Refreshing Mountain Camp
455 Camp Road
Stevens, PA 17578
| Phone: |
(717) 738-1490 |
| Toll-free: |
(888) 353-1490 |
| Fax: |
(717) 733-6929 |
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| We have found that flexibility is the key to a successful retreat and/or event. We will do our best to accommodate the type of event/retreat that you want, and we hope that you will "flex" your retreat to fit into our facilities. If, after reading the answers to the questions below, you still have questions, or were hoping for a different answer than what is listed, please feel free to contact us directly to see if we can serve your needs. |
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What is the reservation procedure?
When making a reservation at RMC, please use the following steps:
- Call and talk to staff regarding the type of retreat that you are planning, the approximate number of people that will attend, and available dates. It is also recommended that you come and take a camp tour, especially if this is the first time that you have held a retreat at RMC. Please call in advance to set up a tour time.
- Place a temporary reservation on a suitable date or time span while talking with RMC staff (this will hold for 2 weeks).
- Complete a RETREAT CONTRACT (which you will receive via mail, email, or fax). On the contract, you will be reserving space for an estimated number of people. Please see #7 for more details regarding your final number for retreat.
- Return the completed contract to RMC, along with your deposit (as per the contract parameters that correspond to the estimated number or people that you are reserving for), a copy of your organization's insurance certificate, the Facilities/Activities Scheduling sheet, and a copy of your organization's tax exemption certificate (if applicable).
- After you submit these items, you will receive confirmation of receipt and acceptance within a few weeks.
- Once you have created a draft of your retreat schedule, please submit it to RMC for review, prior to publishing it (preferably at least 1 month prior to your event). RMC staff will work with you to make sure that facilities like the gym, game room, and activities are available to your group when you have them scheduled.
- 14 days before the arrival date, you must inform RMC of the minimum # of people that will attend (within the min/max on your contract). You may continue to add to this # up to arrival time (i.e. last minute additions); however, there will be a 5% addition to the cost for meals/lodging on these last minute additions.
How much of a deposit do I need to submit?
The deposit amount varies directly with the estimated size of your group and the number of nights that you will be staying. It is outlined as follows:
| 20 to 60 persons |
$300.00 per night |
| 61 to 120 persons |
$600.00 per night |
| 121 to 180 persons |
$900.00 per night |
| 181 to 250 persons |
$1,200.00 per night |
| 251 to 300 persons |
$1,500.00 per night |
| 300 + persons |
$1,800.00 per night |
When do I get my deposit back?
The deposit that you submit with your contract will be returned after the retreat pending a satisfactory camp inspection by RMC staff. It will not be taken off of your invoice. If you wish, you can also roll the deposit toward a future retreat.
If our facilities are damaged by your group, the cost for repair or replacement will be deducted from your deposit. If your deposit amount is not sufficient to cover damages, you will be billed for the outstanding balance.
How far in advance can I make reservation?
We take reservations up to 12 months in advance. This gives our existing groups the first option to rebook for the following year. If you are interested in booking a retreat more than 12 months in advance, please contact RMC directly. We can put you on a waiting list and notify you if that retreat spot becomes available.
What if I need to reduce the number of lodge rooms I reserved?
If you reserve a number of lodge rooms on the contract, you may change that number without penalty until 30 days prior to arrival. (Note that even if you lower the number of rooms reserved, this does not affect the minimum # of attendees on the contract.) Within 30 days of arrival, the # of lodge rooms reserved may not be lowered and you will be charged $35.00 per room per night for any room reserved but not used.
What size group can I bring to Refreshing Mountain Camp?
The minimum group size is 30 persons in bunks and 21 in lodge/private rooms. The maximum group size (comfortably) is 400 persons, but we will allow for larger groups in certain cases. Talk to reservation staff for more details.
If you have less than 15 persons and are interested in a retreat at RMC, please call and talk to the reservation staff. There are certain times when we will lower the minimum number of people in a specific group.
Will there be other groups at RMC while my group is there?
Yes, it is most likely that your group will not be the only one here at any given time. However, this does not pose a problem for most groups. Both your meeting and lodging areas will be used exclusively by your group, therefore, you will not need to share these areas with strangers. Your contact with other groups will primarily be at meal times (we usually serve all groups simultaneously) and in the pool (during the summer).
If you provide a schedule of your retreat to the RMC staff, we will coordinate your retreat schedule with other groups that are here, so that your use of a gym, the sports fields, High Ropes, and other activities does not conflict with the other groups (and vice versa). If possible, please submit the schedule at least 1 month prior to the retreat.
