I would give Camp Cahito 10 stars if I could. From a logistical standpoint, it's easy to sign up, the drop off and pick up are well organized, and so is the medicine drop off (my kiddo has an epi pen for bee stings). Even adding money to the snack shack card is easy. I've also been put on the wait list a few times and had no problem with that proecss. On Thursdays, there's limited parking and they literally wait at the sidewalk helping get the kids in quickly so you don't get a ticket. The people here are a total class act and really seem to love what they do. My kids come home FILTHY and raving about their teachers: Puddles, Butterfly, Scooby, Walrus, Ant to name a few that I can remember this week :) They also love the archery, the arts and crafts, and of course, the snack shack. Newt, I beleive runs the place. He greets the kids with such enthusiasm and respect and kindness. We even had an incident with our older kid last year and received a phone call explaining the situation with my kiddo right there. He was firm, authoratative, explained what needed to be done next time, but completely appropriate and at the same time reassuring to my son that they were on the same team and in the end, all was good. Did my son cry? Yes. He also clearly got the point, has not made the same mistake, and still loves going to Camp. It was handled perfectly and I really appreciated it. I've seen a handful of comments from several years back with bad reviews about customer service. This was before my time, but I can say those reviews feel foreign to the experience I've had here for now 2 summers. Can't recommend this place enough. read more

Great camp! Love the location, the program and the staff is great. Kids get to be kids and get dirty, do crafts, play, climb and be summertime end of day exhausted. Trees keep it shady and give it an out in the forest feel. read more

My Kids love this camp. The staff is so helpful and friendly. We love they come home exhausted and in need of a long bath to get the dirt off of them. As the staff has animal nicknames I'd like to give a special shout out to "Rattlesnake". He does an amazing job knowing the kids and being a positive influence. read more

We have taken our son here several times over the last 3 years. He has a fantastic time each time he attends camp. They do ID you upon pick up and barcode scan the sticker for the day. They do have a snack bar. You have to put money on a card to use and the child can only buy snacks for themselves. The kids do get to make a tidied t-shirt (not sure how often), practice archery, & (depending on age and season) they can stay overnight on Thursday! read more

Camp Fire San Diego - Summer Camps Near Me - San Diego, California

I would have rated four stars for the overall experience, yet I needed to ding two stars because of the customer service. Details as follows: Overall experience ( 4 stars): My son has attended 3-4 different camps with Camp Cahito. We have a membership with the YMCA and have chosen to return to this camp because of a few things: availability, ease of scheduling, fun/quality of program. I'll specify that the camp is a very fun experience - not academically focused which is fine for our needs. My son comes home dirty and happy. The employees I've interacted with have been very nice and courteous. Now, onto the negative stuff. Customer service (-2 star): On 6/4/19 my son's school notified us of school closure in August. That same day I scheduled camp to cover the dates school would be out in August. 6/5/19 (one day later) I received an email that the school would no longer be in operation. That same day I reached out to the Director of Camp Cahito to request a refund of the tuition I paid. They referred to the refund policy of 50% (in the form of account credit). Eventually they refunded all but $50 of the original amount to the card on file. I asked the Director if they could use the $50 as a credit to use toward future sessions and was told the following: "No. This fee is to cover the inconvenience of rescheduling and any expenses incurred as a result of your cancellation." This is insane. My booking was two months out and I cancelled it literally one day after making the reservation (two months advance notice!). Additionally, I provided emails as proof of this very rare circumstance. I'm disappointed with the way I was treated. As a returning, loyal customer I should be treated with more regard. I agree with the other negative reviews. The issue here is not the camp - it's the horrible Director and Executive Director who seem to have no social skills or customer service aptitude. This is how you lose a loyal customer. read more

