We are thrilled with our summer experiences at Camp Kinneret! The kids can't wait to get to camp each day, and come home exhausted in the best way possible. They take the school bus from right down the street and love morning songs on the way to campus. With so many great activities and incredible staff, their summer days are full of fun. We recommend Camp Kinneret to all our friends!! read more

This camp is amazing. For generations, they have honed the way to identify talent and train staff with safety protocols, professionalism, and enthusiasm. From the traditions of not running down hills (only up), not picking up sticks, and their ability to engage every kid they know what makes for a great environment within which to have fun- for every kid. And we have two very different kids- but both enjoy the fun and thoughtfully designed daily programs with some action/adventure and some quieter activities interspersed. Both our artsy 11 year old (who especially loves the songs and theatre and arts) and our sporty 9 year old (who loves especially loves handball and field and animals) have an amazing time - and both love pool and gaga. There's plenty of fun all day long with also interspersed signature programs each week like a hike to the lemonade tower, Olympics and Great Sleepouts under the stars (my kids love the food of that believe it or not!). The bus experience is a whole important part of the fun with songs and spirit and joy, and a "ready rabbit" competition that everyone loves to win- plus it's good for us parents to know the kids get out of the city into nature with professional drivers and enthusiastic staff members. The days start at morning mountain (with fun riddles for groups to solve and overviews of the day) and end everyday on friendship hill (celebrating milestones and birthdays) and both are always times of singing and forming those incredible foundational memories. And did I mention that the lunches are refrigerated during the day with frequent water breaks and cooling stations. This camp is great for young kids to get to feel comfortable going to camp and older kids who love developing their own leadership alike. As an educator of children for decades I appreciate this camp from a professional perspective and as a parent- my kids come over excitedly telling me all out all the fun they have had. 100000/10 read more

This is the 2nd year my twin sons have attended Camp Kinneret. It truly is a special place unlike any other day camp in LA. The quality of staff is always the best and my kids come home every camp day full of stories and big smiles. The entire experience is very organized and the camp leadership is responsive and helpful throughout the year and especially during summer. We come all the way from Studio City (via camp bus) and my kids even love the bus ride. We plan to return every summer! read more

Kinneret was the most incredible experience for my five year old son! He came home each day after playing with farm animals, talking about new plants he learned about, swimming, playing in little water boats, doing arts and crafts etc. It was absolutely wonderful seeing the joy he came home with each day. The bus experience was exceptional, he had a blast each day and the counselors ran an organized and fun bus operation. I have worked as an attorney for years particularly in child welfare, and have been intricately involved in child-safety and institutions like schools, summer camps and other programs for kids. I can assure any parents looking for a fun and well run organization- Kinnaret is the place to go. read more

Our family was introduced to Camp Kinneret almost 10 years ago. Both my kids loved it when they were in early elementary school. We sent them to sleep away camps as they got older. Now teenagers, they both still consider Kinneret their favorite camp experience. They had fun, made friends, loved activities and even the bus. As a parent, I was always impressed with the level of communication and care provided by all the staff. Highly recommend! read more

Our family HIGHLY recommends Camp Kinneret! My kids, ages 12 and 9, have been going to Kinneret for 3 consecutive summers and they look forward to the experience every year. As a parent, I'm most impressed by the Staff and Counselors, they are top notch. The Camp is very well run, with a variety of outdoor activities and games to keep kids engaged and active. My kids' absolute favorite game is GaGa, it involves a ball and dirt, simple but a blast. There's also archery, swimming, hiking, high-ropes, crafts, and good old fun which is what summers should be about. Kids rave about their Counselors, they are fun, energetic, and make campers feel seen and heard. Both Staff and Counselors maintain open and frequent communication with families, and I can't emphasize enough how impressed I am with the emotional support my kids have received from the Camp when facing challenges. The bus service is super convenient for parents, always on time, and the kids enjoy the independence that comes with riding to/from camp with their friends. As for the Kinneret Sleepout, my daughter has done it twice, and was absolutely thrilled with the experience of sleeping under the stars. Camp Kinneret has created amazing summer memories for our kids, it's a very healthy, fun and safe environment, reason why our family continues to choose it year after year. Thank you to their hard working staff! read more