Do you ever provide discounts on activities?
Any activities schedule that is finalized at least 2 weeks prior to arrival date is subject to the following discount:
- 10% discount on activities totaling over $600.00
- 15% discount on activities totaling over $1,200.00
Can I rent the camp facilities exclusively?
Yes, with the exception of the pool area. If you contract for a minimum group size of 301 persons, we will hold the camp facilities exclusively for your group. Facilities refers specifically to the following: All lodging (both bunks and private rooms), all meeting rooms, both gyms, and the Dining Hall. Unless special arrangements are made, RMC reserves the right to rent campsites to patrons (the campsites are in a different area from the rest of the retreat area) and to open the pool to the community. In all cases, RMC makes an effort to ensure that any other bookings it accepts in addition to an "exclusive" retreat, do not hinder the accessibility of the facilities by the exclusive group.
When is the pool open?
Please reference our pool schedule to find out the hours it will be open while you are here. When open, it is staffed by our life guards. It is also available for private rental by our guest groups on any day from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM at a cost of $45.00 per hour.
What are the pool rules?
The most important rules at the pool are to use common sense and to be courteous to others. We also desire to promote modesty at the pool, so we do not allow two-piece bathing suits (exception can be made if an opaque shirt is worn over top of the suit). Other rules include:
- No running
- Feet first only on the slides
- Forward stunts only on the diving board
- Do not push other people in the pool
- You must wear swimming attire to be in the pool area
There are other rules posted at the pool entrance, and our lifeguards strictly enforce all of them for your safety.
When can we use the gym and sports fields?
Your retreat rental includes access to at least one gym and the sports fields, but this use will not necessarily be exclusive. Once you have your schedule written, please submit it to RMC staff, so that they can make sure that your gym time and other activities do not conflict with other groups. Scheduling is "first come, first served" therefore, the earlier you submit your schedule, the more likely it will be that facilities will be available when you want them.
The gyms are never closed, so you may schedule them at any time (even during quiet hours). The sports fields can only be used from 7:00AM to 11:00PM (the sports fields do not have lights).
Some Helpful Tips Regarding Scheduling
- Try not to schedule a gym for more than 2 hours consecutively, unless it is after 9:00PM.
- If your group is less than 80 persons, try not to schedule "free time" that potentially ties up the gym and the sports fields simultaneously.
- On any given Saturday during the Fall and Winter, don't plan to use the gym all afternoon.
Are there any hidden costs to a retreat?
The "package" price quoted to you for meals and lodging includes all of the following: meals and lodging (obviously), 1 meeting room, access to 1 gym, access to the sports fields, access to the pool from 12:30PM to 7:00PM, weather permitting (seasonal), access to the outdoor court and hiking trails, and the other general camp facilities. Anything that is not listed above will incur additional costs (i.e. activities like High Ropes, the climbing tower, Archery, an extra meeting room, private pool use after 7:00PM, etc).
What sports equipment does the camp provide?
We have miscellaneous basketballs, soccer balls, kick balls, tennis balls, footballs, and volleyballs available for the gyms and outdoor court. Please keep in mind that this is "camp" equipment, and is used a lot. Therefore, we recommend that you bring along your own equipment if you want to have high-quality equipment.
RMC also has sports equipment in nicer condition that may be signed out to adult counselors, who will be responsible for the return of equipment. Adult counselors should go to the office to sign out such equipment. Equipment to sign out includes: Good volleyballs, basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, indoor soccer balls, kick balls, playground balls, and bombardment balls. Softball equipment (bats, balls, and a few gloves), tennis racquets, Frisbees, indoor floor hockey equipment, cones, markers, flags (capture the flag), ping-pong equipment, and lawn games (Croquet, Badminton, Bocce, Kings/Kube) are also available upon request.
RMC also has Horseshoes, Shuffleboard, Tetherball, Box Hockey, and Carpet Ball available for the group's use. Games (Billiards, Air Hockey, and Foosball) are available in the camp store.
Coming Soon!!! RMC plans to have Quoits and Sand Volleyball ready for Spring/Summer 2007!
Do you allow pets?
We allow pets under the following conditions (these do not all apply to seeing-eye dogs):
- They must be on a leash at all times.
- They may not be in ANY of the buildings at ANY time (some of our guests have allergies to pets). This includes the bunks and private rooms. There will be a $50 charge per night, plus costs of cleanup for any violations.
