FAQs

We are located near Running Springs, CA at an elevation of over 6,000 feet. We experience all four seasons, from warm summers to snowy winters. The weather in the mountains is very unpredictable and varies from day to day. If the weather report calls for rain or snow, please ensure that your child is prepared with waterproof clothing and appropriate shoes/boots. For weather information, visit NOAA (National Weather Service) zip code 92382.

Yes. Pali Institute is the only program in California accredited by both the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Association of Experiential Education (AEE). All of our classes meet common core standards and are regularly updated and improved upon by our Education Department.

Yes. Pali is a 250-acre facility and accommodates several hundred students at any given time. All programs are completely exclusive and separated by school. The only time your child possibly sees students from other schools is during meal times or on trails within the Pali property. Students eat with their cabin groups and are always accompanied by an instructor.

In the cabin, the student to instructor ratio is 11:1. Activity groups are typically 16:1.

All instructors are least 21 years old. They hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or 4 years equivalent experience with children. They are thoroughly background checked and their references verified. They are CPR/First Aid certified.

Our program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to grow and explore independence. Our instructional model allows students to wholly interact with our staff and environment from the moment they arrive at camp to their departure. Pali Institute instructors are trained to provide a safe atmosphere for growth and personal exploration.

Student safety at Pali Institute is paramount. Every employee on our property undergoes a LiveScan fingerprint background check through the U.S. Department of Justice & FBI databases and is checked against the National Sex Offender Registry. Classroom teachers who attend with their students undergo the same demanding process through their school district. Because Pali Institute cannot guarantee other adults have gone through the same thorough background check, we must err on the side of caution to protect all students on site.

Our staff is well trained in how to handle any and all situations that might arise. All personal student issues are handled with the utmost discretion and respect. If you have a specific concern, please outline it in detail in the parent pack and call us to relay your concerns. We will ensure that your child is kept safe both physically and emotionally.

Parents are welcome to send letters. You can mail letters via USPS or email a letter to mail@paliinstitute.com. Be aware that you may need to mail letters up to a week in advance to assure delivery while your child is visiting Pali Institute.

If you email a letter, please put your student’s name and their school name in the subject line. It will be printed for your student. All letters are delivered the evening before departure from Pali.  If your student is homesick, contact from home will send them further over the edge 99% of the time.

For that reason, we do not allow students to call home during their stay. Teachers and Pali Institute administrators are always available to speak with you if you have any questions during your student’s stay, or if you need to contact your child due to a family or other emergency.

If your student is injured or spends longer than three hours in the Wellness Center, we will contact you.

Pali Institute has a strict no cell phone policy. We want students to get away from technology for the duration of their trip and enjoy the experience. Additionally, for safety reasons, we want to know with whom students are communicating while at Pali. Any technology capable of connecting to the Internet will be collected and given to your school’s teachers for safekeeping. Cameras are always welcome, provided it is separate from the cell phone.

Pali’s dedicated kitchen team works hard to deliver delicious, child-friendly meals every day. Most meals are made from scratch; we even bake our own breads and cakes in our in-house bakery.

The cuisine at Pali is incredible! There is always something for everyone to enjoy. Most meals are made from scratch; we even bake our own breads and cakes in our in-house bakery.

A vegetarian protein option is offered at every meal. Fresh fruit is available, as well as a full salad bar during lunch and dinner. Please do not hesitate to contact Pali for a menu if you have any concerns.

Pali is a nut-aware facility. Our kitchen does not prepare food with peanuts or tree nuts. If we see nuts, they will be confiscated and given to your student’s teachers.

Please no snacks. We are located in a national forest and do our very best to keep our cabins free from bears and other pests. Kids never go hungry at Pali and are welcome to help themselves to seconds at meals.

Please don’t send over-the-counter medications. Our nurses have an ample supply of over the counter medications if necessary. They will dispense them with parent permission.  This prevents children from sharing medication without supervision.

Please indicate that your child is allowed to take over the counter medications on the health form in the event that your child should need them.

A reminder: phones and other devices with Internet capabilities are strictly prohibited.

About three weeks before your trip, your coordinator will send a comprehensive packing list for your child.

All instructors are are CPR/First Aid certified. Our Wellness Center is staffed with a nurse from 7:00am – 10:00pm.  All instructors carry radios for communication on our property. If your child is injured or spends longer than three hours in the Wellness Center, we will contact you.

The nearest paramedic station is located less than two miles away from Pali. The closest hospital is located in Lake Arrowhead, 7.2 miles away.

Pali Institute can be contacted at:

30778 CA 18
Running Springs, CA 92382

909-939-0888