My wife and I looked at different camps in the area. We were about to sign up for the other major camp (you know, the one with the waterslide). But we were impressed with the staff and the 100% positive yelp reviews for Kinneret. There weren't that many reviews here when I did my research, so I'll add my experience to help other parents looking for a camp. My 2 boys (ages 7 and 5) came to Camp Kinneret with a mix of nervousness and skepticism. They didn't know anyone. And they thought this was "summer school" in their words. As a parent that was also new to the area, I also had some concerns - will they make friends? Will they have fun? Will they last the whole day? Well the answer to the last question was proactively addressed by the staff. Within the 1st week, Danny gave me a call to communicate some concerns that my younger son was lethargic through the day and wasn't fully participating in all the activities. He suggested that 4 days a week might be better, and offered a pro-rated refund if we decided to take his recommendation. Camp Kinneret isn't cheap. But you know money isn't their priority when you get a call like this. But I digress... back to the kids. After the 1st week, my kids were raving about how much fun they were having. They would come home with new songs to sing, new activities they tried, and new friends they met. They would show off the cute arts and crafts they made, and shared their fun stories at the dinner table. They loved it. They especially adored their counselors who were obviously great with kids. Shout out to Zach and Harrison for my older son, and Jacob for my younger son. When my kids left the Penguin group because they wanted to join the Gorilla group to ride the bus, the Penguin counselors gave them big warm goodbye hugs. Another reason we chose Kinneret over the other camp was the sense of community. If you're thinking about a week-to-week camp, you might like the flexibility of scheduling. But a two-session system of Kinneret means the same kids are in the cohort all summer long. And real friendships blossom. Your mileage may vary, but our kids were invited and attended 2 birthday parties from campmates they just met... Kinneret has a strong historic legacy. I believe they've been in the same campgrounds for over 60 years. And there are stories of THREE generations of families that have gone through Kinneret. A lot of the counselors were campers themselves, and then became CIT's (counselors in training). One counselor I spoke with drove 2+ hours each way from Compton to come to work at Kinneret daily! That is commitment and dedication, and shows you how great a place Kinneret is for the counselors let alone the campers. On that note, I want to mention that the bar to working at Kinneret is very high. They don't just pick random young people looking for a summer job. The line is apparently out the door to become a counselor. And they give preference to folks who who volunteered in previous summers to be CIT's when they were high schoolers. So counselors are very well-vetted. I didn't hear this from Kinneret. I heard this anecdotally from our babysitter whose sister got hired as a counselor and whose brother didn't get hired. All the counselors, staff, and CIT's were energetic, enthusiastic, and caring. Special thanks to Danny and Jamie in the back office, and counselors Schuler from Penguin Bus, Libby, and Harrison from Gorilla Bus, in addition to my kids' group-specific counselors. But those kind folks are the only names I happen to remember at the moment. Every person at Camp Kinneret I interacted with was great, and I only have positive things to say about them. Thank you Kinneret for giving my kids the wonderful quintessential summer experience that we'll all fondly remember. read more

This was our first year at Camp Kinneret and it exceeded our expectations in every way. Our son is 8 years old and neurodiverse. This year was his first neurotypical camp. We considered a few local outdoor camps and decided on Camp Kinneret. We are so glad we did. He loved going to camp each day and is already talking about next year. Ryan and his team have created an inclusive environment and culture where all children can thrive, learn and grow... including kids with learning differences. It's such a relief to find a camp that has values that our aligned to our family: encouraging, positive and supportive. We also felt like our son was safe, they take safety extremely serious and this allowed us to not be concerned throughout the day. We will be back next year! Thanks to all of the staff (shout out to Brian and Sasha) for making this such an amazing experience for our son! read more

Great place to work and great place for your kids to go to camp! cold water is always available and counselors are extremely well trained!

