We have many campers who travel long distances to attend Eden Village West, and we are pleased to provide airport transportation to and from Oakland Airport.   Our staff will greet your child at their gate on Arrival Day and will go through security and wait with them at their gate until their flight departs on Departure Day.  Please read all of the information below before booking your flights!

 

Step 1: Pick EVW Preferred Flights

Eden Village West provides transportation to and from Oakland International Airport (OAK). We have pre-selected flights on Southwest Airlines to and from OAK for commonly used airports. If these flights do not work for you or you cannot find a direct flight to / from OAK for the airport of your choice, please call our office at 510-560-5610 and we will choose a flight together!  You can locate our preferred flights on pages 3-4 of our Travel Guide:

 

Summer 2025 Travel Guide

 

If your airport is not listed in the guide, please book a flight that arrives and departs in the following time windows:

Arrival into OAK 10:00am-12:00pm

Departure from OAK: 1:00pm-4:00pm

Step 2: Is your camper an Unaccompanied Minor?

It varies by airline, but campers 11 and under flying Southwest Airlines must register as Unaccompanied Minors at the time reservations are made. Please write "Brad Cohen or Representative of Eden Village West" as the person who will arrange pickup for your camper. If you are not flying Southwest Airlines, please look up the airline’s Unaccompanied Minor policy when booking your flight.

Step 3: Flight Purchase / Camp Update

Purchase your flight! If your child is an Unaccompanied Minor, be sure to fill out that form. Then, login into CampInTouch and update the “Travel Form” with your flight information.  IMPORTANT NOTE:  We gather all flight information for our airport transportation from this "Travel Form"- please make sure all flight information is there and be sure to update the form if your camper's flight time or flight number changes.

 

Preparing For Flights

Here is a short guide to help you prepare your child for their flight!

On the way to camp, our staff will meet your child at their arrival gate wearing an EVW T-Shirt, accompany them to baggage claim, and board our shuttle to camp. Leaving camp, our staff will drive your child to the airport, take them through security, and wait with them at their gate. Our staff will stay at the gate until your child’s plane has left the ground. 

  • Food: For their flight into the Bay Area, please pack a lunch and snacks for your child. Eden Village will pack a box lunch and snacks for your child’s flight departing the Bay Area.
  • Label Luggage: Please make sure to label your camper’s bag so your camper can easily identify them.  We suggest adding brightly colored ribbons or tape!
  • Prepay Luggage: Most domestic air carriers limit carry-ons to one bag and a personal item, plus checked luggage, not to exceed 50 lbs. per bag. Luggage fees vary, but are typically assessed per bag, each way. If sending luggage with your camper on the plane, we strongly recommend pre-paying for your camper’s checked luggage for their return flight or sending them with cash to pay the luggage fee when they check-in to return home. 
  • Cell Phones: If your child is traveling with a cell phone, please label their phone with their name (using a label or tape).  Please make sure your child has camp's phone number (510.560.5610) programmed into their phone in case of emergency. We will collect all camper cell phones at the airport and will keep them locked in the camp safe until Departure Day.
  • Return Flight Supplies: Please place return flight tickets, cell phones, money, and Unaccompanied Minor Forms in an enclosed ziplock bag clearly marked with your child’s name and address. We will put them in the camp safe until your child’s departure from camp.  
  • Return Flight Check-In: We will accompany your camper to the airline check-in counter to get their tickets and check their baggage.  If you are able to pre-check them into their flight online in the 24 hours prior to their trip, you are welcome and encouraged to do so!

 

Communication with Families

Eden Village West will be in communication with families the week before your child’s flight with details about airport procedures. On the day of the flight, we will text you at the following times:

Arrival into OAK:

  • When your child has landed and they are safely in our care
  • When our camp shuttle leaves OAK
  • When your child has arrived at Eden Village West

Departure from OAK:

  • When your child leaves camp for the airport
  • When your child arrives at the airport
  • When your child has boarded their plane
  • If there are any delays or cancellations in flights our office will contact you

 

Additional Information

You will be subject to any additional costs which are not under the control of Eden Village West. Your on-file credit card will be charged for any additional costs on the day of pick-up/ drop-off.

Eden Village West will follow all airline regulations and our representatives will act using their best judgment to ensure that your camper travels in a safe and timely manner. If required by the airline to pay additional charges for unaccompanied minor fees, checked baggage fees, or other costs, EVW will do so and charge the amount to your account.

Eden Village West will do everything in its ability to get your camper to the airport in a timely manner but there are many circumstances not under our control. If the flight is canceled, delayed, or changed, Eden Village West will speak to the families and arrange alternative plans. If required, EVW will pay additional change costs and charge them to your account. EVW will not be responsible for any costs associated with a change in flight plans if the changes are not directly attributable to EVW. Eden Village West and its representatives will use their best judgment to determine how long to wait for delayed flights and choosing when to return to camp to try again the next day. In circumstances where many flights have been canceled and many passengers are attempting to rebook, Eden’ Village West's representatives may need to rebook your camper’s flight before they can contact you; however, we will never release a child to the airline if they have not confirmed the new flight plans with her/his parent/guardian or another person authorized to pick up your camper.