Plan a Nature Retreat at Professor Valley Field Camp for Your School or Workshop Group- April through October

The primary purpose of our Professor Valley Field Camp is to host student and youth groups for outdoor education learning experiences. When not in use for student groups, the field camp is available to educational and family groups who wish to combine our naturalist-led outings with the group's own programming. There is a minimum of 20 person fees per night.Low clouds at PVFC

Please contact the Moab area travel council if you are simply looking for campground options; there are a variety of public (Parks, BLM, USFS) and private campgrounds in the area.

You can't beat the privacy, beauty, and quiet of Professor Valley. This is camping but with some basic amenities. Our developed area is about two acres on the east side of Professor Creek; a woodland along the creek offers great wildlife watching; there are relatively undisturbed open acres to the west. The site is surrounded by BLM public land to the east which offers backcountry trails.

During our peak weeks of Outdoor Science School in spring and fall, weekends are available (Friday evenings through Monday mornings.) During summer and either early spring or late fall,  the camp could be available weekdays as well. Fees are based on a minimum of 20 people i.e. 20 paid spots.

There are two restrooms with flush toilets and outdoor wash sinks. However, there are no showers at our field camp. A portion of our metal barn can be used for storage and inclement weather. There is a very simple outdoor kitchen under the barn overhang with sinks, picnic tables, and running water. There are tipis with cots (16 ft size with three cots and 20 ft size with 5 cots each) and a 30 foot diameter yurt as a classroom with folding chairs. We do not allow visitor pets at our Field Camp; there are pet boarding options in Moab. There is no smoking on the property.

We offer two plans, both with CFI staff Naturalist Guide on site as host/ educator.   The "with meals" plan adds a CFI camp cook and assistant depending on the group size.Professor Valley Field Camp View of the La Sal Mountains

In addition to the naturalist orientation and services described below, we require your group to devote an hour of time to a service project at the camp location OR to make arrangements with CFI to do one program, river trip or tour on the nearby Colorado River, BLM lands or in the National Park or Forest.  (*See our website: adult/family group OR the school/youth group section if you are a teacher or nonprofit youth leader.)

Plan I - WITH MEALS

  • Fees: $98/person/night for first 20 people then each additional person $60/person/night.
  • Maximum occupancy: 60 persons. Our fee structure is based on a minimum of 20 persons.
  • Deposit/Payment:  Deposit is the equivalent of the fees for 5 persons and is non-refundable. The balance is due 30 days prior to the rental period.

For Friday - Sunday retreats, arrival is between 4 pm and 5:30 pm on Friday.  All visitors should arrive no later than 5:30 pm for orientation and camp tour prior to dinner. Groups should depart after lunch on  Sunday  (approx. between 1- 2 pm). Meals included are Dinner Friday through Lunch Sunday.   We can make a “box/sack” lunch to take with you if you prefer on the last day.

For Saturday-Sunday retreats, arrival is between  10-11:30 noon on Saturday for check in and tour prior to lunch. Departure on Sunday would be between 1-2.  Meals included are Lunch day 1 through Lunch day 2.

Groups need to submit a list of people, food, and medical concerns prior to rental period. For groups with students under 18 years of age, we require CFI registration/risk forms signed by parent/guardians in advance. Groups must arrive and depart as a unit within a one hour time window to interact with our host naturalist guide and other staff.

Retreat with meals includes:

  • We do the menu planning and shopping ahead of time and can work with your requests on food with 14 days advance notice. Our standard recipes provide vegetarian options at all meals. Those with more specialized food allergies should plan on bringing some supplemental food.
  • Tips and sleeping cots (sleeping bags are available for rent for an additional fee). Tipis have a natural earthen floor, bring a tarp for your "floor."
  • Half hour camp orientation/tour and a 1 hour  “naturalist” program on site or near the site (Introduction to Colorado Plateau Geography, Geology overview, Night Sky Interpretation, Plant & Wildlife Signs Walk are options.
  • Two CFI staff: Naturalist and Cook

Guests are asked to take turns in the kitchen as cook's helper and to do their own dishes in a dish line. Our staff does the pots, pans and kitchen clean up.

We also offer other services such as pre- or post-trip  OR during one day of your retreat. Such as guided day hikes,  van tours or river trips for an additional fee. Clients who book a retreat at field camp and elect to add on one of these trips will receive a 15 % discount on the overall program fee for the river trip, guided hike etc.

Plan II - WITHOUT MEALS

Rainbow behind PVFC tipis

Bring your own food in coolers and animal proof boxes and have use of our outdoor camp kitchen shelter and some of the barn space, classroom yurt, toilets. Cleaning supplies provided and you can use our camp cook stove, propane, dishes, pots and pans, silverware. Please bring your food in ice chests and rodent proof storage boxes.  CFI staff Naturalist Guide/caretaker on site to provide facility orientation, and provide 1 hour naturalist program.

We do require groups to either contribute an hour of service learning at the site with our Guide or purchase an additional trip or tour with CFI.

  • Fees: $40/person/night for first 20 people then each additional person $18/person/night. There is a 50% discount for the group organizer once the 20 minimum is met.

Deposit/Payment policies are the same as Plan I. These clients would also be eligible for the 15% discount for add on services, such as a one day river rafting trip, guided hike, etc.