In one word this camp is phenomenal. My son Roman whom is 7 just finished his 2nd summer there and once again he had an incredible experience. We were referred to Kinneret last year by a friend and am so grateful. The camp has amazing activities, arts & crafts, hiking, archery, swimming, etc but its really about the connections made. The staff really nurture friendship and this year his counselors Joel & Elyjah were the talk of every dinner. I just can not stress how incredible the staff is including the bus staff which made every morning and afternoon an adventure. I paid it forward and suggested Kinneret to another family before this upcoming summer and they can't stop thanking me. Can't wait to have my youngest son and daughter there! read more

Amazing place!!! Daughter went there for a camp - she had a blast and many happy memories

My girls are in love with this camp and I couldn't be happier or more impressed. We chose Camp KINNERET because Ryan, the director, was so kind and took the time to talk to me on the phone for 45 minutes. We went on the tour and were even more impressed over how thoughtful everything was. Now my girls are 3 days into their first summer there and they are waking up early every morning to get ready, pack their lunches and head to the bus! This has never happened before ever in our house. They are thrilled with their counselors and all the fun activities and we are so grateful for this experience. Bravo Camp KINNERET! Thank you!! read more

Top notch camp. Counselors are great! Ryan is great! When you call ... no matter who answers they make you feel like you matter and your kid matters. This is my girls' second summer here and they are already talking about becoming counselors here when they get older. Excellent experience and well worth it. read more

My daughter is 8 years old and has been going to Camp Kinneret for the past 3 summers. This camp is so "on top of it" it's amazing. The communication, responsiveness, and administrative side of things is pretty flawless! It's better run than my daughters Elementry school. The camp itself is really a kids dream come true and - most importantly the management team, counsellors and staff set this camp apart from anywhere else. My daughter and about 8 of her classmates from school go every summer and it's always a special summer adventure for them. My daughter CRIES when camp ends every year! I highly recommend Camp Kinneret. I don't have a single complaint in 3 years. Everyone loves it and the kids especially love the bus rides. read more

Camp Kinneret - Camp Kinneret - Summer 2014 - Summer Camps Near Me - Agoura Hills, California

Camp Kinneret, Ryan and the entire staff are amazing. My son blossomed there and is looking forward to going back. They handle unique, delicate issues with care and grace. Their Sleep Out was awesome and my son had a great time. I only wish I could go too because my son has such a great time. read more

Coming to this camp was a great experience for me. They have a pool, archery, a climbing wall, a gym, ga-ga pits, animals, a field, and much, much more fun and exciting features. Everyone here is very nice to everyone else. The staff, other campers, and anything me else. I'm telling you how it is, bring your kids here. They accept kids in who are between the ages of 4 and 18, and staff members 19 or older. If you need a summer camp for your kids, no need to look any farther! read more

This place is pure magic! This is our second summer at Kinneret and we couldn't imagine our children at any other camp. The staff and the program are top notch. They focus on safety while giving the kids fun and engaging activities. As parents of young children, my husband and I were concerned to put them in a full day of camp, but Kinneret customizes their programs based on age and gives the campers exactly what they need based on their maturity and skill level. We will be going to Kinneret every summer, guaranteed! read more

I admit that I was skeptical about all the great reviews, thinking, "no place can possibly be this amazing". My curiosity was piqued, though, so I checked it out. I'm so glad I did. They took so much time touring us, answering our multitude of questions, and addressing our concerns. And they delivered on their promises. The amount and quality of their staff training is clearly evident in their interactions with the campers and their families. The entire Kinneret team is clear and aligned in their purpose. This team thinks of everything - not just to keep the kids physically safe, but also to provide them the emotional safety from which to grow. The payoff was great! My kids built lovely connections with new friends, they grew out of comfort zones, and they are proud of their accomplishments during camp. Kinneret excels at instilling Belonging in their campers. My kids feel they are valued members of the Kinneret family. read more

My son loves kinneret. Tons of activities and counselors are great. We are very happy there!