Great summer camp experience. My 7 year old just finished camp for the week here and had a blast. He came home dirty and tired every day. Activities that I heard about: singing songs, archery, slide, water slide, bubbles, rope swing, he made a tie dye camp shirt, woven yarn thing, rubber band and spoon catapult, slime. They are very organized with drop off and pick up spreading out the times which I believe was for COVID but I hope they keep it because staggering the traffic really helped. Signing up on line was easy too. I would say about average in price. Definitely would recommend. read more

Great summer camp! Each week is a different theme and is a full day camp! Love the options to pick and choose by the week, allowing us to take vacations etc. This camp is run by many prior campers who are the best authority on what the campers love to do. The songs have been passed down for years and they perform them every morning at role call with gusto! The spirit of the camp is very unique and more "family" than other camps where you lose contact quickly with the other campers. Here, it's expected that you'll be back for more fun, year after year! The current camp director Jules, is fantastic and the staff are wonderful! I was very scared and reluctant to let my 3 year old attend the half-day camp, especially since he has special needs and wears braces. However, he was able to keep up with the rest of the kids and had a wonderful time! He made a special buddy and they had fun buying each other popsicles and other treats from the camp store. His camp counselor "Newt" went way beyond my expectations! He has a wonderful talent for bonding with the little ones! His other counselor "Dragonfly" was also fantastic and she was a comfort to him when he missed mom! My oldest had so much fun during Pirate Camp and Superheroes Camp! All the counselors get into the themes- especially Superheroes! And dress accordingly! My son tried archery for the first time, went on great Canyon hikes and made great friends! We will definitely be back next summer! read more

My sons (ages 5 and 7) spent their entire summer at Cahito. They came home dirty and exhausted every day. I wouldn't trade this camp experience for any other in San Diego. Plus, it's in the middle of Balboa Park! The staff are helpful and kind. Go Cahito! read more

My son just did the winter Camp CaHiTo and he loved it! When I picked him up the first day he wouldn't stop talking about all the activities they did. They have an amazing outdoor space in the middle of the nice trees of Balboa Park. The whole space is fenced, safe and they checked my ID every single day! I recommend this camp! read more

The first day of summer camp I picked up my boys and they were filthy, covered in dirt from from head to toe. I was over the moon! You see, my kids' outdoor time is seriously infringed upon. They commute to and from a school that is at some distance from our home, then must contend with all sorts of supplemental afterschool programming to ensure that they can one day get into Hahvahd. And then there's homework. Along with their peers, theirs is the first generation so profoundly stuck indoors, according to author and activist Richard Louv. Come summer, I just want my kids to be outside, to marinate in nature, and reconnect with the feral creatures that they are. Enter Camp CaHiTo (derived from the phrase "CAmp on a HIll in TOwn"). It's situated in the middle of the city, right next to a freeway, but you'd never know it. Instead, towering eucalyptus trees, rustic cabins, an enclosed garden and outdoor rabbit hutch make you feel like you're a world away. The curriculum is traditional and wholesome - gimp, archery , s'mores and camp songs are the order of the day. But there is also the transcendent unstructured time: when a group of kids decides that they want to spend 20 minutes jumping over a mud puddle or several hours building a teepee during winter camp, a counselor obliges. The allure of Camp CaHiTo is perhaps strongest in a section of the property called "Forts." It is a tangle of paths twisting through a thicket of jade trees that has a bewitching effect on children. Like a quantum singularity, this labyrinth slurps up any nearby kids, and soon they are running and ducking, bobbing and weaving, frolicking and giggling, and enjoying one of the funnest games of spontaneous tag of their young lives. Camp CaHiTo is a glimpse into Thoreau's lost world. It is a reminder of the blessing it is to be young and outdoors and ready to explore the magic that the nature holds in store for all of us. read more

Do you want to send your kid to a great, true, get dirty summer camp? If you do, then Camp Cahito in Balboa Park is a great place! This isn't Y camp, this is the real outdoor camping deal. They learn how to build campfires and cook on them, archery, hiking, water games and in some weeks a sleep under the stars overnight. Every week has a these, and you can be assured that your cild will come home very tire and very dirty! There are 3 more weeks left, check them out: http://www.campfiresdi.org/ read more

