In 2024, River Camp will continue offering its Inclusion Program at Young Explorers (pre-K and K), Adventurers (1st-5th Grades), and Rangers (6th-8th Grades) programs. The Inclusion Program offers beneficial support for your child’s camp experience, whether it be 1:1 support or simply additional accommodations.
River Camp programs take place completely outdoors in a natural environment that includes uneven terrain, dirt, grass, areas with native vegetation. All camp programs (except for Young Explorers) take place along the banks of the San Joaquin River. Depending on the program location, restroom facilities may be vault or portable toilets. Each day campers explore the site, find shade in the trees, cool off in the sprinklers and play games on the grass fields with their group. If river conditions permit campers may wade or swim in the river under lifeguard supervision.
The Young Explorers program takes place at the River Center, where time is spent exploring the site and learning about the plants and animals that call it home. Water play in the sprinklers is included in each day. Young Explorers is for ages 3.5 through entering Kindergarten an takes place from 9 am - 12 pm, M-F. River Camp Adventurers takes place at Scout Island, a beautiful 85-acre riverfront education facility owned by the Fresno County Office of Education. Because Scout Island is located on a private road, all campers attending River Camp Adventurers are dropped off at and picked up from the River Center and ride the River Camp bus to and from camp each day. If your camper is unable to ride the bus please let the Inclusion Coordinator know so alternate arrangements can be made. Adventurers camp is for campers entering 1st-5th grades in fall 2024 and takes place from 8:45 am - 4:15 pm, M-F.
River Camp Rangers takes place at Owl Hollow, a 5-acre riverfront site located next to the River Center. Each day campers practice leadership and communication skills, participate in team building activities, and complete hands-on STEM challenges. Rangers camp is for campers entering 6th-8th grades in fall 2024 and takes place from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, M-F.
The Trust’s goal is to have all RCIP campers participate fully in River Camp alongside their peers. Campers will be placed in a camp group with 11-13 other campers (determined by age), a Counselor and a Junior Leader. Each RCIP participant will also be assigned an Inclusion Specialist who will act as a part of the regular counseling staff but be available to assist RCIP campers when direct support is needed. Inclusion Specialists may assist with toileting if needed, however our Inclusion Specialists and counseling staff are not able to provide medical assistance to campers. If your child requires medical assistance, they may attend camp with a facilitator you provide who is comfortable rendering those services if needed.
An intake process, including an intake interview with the Trust’s Inclusion Coordinator, must be completed prior to acceptance into the program. Our goal is to include all campers, however if a child is a threat to themselves or others, or cannot participate in program activities meaningfully and safely, River Camp may not be a good fit for them. Parents of River Camp Inclusion Program participants may attend camp with their child if desired.
River Camp programs take place completely outdoors in a natural environment that includes uneven terrain, dirt, grass, areas with native vegetation. All camp programs (except for Young Explorers) take place along the banks of the San Joaquin River. Depending on the program location, restroom facilities may be vault or portable toilets. Each day campers explore the site, find shade in the trees, cool off in the sprinklers and play games on the grass fields with their group. If river conditions permit campers may wade or swim in the river under lifeguard supervision.
The Young Explorers program takes place at the River Center, where time is spent exploring the site and learning about the plants and animals that call it home. Water play in the sprinklers is included in each day. Young Explorers is for ages 3.5 through entering Kindergarten an takes place from 9 am - 12 pm, M-F. River Camp Adventurers takes place at Scout Island, a beautiful 85-acre riverfront education facility owned by the Fresno County Office of Education. Because Scout Island is located on a private road, all campers attending River Camp Adventurers are dropped off at and picked up from the River Center and ride the River Camp bus to and from camp each day. If your camper is unable to ride the bus please let the Inclusion Coordinator know so alternate arrangements can be made. Adventurers camp is for campers entering 1st-5th grades in fall 2024 and takes place from 8:45 am - 4:15 pm, M-F.
River Camp Rangers takes place at Owl Hollow, a 5-acre riverfront site located next to the River Center. Each day campers practice leadership and communication skills, participate in team building activities, and complete hands-on STEM challenges. Rangers camp is for campers entering 6th-8th grades in fall 2024 and takes place from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, M-F.
The Trust’s goal is to have all RCIP campers participate fully in River Camp alongside their peers. Campers will be placed in a camp group with 11-13 other campers (determined by age), a Counselor and a Junior Leader. Each RCIP participant will also be assigned an Inclusion Specialist who will act as a part of the regular counseling staff but be available to assist RCIP campers when direct support is needed. Inclusion Specialists may assist with toileting if needed, however our Inclusion Specialists and counseling staff are not able to provide medical assistance to campers. If your child requires medical assistance, they may attend camp with a facilitator you provide who is comfortable rendering those services if needed.
An intake process, including an intake interview with the Trust’s Inclusion Coordinator, must be completed prior to acceptance into the program. Our goal is to include all campers, however if a child is a threat to themselves or others, or cannot participate in program activities meaningfully and safely, River Camp may not be a good fit for them. Parents of River Camp Inclusion Program participants may attend camp with their child if desired.
Ages: Entering 1st through 5th grade
Locations: Young Explorers Camp, River Camp Adventurers and River Camp Rangers
Cost: Those accepted into the RCIP program will receive a full scholarship.
Locations: Young Explorers Camp, River Camp Adventurers and River Camp Rangers
Cost: Those accepted into the RCIP program will receive a full scholarship.
- How to Apply:
- All RCIP applicants must be referred by a Central Valley Regional Center Service Coordinator. For more information on eligibility for regional center services, click here.
- Together with your Service Coordinator, complete the River Camp Inclusion Program Application. This application is not available publicly; the link must be provided to you by your Service Coordinator. You will indicate your preferred week(s) of camp during the application process.
- The Trust’s Inclusion Coordinator will contact you to set up an appointment to meet. Please note: it may take up to 1 week to process the application. You may be asked to provide a copy of your child’s IEP/504 prior to the Intake Interview; you are not required to provide a copy, but it is helpful.
- Upon completion of the Intake Interview, the Inclusion Coordinator will decide if River Camp is a good fit for your child. If accepted into the program, your camper will be added to a camp session and assigned an Inclusion Specialist who will be working with them at camp. Both you and the Service Coordinator will be notified. All RCIP participants will receive a full scholarship.
- Prior to your camper’s session, your family will be invited to attend a mini ‘day at camp’ on a Saturday morning. This will allow your family to meet the assigned Inclusion Specialist, understand the daily camp schedule, and provide feedback on camp activities.
- Leading up to camp you may continue to communicate with the Inclusion Coordinator as needed to offer guidance on working with your child. Two weeks prior to your camper’s session, you will receive additional information about camp.