This camp is beyond amazing, my kids (5 and 7) loved every activity, they loved archery, petting zoo, playing gaga, new friends, all the activities. One amazing feature is the pool (THEY LEARNT HOW TO SWIM AT CAMP!!!). We have had a beyond amazing experience and our goal is to send our kids every year. I could not be more thankful to Callan, Ryan and all camp staff, they go above and beyond in everything. read more

I went to Camp Kinneret for 12 years as a child and all of my favorite childhood memories happened there. I never thought I'd be able to send my kids because I didn't live on the bus route. I am so grateful that they have added a bus to Simi so I could make it happen. I'm so overwhelmed by the chance for him to experience the same magic that I did 30 years ago. Now that summer is over, we can't wait for him to go back next year! The Kinneret magic is palpable, you can just feel it. My mom felt that magic the second she started talking to founders Sam and Rochelle when she first met them, and in speaking to Ryan over the last few months I could instantly feel that it's still there. Their grounds are ideal for summer camp, their hiring is impeccable, and their methods and their staff training are incredible. Kinneret is such a special place, unparalleled in what it offers, and I don't think that my kids would look back at any other camp as an adult the way I look at back at Kinneret. My life would truly not be the same without Camp Kinneret. I am tearing up as I write this, what other place could possibly make you tear up just by thinking about it? There's just nothing that compares. read more

Camp Kinneret is truly a magical place. It's an oasis in a sea of childhood chaos. It's a place that truly focuses on life skills but the kids are having so much fun they don't realize how much they are learning and growing. Each group really becomes its own little community and then the growth begins. Rather than just brushing issues aside like, "he won't share," "it's not fair," nobody likes me," "I can't do it," they actually help the kids develop the skills they need to work through the issues. As a child therapist and mama I see this an worth every penny!! The kids then have these life skills that they can use in all areas of their life. This summer my daughter has been working on the climbing wall which terrifies her. Her counselors helped her set small, achievable goals rather than just avoiding it. She told me how high up she got last week and how thrilled she is. She told me, "at Camp Kinneret it's different because your whole group is cheering you on so you feel like you can really do it and you want to try even though you're scared." On top of that, this camp is the safest place my kids can be. I wish they ran schools because they would be SO much safer! Seriously, they've thought of everything! After seeing how they run swim time, I didn't let my kids swim anywhere else while they were young. Even if you can only do a few days a summer, it's p worth it. A great investment. read more

We have 4 children who attend Camp Kinneret. I can say without doubt or exaggeration that it is the absolute best place to send my kids. The foundation of Camp Kinneret's program is the development of the child; building relationships and confidence in a safe, fun, and silly setting. Camp is a throwback to the 'old days' when camp was not about the activities, but about the relationships. Camp takes great care in selecting staff who want to help children grow. Every child at Camp Kinneret is an important member of the group. The day begins with thee bus ride- yes, the bus ride. Singing songs, playing games, and interacting with others makes the bus ride not just "the way we get to camp." Once the bus pulls into camp, our kids enter a special world. The traditional camp activities like archery, swimming, gardening, petting farm, ponies, and field games are a mainstay. Special theme days and events like the Great Kinneret Campout provide an extra bit of fun and adventure to the summer. By the time the bus pulls up in the afternoon, my kids exit the bus dirty, smiling, exhausted (in a good way), and ready to relive every moment of the day. As a long time camper and staff member of a neighboring camp, I can't express how much it means to me to see camp through my children's eyes. As a life-long educator, I believe that at the heart of all learning is the relationship between the teacher and the learner. Camp Kinneret is built on this same idea; that by caring for each child, helping them grow in their own way, and making them feel like an important part of the group, everything adds up to a place that my kids absolutely love. If you aren't sure if Camp Kinneret is right for your family, I recommend going to an Open House or just calling the office. You'll immediately sense the care and love that goes into Camp. read more

It has been a few years now that my boys have been attending and they continue to love every minute of it. All I keep hearing is when does camp start again. From the fun bus rides to the amazing endless activities it is all they want to do. They have developed and grown so much while attending. The staff all take such good care of my kids. The boys can't wait to tell me all about their days when they get home. read more