- They must be docile, since they will be around other people.
- You must clean up after them.
- Fees may apply for pets accompanying you to RMC.
There is a camp dog (a St. Bernard named Gentle Ben) and several cats here at RMC. We encourage you to leave your pets at home, and enjoy these animals while you are here.
Do we have to be in our bunks during quiet hours (11:00PM to 7:00AM)?
No, not necessarily. During the Quiet Hours, your group needs to be involved in some sort of structured activity INDOORS. That can include the use of your meeting room, a gym, the dining hall and/or your bunks. It is important that when you do finally recess to your bunks, that you do so quietly and quickly. There is to be no wandering/lounging around outside between the hours of 11:00PM and 7:00AM.
Is Smoking Allowed?
While RMC discourages smoking on our premises, it is allowed in our designated smoking area, which is in the eastern part of our parking lot, beside the Dining Hall. Smoking in or around any of our buildings is strictly disallowed. RMC will impose a fine of $100.00 per room/facility if there is evidence of smoking within any buildings.
Can we purchase snacks from the camp?
Yes. We have the following two snack options for an organized snack time.
- Pizza and soda (popular for Friday evenings) which can be served as late at 9PM any night.
- Fruit, pretzels, cheese, cookies, and soda (a set-out snack) served at any time.
Talk to reservation staff regarding prices. We also have a camp store that can be opened for your group. The store offers a wide array of "junk food" as well as souvenirs. You can either allow your campers to purchase snacks themselves, or you can arrange a voucher for each camper that will be added to your invoice at the end of the retreat.
Can we bring our own snacks?
Yes, but the following conditions apply. If you intend to eat the snacks in your meeting room, please plan snacks that are appropriate to the age of your group, keeping in mind that all of our meeting rooms have carpet on the floor (i.e. Red grape juice is not a good drink choice for young children, because spills will stain the carpet). Please be aware that your group will be billed for damages that you cause to the carpet. If possible, we encourage groups to use the Dining Hall, which is open all the time, for their snack area.
If you plan to provide your own snacks, please also plan to provide your own cups, napkins, plates, etc. RMC can provide these items for you if you forget, and the cost for these items will be added to your invoice.
Also regarding snacks, RMC does not allow guest groups to set up a snack stand where they sell snacks to their campers.
When are the meals served?
All meals are typically served in the Dining Hall at the following times:
- Breakfast at 8:00AM
- Lunch at 12:00 Noon
- Dinner at 5:00 PM
You should plan accordingly unless special arrangements are made in advance. It is helpful to our kitchen staff (and to the food quality) for your entire group to show up promptly for meals at the designated times. It doesn't usually take very long to serve your group and we do not keep the lines open very long after everyone has been served. Therefore, if some members of your group are tardy, they may end up missing the meal.
RMC recognizes the need for flexibility regarding meal scheduling (i.e. schedule changes, delays, etc.). We will seek to be as accommodating as possible; however, we will add a fee to $10 per RMC staff member affected by any last minute changes to the schedule to help cover our additional costs.
What is the typical menu?
The following are examples of some meals here at RMC:
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, Pancakes w/ optional toppings, Sausage, Home fries, fresh fruit, cereal, juices, coffee, tea.
Lunch: meatball subs, hotdogs, soup, French fries, salad bar, chips, crackers, fruit salad, cookies, beverages. PBJ sandwiches available.
Dinner: BBQ chicken, Salisbury Steak, mashed potatoes, rice, green beans, salad bar, bread, butter and jelly, dessert and beverages. PBJ sandwiches available.
Once your reservation is complete, you will be able to make some menu recommendations for your group (RMC will provide you with a list of options). While we do not guarantee that we will serve what you request, we will certainly consider your requests when determining the menu.
Can we cook our own meals at RMC?
RMC does not allow guest groups to use the kitchen in the Dining Hall, therefore, if you choose to provide your own meals, you will need to prepare items that do not need to be cooked, or else you will need to set up your own cooking facilities (i.e. using the pavilion and setting up a grill or campfire).
Generally, groups that are using the retreat facilities do not find it practical to provide their own meals, due to the facility constraints for private cooking. That is why RMC typically caters the meals.
Guests that are not part of a group using the retreat facilities (i.e. those in the campsites or families staying in the cabins) are expected to provide their own meals unless they make special arrangements with the camp staff.
If you have questions that were not answered by this page, please feel free to email or call us.
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