My son has done Calleva every year since he was 6. He’s done MD and VA and much prefers VA.

It’s less crowded and, for the sampler, he thought the activities were more fun.

He’s now 11 and moved on from the sampler, but still prefers VA.

Anonymous wrote:My kids have loved the VA sampler in the past. I was going to sign them up for horse camp this summer but I'm not seeing it. Am I imagining that there was horse camp in the past?

There's still horseback riding: https://calleva.org/camps/beginner-horse-camp/

My kids have loved the VA sampler in the past. I was going to sign them up for horse camp this summer but I'm not seeing it. Am I imagining that there was horse camp in the past?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm lost! Do you recommend the MD or the VA Calleva for an 8 year old? I'm not sure the difference other than one being in Poolesville, the other in Great Falls?

This is his first time trying it, so was thinking Explorer would be a good first run?

The activities are slightly different, but if the activity you are interested in is offered in both places, choose by bus stop convenience (and availability). My child didn't start until she was 9, but even then she knew that she wanted to focus on one particular activity, so the equivalent of jr climb or jr rafting or whatever was better for her. What does your child want?

I don't think he knows what's possible! This would be his first "traditional" outdoorsy camp experience. Thinking things like being in the woods, maybe some water activities and rock climbing, zipline? Great Falls is a little closer to us than Poolesville, so maybe having a shorter bus ride might be better for him, but really just want to pick the place he'll have the most fun.

Anonymous wrote:I'm lost! Do you recommend the MD or the VA Calleva for an 8 year old? I'm not sure the difference other than one being in Poolesville, the other in Great Falls?

This is his first time trying it, so was thinking Explorer would be a good first run?

The activities are slightly different, but if the activity you are interested in is offered in both places, choose by bus stop convenience (and availability). My child didn't start until she was 9, but even then she knew that she wanted to focus on one particular activity, so the equivalent of jr climb or jr rafting or whatever was better for her. What does your child want?

My son, who will be 9 in January, has done Cubs and then Explorers with Calleva for 4-5 years. Last year at age 8 he had his last year as an Explorer and we like Maryland (Calleva Farm) as the base. I would go with Explorer MD!

I'm lost! Do you recommend the MD or the VA Calleva for an 8 year old? I'm not sure the difference other than one being in Poolesville, the other in Great Falls?

This is his first time trying it, so was thinking Explorer would be a good first run?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New poster .. has anyone done Adventure Island? We signed up for the water sampler as well.

We have been doing Calleva for years - when my kids were smaller they loved both the water sampler and Adventure Island. We have always done MD. Do the high adventure camps as teens - only camps they will do once they get older!

Thank you! One of mine, 9, has just graduated from the younger “explorer” program so its all new again this year. Good to hear yours loved water sampler and adventure island.

Anonymous wrote:New poster .. has anyone done Adventure Island? We signed up for the water sampler as well.

We have been doing Calleva for years - when my kids were smaller they loved both the water sampler and Adventure Island. We have always done MD. Do the high adventure camps as teens - only camps they will do once they get older!

New poster .. has anyone done Adventure Island? We signed up for the water sampler as well.

DD had a great time at the VA sampler last year at age 8. Is going back this year. It was even one of the hottest weeks of the summer.

we are in NW DC so it would be a bus ride regardless. Thanks for the input.

My kids don't like the samplers as much because there isn't much instruction on any of the skills. So part of your thinking should be how much he wants to focus on climbing/rafting/kayaking, or if he just wants a little taste of things. Also, where do you live? The bus ride is long enough as is, I wouldn't add to it by choosing a camp farther away.

I'm trying to decide between the following Calleva camps for my 8 y.o boy. I'd like to pick 2:

Rileys Water Sampler (MD)
VA Sampler
Climb Junior (MD)
Adventure Island (MD)
Raft Junior (MD)
Beginner Kayak (MD)

I'm currently leaning towards climb junior, Rileys Water Sampler, and VA Sampler - trying to pick 2. How is Calleva in Virginia? Thank you for any input!