What to Expect at the "Just the Two of Us" Camp Since we didn't get a specific list of things to bring or descriptions of what to expect, a few new to the camp parents may find this review useful. We stayed in a cluster of five rustic cabins--one reserved for staff. Each cabin had three bottom bunk beds, firm 3-4" plastic mattresses, and zero electricity, chairs, or tables. If you're a side sleeper, prepare for your hips to go numb and your appreciation for modern bedding to skyrocket. Twice a day, every day, there's a flag ceremony--so brace yourself emotionally. The grounds are lovely--tall trees, wild air, and banks that would be even prettier if not decorated with mounts and mounts of goose droppings. Rake available for guests. If not, help from the groundskeeper would be very useful. Oddly enough, not a single goose appeared during our three-day stay. I suspect it was piling up for months before. The coasters (that's what they call the mini cabin area) had three outhouses with running water and two cold-water sinks. The main camp territory featured showers--with just curtains for privacy (no doors, so bring a bold spirit). Dads and moms did not have separate shower areas. There were laundry machines too, but we opted to wait until we got home to do our laundry. Sometimes it is better to carry the wild scent of adventure with you. There were fire pits without fires, so there were no marshmallows this time. I wonder if gas fire pits would be allowed. Now, about the rules. Parents aren't allowed on the docks or in the water unless a lifeguard is present. And as for electronics--don't waste $500 on a camp-approved camera or fancy Apple Watch. The "no electronics" rule? Loosely enforced. One lifeguard even kept repeating daily, "Leave your phone on shore; we're not responsible if you lose it," basically hinting you'll have it on you anyway. I saw five moms fully embracing screen time--scrolling away, headphones in, tuning out kids. One didn't talk to anyone at her table, not even her daughter. She let her have coffee too. It was... a little heartbreaking. The staff? Mostly lovely. We met eight international counselors. Most were warm and patient. One, however, seemed to have wandered into the wrong profession. Her voice was sharp and tense, laced with frustration rather than guidance. Instead of helping the child confused by the dining ceremony, she kept her distance--emotionally and physically. Her presence at the table felt more like a warning than a welcome, and none of the kids seemed at ease around her. I spotted her scrolling on her phone under the table the next day. Kids notice things like that. Meals were simple and predictable: for adults, breakfast included eggs, sausage, cereal, milk, and coffee. Gluten-free folks, bring your own backup plan, especially for breakfast. Pancakes were often undercooked and sad. Lunch and dinner included pasta (or gluten-free pasta), meat, a modest but very popular salad bar, and desserts like frozen juice pops or marshmallow-Cocoa-Puff-Rice-Krispie bars after dinner. Activities, though, were where the magic lived: kids helped serve meals, we had a canoe water fight, roamed the grounds hunting for 30 hidden counselors, tried high or low ropes, crafted things, shot arrows at targets, 10-15 min hike, "camp fire" gathering and had one glorious hour-long swim in 2 full days. Our cabin group included families from the Tri-Cities, Spokane, and Idaho. The girls (grades 1-3) hit it off like childhood soulmates, and the moms found easy camaraderie too. The counselors kept the pace fun, and the kids busy and happy. Would I go every year? Probably not, but maybe every couple of years--just enough time to forget how hard the mattresses are, the disgusting mine fields full of goose feces and indigestion, the multiple pasta meals, and how joyful the giggles sound echoing in the woods. One more thing: we saw a few unique family setups. One cabin had two dads and their daughters, but the age gap between the girls and differing dad vibes made bonding hard. Another mom brought both her daughter and young son. I didn't know that was an option, but it's good to keep in mind! read more