CAMPER LOGISTICS
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
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 expanded our Teen Program, and have included beach over-nights and forays into the town of Vashon. Our new schedule provides more opportunities for the mixing of the generations, and of campers and staff. And there's also time for everyone who wants....to watch the clouds change shape or listen for nuances in the summer symphony hum of our beloved Earth.
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 and Youth Realms, that NVC is invisible, you may never even hear that word. It's about slowing down, 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.
To make that first afternoon 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. We're also going to be posting the Parent Manual (when it's done!), and ask you print it out and bring it with you. There is information in there that you can peruse to help you know what to expect at camp. It will also save us about $700 in copy costs! Also, please take a moment to fill in the Family Camper Survey 2011. That's the on line survey link we'll be emailing you when you register. Much of what happens at Family Camp starts before anyone arrives at camp....
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:
Address of the Farmstad: 12108 148th Ave SW, Vashon, WA 98070
Doug's cell 206-715-3805, Barb's cell 206-653-4264,
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!
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
Sleeping bag & pad (ditto the above) 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
Waterproof shoes Umbrella Earplugs for light sleepers Alarm clock Back jacks, camp chairs or pillows for sitting Blanket or large towel for grass sitting Musical instruments Bikes Hammocks ;)
Please leave electronic games at home or in your car.
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? Doug will have his (he's on call) if you need one and don't have one.
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 Cobler
SLEEPING AND CAMPING INFO
CONTACT NUMBERS FOR DOUG & BARBARA
Any questions? Please call or email us!
