About Hope Ranchcamping/training/expeditions
"We hope that all of your questions are answered in this list of frequently asked questions. If we have missed something, please use our "Contact" or "Help" links, and we will give you further information on specific questions."
Founder - Roberta Hope
What is the Hope Ranch Foundation?
Hope Ranch is a not-for-profit foundation,
and the money collected from all camper's
fees goes directly toward the lodging, insurance
and equipment of our campers.How is the Hope Ranch Foundation funded?
Hope Ranch does accept private and company donations and grants for the maintenance of our facility, as well as any expeditions that are not included in the Hope Ranch Summer Camp Program. We also set aside certain donation accounts to sponsor campers and students that would otherwise not be able to attend the Hope Ranch Summer Programs.
When should my camper arrive at Hope Ranch?
Hope Summer Camps program sessions begin at 1:00am (CDT) on the first day of that session, and close at 4:00pm (CDT) on the last day of each session. Please take this into consideration when booking your child's travel to Hope Ranch. We have a list of local hotels that will accommodate travelers at reduced rates, which will be included in your acceptance letter.
How can I contact my child at Hope Summer Camp?
You can send mail to your camper in two ways:
Post addressed to Campers Name, 898 Moon Valley Road, Columbia Missouri 65211
Email to services@hoperanchfoundation.org, with your camper's full name in the subject field. We will print it out and deliver it with the rest of the mail.
Can I call my child?
Phone calls are not allowed during Hope Summer Camps. Please DO NOT SEND CELL PHONES WITH CAMPERS, they will be confiscated until they leave at the end of their session. All counselors have emergency radios and cell phones if they are needed. If there is a family emergency please call our offices at 573-447-4803 and leave a message.
What will my child be doing at Hope Summer Camp?
Hope Ranch campers are treated to all of
the traditional pleasures of a summer camp.
Breaks in the camp archaeological projects
are filled with horse back riding trips,
overnight outdoor camping on neighboring
properties, fishing and swimming in the Hominy
Creek, camp fires, sing-alongs and field
trips to the University of Missouri - Columbia,
to meet the staff and find out more about
the lab and Museum, that is available on
the University campus.
How do I get my child to Hope Summer Camp?
Students are expected to provide their own
transportation to camp from their hometowns.
Typically, most students "caravan"
to camp in small groups and share expenses.
During the rest of the camp program, students
will be transported to the field in Hope
Ranch vehicles.
Does Hope Summer Camp cover all meals for
my child?
Meals will be provided at the camp dining
hall and usually constitutes three meals
per day and a snack period, seven days a
week. Students meals and snacks are covered
in the camp session fees provided on the
registration form. We serve youth friendly
foods, such as pizza, burgers, hot dogs and
tacos, and also offer healthy alternatives
like salads and yogurt at each meal.
Does Hope Summer Camp offer University credits
for my camper?
For students seeking University course credits,
they must be over the age of 16 and enrolled
in the adult programs. Hope Ranch will coordinate
with your chosen university, in providing
a way for you to pay your University fees
for three upper-division course credits through
normal billing procedures. This bill typically
is issued and payable by your chosen University
in June. So, be prepared in June to receive
a bill from Hope Ranch, or directly from
your chosen academic institution, that is
not included in your camp fees bill.
What costs will I incur outside of Hope Summer
Camp session fees?
Other costs to consider in your Summer Camp
financial planning are those associated with
the acquisition of personal supplies (see
next section), academic supplies, travel
to and from the camp location and spending
money that you may wish your child to have
for day trips into the University. We do
allow campers to purchase merchandise and
snacks from campus stores.
What should my camper pack for their stay
at Hope Summer Camp?
Hope Ranch does not provide personal clothing
and hygienic items for campers. Please have
your child pack sufficient toiletries and
clothing for the length of their stay at
Hope Ranch. We recommend that all clothing
that will be used "in the field"
be suitable for working in dirt and mud,
as well as for other outdoor activities.
Boots should be rugged "high-tops"
(above the ankle) with lug or other non-skid
soles. Leather boots are preferable. Lightweight,
synthetic-fabric, "running shoe-style"
hiking boots are not suitable for the conditions
at camp. If you purchase new boots for your
child before camp, it is recommended that
you make sure they arrive at camp with them
well "broken-in." Ask camp director
Fee Lee for advice if you need it. A detailed
equipment list is available for all campers,
in their acceptance letter.
Are there special equipment needs for Hope
Summer Camp?
An overnight camping trip is built into all
camper programs. At a minimum, students will
need some basic personal camping gear, including
a simple backpack and a warm sleeping bag,
along with their regular clothing and supplies.
Generally, most campers already have these
items. Hope Ranch provides all other group
equipment. Rather than purchasing gear, you
may want to consider borrowing some items
from friends or family. Quite likely, you
may want personal camping equipment for weekend
research trips once your child gets home!
How do I inform Hope Summer Camp personnel
of my child's allergies and other things?
Students planning to enroll in Hope Summer
Camp, should complete the "Summer Camp
Data Form", which you will receive with
your acceptance letter, and return it to
Fee Lee with the rest of the required forms.
It is especially important that you provide
private insurance information, any important
medical concerns, and a telephone number
of an emergency contact person. Please know
that this information will be held in strict
confidentiality.
My child has special needs, does Hope Summer
Camp accept differently-abled campers?
Hope Ranch welcomes those campers that are
differently-abled. We can accommodate those
with physical challenges, however, we do
reserve the right to not admit any youth
that we feel would not benefit from our programs
due to severe disabilities, whether emotional
or physical. This is for the safety of your
child, and we will do everything we can to
accommodate those that we feel will benefit
from our programs, in a safe and productive
environment. More »