Shaffer's High Sierra Camp

Accommodation

The accommodations at High Sierra Camp offer a mix of rustic charm and comfort. The older campers (typically ages 15-17) stay in wooden cabins that have two rooms, each room sleeping six campers (with bunk beds & shelves). The majority of campers sleep in “Miner’s Tents” — raised deck-style walled tents, each tent housing one counselor and seven campers on four bunk beds (a total of eight).

For the youngest campers, tipis are used—large, canvas structures on wooden decks with 5-inch-thick foam mattresses, housing up to one counselor and six campers. All campers use a bathhouse with private showers and flush toilets. This variety of lodging types supports age-appropriate grouping, while giving kids a genuine wilderness camp feel.

Safety

The camp emphasizes supervision, age-appropriate programming, and non-competitive team-based activities. Because the setting is wilderness (mountain trails, lakes, forest), the accommodations and activity environment reflect careful planning: raised tents, cabins, and a centralized bathhouse ensure safe overnight living. The website notes limited enrollment (about 120 campers), which supports manageable group sizes and oversight. Parents should ask about staff-to-camper ratios, trained outdoor specialists, equipment inspections (for rock climbing, mountain biking, etc.) and emergency medical access when registering.

Meals

At High Sierra Camp, meals are an integral part of the camper experience—tasty, fresh, and nourishing food is a central component of camp life. Meals are served family-style: counselors bring significant portions of each dish to their tables to share, creating camaraderie alongside the food. The kitchen team prioritizes whole ingredients (for example, making falafel from dry chickpeas, roasting fresh chicken instead of using deli meats), homemade dips, flatbreads and desserts, and a mix of international menu items alongside familiar favorites.

Each lunch and dinner includes a well-stocked salad bar with fresh veggies, homemade dressings, cheeses, sliced chicken, legumes or pasta salad — significant back-ups for kids who aren’t keen on the main entrée. Breakfast includes a self-serve bar with fresh fruit, yogurt, milk, oatmeal and cereal, in addition to a hot entrée. Snacks between meals include items such as fruit, toast, string cheese, or fun options like PB&J sliders or French toast leftovers. Vegetarian and vegan options are available at every meal; the camp works to accommodate medical and dietary restrictions, but notes that it is not a nut-free or gluten-free environment.

A sample week’s menus show a wide variety: meals such as chicken tikka masala, beef & broccoli stir-fry, roasted pork tenderloin and themed nights like “Build your own ice-cream sundae bar” illustrate the commitment to both nutrition and fun.

Health

High Sierra Camp maintains an on-site health center staffed by a licensed healthcare professional such as a doctor, registered nurse, EMT, or paramedic. All camper medications — both prescription and non-prescription — must be turned in to the health center upon arrival, where they are securely stored and administered according to the instructions of parents or physicians. The only exceptions are inhalers and bee-sting kits, which may remain with the camper for emergency use.

The camp emphasizes that children on prescribed attention or behavior medications (such as Ritalin) should continue their usual regimen during camp sessions, since many outdoor activities require focus and coordination. The medical staff also handles minor injuries and provides first aid as needed.

Families are encouraged to contact the camp directly for details regarding emergency procedures, staffing levels for medical personnel, and any accommodations for individuals with chronic or severe health conditions.

The activities at High Sierra Camp are rich, diverse and built to engage campers in fresh experiences, outdoor skills, team cooperation and personal growth. Each day offers a rhythm of choice: campers pick from a menu of outdoor adventures and creative programs, rotate through challenge courses and skill tracks, and finish with shared group gatherings and reflection. The wilderness setting means that apart from core activities, there are chances for spontaneous exploration, fun in the forest and camp-community bonding.