This is my child's third summer (starting at age 4). Each year shows so increasing growth and independence. This summer something seemed to click even more and my child can't wait to start each day on the bus. Additionally my child is able to better communicate the day's activities with such excitement and detail. And we're already looking forward to next summer. To any parent on the fence about making the commitment, go for it! read more

If I could sketch in a six star, I would! Kinneret is that outstanding. Both of my boys had so much fun, made valuable friendships, were engaged, learned and grew in so many ways. I am writing this review now as I reflect where I was last January looking for a summer camp for my boys. There are many camps out there and I looked at them all (yes, I am that person!). Most are just a way to babysit the kids over the summer. No camp teaches and advances the kids like Kinneret. Science, nature, sports, swim, animals, hikes, adventure -- the famed lemonade tower -- my boys are still talking about the activities as well as the counselors who are kind, well trained and fun. Plus the counselor/kid ratio is fantastic. There is always someone to help. As my kids say "best summer ever!" read more

This year was the very first time my 5 year old and 4 year old experienced camp. Besides the fact the this camp far exceeded all my expectations my kids have never been so happy. They come home everyday singing a new song and having a new adventure to talk about. The staff is so kind and helpful they are organized and on top of it. I can't say enough great things this camp is a must! read more

I went to Camp Kinneret when I was 6 years old (yes, it's been around that long...60 years!) This past summer, my 6-year-old son had his first camp experience at Camp Kinneret, and it couldn't have gone better. We live in Sherman Oaks, so I was a bit apprehensive putting my son on a bus. He'd never been on a school bus, and was definitely not excited about it. I can't tell you what a relief it was when he got off the bus after his first day, and said that camp was "Great!" And it continued to be great every single day...even when his best friend (also attending camp for the first time) was not there. I have one of those kids who marches to his own drummer. He's a boy who is not into sports or super heroes. He likes to play with friends, but can be just as happy (more happy?) doing his own thing. I was nervous about sending him to camp because he's never really liked organized activities. I can honestly say that Camp Kinneret was the first activity that my son has truly LOVED. It's the end of October, and he's still singing Camp Kinneret songs. Seriously. He simply cannot wait to go back next summer, and has already instructed me to sign him up for more days this time around! And for whatever it's worth, his friends (boys who *are* into sports, super heroes, and organized activities) loved it too. Camp Kinneret was not only great for my son, but the staff has completely spoiled me as a parent. I don't know that another camp will ever live up to the level of professionalism, organization, and attentiveness that I experienced with this camp. I truly believe that the staff at Camp Kinneret is what makes the difference. It's not any fancy whistles or bells that make the camp so fantastic...and if you take a tour, you will see what I mean. It's the people -- the counselors and staff -- that make the camp experience so great. I know that sounds trite, but it's true. read more

To clarify regarding my last review, my 10 year old son found my phone unlocked and wrote the entire review himself. You can see, with typos and all how much he loves this camp. read more

I love this camp!! My daughter went to this camp for 2 years and loved it! It's now years later and my friend wanted to send her child to camp...long story short, it was last minute but Ryan was so understanding and did everything he could to get the child registered so he could start right away! They are an amazing staff. They are so caring and they really care about the children and that their camp experience is wonderful and fun!!! My daughter used to come home singing the songs, and still sings them from time to time...she's 19 now! I highly recommend this camp to everyone, and to anyone who wants their child to have a memorable camp experience that they will talk about for years to come... Thank you Ryan and staff, you've made another child so very happy!! LA read more

I am beyond impressed with Camp Kinneret and the entire staff! I was reluctant to send my 4 year old to camp, thinking he was too young, but the second I met Ryan, I knew he would be in good hands. The counselors are so well trained and the entire staff is really looking out for the individual needs of each child. My son has severe food allergies so leaving him a new environment can be scary for us. Everyone at CK went above and beyond to make sure that our boy was safe and that we all felt comfortable. And our son loved every minute of camp! We are already looking forward to next year. I can't say enough good things about this magical place. read more

