Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We go to an all-inclusive dude ranch out West every year. We call it camp because it totally is a family camp even if it's technically called a ranch. Camp activities, bonfires, arts and crafts. They have a kids club and everything.

Would you mind sharing the details on this? We are interested in a family camp out West.

DP here, but we went to Drowsy Water Ranch in Colorado which was amazing. One family there had been going for 20 years! That was a one time thing for us though our daughter begged for years to go back and still says she is going to work there on summers during college. It is a tween girl's paradise to be with horses all day! Very expensive and don't forget the tip at the end of the week.

How do y'all know about Deer Valley?

This thread is cracking me up, because I thought it was our little secret. It's a wonderful place. Not diverse at all, in my experience. But I can't imagine anyone not being 100% welcoming.

Are the beds horrible? I spent a night at Camp Letts once and it was one of the worst sleeping experiences I’ve ever had — I probably wouldn’t have been bothered as a kid but it was painful as an adult. Do you bring your own mattresses?

You could also look at the YMCA of the Rockies--not exactly the same, but the kids could be in "camp" all day.

Check out Quimby Country in the northeast kingdom of VT. Not *exactly* a family camp, but it has all the activities for everyone and is a super laid back, welcoming, family vacation spot. We love it there. Won some award from Yankee travel for being the best VT family vacation sport or similar.

Anonymous wrote:Silver Bay on Lake George is another YMCA camp. (Similarly fills up quickly because many repeat families). But lovely.

what are the activities there? cannot really tell from website!

Silver Bay on Lake George is another YMCA camp. (Similarly fills up quickly because many repeat families). But lovely.

Are teens too old for family camps? If you’ve gone with teen boys, did they enjoy it?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Uh, I think this is actually a rich white person thing. I mean, I took my kids my family Space Camp, but New England WASPy summer camp? That's...going to be a hard sell to someone who's already hesitant.

OP here. Fair enough. He’s pretty used to the WASP-y New England vibe (where he went to college) but more concerned about rednecky vibes.

I don’t think rednecks do family camps. Not really their thing. They’ll go camping and mudding and love an RV, but they are not paying a bunch of money to do what they can organize for themselves for much cheaper.

Camp Letts, a YMCA Camp, does family camp every Memoral Day and Labor Day weekend. I used to call it my best vacation ever:
-all activities planned all day (by someone not me)
-all meals cooked and all dishes washed (by someone not me)
-no need to drop off or pick up kids, they can walk to and from all the activities they want to do on their own
-I can join with my kids as much or as little as I want. Or I can sit on a rocking chair on the porch and read a book or take a nap

I feel like I’ve been waiting for this thread:;. Fellow family of color that loves deer valley (though we only go for a weekend every year). I wrote about it in my Substack (https://famventure.substack.com/p/issue). Feel free to reach out if you have questions.

How long are these camp trips? 1 week? 2 weeks?

Anonymous wrote:We go to an all-inclusive dude ranch out West every year. We call it camp because it totally is a family camp even if it's technically called a ranch. Camp activities, bonfires, arts and crafts. They have a kids club and everything.

Would you mind sharing the details on this? We are interested in a family camp out West.

Deer Valley is not expensive at all. It is a Y camp! But it is hard to get in, since families return year after year. Once you have gone once though, it is easier. They have a ton of “clean cut” activities . It is very relaxing, your kids will make friends and be outdoors—busy all day. I highly recommend it (but now, more so than when your kids are older).

I also highly recommend it. If you want to try it out, go for Labor Day or Memorial Day weekend. That's how we started at Deer Valley. It's easier to get in and you will get an idea of how a full week there would be. Your kids are the perfect ages for it.

Anonymous wrote:Uh, I think this is actually a rich white person thing. I mean, I took my kids my family Space Camp, but New England WASPy summer camp? That's...going to be a hard sell to someone who's already hesitant.

I'm not letting you get away that easily 😁

How was Space Camp as a family? I went by myself when I was 12 and it was one of the best weeks of my life but I wonder of it still holds up today or if it works as a family event.