FAQs

One reason why camp is a place where students often make life changing decisions is that it is a place away from home. In addition, we have found that the longer and the more a student leaves their lifestyle at home, the more clearly they can see themselves -- almost as if they are looking in from the outside. This doesn't’t need to be an unpleasant experience. In fact, it can be naturally integrated into a refreshing adventure where students are mostly unaware of the limitations until their lifestyle is restored.

In order to minister to your group in this way, we have intentionally shaped Rock-N-Water to be completely different than what students experience at home. And though this is only one of our goals, we believe it is becoming an increasingly important experience for today’s youth. You may notice this philosophy behind some of our rules and preferences, and we anticipate that you will appreciate the effort and the effect – at least by the time you get back home. Thanks again for trusting us with your youth. (To those of you who will only visit us for a day or so, thank you for helping us contribute to an atmosphere that is more obviously productive in youth who are staying longer.)

We provide all the food. If you do bring any snacks for the car ride, please leave them in the vehicle for the ride home. The reason for this range from heat/hydration related illnesses to potential wildlife issues (see Philosophy above)

However - If some of your group has food allergies or dietary needs, please let us know in advance so that we can make arrangements as needed.

Yes. And because of how much fun they are having and how much of their time is taken up with being active outdoors, you may be surprised at how little they miss these comforts (see Philosophy above).

We love the idea of a Student Packet, but unfortunately we'll need you to be flexible when it comes to a detailed schedule. So here are some suggestions:

1. Focus on Adventures without specific dates - If you want to have them read verses, questions, and quiet times specific to each adventure, then list the adventure at the top of the page (ie: Rock Climbing Day) but omit what specific day of the week it is for.

2. Keep things general - 7:00 AM (ish) wake up, 8:00 AM Breakfast, 9 AM - 6 PM Adventure of the day - 7-8:30 PM Digest food, play ultimate Frisbee, boat wrestling, swimming... 8:30-10:00 PM Campfire.

Caution: even the above schedule has variations we know about, and others we can't predict, so make sure no one is fully relying upon that schedule, or they might miss the bus! (ie: Rock Climbing we typically have breakfast at 7:15 AM, Ruck-A-Chuck days we have a 6:30 Breakfast, Some days we don't wake up till just before Breakfast, on Backpacking trips we typically don't even know what time it is...)

Campsite & Campfire: There will be other groups in camp, but you will have your very own campsite and fire pit for campfire time.

Group Campfire - optional: We try to have a group campfire once a week (Typically on Wednesday Night). It is an opportunity to gather together as the body of Christ for a time of Skits, Worship, and a Short Message. Your group's attendance is up to you. It is organize so that if you wanted, you could go for the Skits and/or Worship, and then retreat to your campfire to finish off the night with your own study/campfire. These large group campfires usually give your group the opportunity to entertain or minister to the other youth groups in camp by performing skits, poems, etc.

Adventures: Other groups will often be around you during the day and out on the adventure. It is not our goal to split your group up or to force others to mix with you, but some rare occasions the sizes of different groups necessitates a little mixing here and there. Please be flexible and talk with your RNW Trip Leader if you have concerns.

Camp Stores: We have intentionally avoided having a camp store in order to protect the unique atmosphere we have at Rock-N-Water. We don’t think that selling snacks and mementoes is wrong; we just want students to have a break from their everyday want-purchase routine.

T-Shirts: We can provide T-Shirts for your entire group if you want them, you will need to order them in advance from the office, and it's either everyone in your group gets one, or no one gets one. So that no one feels like they missed out, if you do get T-Shirts, we will sneak them to you as you drive away, so groups not getting them will not feel sad they didn't get one. They cost $8 per person and are 100% cotton.

Rafting Photos are typically taken of every raft by photo companies That are located within a few minutes drive of camp. While we all love looking and laughing at photos together, we have sometimes notice a change in a group's paradigm after they come back from that kind of excursion and it sometimes takes a day or so to get them back in the swing of their camp experience. (See Philosophy above). Here are some suggestions to consider. You may also want to consult your trip leader for advice.

1. Hit the photo place on your way home.

2. Have a leader pick up contact sheets ( thumb nail sketches) to share at camp or back home.

Going out for Ice Cream: If you still want to go, check with your RNW Trip Leader for directions and instructions on keeping it on the Down Low, and so that other groups in camp are not affected or aware of it.

49er Fun: While there is a store located at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, we avoid it while touring the park for these same reasons and for the logistical difficulties and bad experiences that it can cause. If parents must, they can stop by the park's store on their way home, but please not during the trip.

You might want to let your parents know that you will be out of touch with the "real" world for the duration of this trip and that “no news is good news”. Not only do half the cell phones not work around here, but we really hope all of our participants will forget about phones for the short time they are with us. As a leader, our camp phone is available to you when necessary (see Philosophy above).

Important Messages can be left at the office number (530-621-3918), but we can't guarantee how long it will be before we are able to find the individual the message was intended for.

We get wet.

Some of our best trips have been wet ones. Unless safety is an issue, we probably will not cancel a trip due to inclement weather.

If it looks like rain, then pack accordingly, and make sure that your rain gear is easy to access and not buried under the luggage of 15 other people. We have numerous covered areas under which we can find refuge for most of our activities, but plan on being in the elements throughout your stay.

As a side note, we are aware that in general parents are becoming more protective and less interested in seeing their children experience the outdoors. We believe it is critically important that students experience what God has made first hand.

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Romans 1:20 NIV

Second Side Note: April tends to be hit or miss for rain. May tends to be mostly dry. June through August we'll typically have just ONE of rain, and that is typically less than a few hours. - Yes, it's lovely California.