What Teachers say about 49er Fun
We asked 4th Grade Teachers what they thought about '49er Fun' - Rock-N-Water's living history program and they spoke. Check out some excerpts below, or click on photos to watch their video.
 "We have been coming to Rock-N-Water for years and years, and I have to tell you that every single year, this is what the kids look forward too the most, because the stories have been passed down from year to year... The students look forward to it, because they know it’s the best field trip they will ever be on. Every child says that this was the highlight of their fourth grade year. The staff is incredible, the crafts are incredible, the food is great/amazing... The kids got so into the living history, they feel like they’ve actually been transported back to 1854, and they are enjoying all the experiences... Our favorite thing is the wonderful staff... our kids love the staff... I really love the way the staff is able to weave God’s word into every little activity that we have. To quote one of my students, ‘this is the best field trip ever. It’s got history, it’s got science, and it’s got banjos.’ We love Rock-N-Water and we want to come every single year!" Christie Olson |
 "We’ve been going with Rock-N-Water for two years now. It is an excellent program. It correlates great with the California history that we teach the kids in school, and it’s a fantastic way to end the year. They have a very well organized program, the kids are busy the whole time, there is not a lot of dead time where they can get into mischief or trouble. The highlight is probably the campfire with the singing and the dancing. And the food is very good as well. Nothing but praise to say." Vern Taylor |
 "We’ve been coming with Rock-N-Water to the gold country over 7 years, and I have to say that for what you pay, and your time here, it is an excellent experience. My students come away loving this trip. They experience history and live it for two days. It’s certainly something that can’t be easily replaced. And the food here is great." Christina Anderson |
 "We’ve been doing this trip for 5 years now. It’s something that the kids always look forward, a big thing for them in 4th grade. It’s been an overall incredible experience for them, because not only do they live the social studies curriculum that they are learning, but they also get to do so many things outdoors that they don’t normally do. And also have the spiritual aspect of it as well. I definitely recommend Rock-N-Water to other teachers, it’s a really memorable experience for their class." Cindy Richardson |
 "It’s a great time to come out here and enjoy God’s nature, with the wonderful staff. They are very accommodating, and willing to meet your needs, and really show what God has given out here in the woods and nature. And to show also the history of California, which is very important for the fourth graders to know, and to really understand this great heritage that we have here in America." Han Lee |
 "I’ve brought them out here for three years to the Rock-N-Water camp. It’s incredible. It makes California history come alive that we’ve been studying all year. It’s a great place too for bonding." Elizabeth Langworthy |
 "This is my second time coming. We had a great time, had a great education, learned a ton… the counselors did a great job of keeping us involved in what was going on in the area. I enjoyed the quiet time walks. I hadn’t had that before, so I really liked that, and the kids liked it too. The food was perfect, couldn’t ask for any thing better. I really enjoy it and would recommend it to anybody." Darin Stockham (Parent) |
 "This is my second year here. If anyone has any questions about this camp, I would say, come. The first time you come you’ll get hooked, and you’ll return. It’s such a wonderful combination of nature, and bringing Christ into all the activities, the integration is wonderful, the campfires are fabulous. It’s an overall fun experience." Debbie Merritt |
 "Rock-N-Water is a great place to bring your kids to learn about the gold rush for California, as well as a great spiritual experience for all the kids. I have a parent that doesn’t want to leave, and now is experiencing that he wants to take his kids camping… just from the experience of being here at Rock-N-Water." Anne Grashoff |
 "I first heard about Rock-N-Water via a little flyer that came in the mail, and I think it was the best piece of mail I’ve gotten in my whole life. I’ve been coming now for seven years with my fourth graders. And this is a wonderful place that allows children to integrate what they’ve heard at school, in terms of nature and spiritual things, and it’s always good for children to hear some of these things from other people rather than, just a teacher or at home. This camp is a culmination of a variety of things they’ve heard or studied in school. I recommend Rock-N-Water to any 4th grade class and teacher and parents. It gives children a variety of experiences that most children have not had in modern time." Carol Garza |
 "I’ve been coming here for three years now and it’s a wonderful camp that not only teaches 4th graders about history and our wonderful state, but also the most important thing is that it integrates God and Biblical principals into every single aspect. It’s a great program, run by staff that’s dedicated, and love the Lord. I strongly, strongly recommend you to come and explore with us, it’s an amazing adventure you’ll never forget." Michele Tozier |