When I picked my son up from Camp Cahito today, he was having a good conversation with the director Newt who had personally walked him out. My son said he had an "amazing" three days at camp. Despite the Covid challenges, he had a great time as he did when he attended Camp Cahito years ago. Every staff member I encountered was very professional, and it appears the director runs a tight ship. Would definitely recommend. read more

I'm following up on my last review. Another 5 Stars for this camp! My son loves it here and can't wait to go back in January. The staff, location and security are top notch. Kids have a blast here. I can't say enough good things about camp CaHito! read more

This traditional outdoor day camp was a hit with the girls in our house. Both the 4.5 (not typically outdoorsy) and the 7 (VERY outdoorsy/adventure seeking) year old loved it and they enjoyed being in a group with their friends (the camp was very accommodating of that) and the counselors were so friendly and wonderful to the kids. Check in and pick up was very secure and professional and easy. The first day of the week for drop off was super simple and parking was easier than I expected. They did archery, water play, songs, crafts, fort building and hiking. Both girls were covered head to toe (literally) every pick up but never once complained. It was awesome! My only recommendation would be to dress them in really grubby clothes --- especially the shoes---. I also slathered them with sunscreen in the morning and after 6 hours outdoors no one came home with a sunburn/tan so I am especially happy about that. We will be back again next summer!! read more

Three things my son 8 year old loved about Camp Cahito... 1) archery 2) hiking and the dirt 3) building forts Mr. Ash is really fun too! read more

Hands down, the best place for an urban kid to have a true camp experience! Lots of activity as well as a diverse option of things to do makes for a happy and exhausted kid and the end of the day. Who doesn't like that? The staff is cream of the crop- last summer we went and tried out several camps. The counselors were typically good enough, but didn't seem to know what to do if the kids were sassy, which my son does at times. It's clear from the start that Camp Cahito is organized, well trained in positive discipline and natural consequences. The emotional growth from his weeks there were clear. I don't hesitate to recommend Camp Cahito to my friends with kids- I feel that my child is physically and emotionally safe and supported, all while having fun being a kid! read more

My son has been going to Camp Cahito for the past few years. I can't say enough about the environment and the counselors. They make it a safe, fun, active, engaging, and loving place for kids to go and enjoy being outdoors, exploring and trying new things. My son had a few rough first day this summer where he didn't know anyone and the counselors took him by their side until he felt comfortable to be with his group. As a parent, it made me feel beyond appreciative and grateful to know how much they care. While every counselor is fantastic, I have a huge shout out to Newt for the outstanding service he gives the parents and kids. The world needs more people like Newt! If you're wondering whether your kid will love this camp, take a chance. You will not regret it and you will love seeing their happy, dirty faces at the end of their adventurous days. read more

DO NOT send your child to this camp! Director is super rude and condescending. We signed up for this camp strictly for my son to go with his two friends from school. He's never been here before and does not know one child except for them. There was a form that we were unaware of that needed to be filled out. The director was completely passive aggressive, rude, and unsympathetic. Our son is very shy. I'm a business owner and I would do anything in my power to try and make it right for the customer. She wouldn't even consider moving him into their group. I get it, my best friend runs a preschool. I'm sure she's used to angry parents. I just don't understand why they couldn't make an exception and put this one child with his friends. Ridiculous! And it wasn't even that she wouldn't do it, it was the way that I was treated. And especially how my son is being treated. I guess kids are just a number there. Oh, we have also been sending our children to camp for years. I'm not a new mom and this is not a new experience for me. My older daughter is 12. We have been going to the Y camp every week, every summer since she was five. I have never had anything like this happen there. In response to Julie: No confusion. Just didn't see the form. You could easily move a child from one group who didn't sign up to be with their friends and switch them, but you chose not to. That keeps the ratio the same, correct? Just like on the phone, you haven't addressed the issue. Thanks, but no thanks. read more

