Join a 100+ year tradition at Emandal! Since 1908, Emandal has been hosting families and friends each summer. The farm and it’s natural surroundings are the perfect setting for you to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, so that you can reconnect with family, friends, nature and, quite simply, good fun.
Accommodations: We have 19 redwood cabins, the majority were built by Al Byrnes between 1910 and 1925. Each cabin is furnished with beds ((1 queen and from 1-4 bunks) along with bed and bath linens, ceiling fans, cold spring water and electricity. Bathrooms & shower facilities are located throughout the camp area. Comfortable capacity is about 70 people per session. See Camp Area – Cabins, Showers & Bathrooms in the gallery for pictures.
Meals: We serve 3 delicious, family-style homemade meals a day. Everything is made from scratch, and a good portion of the fruits & vege
tables we use comes from the farm. Many of our eggs come from our own chickens, and much of our meat is our own free-range chicken, turkey, pig and beef. Otherwise, we endeavor to support local, sustainable, organic farmers.
Our fair-trade coffee is house-roasted, and we produce our own jams & syrups. Our bread & granola are made here almost daily, sometimes baked in our outdoor brick oven.
Meals begin with dinner on the first night & end with breakfast on the last day of your session. If you have strict dietary restrictions/allergies, a guest kitchen with refrigerator, microwave and sink is available for your use.
Activities:
Farm Chores: You’ll have the option to try your hand at egg gathering, cow milking, berry picking, harvesting vegetables for our kitchen, pickle-making, or a variety of other daily tasks.
Swimming: The Eel River borders the ranch for three miles, offering all types of natural swimming holes, ample opportunity for driftwood gathering, rock hunting, and sandcastle building.
Hiking: There are numerous hiking trails throughout our 1,000 acres of wooded hill-land, and trail maps are available.
Games: Play ping pong on the lawn or volleyball on the outdoor sand volleyball court. Bring your favorite board game and play on the porch.
Stargazing: At night, the sky offers a brilliant display of summer constellations. The campfire circle has held people captive for hours, with songs, stories, skits and games.
Rest & Relax: Feel free to sit in your hammock or throw a blanket on one of our lawns and curl up with a good book from our library.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Do you serve alcohol / can we bring our own during Family Camp? Emandal does not serve alcohol, and because we are a Family Camp serving folks from differing belief systems, we do not allow alcoholic beverages in the meal areas (Dining Room and deck, Pizza Deck, Camp BBQ area, etc.) or in the common areas (the lawns, the river, the fire circle, etc.) That way our common areas can remain open for everyone. Guests may bring their own alcohol for consumption as drinking socially in your own cabin space (or others), is at your discretion, of course. We ask that guests who do drink, do so responsibly and are considerate of other guests.
Do you allow pets? We do not. We have quite a few of own for you to enjoy during your stay with us!
Where is Emandal located?
Emandal is located 16 miles off Highway 101, northeast of Willits in the heart of Mendocino County. We are 140 miles north of San Francisco, 60 miles from the coast and 2 miles from the base of San Hedrin Mountain, one of the highest points in the Coast Range. Our elevation is 1350 feet and the temperature normally registers 85°-95º at noon during the summers. Driving directions to the farm.
What should I bring to the farm?
- Clothes for camping, hiking, swimming in the river, sitting by the campfire, getting to and from the shower-house
- Toiletries.
- Beach towels, river shoes
- Flashlights
- Musical instruments and group games
- Book, e-readers – but please remember to download your ebooks BEFORE coming to the farm (see the note below under “Computers”)
- Snacks, coolers and refillable water bottles (ice is available at the farm to replenish your cooler) But remember that ALL FOOD must be kept in the Dining Room Area, not in camp. Try not to bring too much! Bears.
- A battery-powered alarm clock and/or watch if you’re worried about knowing the time (there’s no cell phone reception on the farm). But remember you’re on vacation!
What should I NOT bring to the farm?
- Cell phones – there is no reception at the farm
- Computers – If you must check your email, we have an ipad and a chrome book for your use. Otherwise, no internet service is available.
- Portable TV or broadcastable radio/iPod
- Water cannons/guns; unrecyclable plastic or vinyl river toys
- Electronic games
- Cigarettes/cigars
Let us know if you’d like to talk to veteran family-campers – we have lots of folks who are happy to share their experiences and answer your questions!
2020 Prices
Family Camp Session Dates 2020
See 2020 Family Camp Session Dates & Availability. After 2020 registration has opened, this list will be updated with current availability.