Getting to AstroCamp
Where We Are
AstroCamp is located in Idyllwild, CA in the beautiful pine forest of the San Jacinto Mountains directly above Palm Springs, CA. The drive time from the Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego areas is about 2-3 hours.
Address: 26800 Saunders Meadow Rd., Idyllwild, CA 92549
AstroCamp offers a number of ways for campers to arrive and return from camp. Families will indicate their preferred method of travel in the Transportation Form in their camper account.
Driving to Camp
For those who live nearby, you can drop your camper off at camp. AstroCamp is located near the town center so it isn’t difficult to find us. Simply set your destination to 26800 Saunders Meadow Rd., Idyllwild, CA 92549 in your GPS. Here is the arrival and departure day information if you are driving to camp:
Arrival Days
Check-In: 1:00-3:00 PM
One-Week Campers – SATURDAY
Two-Week & Geek Week Campers – SUNDAY
Check-In is between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Please do not arrive before 1:00 PM – staff are completing preparations for the session. Lunch is not provided. AstroCamp staff will be at various locations on-site to help direct you. For your safety, please heed all signs and follow drive-thru instructions.
A full map and details on the drop-off procedures will be emailed a week before your camper’s session.
Departure Days
Check-Out: 9:00-11:00 AM
One-Week & Two-Week Campers – FRIDAY
Geek Week Campers – SATURDAY
Check-Out is between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Please do not arrive before 9:00 AM as you will interfere with camper departure preparations. Bring a photo ID with you to check out the camper. If a parent or guardian is not picking up the camper, please update your transportation form indicating the person that has permission to pick up. Any camper not picked up by 11:00 AM will be charged a late fee of $50.00 per hour.
If there are any emergencies or changes that will affect camper drop-off or pick-up, you will be notified via email and text blast.
Bus to Camp
AstroCamp will be offering charter bus transportation to and from Ontario (ONT) airport for those that would like to reduce the commute to camp. There is a $60 charge each way for the ONT airport bus service.
Our buses are driven by a professional licensed driver and AstroCamp Staff will accompany the campers during the journey. You may reserve a space for your camper(s) when registering online and/or completing the Transportation Form located in the camper account.
Location for pick-up and drop-off: Ontario Cell Phone Waiting Lot – 3350 John Bangs Drive, Ontario, CA 91761
Arrival Day Pick Up Details
- Check-in between 11:45 AM-12:15 PM at Ontario Cell Phone Waiting Lot. AstroCamp staff members will wear identifiable “AstroCamp Staff” clothing as well as have identification for check-in. Once checked in, you are welcome to stay till the bus departs or leave your camper under the supervision of our staff.
- The bus will arrive at the loading zone at 12:15 PM and DEPART PRECISELY AT 12:30 PM. The bus is allowed only 15 minutes in the loading zone so campers must be checked in by 12:15 PM.
Departure Day Drop Off Details
- Bus will depart AstroCamp at 8:30 AM.
- The bus will arrive at the Ontario Cell Phone Waiting Lot at 11:00 AM. We will update families via text message with the accurate arrival time.
- Campers are to be picked up at ONT airport no later than 11:30 AM.
Fly to Camp
Many campers come to AstroCamp from afar. Campers flying to AstroCamp are required to arrive and depart from Ontario (ONT) International Airport only. We do not provide transportation to or from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
There is a $60 charge each way for the ONT airport transportation service.
You may reserve a space for your camper(s) when registering online and/or completing the Transportation Form located in the camper account.
Campers will be welcomed inside the airport by AstroCamp staff who will then accompany them on the charter bus transportation going to camp. The AstroCamp Welcome Team ensures that campers arrive at AstroCamp safely and promptly, and make the trip fun! It’s a great way for campers to get a jump-start on their camp experience and to make friends with other campers before arriving on-site!
Arrival Information
All flight arrivals must be made to Ontario International Airport (ONT) between 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM on the first day of camp.
Departure Information
All flight departures must be made from Ontario International Airport (ONT) between 12:00-2:00 PM* (*recommended departure time around 1:00 PM) on the last day of camp.
Flights outside of this time frame will result in additional fees and must be approved by the director.
Unaccompanied Minors
According to the US Department of Transportation, anyone between the ages of 8 and 11 is considered an unaccompanied minor (UM) when flying without a guardian and is therefore required to follow all UM procedures outlined by the airline you have chosen. Please check with your airline to determine your camper’s flight status. There is a fee issued by the airlines for children traveling under the UM status. If your camper is flying UM status then we require you MUST pay that fee for the return flight as well. The airlines will require a name and contact number for the individual picking your child up from ONT. Please provide them with the name Diana Huff and the camp phone number (951) 659-6062. We will contact you closer to camp with the accurate staff name and phone number.
For any questions regarding traveling to camp, please contact our registrar at registrar@gdi.org.