Our Airport Procedures
Mountain Meadow Ranch has utilized the Reno-Tahoe International Airport since the days of the twin engine prop planes and driving our summer camp truck out onto the tarmac to load camper lockers directly onto the planes. Owner/Director Jack “Chip” Ellena is at the airport on travel days himself to oversee camper escort procedures. Airline and Airport staffers are informed of our travel details prior to our arrival, and work with us to ensure a smooth and safe journey for all the kids.
MMR Staff Escorted Flights
Campers flying from Southern California or the San Francisco Bay Area may select our Escorted flights where MMR Staff will meet campers at check-in and escort them through security, onto their flights, fly with them to Reno and escort them here to Mountain Meadow Ranch. We will also be escorting selected return flights to these same airports. Escorted flights are indicated on the Escorted Flight List. This information will soon be updated for the 2010 Season.
Day Of Travel Escort Procedures
For flights to camp, camper families meet MMR Staff at the airport check-in area 1½ hours before departure. One hour prior to the flight, MMR Staff will escort campers through security to the gate of departure. Parents please sign-in your camper with MMR Escort Staff before leaving the airport. Camp families arriving later than one hour before flight may find MMR Staff at the gate of departure. MMR Staff will stay with and supervise campers, onto the plane, and fly with the campers to Reno. After landing, MMR Staff will escort campers off of the plane, gather luggage and accompany the campers home to Mountain Meadow Ranch.
For flights from camp, families may meet MMR Staff and their campers at the gate of arrival or at baggage claim carousel. Parents please sign-out your camper before leaving the airport. MMR Staff will escort campers off of the plane and to the baggage claim carousel and remain with the campers until parents arrive and sign-out the camper.
For Non-Escorted Flights and Flights from other cities
Be assured, a staff member wearing a MMR staff shirt will greet your child at arrival gate whenever he/she arrives and provide escorted transportation to the Ranch. If you are selecting a flight not listed on our escorted flight list, please try to arrange for your child to arrive at the airport as close to noon as possible.
On travel days, Mountain Meadow Ranch staff are stationed at key locations throughout the airport; baggage claim, security checkpoints, the main terminal, and our “home base” at the Food Court on the lower level. A camp director or Mountain Meadow Ranch staff member will meet each camper personally at their arrival gate in Reno and provide escorted transportation to the Ranch via our camp vans.