This camp does not even deserve one star. It is very sad how poorly this camp is run. Parents are completely fooled into thinking this camp is great, as it seems the lead staff is coached to put on an act for the parents. It is quite strange to me how much is charged per child per week,yet the quality of the camp is rarely improved and used/broken equipment is all that is provided. The bathrooms are out of soap,dirty, and unisex for all adults and children. read more

Not recommended. The grounds were full of dirt which was fine. Since I wanted the true camp experience. But then it was hard to find parking especially they are doing street work all summer. What made us stop going half way is that our kid didn't have a good experience and was told that the camp counselors yelled at the kids. read more

My review isn't about the day camp, as most of these 5-star reviews are. It's about the staff and the different programs they run. I am on the verge of starting a Camp Fire USA Club in Temecula. I should probably be going through Riverside County's Council, but I wasn't having any success at getting responses. So I sent out a Hail Mary to San Diego. I figured at the least maybe they could help me contact Riverside. Instead I got an immediate response with the information I needed and an offer to help us set up the club under the San Diego & Imperial County Council. I went down to Camp CaHiTo to meet with the Clubs Director. She was super friendly, had a lot of great information, and provided me with lots of materials and curriculum to help me get a quicker understanding of how the clubs function and to start us out. I really like the fact that Camp Fire USA is co-ed and accepts all kids regardless of race, creed, religion, gender, national origin, economic status, and sexual orientation. They have also been screening and doing background checks on their volunteers for decades. I also briefly saw the grounds there at Camp CaHiTo. Being in Balboa Park, it's got that great outdoorsy feel while still being really convenient to the city. The entire area is fenced and the Clubs Director had to come open the gate for me to come in to talk to her (campers were on site for winter break day camps) so the area is also super secure. I wasn't surprised at all to read the other reviews about how active all the kids are while they're at camp. I believe I saw a scavenger hunt while I was there. They were all having a great time. I'm really happy to have connected with the San Diego Council. Their staff is great, the grounds are really nice and very convenient, and the programs are super. I hope more people learn about Camp Fire USA and that it grows a lot in the coming years. read more

My very active 5 year old grandson thoroughly enjoyed camp cahito! This was his first camp and we really wanted this to be a good experience. I was quite impressed with the staff- very friendly yet competent and concerned. Each day I had to pry him away, he was just having too much fun (and that included the pm aftercare)! Brace yourself: it is really true about the dirt :) We look forward to making this a summer tradition. read more

What a fantastic experience!!! My niece and nephew were in town for the holidays I needed to drop them off somewhere while I worked. Based on some recommendations from friends, we decided to go with Camp Fire. I'm so glad we did! Every evening when I picked up the kids they raved about the experience. It's located in the middle of Balboa Park and all of the activities involved participatory outdoor adventures. The kids are already asking me when they can go back again! Run, don't walk (because apparently there really isn't much!), to enroll your kids in Camp Fire San Diego. read more

My 6 year old just attended Muddy Buddies and loved it. He had gone to a couple Y camps and he always had something negative to say. I was worried that he just saw the bad in things he didn't know about. We signed him up for this after a friend of ours said their child was going and then they backed out. I was worried that my son wouldn't know anyone. I didn't need to worry. the camp counselors were on it the first day. They immediately took him and got him involved and he left that day we great friends. As others said they come home filthy but happy and can't wait to go back. Everyday he couldn't wait to tell me what he had done. He had nothing but good things. We will be going back. read more

Both of my boys just enjoyed a week of camp over Spring Break and they LOVED it! Everyday they hopped in the car excited to tell me what they had done throughout the morning. They are 4 and 5 years old and I thought the half day would suffice but they begged me to stay longer. The staff was friendly and had things to keep the kids busy! They have only been home for two hours and they are bugging me to sign them up for summer camp :) I'm very pleased to say the least! Shout out to Birdman, Badger, Sky, and StarG (their group counselors) and Kamarra who was helpful before and during camp making sure my kids special needs were met. read more

