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Emandal
Categories: Active Life Hotels & Travel Guest Houses Active Life, Guest Houses [Edit]
16500 Hearst RdWillits, CA 95490
(707) 459-5439
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
5 reviews for Emandal
5 reviews in English
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Review from Elisabeth S.
Redwood City, CA
1/5/2012
Emandal is an amazing, one-of-a-kind place. We spent one week at family camp in July 2011 with our two young children (18 months and 6 years old) and had a wonderful time. I was looking for a place where we could completely disconnect from the typical Silicon Valley life, and this is it.
My kids didn't complain once about the lack of TV/iPad time. We were happy to put the iPhones away for a week to collect a bit of dust. Instead we spent lots of time at the river--climbing, playing, swimming, fishing, tubing, hiking; and a little time with the pigs, chickens, cows, ostriches, kitties. We ate loads of fresh berries off the vine, and enjoyed the communal dining. Even our little cabin was great--cool nights under fluffy duvets; mornings snuggling together. My kids never slept so well! You get really dirty. You'll probably get poison oak. And then you can't wait to go back.
There's nothing scheduled or structured about this place, which is why I love it most. And the jam--THE JAM! And the people. And the campfires. And the smores... And the chance for kids to be kids--dirty, exhausted, happy kids. -
Review from Robert G.
Lafayette, CA
3/27/2011
My family and I LOVE this place!!! It is truly one of my favorite places on earth... as you can see from some of my reviews, I am rather picky about what I like!
I have attended the family camp just once and am scheduled to return this coming August.
The family owned and run farm is named after the founders Emma and Al (Em-and-al) and once you go you will be hooked! The entire staff truly make you feel welcome and part of the family... they also attract people from all over the world making for a rather diverse mix of staff and customers.
The food is extremely fresh (being you pick and gather some of it yourself) Most meals are eaten at the dining hall, (pancakes with fresh farm made berry syrups, eggs and breakfast meats), BBQ dinner at coopers cove( if possible swim to the cove and have someone meet you there with fresh clothes and towels and walk back... so much fun) pizza on the lawn (fresh pizza of all kinds cooked in there outdoor wood burning brick oven) and last but not least the packed lunch day (so you can have a day where you don't have to get out of the river till dinner) though out the week you can always find fresh breads, pies, cookies and hand churned (the old fashion way) ice creams. also the fresh farm made jams and syrups you get to eat all week can be bought to take home as gifts
Before I forget my daughter and wife are vegan and the staff are unbelievably accommodating!!!
The farm is a working farm... they still have crops and animals to tend to, as a guest you can decide wether you would like to experience the farm life, (which my family and I usually do) spend all day at the river or lounge around reading, playing games, or doing art projects, just try not to miss the meals. if you wake up early you can help milk the cows, between breakfast and lunch there is usually cookie making for the kids (and who ever else wants to help) the cookies are for after lunch desert, shortly after lunch is the egg gathering and slop for the pigs... all really fun, especially for the little ones and for those of us who aren't afraid to get dirty and a while before dinner if you so chose you can help churn the fresh ice cream! also there are times when you can go and assist the gardeners in harvesting if the want the help... and other than spending the day at the river reading books, which is heaven for me. My wife and daughter have volunteer to help in the kitchen.
Eel river and has tons of hiking trails and sights to explore... if relaxing is your thing each cabin has its own hammock and those old round chairs that are all over are really really comfy... plus the serene scenery cant be beat!
Things to remember, no cell service or TV's and you are reminded that electronics are not allowed.
Can not speak and write highly enough of this place and can not wait till August so the family and I can return. -
Review from Gina K.
10/23/2007
My family has been going here almost every year since my mom was 9 years old! This is an adorable family camp (they used to have a kids' camp too, but after Clive, one of the owners, passed away they had to cancel it) that's a little more low-key and DIY than some of the family camps out there. Daily schedule: wake up, head to the dining room for a delicious group breakfast, sit around in the sun reading and chatting (kids play in the barn and fields, help feed the animals, play games, etc.), then go back into the dining room for a delicious lunch (or sometimes they pack a lunch to go). Then everyone either heads down to the river or goes on a hike (and ends up at the river), then comes back up in time for dinner. The day ends with a camper-initiated campfire, complete with s'mores.
In short: wake up, eat great food, sit around, eat great food, enjoy the outdoors, eat great food, sit by the fire, and go to bed. It's the ultimate in relaxation (there's no cell service) and family bonding. We're all so grateful that Tammy has kept the place going all these years (though some great traditions have been lost since I was a kid there). -
Review from Jennifer B.
Oakland, CA
5/25/2009
I spent 5 days on this farm-of-no-cellphone-service chaperoning 3rd graders as they stumbled and grumbled their way through the program. My own personal epiphanies aside, I can say this about the farm:
-The food is very good. The comparison in their advertising materials to Chez Panisse, however, is somewhat misleading.
-The chores seemed to be the most memorable and character-building for the kids. That each and every one of those North Berkeley raised kids agreed to shovel manure speaks highly of the staff and the program!
-The daily activities curriculum could use some work (they were lacking in complexity and rigor, from a stodgy academic perspective), but the staff were very good at gauging their audience and adapting the plan for the day as necessary. Delivery of the curriculum was all over the map, depending on the naturalist leading.
-The farm is idyllic in its roaming river, quiet tree-dense paths, old vinyards, ostrich pen, etc...
-Watch out for ticks and poison oak!
-You will learn the catchiest songs you've ever heard! My personal favorite is the shirt song - the kids loved it, too.
This particular 3rd grade class was a handful in a lot of ways, and the staff were both professional and warm, accommodating, inquisitive, understanding, and also demanding in the ways that matter. I truly appreciate all their help, and somehow, given the scenery and the structure of the program, sleeping 4 nights in a bunk where I had to manage 8 8-year-olds didn't in the end feel very stressful. I had a great time and highly recommend the program to any school who is interested in giving it a try.Listed in: Kid Friendly, Ah the outdoors
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Review from catherine h.
Tiburon, CA
5/27/2011
What the other reviews have not mentioned: the cabins are rustic, simple and pleasant. each cabin has running cold water and really nice beds and bedding. the bathrooms are flush and the showers are hot but they are a few steps away. some of the showers have a view of the surrounding hills.
I think this place is like heaven. Mom heaven! after a meal there are no dishes for me to do, all I have to do is put my dish in the magic window and it is whisked away to be cleaned. later on, a bell rings and food, delightful, interesting wholesome food, appears on the table.
In between meals we hang out with family, take hikes, do crafts, read books under the shade of the apple trees, swim in the river, look for rocks or lizards, collect eggs, pet the pigs, swing in the hammock. some people go fishing or ride mountain bikes down the road.
to some up: it is easy camping but with a nice bedroom and clean towels and no cleanup.
there is a lot of walking at this camp.