 "We love Rock-N-Water, it’s been so much fun. This is our second year here. We tried the two nighter (The Double Jack) this year and it’s been great! It’s wonderful because the kids have been studying about all the California history in the text books, and finally here they get to see it come alive. The Rock-N-Water crew is wonderful, they show things actually were in 1854, they actually do go back to 1854, and the kids leave here with a greater appreciation of the history that they’ve learned." Ruth Heinitz |
 "This is a really great place to take your kids to learn about gold mining, and what they did in 1854. Everybody should come." Sabrina Balkind |
 "I really enjoyed my time here with my students and their families. I would really recommend that when you come, just have a good time watching the kids learn and explore the different things." Elisa Deets |
 "This is a very organized program so you don’t have to worry about things not running smoothly. We feel like it was worth every penny that we paid to bring the students. My students are still running around happy and excited and looking forward to what they are going to do today, and had a great time yesterday. So I say, thumbs up, let’s do it! You’ll be glad you did." Linda Jupin |
 "This is my eighth year coming to this camp. I would not miss this for anything. The staff is remarkable, they bring God into every situation during the time. The activities are priceless. You should make it part of your curriculum for the fourth grade California history. Everything is delightful." Janet Brisbin |
 "This is my third year at the gold rush camp and I absolutely love it. I think every fourth grade class should come out here because, it’s a great chance to bond with your parents, and your friends, and your teachers. The hiking is probably my favorite because you get to spend time with God. The meals are awesome. The best part also, is the characters. I love the people that work at the camp. They make it fun and the kids laugh a lot and probably have the best time of their 4th grade year, right here at this camp. So I definitely recommend it." Sheri Agers |
 "This is my first year coming to Rock-N-Water with my class, but this is the school’s sixth year going. This is the first year we did two nights (The Double Jack) and I would highly recommend it. This trip has been phenomenal. The time that the kids have had with each other and the fun that they’ve had with each other, and how they’re pitching in and helping each other… The parents have had a good time. A lot of my parents at my school have known each other for a long time, but this is the first time that they feel like they have really, really, gotten to know some of the other parents and families at the school, and that’s been a blessing. It’s been fantastic!" Amy Cederborg |
 "I have been coming to Rock-N-Water for four years, first at a parent, then three other years as a teacher. My kids have always loved it. They always come away having had a great time. They get to dance, they have fun at the campfires and go home singing the songs. The parents enjoy it. Most kids have their parents come along, and they all are glad they’ve come, glad for the chance for that time with their kids, and to learn and participate in everything they do." Laura Baker |
 "I’ve been brining the 4th graders here for seven years and it’s been an awesome experience. One of the best things is the staff here. They have such a servants heart, and they really show Christ’s love to all the students. The food’s great too." Kate Heinz |
 "This is my second year, I was recommended by another teacher that just loved it, and it’s one of the best experiences I’ve had for my students. It’s hands on, it’s fun, and most importantly it’s spiritual. That’s what I like the best about it. " Char Novack |
 "One of the things I’ve enjoyed about Rock-N-Water, this being my fourth visit, is the fact that I can stand back and watch the counselors and the staff here take over my class and work with them and be patient with them, take their time with them. Talk with them first off about the history of the gold rush and this area, but also keeping an underlying theme of Christianity, and that we are God’s creation. " Vern Jeske |
 "I’ve been coming to Rock-N-Water 5 years. It’s an awesome trip. We get to pan for Gold, have the best ho-down... I encourage you to come, it’s a time that your students and yourself will never forget." Angela Liston |
 "I want to encourage you to come up here and see what we are experiencing with our children, out in nature, learn some lore about the Indians, some of the finer details of panning for gold... All of this in a environment of Godly Christian experience. The staff is well informed, and also well grounded. So I want to encourage you to come on up to Rock-N-Water." Richard Silveira |
 "This was our first time at Rock-N-Water and we had an absolute blast. It was the very best. I would highly recommend this to anyone, especially home school families, that are looking to have hands on history, knowledge, and learn more about God. It’s been wonderful." Julie Burke |
 "I’ve been brining my kids for five years to this wonderful program Rock-N-Water does, they integrate California history with God’s word and it’s just great." Kim Akimoff |
 "I’ve been coming to Rock-N-Water for four years and there has never been a year that I didn’t enjoy myself, that the kids didn’t enjoy themselves. The students commented that this is the best field trip that they have ever ,ever taken, and they thank me and the school for brining them here. Come on down, you won’t be disappointed, the staff is awesome, the food is delicious, the education is spectacular, and most of all talking about God. What can be better than that?" Samantha Moorer |