My 7 year old son attended this camp for the first time a couple of weeks ago. He said "Mom, this was best camp ever. Sign me up again." He especially enjoyed the ropes course. read more

Our family loves Campfire and Camp Cahito. My 7 year old was very happy to trek off to Camp Cahito this week during his February break. He picked it over other possible camps for the week. He said, "I love it! You get to play all day, get dirty, do archery, swing on a tree swing, and build forts." Nuff said. (They also have low ropes, too, and lots of arts and crafts. A huge variety of activities.) For a working parent, Cahito is a life saver. They run winter break camps, February week camps, spring break camps, and summer break camps (that run all the way up to Labor Day). They are there when a working parent needs them. Plus, I love, love, love the fact that my kid is so eager to go--as a working parent, I feel a bit guilty about not being able to take off all of these breaks with my kid. But my kid always comes home so happy that I really shouldn't. The staff is terrific, they love the kids, want them to have a great time, and take good care of them. If that weren't enough, Cahito is also very reasonably priced. The only downside is that if you're dumb enough send your kid in white socks, you'll have to throw them out at the end of the day, unless you just decide that they're "brown" socks. I also want to plug after school Campfire Clubs. A friend and I set one up at our kids' school, and it has been a wonderful experience. We love having a co-ed kids group, and the Campfire "curriculum" is imaginative, fun, and enriching. The kids absolutely love it, and it's been a great alternative to Girl and Boy Scouting for those who want their kids in a coed activity. read more

Our 4 year old daughter spent two weeks at camp last summer and loved it. She learned archery and bravery (finally went down the BIG slide). She loved buying tteats at the Snack Shack everyday and bonded with her camp counselors. She's excited to go back this summer. read more

My son went to Camp for the first time he had so much fun !! I have one dirty tired kid that will sleep good tonight !

A great place for kids to be kids. The staff is attentive and supportive. The management is competent and the activities are great....especially the once a week sleepover. Our grandson says " this place is awesome!!!" read more

My 5-year old is finishing his week at Camp Cahito and he's been having a great time! It's impressive that many of the camp counselors know all the kids by their first names. My son's friend is also in the camp and we filled out the Friend Request form so that they're in the same group (make sure you do this if you want your kid to be in the same group with his/her friends). The kids do get super dirty, but it's to be expected since the activities are 100% outdoor. Just make sure to have them wear old sneakers you don't mind throwing away at the end of summer. And for parents: don't wear fancy shoes/sandals at drop-off/pick-up since the ground is all dirt. read more

Making an account just to review this great camp! Dropping off and picking up my grandkids every day gave me a little taste of everything this camp has to offer. This past winter camp was our first time, and within the first day the kids were coming home covered head-to-toe in dirt singing camp songs! I have nothing but good things to say about this camp and its staff, who are cheery and welcoming. Our counselor "Whale" went above and beyond to make sure the kiddos had a good time, and they sure did. Can't wait to be back this summer, regards -Christina read more

My son had a disturbing experience at this camp. He is 6 years old and was intimidated/bullied by one of the campers. There were two incidents whereby the counselor did not see that this was something that needed close monitoring. The third time the "bully" dragged my son by the feet face down 30 yards or so down a steep hill. My son, the 6 year old, ran and hid feeling the counselor was not going to "help" him. My son then went and hid in a bush for the rest of the play period. The counselor knew nothing of his hiding or of the incident. We will not be returning and I am not comfortable that they are dealing with this incident in a proper manner. read more

So disappointed. I was looking forward to sending my son here this summer but between the time that I emailed them to confirm that a 3 1/2 year old could go full day and a few weeks later when I went to sign him up they "changed their policy" and will not let him attend full day. I planned our summer calender such that both of my sons would have a camp to attend each week and now I am in a huge bind. Mostly I am bothered by the fact that once this was pointed out they were UNRESPONSIVE TO MY EMAILS. The only way to get a hold of them was by telephone. I'm not very comfortable sending my child somewhere where the staff does not communicate with the parents. Not a friendly accepting environment for kids. Beware-the website is still very confusing as to whether 3-5 years old can attend half day and/or full day camps. read more