Camp Kinneret is the best camp ever!!! I started at Camp Kinneret in 1982 (then Hidden Hills) and continued until I became staff as a C.I.L.T. I even majored in child development in college and went on to run my own (child centered) preschool. Last year I was able to send my son for his first year at Camp Kinneret, he loved it so much he is back for his second year and counting!!! All year long he kept talking about Camp Kinneret and couldn't wait to go back!!!' read more

I enrolled my kids in session 1 of the camp and was very impressed with how organized they are. They have a clear system in place and each child's individual needs are addressed. The counselors are caring, professional and fun. They have many activities to satisfy each child's interests from their farm, to rock climbing, volley ball, swimming, creative arts, archery, mini paddle boating. Each child is signed in and out for their safety with ID's read more

Camp Kinneret was such a wonderful experience for our Son. We actually decided to send him to a different camp initially. While we waited at the bus stop the Camp Kinneret bus came around the corner vibrating with cheer/songs from the kids and counselors. We sent our son on a different bus that didn't have the same vibe. After 3 days my son came home with little excitement so I emailed Ryan at Camp Kinneret at 9pm and begged him to let our son join his camp. He got back to me within 1 hour and our son was on the " fun" bus the very next day. From that moment on, our son came home with so many stories about activities, swimming and new friends that he had met. I would highly recommend this camp to anyone. Your child will have memories for life. My Daughter will be on the bus with her Brother next year and they can't wait! read more

This camp has been such a gift for my son. Year after year he loves going and always come home with a smile. The owner and his staff are beyond amazing, they care about each and every camper. I highly recommend this camp !!! read more

Our sons have been at camp Kinneret since they were 8 and 6. We tried to save a little money and sent them to the local camp. The complaining was endless so we decided last summer to send them back to Kinneret. The counselors are outstanding and the camp is safe, organized and fun, fun, fun. Our older boy was a CIT and really enjoyed working with the younger children. Both boys want to be counselors at camp Kinneret, of course. read more

Best day camp ever! All 3 of my kids are counting down until next summer! If I could only get my kids to stop singing the songs!

Camp Kinneret has been a magical get away for my girls each summer, for many years now. Their program includes, bus rides full of chanting and singing, camp plays, crafts and skits, archery, petting zoos, sleeping out under the stars and more. Each summer there were people that my children knew or recognized from our community, but there were also new faces, and opportunities for new friendships. The counselors have always been mature, responsible, fun, and my girls have always admired them. They have felt seen, heard, and appreciated for being uniquely themselves. During heat waves there are slower paced activities, swimming, frozen juice bars and indoor activities. The counselors will apply sunscreen if you ok it. They have extra snacks if your child finds themselves still hungry. I felt that the level of care exceeded my expectations. The director, Ryan once showed up to my house to return our camping gear from the optional overnight stay. I have received phone calls to communicate if Saige visited the nurse...nothing serious, but they do take communication seriously and I appreciate that. My girls feel that Kinneret is a home away from home, and I love having a place like that for them. I highly recommend Camp Kinneret!!! read more

Today is my daughter's last day of camp for the summer. She absolutely loved this camp. Between the two of them, my kids have attended a lot of camps. I have to say, from a parent's perspective, this camp really has their stuff together. Communication is great. They seem to be very organized and they hire really warm young people. Some of my daughter's favorite activities were spending time with the animals, going on the little boats and swimming. She loved her counselor Megan. Camp Kinneret isn't cheap. But it's in the same range as the other well regarded day camps with the various bells and whistles. Almost all the kids take buses. I like that the kids are actually engaged on the bus, singing songs etc. It's not just transportation if you will. In sum, Camp Kinneret was a big hit with my 7 year old daughter. read more

Camp Kinneret has provided wonderful experiences for my children for many, many years. The site and activities are fun, but it's the quality of the counselors that make the experience what it is each summer. The traditional "feel" and camp songs are wholesome, just like when us parents were kids. I can't recommend highly enough. read more