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A "Boxcar Children" Adventure: Literature and Adventure Come to Life

Program Number: 14993RJ
Start and End Dates:
6/24/2013 - 6/28/2013; 7/22/2013 - 7/26/2013;
Duration: 4 nights
Location: Dunsmuir, California
Price starting at: $797.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Intergenerational; Literature
Intergenerational 		Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 11; 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners    

Program intended for grandchildren from 6 - 8 years of age.

Experience the fun, can-do attitude of the Boxcar Children series. From childhood stories written for her grandfather, Gertrude Chandler Warner grew into a beloved children's book author. Each day, read from Warner's books and get assistance in writing your own stories. Hike, swim and pick berries while living in a railcar just like the Boxcar Children. On field trips, think creatively about how storytelling strengthens intergenerational bonds, and wind down in the evenings with more stories from Warner and your own budding author.




Highlights

• Explore beautiful Shasta City Park and build your own safety kit to have a ‘Lost in the Woods’ lunch.
• Make connections between the stories you read and everyday life fun, with specially designed arts and crafts.
• Enjoy an excursion to Turtle Bay Aquarium and walk across the amazing Sundial Bridge.



Activity Particulars

Walking one mile; Cave walks may take place on rough, uneven surfaces.



Coordinated by Road Scholar.




Dunsmuir

The Sacramento River Canyon in Northern California is home to this tiny town, constructed in conjunction with the arrival of the Central Pacific Railroad in 1886, when extra locomotives were used to push loaded trains up the steep grade. Nearby Mount Shasta and other Cascade wilderness areas are full of scenic hikes and pristine lakes and streams.
Accommodations
Grandparents and grandkids share accommodations in converted railway cars, all with private baths. Double, twin or king beds. Up to two children per adult.
Meals and Lodgings
   Railroad Park Resort
  Dunsmuir CA 4 nights
 Railroad Park Resort
Type: Other
  Description: In its golden era, Dunsmuir was once an important, thriving railroad community. Formerly named “Pusher”, this was the spot where additional locomotives were added onto the trains, to “push” them up the steep grade to Mt. Shasta. In 1968, the Murphy family, local descendents of pioneering railroaders, decided to collect and preserve the old rail era, by transforming rail cars into beautifully renovated units. A collection of cabooses, flat cars and box cars were acquired and work was started. “Murphy’s Pond” a popular swimming pond and the wine bar were the first phase of the project. In the years following, additional cabooses were transformed into motel units, a dinner house and lounge were added, as well as a swimming pool and spa which completed the project. The Murphy Family still proudly owns and actively operates this family business. A charming little site, this 'motel' consists of a dozen and a half rail cars permanently parked amidst attractive landscaping and a small pool. Site is next to a river at the foot of the gorgeous Castle Crags.
  Contact info: 100 Railroad Park Road
Dunsmuir, CA 96025 USA
phone: 530-235-4440
web: www.rrpark.com
  Room amenities: Each rail car is nicely remodeled into an attractive room, and laid out with different configurations of beds; some have two double beds, other have double and twin, etc. All rail cars require several (3-5) steps up into the car. All rail cars have private bathrooms.
  Facility amenities: Amenities include an outdoor pool and walking trails.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Additional nights prior: Contact directly for price This resort is very popular - call early to determine availability.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Contact directly for price This resort is very popular - call early to determine availability.
  Check out time: 10:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Resort check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Road Scholar registration is from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The program activities begin with dinner at 6:00 PM. You will be staying at Railroad Park Resort that night.
  End of Program:
Program concludes after breakfast the last day. Check out time is 10:00 AM. You will be staying at Railroad Park Resort the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Participants are asked to complete the Intergenerational Rules and Regulations Form. Young learners also need to return the Parental Consent Form (one per child) and Favorite Foods Form.
  Parking availability:
Free parking at the resort.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Dunsmuir CA
  Nearest city or town:  Dunsmuir CA
  Nearest highway: I-5, quarter mile away.
  Nearest airport:  Redding CA, 47 miles south
  From End of Program
  Location: Dunsmuir CA
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Dunsmuir, CA

 

From Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Shasta Shuttle
phone: 530-859-3266
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$15 per person, $10 for each additional passenger
Prices are subject to change.
 

Distance:

 

2.8 miles
   

From the Amtrak station in Dunsmuir, take the shasta shuttle to the Railroad Park Resort. Make your reservation with Shasta Shuttle over 10 days in advance. Call to reserve or visit website: http://www.shastashuttle.com/public-shuttles/redding-airport/
 

Dunsmuir from Redding Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Shasta Shuttle
phone: 530-859-3266
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$62 per person for two travelers; single traveler rate $114
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1 hour 
 

Distance:

 

60 miles
   

Make your reservation over 10 days in advance for a 10% discount. Take another 10% off if you are traveling round trip. Call to reserve or visit website: http://www.shastashuttle.com/public-shuttles/redding-airport/
 

Dunsmuir from Redding Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
ABC Cab
phone: 530-246-0577
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$185 one way
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1 hour 10 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

60 miles
 

Dunsmuir from Redding Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Car Rentals

 

Travel Time:

 

1 hour, 10 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

60 miles
   

Redding Municipal Airport (RDD) offers several rental car companies if you prefer to drive to the program site: Avis (800) 331-1212 Budget (800) 527-7000 Enterprise (800) 261-7331
 

Dunsmuir from Weed

 

From Bus Terminal

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
B&C Taxi
phone: 530-459-1999
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$50
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

25 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

20 miles
   

Contact B&C taxi for transportation from the Greyhound bus terminal in Weed, CA.
 

