Sleepaway Camp Recommendations

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you interested in Jewish camps? Airy and Louise have what you are looking for.

No--prefer not religious. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS went to Hidden Meadows this summer for his first sleep away camp. He only went for a week, but likely would've been fine for two weeks (you can do however many you want). He wanted to go but would only agree to one week this winter.

He had a great time. Like you said, lots of traditional camp activities, like canoeing, archery, swimming, zip line, a little bit of survival-type skills (building a fire), pottery, camp-wide games, playing/fishing in the creek, etc. He is already counting down until he is old enough to do the white water rafting and rock climbing trips. His only complaints were that it rained all week long (his fly fishing trip was cancelled) and that the food was, in his words, "small." I've seen the food comment before here on DCUM. I asked him if it made him not want to go back, and he said he wanted to do 3 weeks next summer.

We also looked at Tall Timbers, but DS was sold by Hidden Meadows' online video. I also appreciated that Hidden Meadows was notably cheaper. The camp is also in a gorgeous location. It took us a little over 3.5 hours from NoVa.

My child has been to Hidden Meadows several times and each time came home complaining about the food, but recently the complaint shifted from not-good food (understandable in a camp setting) to not-enough food. DC reported being hungry all week long and campers vying for last portions of food. After pickup we had lunch and needed to order extra portions of everything. I've never seen DC eat so much.

I have tried to address this with Hidden Meadows but they don't seem receptive. Very disappointing.

My child will not return for this reason.

FWIW, I would never describe Hidden Meadows as inexpensive. Maybe not the highest-end camp, but certainly not the cheapest.

DS is currently at Hidden Meadows for his 4th year, which should tell folks how he feels about it. I'd not heard the food complaint, but it seems odd to me. I suspect a lot of kids are more active at camp than they're used to, with an appetite to match, so the portions just *seem* small.

[Anonymous]

Camp Twin Creeks for us! It's my DD's second year. She leaves in a week. She can't wait to get there. She's 10. She loves the food. I love the people-Ian-who runs the camp is incredible. The office staff-Laura-the head girl's counselor Cassie. I know that my DD is safe there and very happy. Last year she came home and asked if she could go for a month. I told her not until she's older.

http://www.camptwincreeks.com

Tell Laura you were recommended from a mom from DC with a child in Dawson! Your kids will thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Camp Tockwogh - it is (relatively) inexpensive since it is a ymca camp - it is on the eastern shore, so emphasis on great water activities like sailing, windsurfing, etc. although I would say it is an awesome camp all-around.

+1. Also Echo Hill on the Eastern Shore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS went to Hidden Meadows this summer for his first sleep away camp. He only went for a week, but likely would've been fine for two weeks (you can do however many you want). He wanted to go but would only agree to one week this winter.

He had a great time. Like you said, lots of traditional camp activities, like canoeing, archery, swimming, zip line, a little bit of survival-type skills (building a fire), pottery, camp-wide games, playing/fishing in the creek, etc. He is already counting down until he is old enough to do the white water rafting and rock climbing trips. His only complaints were that it rained all week long (his fly fishing trip was cancelled) and that the food was, in his words, "small." I've seen the food comment before here on DCUM. I asked him if it made him not want to go back, and he said he wanted to do 3 weeks next summer.

We also looked at Tall Timbers, but DS was sold by Hidden Meadows' online video. I also appreciated that Hidden Meadows was notably cheaper. The camp is also in a gorgeous location. It took us a little over 3.5 hours from NoVa.

My child has been to Hidden Meadows several times and each time came home complaining about the food, but recently the complaint shifted from not-good food (understandable in a camp setting) to not-enough food. DC reported being hungry all week long and campers vying for last portions of food. After pickup we had lunch and needed to order extra portions of everything. I've never seen DC eat so much.

I have tried to address this with Hidden Meadows but they don't seem receptive. Very disappointing.

My child will not return for this reason.

FWIW, I would never describe Hidden Meadows as inexpensive. Maybe not the highest-end camp, but certainly not the cheapest.

DS is currently at Hidden Meadows for his 4th year, which should tell folks how he feels about it. I'd not heard the food complaint, but it seems odd to me. I suspect a lot of kids are more active at camp than they're used to, with an appetite to match, so the portions just *seem* small.

Yes, my son has gone for many years, too. As has my other child.

"Constantly hungry" is not what you want to hear about camp. He was denied a second piece of fruit (wth?) a few times.