My daughter has just finished 1 week of the circus-themed camp. She enjoyed it for the most part, although complained that she didn't have enough time to finish her lunch, and that some counselors were too loud and used their whistles too much. I liked best that she spent all days outdoors, got to try archery and "hiked" around a little bit. However, I expected much more from this camp. First, the camp must be sponsored by McDonald's because every day at the assembly ceremony, they sang a song about it ("Ronald McDonald, BIG MAC, yeah" or something like that). I don't think it's appropriate to advertise junk food at the kids camp. My daughter likes healthy food and is a vegetarian, so she was surprised and I was disgusted. Second, I expected that all the kids will get a chance to learn and participate in different circus-related activities, like gymnastics, juggling, etc. Not so. They were assigned their "roles" on the first day, and stayed with that for the rest of the week. My daughter got to be a clown, and she didn't get to do anything else related to a circus except some silly "clown" routine. I would have understand if the performance on the last day was not so poor. I don't think 5 days of practicing the same roles were required to prepare a "performance" of that level. It seemed that 1-2 hours for a couple of days would be more than adequate. One "act" in the performance was particularly distasteful: a team of kids with large letters on their chests moved around for a minute, then arranged in line to spell "STINKBUGS" (which apparently was their team name), then turned around and wiggled their butts in the air for the audience, imitating stinkbugs. Two other separate "acts" involved an "animal" in a very poorly designed paper plate mask (did it take more than 5 minutes to prepare? Didn't you promise arts and crafts?) being "beaten" by the "trainer", and then grabbing the stick and beating the "trainer". Was it such a great joke that you felt it needed to be repeated twice? Really? Conclusion: I am glad that my daughter spent 5 days outdoors and got some new experience. However, I would not recommend the Circus camp. Hopefully, their other camps are better. read more

Our son has been at this camp several weeks this summer and really enjoyed it. The counselors are very helpful and I like that they take "hikes" around Balboa Park plus have a weekly water day. The only challenging part is parking. They are strict about pick up times so get there early to find a spot and walk or be charged for going past 3:30. Also the lines to sign out can be long and not terribly efficient. Nonetheless as long as our son likes it we will be back next summer! read more

Camp Cahito is my daughter's favorite camp. She won't go anywhere else during her breaks from school. All the staff members are great...office and leaders. My daughter comes home filthy everyday. It is pricier than other camps but well worth it. The only criticism I have is that I wish they offered more discounts for multiple weeks. Other than that, Camp Cahito is great and I recommend it to everyone. read more

Camp Cahito is one of the few camps where we can send our daughters and they come back happy. A good, old-fashioned camp where kids run around and play in the dirt like when I was a kid. Counselors also seem like they really reach out to the kids. It's become our go-to place for the summer. read more

My granddaughter (5 yrs old) had a blast - Day one she came home singing the same camp songs I learned in Camp Fire as a kid. So glad she had such a blast and everyday she woke up early and was very eager to get there. Day 5 was the s'more day and she woke up extra early to make sure she was ready for the fun. Thank you all Camp on a Hill in Town = CaHiTo....WoHeLo to you all! read more

My 2 boys ages 6 and 7 attended Camp for the first time over Thanksgiving Break. It was alot of fun for all of us, we didnt even know this place was in Balboa Park. It feels like you're in the middle of the woods in the city. The boys came home covered in dirt and branches and had a few nature scratches on them which I expected because its the outdoors, if they didnt come home filthy I would be worried! Also our rule at home is if its not broken you'll live. Camp Cahito is truly an amazing place for kids to be kids and enjoy the great outdoors. They LOVED forts and archery. They even brought home some very cool nature crafts and one large stick that is now the house walking stick! The counselors were great and everyone was very helpful, we will be back for Summer Camp , hopefully there are spots! read more