Anonymous
Post 09/04/2015 15:40     Subject: Congo Camp/How has your experience been so far
My DS was very enthusiastic about Congo Camp. It's pricey, so we couldn't afford to send him for the whole summer, and I think that's a problem for introverted kids, because there seems to be a core group of kids who do all (or most) of the sessions, and while he was very excited to go back, I think the theory did not match the reality. He felt left out, and while the counselors were sweet, they didn't seem to be able to do much to prevent mean boy behavior.

I suspect that's a problem at a lot of camps. For us, it was just more in evidence at Congo Camp. If you're thinking of doing all the sessions or your kid is more outgoing, it's less likely to be a problem.
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2015 10:26     Subject: Re:Congo Camp/How has your experience been so far
Anonymous wrote:This is my DC's second summer at Congo capm. Their Day Camp offers many fun activities and my DC loves it. Their specialty camps are just so-so although my DC went to only two of the specialty camps (Other specialty camps may be good). Overall, Congo Camp is a good summer camp option, but we are not sure if we are going to come back next year. Their admin is weak, and I am tired of making phone calls and sending emails many times to solve issues (always answering machine and no reply to some emails). Probably the number of admin people is not enough compared to the number of campers. Overall okay but no attention to details and there are minor problems here and there. It may be okay for some people, but for me, it is not a well-organized camp.


This year was our first time in this camp. I absolutely agree with this statement. No organization whatsoever. Poor track of returning calls or following up on requests/questions. My DS was mostly bored. They were suppose to swim 3x that week and only did twice. The fabulous diving board was off-limits even to older kids. The food was atrocious (according to my DS who is not at all a picky eater).

The good thing is that DS got a lot of reading done while there as activities were not as enticing. The bad thing, we paid a heck a lot of money and DS could have stayed home reading.
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2015 22:59     Subject: Re:Congo Camp/How has your experience been so far
Anonymous wrote:This is my DC's second summer at Congo capm. Their Day Camp offers many fun activities and my DC loves it. Their specialty camps are just so-so although my DC went to only two of the specialty camps (Other specialty camps may be good). Overall, Congo Camp is a good summer camp option, but we are not sure if we are going to come back next year. Their admin is weak, and I am tired of making phone calls and sending emails many times to solve issues (always answering machine and no reply to some emails). Probably the number of admin people is not enough compared to the number of campers. Overall okay but no attention to details and there are minor problems here and there. It may be okay for some people, but for me, it is not a well-organized camp.


This hasn't been my experience at all, over multiple years. I've found them to be pretty responsive. What kind of issues are you experiencing that you've had to send multiple e-mails?
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2015 05:12     Subject: Congo Camp/How has your experience been so far
My son went there for the past 4 summers & enjoyed the programs. It is huge. The only negative that stands out is I never had any personal interaction with his counselors or friends due to the kiss & ride drop off/pick up format. A big plus was that they include lunch & snacks with the cost, my son liked the food & it was one less thing to worry about.

This year we tried a smaller YMCA camp near our house. The offerings are not as varied and spectacular as Congo, but we both like the scaled down camp.
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2015 00:11     Subject: Re:Congo Camp/How has your experience been so far
This is my DC's second summer at Congo capm. Their Day Camp offers many fun activities and my DC loves it. Their specialty camps are just so-so although my DC went to only two of the specialty camps (Other specialty camps may be good). Overall, Congo Camp is a good summer camp option, but we are not sure if we are going to come back next year. Their admin is weak, and I am tired of making phone calls and sending emails many times to solve issues (always answering machine and no reply to some emails). Probably the number of admin people is not enough compared to the number of campers. Overall okay but no attention to details and there are minor problems here and there. It may be okay for some people, but for me, it is not a well-organized camp.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2015 21:40     Subject: Congo Camp/How has your experience been so far
My son, a reserved 7 year old, is loving Congo camp. This is his first summer there. He is not overwhelmed, but may have been when he was younger.
Anonymous
Post 07/20/2015 14:44     Subject: Congo Camp/How has your experience been so far
DD is going back for her fourth summer. She's doing a mix of daycamp and specialty camps in August. She loves it, and I love it -- bus service available, swimming every day, hot lunch every day, and required to wear camp t-shirt every day (makes clothing choices a non-issue.)
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2015 20:17     Subject: Re:Congo Camp/How has your experience been so far
I thought the camp was well run, professional and organized. However, my introverted child found it to be stressful, particularly at drop off and pick up. Every child is different as you know.
Anonymous
Post 07/16/2015 23:44     Subject: Congo Camp/How has your experience been so far
Anonymous wrote:This is my son's third summer as well, and he loves it. He's done both day camp and specialty camp. The main campus is larger and has more programs, but it's not crowded or chaotic. Drop-off in the morning is busy, but there are plenty of staff around to help the kids. And each camp group is a reasonable size. The secondary camp site at Sleepy Hollow elementary has some of the specialty programs. It's smaller and less busy, and they still get over to the main campus for swimming. My son has done programs at both, and liked them all.


Thank you. this is very helpful information.
Anonymous
Post 07/16/2015 23:39     Subject: Congo Camp/How has your experience been so far
How big is the camp? With all the programs, it seems huge, which honestly is why i have never chosen this camp. Accurate?
Anonymous
Post 07/16/2015 22:55     Subject: Congo Camp/How has your experience been so far
This is my son's third summer as well, and he loves it. He's done both day camp and specialty camp. The main campus is larger and has more programs, but it's not crowded or chaotic. Drop-off in the morning is busy, but there are plenty of staff around to help the kids. And each camp group is a reasonable size. The secondary camp site at Sleepy Hollow elementary has some of the specialty programs. It's smaller and less busy, and they still get over to the main campus for swimming. My son has done programs at both, and liked them all.
Anonymous
Post 07/16/2015 15:15     Subject: Re:Congo Camp/How has your experience been so far
This will be my kids' third summer there, they've always loved it.
Anonymous
Post 07/16/2015 15:14     Subject: Re:Congo Camp/How has your experience been so far
My daughters were there the first week in July, and will be back towards the end of the summer. One party girl, and one who just can't handle chaos. They both absolutely loved it. We were pleased and absent a different experience in the next session intend to send them back next year.
CongoCamp
Post 07/16/2015 14:33     Subject: Re:Congo Camp/How has your experience been so far
We have a range of program offerings and I would be happy to give you and your family a tour this summer if that is of interest. You can reach me via email doneil@csov.org if you have any question or would like to see our program in action and meet staff.
Anonymous
Post 07/13/2015 22:03     Subject: Congo Camp/How has your experience been so far
Are the children well supervised? Is it crowded and chaotic? Planning ahead for next summer and thought I would ask while the experience is still fresh in your mind. One of my children is an extrovert and would likely have fun. however, the rising one (who will be a rising 1st grader next summer) is introverted and stressed out by large noisy groups.