Very disappointing that the camp director (with whom I have chatted over the years) could not be bothered to respond to my email.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Camp Twin Creeks for us! It's my DD's second year. She leaves in a week. She can't wait to get there. She's 10. She loves the food. I love the people-Ian-who runs the camp is incredible. The office staff-Laura-the head girl's counselor Cassie. I know that my DD is safe there and very happy. Last year she came home and asked if she could go for a month. I told her not until she's older.

http://www.camptwincreeks.com

Tell Laura you were recommended from a mom from DC with a child in Dawson! Your kids will thank you.

I second this recommendation. Will be sending both my kids again next year.

[Anonymous]

After many years at Hidden Meadows my DD didn't want to return. Food issues were constant and she found the girls snarky without any correction from counselors. The gossip was really bad last year which upset her and a number of friends who all agreed not to return but find a new camp. Some of them ended up at Camp Carysbrook. They weren't all there at the same time but rave reviews. There isn't a brother camp since it is all girls but as they get older they actually seem to want to stay away from the boys at camp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you interested in Jewish camps? Airy and Louise have what you are looking for.

Does anyone know how common it is for non-Jews to attend? The literature mentions inclusivity, but wasn't very specific.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shohola/Netimus

+1. Really sweet counselors and lovely setting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Camp Tockwogh - it is (relatively) inexpensive since it is a ymca camp - it is on the eastern shore, so emphasis on great water activities like sailing, windsurfing, etc. although I would say it is an awesome camp all-around.

Second this. My DH and BIL went as kids, and now all of BIL's and our kids have gone. My son is going again this summer. Amazing waterfront sports, wonderful staff, and great all-around experience with a ton of activities that will suit all kinds of interests. No electronics allowed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you interested in Jewish camps? Airy and Louise have what you are looking for.

Does anyone know how common it is for non-Jews to attend? The literature mentions inclusivity, but wasn't very specific.

Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you interested in Jewish camps? Airy and Louise have what you are looking for.

Does anyone know how common it is for non-Jews to attend? The literature mentions inclusivity, but wasn't very specific.

Any thoughts?

I asked about this a few years ago and was told it is not at all common, and probably not a great idea.

[Anonymous]

I’m also with camp tockwogh. They have pretty good food and some really fun activities such as tubing ( this one is a cabin activity) waterskiing, basketball, Gaga ball and so on.

[Anonymous]

My DD (age 9) went to Camp Horizons last summer and was VERY homesick and has absolutely no interest in returning. This is a kid who is extremely independent and the previous summer did an overnight girl scouts camp that she loved. We're bummed the experience was negative for her and hope we can introduce her to a new camp soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS went to Hidden Meadows this summer for his first sleep away camp. He only went for a week, but likely would've been fine for two weeks (you can do however many you want). He wanted to go but would only agree to one week this winter.

He had a great time. Like you said, lots of traditional camp activities, like canoeing, archery, swimming, zip line, a little bit of survival-type skills (building a fire), pottery, camp-wide games, playing/fishing in the creek, etc. He is already counting down until he is old enough to do the white water rafting and rock climbing trips. His only complaints were that it rained all week long (his fly fishing trip was cancelled) and that the food was, in his words, "small." I've seen the food comment before here on DCUM. I asked him if it made him not want to go back, and he said he wanted to do 3 weeks next summer.

We also looked at Tall Timbers, but DS was sold by Hidden Meadows' online video. I also appreciated that Hidden Meadows was notably cheaper. The camp is also in a gorgeous location. It took us a little over 3.5 hours from NoVa.

My child has been to Hidden Meadows several times and each time came home complaining about the food, but recently the complaint shifted from not-good food (understandable in a camp setting) to not-enough food. DC reported being hungry all week long and campers vying for last portions of food. After pickup we had lunch and needed to order extra portions of everything. I've never seen DC eat so much.

I have tried to address this with Hidden Meadows but they don't seem receptive. Very disappointing.

My child will not return for this reason.

FWIW, I would never describe Hidden Meadows as inexpensive. Maybe not the highest-end camp, but certainly not the cheapest.

DS is currently at Hidden Meadows for his 4th year, which should tell folks how he feels about it. I'd not heard the food complaint, but it seems odd to me. I suspect a lot of kids are more active at camp than they're used to, with an appetite to match, so the portions just *seem* small.

If the portions seem small because the kids are hungrier at camp than not at camp then the portions are, in fact, too small. Active and growing children should be able to eat until they are full, not until some arbitrarily chosen portion size.