 "To really appreciate California history, to actually be there, to be able to pan from the American River, students just love that... Having a parent with their child, watching them bond in the outdoors with no electronic equipment, to actually be able to enjoy nature, and appreciate each other, a bonding they look forward to every year. This is the big big moment for them, their siblings tell them about it and they can't wait until they get to do it as well." Marilyn Bryant |
 "I appreciate how organized the staff is here, and how the activities are so well planned and actually perfectly suited for 4th graders, they enjoy the rope making, and the panning, and the Indian beads and just everything that we do. And I also appreciate the real Christian spirit of the staff, the wonderful testimonies that they give as they speak as the pioneers... It really makes them a part of California history, in fact I feel a part of California history just being here..."" Sharlotte Swanson |
 "I have been coming here fore over 10 years and every year I love it more! It is so well organized. The staff shares a true love of Jesus with the kids. The parents are very impressed - and it all takes place in a beautiful setting!" Dolly Jackson |
 "We really enjoyed especially how Christ was involved in the whole program, it always came back to God... I think the highlights for the kids were the panning for gold and the ho-down... The people who work here are really nice and dedicated..." Michael Chase |
 "This is my 5th year at Rock-N-Water, it's a great place. One of the things that really sticks out to me is the youth of many of the staff, how well they relate to the kids... can roll play with humor, there is a lot of bonding between the 4th graders and the young staff, and yet with the youth of the staff there is also maturity in Christ, that as they speak they are always incorporating scriptures or scriptural principals, especially as far as the real treasure being in heaven not here on earth... to seek God and not just gold... It's a real bonding time for parents and children... it is an opportunity for parents and children to make a memory and a spiritual memory as well." Paula McBride |
 "This has been the most awesome experience for me and my kids... the teaching of the history has been excellent and the bible teaching that they've done has been so cool..." Beverly Goodman |
 "It has been fantastic! The people they have working here are infinitely patient with my kids with infinite energy, which is a good combination the only way it would have worked. The food is fantastic... I can't recommend this place highly enough, please come out here and enjoy yourselves." Griff Joyce |
 "It's a great experience. I love all the people that dress up, they give the great atmosphere of 1854 (the year that they are here), they sing songs, they do dancing, all this awesome stuff, they keep the kids going, there is no time for them to get in trouble. I encourage you to bring your students here, I'd be a loss if you didn't come." Michelle Haas |
 "California History through Gold Mines, panning for gold, nature hikes, settlers' games, hoe-down, campfire songs and stories, tug-o-war - all held together by God's sovereign hand. A top-notch program run by Rock-N-Water." Christopher Chu |
 "I love Rock-N-Water because it blends history and [Christianity] and it makes them come alive for the students where they are not just reading things in books, but experiencing it as it was. It changes my 4th graders every year and it's something they look forward to." Kristi Vazquez |
 "I've been brining my 4th graders to Rock-N-Water for 10 years... We find it a very fascinating time of parent and child bonding, and getting closer to God in His natural plan for us... The [guides] are amazing and wonderful, they are fun to be with and the children just have a marvelous time." Cindy Hotaling |
 "It brings history alive, totally... every year you see the kids get into what they are doing, they come here and they come to life... They experience some of what the 49ers would have felt at that time, and by the time they get into their their tents at night, after the ho-down and the songs and the stories, boom - lights out - they are done." Gina Moran |
 "The great thing about Rock-N-Water that I like the most, is that it is a Christian experience also with the 49er experience, that there is a Christian emphasis talking about finding their treasure in heaven and storing up those treasures. I just like that they can bring the whole focus of 49er camp, which is fun in itself, which is a great time and a great experience, but there is a Christian emphasis, talking about the Lord, sharing devotion, and having quiet times. Coming from a Christian School that makes a huge difference for us." Michelle Montgomery |
 "...they are experiencing things that they would not be able to experience anywhere else but here. They are unique experiences that they will carry with them throughout their life, and the adults learn a lot as well. You should definitely consider brining your kids and coming along with them." Cara Maffini |
 "It has been incredible watching the kids having a hands on experience. Getting to walk through the mining areas and panning for gold, and taking everything they learned and putting it into action. The staff here is great they take care of the kids..." Michelle Greenland |
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