Frequently Asked Questions

What is RVCA?

     RVCA stands for River View Christian Academy.  It is currently comprised of about 15 boys and 25 girls and growing.  There are approximately 20-25 staff ranging from administrators to maintenance men.   It started in the San Diego area in the 90’s and was evacuated some time after because of a forest fire.  It was relocated to Northern California where it is in operation today.

How are the boys admitted?

     The students are admitted based on the parents’ choice.

How old are the boys?

     They can range from 14-18, but most of them are on the older side.

What do you do on a typical workday?

     My job as “house parent” is to take biblical principles and enforce them.  The rules are clear cut.  When a rule is broken, the discipline is quick and clear.  As a general rule of thumb, I prefer to encourage and affirm more than I discipline….which means there needs to be a lot of encouragement.

                7:30 to 8:00   – Wake boys up

                8:30 to 9:30   – Breakfast

                9:30 to 12:30 – School

                12:30 to 1:30 – Lunch

                1:30 to 3:00   – School

                3:00 to 4:00   – Free Time

                4:00 to 5:30   – Physical Activity

                5:30 to 7:00   – Showers/Free Time

                7:00 to 8:00   – Dinner

                8:00 to 9:15   – Evening Activity

                9:15 to 9:30   – Get Ready for Bed

                9:30                – Bedtime

     I work Sunday through Wednesday and have off Thursday through Saturday.  Every three weeks I am on night shift.

How do the boys graduate?

     They start at level “A” and graduate at level “L3”.  Every 3 weeks they get a chance to level up if they have accumulated enough points.  They earn points for school, phys. Ed., kitchen chores, dorm chores, attitude, etc.  The amount they earn is based on their performance in that certain category.  The success of the program depends solely on the accuracy of each dock/bonus in points which places a large responsibility on us.  Our job is not to fix them.  Our job is not to convert them.  That’s God’s work.  Our job is to live out the fruits of the spirit through accurate discipline and teaching.  As they chose to apply these principles in their own life, they will see fruit and blessing and then be pointed to the source.  Simply put; we are to be hearers AND doers.

Do you have your own house or do you sleep in the dorm?

     I have my own house.  Well…..it’s half of a duplex, but it’s perfect for me.  The campus is huge and tucked deep in the pines.  My house, by God, is in the back corner of the property.  It needs some improvements here and there, but it is quite the humble abode.

Can I visit and how do I get in contact with you?

     Yes!  Come up and visit.  You are always welcome, but the best days to visit would be on my days off.  Just leave me a text or voicemail if you know you will be visiting a couple weeks in advance.  If it’s a short notice, I check my Facebook every other day so just drop me a message there and I will contact you.  If it's a short short notice.....we're outta luck.

What do you do on your days off?

     I have no cell service…..period.  I drive down to Redding (45 minutes) once a week to get my groceries and voicemails/texts for the week.  My iPhone has become a pricey paperweight…..and I've learned to love it.  Just out my back door I can hike to a big rock overlook, hike to a waterfall, fly fish on two ponds, or mountain bike on endless trails.  With a little driving, the outdoor opportunities are endless.  One of my recent favorite discoveries is a high altitude reservoir about 10 miles away that is heavily stocked with Rainbows and Browns.  During the spring and summer months, fishing is a way of life around here.  As far as hunting goes, this area is mainly deer, bear, rabbit, and quail.  In about an hour’s drive in the northeast direction, there are thicker populations of elk, antelope, and sheep.  My zone is regulated so I had to put my name in for a Blacktail Deer draw and will know in a few days whether I can hunt right here or if I will need to drive West to an open zone.

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     If I could share one lesson that I've learned on this unique journey, I would say that I was living too extravagant which made my life entirely too complicated.  I spent so much time finding time that I lost track of time.  Out here, I live simply enough to enjoy each minute as it comes instead of dreading/anticipating the future.  This has made it easier to focus on the one thing that matters.  Please let that go from your head to your heart.  Is your life so complicated that you have no time for God?  If you are saying, “God can be in everything that I do, so it’s ok to schedule out my evenings and weekends as long as I focus on Him.”, can I ask you…..are you?  If so, continue on.  If not, don’t compromise by living the cycle of being distracted for a while, then realizing you need a break to spend time with God.   I have a feeling that most regrets by Christian’s on their deathbeds deal specifically with this topic.  Life with God is now and forever; every minute of every day.