Family Sleepover

TumacÁCori National Historical Park Tours

The year is 1916 and a group of ranger recruits gather in Tumacácori's picnic area to receive instruction. The agenda includes checking on reports of a cow loose in the mission grounds, locating and documenting archeological artifacts, conducting a night patrol by candle light, and consuming the all-important evening meal. The evening winds down with live music and campfire treats before the recruits curl up on their bedrolls to spend the night under the stars or sheltered by adobe ruins.

The immersive Family Sleepover experience includes period costuming, equipment, and story-telling. Participants sign on to protect the ruined mission church overnight, just like rangers of the nascent National Park Service 100 years ago. Unlike their historic predecessors, however, these campers will depart by 8:30 a.m. having left no evidence of their overnight stay.

Registration first-come, first-served and space will be limited. A $20 charge applies to each adult participation ($10 for children under the age of 16) and includes entrance to the park, dinner, breakfast, and all activities. To learn more about this unique opportunity, call (520) 377-5060 or visit http://www.nps.gov/tuma/planyourvisit/family-sleepover.htm.

Select a date to see a list of times

Need to Know

• Buying Tickets

  We're going virtual this year! Stay tuned for dates, times, and details.

  Visit https://www.nps.gov/tuma/planyourvisit/family-sleepover.htm to learn more. 

• Sleeping and Eating

  Participants will sleep in their own sleeping bags/bedding on park-supplied mats in one of two locations: Inside the mission church Outside the museum entrance on the back patio The program fee includes a full dinner, evening snack, and hot breakfast prepared fresh and on-site by one of our cultural demonstrators. The menu is based on traditional vaquero or cowboy food, so if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, please let us know ahead of time so that we can be sure to have appropriate food available. Considerations for families with young children: This program is oriented for families of all configurations. There are no age restrictions, but we do ask that you consider how your family members may cope with rustic camping arrangements such as: Sleeping on hard and/or even surfaces Sleeping in close quarters with other families Sharing limited bathroom space with others Walking from the church to the restrooms (about 100 yards) at night. In addition, we expect all family members to fully participate in the group's activities. Adults are responsible for modeling excellent behavior and managing younger family members. Consider whether the members of your party are capable of sharing a group experience responsibly while taking care of fragile park resources.

• What to Bring / What Not to Bring

  What to Bring: Comfortable, layered clothing and closed-toe shoes. Umbrella and/or rain gear. Something comfortable and family-appropriate to sleep in. Temperatures will likely be in the 70s. A pillow A sleeping bag or sheet/blanket to sleep in. (We will provide sleeping pads and can also provide historically appropriate scratchy wool blankets!) Toothbrush and other toiletries and personal items. There are no showers here. Refillable water bottle. Flashlight Camera (optional) Do NOT bring: Extra food or beverages unless specific arrangements have been made in advance. Metal-framed cots or elevated beds Firearms Pets Non-registered extra guests Amplified music

• Safety

  Park rangers trained in emergency medicine will be on duty throughout the evening. Other emergency responders are minutes away. If you have an emergency during your sleepover, contact one of the rangers or dial 911. If you have medication that needs to be refrigerated, please let us know upon your arrival. If you have any other medical concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us prior to the sleepover at (520) 377-5064. For your safety and the protection of fragile park resources, we ask all participants to stay with the group.

• Minimum Group Size

  Two (2) days prior to a given program a determination will be made by park staff whether there are enough participants for the tour/program to run. The Sleepover program must reach a minimum of 20 tickets sold. Tours/programs that do not reach the minimum group size will be cancelled by the park. Affected guests will be contacted at least two days prior to the scheduled tour.  

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