Rundown, understaffed, and poorly run camp. Kids were packed into hot and dirty cabins and felt like their basic health and hygiene needs were not taken care of. My first time campers stuck it out for their whole two-week session, but 4 out of the other 12 girls in their cabin actually left early and the camp didn't seem to care. Interestingly, 3 out of the 4 who left were returning campers, and from what we understand, the camp has recently run into many financial difficulties and has cut back drastically on the quality of activities, facilities, and staff. So even those who may have enjoyed the camp in the past can no longer overlook the drastic decline. Activities were very basic with little to no instruction using rundown equipment / minimal materials. Cafeteria food was terrible, portion sizes were stingy, and the cafeteria often ran out of many food items. Hygiene essentials like soap and paper products were not refilled in a timely fashion. My girls' cabin went at least 3 days with no toilet paper, soap, and paper towels and so they had to walk to either the public bathroom or another cabin to use the bathroom (even late at night). Kids were required to shower in bathing suits bc the shower curtains were too flimsy and see-through to provide enough privacy and towels provided were not big enough to cover their bodies to and from the shower---so they said they never felt fully clean. There was a girl in their cabin that regularly stole things from other girls and the camp did not do much to discipline her or prevent her from continuing the behavior. There generally didn't seem to be much adult supervision and oversight. The kids seemed to mainly interact with teen counselors and it was very telling that even on pick-up and drop off days, we as parents did not get greeted or instructed on where to go by any kind of director or other adult. They allow the kids only a 5 min phone call each week, and though the kids are also allowed to write and receive both electronic and mailed letters, the camp loses track of a lot of mail and can fail to print electronic correspondences -- I know of at least 4 letters that the camp lost or did not print for my campers, who could have really benefitted from hearing from home during moments of homesickness. Two-week sessions are priced at $4800 per camper plus a sneaky $125 per kid non-refundable "canteen fee" which is supposedly for kids to purchase merchandise, but which the camp basically pockets since they do not make parents or kids well-aware that they need to use it or lose it. It really seems that the camp is trying to squeeze every cent out of families without any regard to quality of experience. read more

Where do I even begin about this camp?! My four summers at Chinqueka were no doubt the best of my life. As soon as I walked into the camp my first summer (2022), all the girls and counselors were so so welcoming. From singing dining hall songs to fun team activities (go Coyotes!), I've never felt more at home than I feel at Chinqueka. While the facilities are not perfect, it's as good as you can get with a sleepaway camp (there's 100+ girls and only a handful of facilities staff - what do you expect?). I've learned how to do so many things at camp (Ex. starting a campfire, leadership skills, archery, setting up a tent, canoeing, various swim strokes, etc.), and I genuinely don't think I would be the person I am today without this camp. If I could give this camp infinite stars, I would. If you're even slightly considering sending yourself or your child to any of the Ebner camps, please do so, as these will be the best summers of your life. read more

This is my daughter's seventh (would have been eight - Covid) and final year at Chinqueka. She has loved it since her first year, but the last few it has become her favorite place on earth. She starts counting the days in early May. She isn't especially feminine or social, so the fact that she loves this girl's camp as much as she does amazes us all. Each year she seems to find new friends and new interests and branches out a little more. I'm surprised to read any negative reviews. I am especially surprised to find anyone comparing the Amanda years favorably to today. Amanda seemed like a lovely young woman, but my daughter felt there was a great deal of favoritism during that period and she doesn't feel it at all now. I encourage people to visit and decide for themselves. Camp is such a personal thing, but Chinqueka has been an amazing experience for my daughter. I also question the lack of "girl power" mojo, as my daughter wants to be an Air Force pilot and participates in girl's rugby and Civil Air Patrol and feels completely empowered by Chinqueka. read more

This camp used to be special until they lost Amanda as head counselor. She was smart, inclusive and someone to trust. Once she left, Ebner came back in charge and it wasn't good. She couldn't keep anyone employed and lost control on her own camp. My daughter had an amazing experience her first 3 years (under Amanda), but the last one was a huge disappointment. This camp was all about girl empowerment under the Amanda years, but it soon became anything but once they lost her. I asked for follow-up calls to discuss my concerns, and I never received one. Chinqueka is led by people who are NOT qualified to empower women in their teen years. It desperately needs a change in management. read more