Dunsmuir from Medford Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Shasta Shuttle
phone: 530-859-3266
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$99 per person for two travelers; single traveler rate $188.00
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1 hour, 40 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

101 miles
   

Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR) is located in Medford, Oregon. Make your reservation over 10 days in advance for a 10% discount. Take another 10% off if you are traveling round trip. Call to reserve or visit website: http://www.shastashuttle.com/public-shuttles/redding-airport/
 

Dunsmuir from Medford Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Car Rentals
Advanced Reservations Required

   

Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR) is located in Medford, Oregon. This airport has several rental car companies: Avis (800) 831-2847 Budget (541) 773-7023 Enterprise (800) 736-8222 Hertz (800) 654-3131 National / Alamo (888) 426-3299
 
Driving Directions
  Railroad Park Resort (Dunsmuir, CA) from I-5 Take the Railroad Park Road Exit #728 toward Crag View Drive. Stay straight to go onto Railroad Park Road. Turn right to stay on Railroad Park Road. End at Railroad Park Resort.
  Railroad Park Resort (Dunsmuir, CA) from Redding Airport Exit the airport straight on to Knighton Rd.(do not turn left or right on to Airport Rd.) Follow Knighton Rd to I- 5 N Continue on I-5 N (55 mi) Take Railroad Park/Cragview Dr. Exit 728 Turn left on Cragview Dr. Take first left on to Railroad Park.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival and Orientation
(Monday, July 22)
   
 Dinner: Check in at Cabin 5 on Monday after 3 pm. Opening Pizza dinner at 6pm on the Hotel grounds
 Evening: Welcome and introductions, with an orientation to the Boxcar stories with your Group Leader and Instructor
   
Accommodations: Railroad Park Resort
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Morning Writing, Hedge Creek Falls, Mt. Shasta City Park, Mt. Shasta Fish Hatchery, and dinner at the Botanical Gardens
(Tuesday, July 23)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast provided on-site, served by your group leader. Enjoy a variety of breakfast items such as cereal, fruit, milk, juice and coffee. Special daily breakfast treats may include such things as bagels with cream cheese, quiche or pancakes.
 Morning: Morning writing workshop with your instructor.

Field Trip to Hedge Creek Falls and Mt. Shasta City Park. Explore (and taste!) the mouth of the Sacramento River where it first gushes into daylight. Learn about converting 'trash to treasure', like the Boxcar children did in the first story, when they rescued items from a dump to outfit their 'home' in the woods. Your instructor will connect our modern-day understanding of 'recycling' to Depression-era thriftiness, when families made do with what was available.

 Lunch: Lunch during field trip to Mt. Shasta City Park, followed by a S'mores treat!
 Afternoon: Head off then to the Mt. Shasta Fish Hatchery, and see hundreds of baby fingerlings. Watch trout jump and leap as you feed them from the handy food dispensers.

Return to the Railroad Park. Arts and crafts activity for the children, followed by free time for all. Use free time to swim at the pool, enjoy a nearby hike, or just relax.

 Dinner: Dinner will be provided by The Botanical Garden with a fun exploration of the gardens afterwards.
 Evening: Gather together for story time with your instructor. Get ready for tomorrow's book!
   
Accommodations: Railroad Park Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Morning Writing, Turtle Bay Aquarium, Evening Stories
(Wednesday, July 24)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast provided on-site, served by your group leader. Enjoy a variety of breakfast items such as cereal, fruit, milk, juice and coffee. Special daily breakfast treats may include such things as bagels with cream cheese, quiche or pancakes.
 Morning: Start the morning by continuing to write your own adventure stories.

Field Trip to the Turtle Bay Aquarium in Redding, on the banks of the Sacramento River - which looks entirely different at this location! Explore the interesting aquarium, and stroll the amazing Sundial Bridge.

 Lunch: Enjoy a picnic lunch in the picnic area near the Sundial Bridge.
 Afternoon: Return to Dunsmuir. Arts and crafts activity for the children, followed by free time for all. Use free time to swim at the pool, enjoy a nearby hike, or just relax.
 Dinner: Have dinner at a local restaurant.
 Evening: Gather together to enjoy sharing your stories, and reading from the Boxcar series.
   
Accommodations: Railroad Park Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Morning Writing, Shasta Caverns, Final Evening Story Readings
(Thursday, July 25)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast provided on-site, served by your group leader. Enjoy a variety of breakfast items such as cereal, fruit, milk, juice and coffee. Special daily breakfast treats may include such things as bagels with cream cheese, quiche or pancakes.
 Morning: Start the morning by continuing to write your own adventure stories.

Depart for an exploration of some of Northern California's amazing caves and caverns. Special treats could include a boat trip, or wearing a spelunker's helmet!

 Lunch: Picnic lunch outdoors.
 Afternoon: After lunch, enjoy activities including hiking and exploring. Visit the Train Depot and learn about the history of the railroad in this Northern California town. Also, peak into the studio of an artist who uses found and recycled objects to create unique pieces of art!

Return to Dunsmuir. Arts and crafts activity for the children, followed by free time for all. Use free time to swim at the pool, enjoy a nearby hike, or just relax.

 Dinner: Celebrate the week's adventures during the closing dinner at a local restaurant.
 Evening: Final reading of our stories. Suggestions and encouragement to continue your story-writing and reading, as well as the adventures that foster resourcefulness and independence.
   
Accommodations: Railroad Park Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Safe Travels Home
(Friday, July 26)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast provided on-site, served by your group leader. Enjoy a variety of breakfast items such as cereal, fruit, milk, juice and coffee. Special daily breakfast treats may include such things as bagels with cream cheese, quiche or pancakes.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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