You're probably wondering about the details of meals, rooms, hiking, weather, Internet access, mobile phone reception, and all the rest. Look no further.
Meals
Breakfast is available each day from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM. It includes pastries, fruits, cereals and similar items, in a buffet format, as you might find in a continental-breakfast++. In addition, there is sit down service of a hot main dish that varies from day to day, from among omelets, pancakes, waffles and other similar items. Breakfast is included in your room rate.
For lunch, we're on our own, but there is an informal "lunch club" staffed by volunteer Campers who stock our kitchen with cold lunch items and snacks. Participation is voluntary and usually costs $25 for the week.
For dinner, we're also on our own. Since we have access to a kitchen, it's possible for some of us to prepare our own dinners, but there isn't capacity for all of Camp to do that. Most of us will be exploring nearby restaurants. However, there are three special dinners, described below.
Special dinners
The three special dinners are the Welcoming Dinner (Saturday), Pizza Night (usually on Tuesday), and the Camp Barbecue (Thursday).
The Welcoming Dinner will be in the dining room and will include two entrees, and a range of side dishes and salads.
Pizza Night is a Camp creation. We make our own pizzas under the supervision (if you want to call it that) of Camper Brian Lawrence. Expect some novel creations you won't find anywhere else (in some cases, for good reason!).
The Camp Barbecue will be at the Daddy J facility on the
ranch. Situated near the river and nearly surrounded by ponds, the Daddy J has lots of picnic tables and a fine view. The barbeque will include two meats and all the traditional fixings. Special dietary requirements will be accommodated.
Special dietary requirements
If you have any dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian (vegan or ovo-lacto), gluten-free, or low-acid, Chef Scott will accommodate us. Contact Deb Sampson to let her know what you need and she will pass it along to the chef.
The Sylvan Dale kitchen is not certified Kosher
Recreation
The Ranch is about 3200 acres in size (5 square miles). The altitude is about 5280 feet (1609 meters). As a "guest ranch" Sylvan Dale offers trail rides, breakfast rides, steak rides, moonlight rides, lunch rides, overnight pack trips, lessons, cattle drives and more. There are also facilites for horseshoes, tennis and volleyball.
Fishing is available with two miles of private river access, trophy trout and bass lakes.
And you can explore on foot, on your own, or with experienced birders or naturalists. Massages are available.
Additional charges may apply for some of these activities.
What to wear
Comfortable, casual clothes—jeans, shorts, T-shirts and a sweatshirt or light jacket. Bring enough clothes to last the week, because there are no laundry facilities. There is a pick-up and drop-off laundry service if you wish. There's a swimming pool and a hot tub, so bring swimwear.
Internet access
Wireless Internet connections are available at the Heritage Building and Jessup Lodge. Although the Ranch's Web site hasn't been updated, wireless access has recently been made available all over the Ranch. There is also a computer in the Business Center with Internet access.
Mobile phone reception
Verizon reception in the main buillding is good. AT&T reception is spotty, but usually good in the upper parking lot. Net-10 seems to have access almost everywhere in the property.