So I went to camp chinqueka (go Maricopas!) in the mid 90s and loved it! I am actually posting on this today because I was telling a coworker about it so she may send her girls there (do i get a referral bonus?? Haha). I wish I had a little girl to send to Chinqueka but instead my little boy will be attending awosting in a few years (the brother camp). I swear this camp made me become the woman I am today! I learned so many things that I wasn't going to learn living in a big city. Actually I never swam in a lake until I went to camp or did about another 10 activities until camp! Chinqueka is a beautiful place with a lot of great staff and from the website they have added a lot more activities to do there! I am kind of jealous. I only had wished there were more minorities/people of color that I could've related to in the beginning but after those first few days, the only colors I saw and cared about were our tribal war colors! I never felt outcasted and the counselors were very good at keeping a safe place in the cabins and at the activities. Believe it or not, I was never home sick! They keep you too busy to even think about it! read more

I attended Chinqueka as a camper for six years and worked as a Counselor's Assistant for a summer after! It is honestly my second home and I made the best memories there with friends that I still talk to every day. Not only did I gain independence and leadership, but I also learned how to do so many things that I never would have if I did not go to camp. My favorite memories range from being Chieftain of the tribe Senecas to participating in the most fun evening activities. I would highly suggest that any family sends their daughter to Chinqueka because it changed my life forever and I hope to go back in the future as a counselor again! read more

I attended Chinqueka for 6 years, and my younger brother attended Awosting. Both of us LOVED the camps. It was, without a doubt, one of the richest childhood experiences I can recall. I loved the opportunity to explore the outdoors, create art projects, and participate in the camp theatre and plays. I took advantage of leadership opportunities as an Art LIT and Seneca Co-Chieftan, both of which fostered a sense of confidence and independence during "tricky" middle school years. The trips for older campers were something I both looked forward to as a young camper and something I remember fondly as an adult. I am still close friends with the girls I met at Chinqueka, and enjoy recalling camp memories as we now celebrate one another's weddings and babies in our adult years. As a teacher in the Manhattan Independent School world, I would happily recommend this special place to my students. Every little girl deserves the Chinqueka experience! read more

My daughter attended Camp Chinqueka and stayed in Cabin 1. This was the first time she's ever experienced camp life, and all of the counselors at Chinqueka went out of their way to make sure she had a great experience. She had so much fun, she ended up winning some medals and even a trophy! Definitely hoping to be able to send her back in the future! read more

I was a camper at Chinqueka when I was younger, and I have only the best memories of my time there! I made strong friendships--- all of the girls were so friendly and welcoming. It truly felt like one big family. The staff was top-notch, I always felt so safe with my counselors and felt like I could talk to them about anything. I also loved how many different activities there were. I was always a person that was as equally into the arts as I was sports, and Chinqueka gave me the opportunity to explore both of those passions. I actually learned to water ski there! I full heartedly recommend Chinqueka to any girl looking to go to summer camp. I promise they will have the best summer ever! read more

My older daughter has attended Chinqueka every summer for the past 5 years. She absolutely loves it. She says her favorite 3 days of the year are her birthday, Christmas and the first day of camp! :) She loves all of the traditions (tribal colors) and songs and activities- they have awesome facilities with a trampoline blob on the lake and go karts and ziplines, plus arts and crafts tent, gymnastics, dance, etc. The staff and counselors really get to know your child and are flexible. They really focus on making this a personal and positive experience for each child. My younger daughter went for rookie week last year and loved it too!! read more

Chinqueka is such a great summer camp. I cannot say enough about it and its brother camp, Camp Awosting. My daughter spent 6 summers here and has so many fond memories of camp. The staff is terrific. We loved the sense of independence she developed from spending 4 weeks at camp every summer and also the peace of mind we had knowing she was well cared for and safe. This is a great summer camp, and I guarantee if you send your daughter for 2 weeks, she'll ask for 4 weeks the following summer and 6 weeks the next! read more

Camp Chinqueka is a wonderful place to send your daughter for the summer! They offer such a wide variety of activities that there is something for every child no matter what their interests are. The staff are very professional and are well screened before being hired. My daughter has many fond memories of camp that she will carry with her for years to come. The camp mantra of "There are no strangers here, only friends you have not met." is quite accurate! I myself attended Camp Awosting when I was younger so I can personally attest to how wonderful the experience is. read more

If i could give this camp negative stars, I would. The girls in my cabin had all known each other for years, and were all from the same town. I was all alone. They were rude to me and/or ignored me the majority of the two weeks I spent there, and the counselor in my cabin was reminiscent of Agatha Trunchbull from Mathilda. A real dictator. I would not recommend sending your daughters here, the entire camp felt like one massive clique that did not accept new members. The food was ok, nothing to write home about. The cabins were architecturally sound, but very dusty. As well, the camp insisted on packing as many as 16 girls into one cabin, which felt not unlike a clown car. Although there were bathrooms in the cabins, they were awful. The water pressure of the sinks was nonexistent, 1/2 stalls didn't lock, and the floor was always grimy and full of spiders. I would rather eat glass than go back. read more