Coffee, Teas, {Soy, Cow, Goat, Rice, Hemp, and/or nut Milk}, Juice, water. Condiments: butter, honey, sugar, brown sugar, soy butter.
AM Snack Fresh Fruit arrangement/sculpture, Nuts
Lunch:
Big Green Salad from the Family Camp garden, Bread. Condiments: Vinaigrette Salad Dressing, Ranch Dressing, Butter, Soy Butter, sugar, Sunflower Seeds, Raisins, garbanzo beans, Chopped hard boiled eggs, hot suace.
Vegan Tortilla-veg Soup, Ground Turkey-veg Tortilla soup. Chopped tomatoes, green onion, cilantro, limes. Bean,veg & corn salad. Beverages: Coffee, Teas, {Soy, Cow, Goat, Rice, Hemp, and/or nut Milk}, Juice, water.
PM Snack Fresh Vegetable arrangement w/dips - hummus, ranch dressing, olive oil & vinegar, Nuts
Dinner:
Big Green Salad from the Family Camp Garden, Bread. Condiments: Vinaigrette Salad Dressing, Ranch Dressing, Butter, Soy Butter,sugar, Sunflower Seeds, Raisins, grabanzo beans, Chopped hard boiled eggs, hot sauce.
"French" Roasted Chicken (whole or pieces), Tofu (roast or grilled), pan gravy and vegan gravy-sauce, Green Beans, Roasted new potatoes.
Beverages: Teas, Juice, Water, {Soy, Cow, Goat, Rice, Hemp, and/or nut Milk}
Dessert:
Fresh Blackberry Cobbler
- SLEEPING AND CAMPING INFO
- CONTACT NUMBERS FOR DOUG & BARBARA
Barbara: 206-653-4264 (c) barbaralarson@gmail.com
Any questions? Please call or email us!
We look forward to welcoming you and sharing this very special place with you..
