Incredible atmospher, family spirit and sports facilities. Never quite seen anything like it and…read moreonce you step foot in the gates you'll truly see how you leave the ordinary and enter the extraordinary. From a counsellor, I have never met such a group of amazing people and I know full well that their work translates to your kids perfectly, and they do everything in their power to make sure your children have the best summer of their lives, every summer.

It would be an understatement to say Camp Cayuga has changed my children's lives. My two kids have…read moreexperienced an inclusive, welcoming, and respectful environment that embraces diversity (as in a safe place compared to our sometimes cruel world back at home). My children return from Camp Cayuga markedly more mature, grounded, and confident in who they truly are. The trust and friendships formed between counselors and campers alike is nothing short of extraordinary. Communication with counselors and division directors has been clear and supportive when needed (we have had some things to work through over the years). My spouse and I were not campers, we were never a camp family, and were initially concerned as sleep-away camp is not for every family. Thankfully, Cayuga has been the "just right" experience for us. We have even referred six other families to Camp Cayuga who have also enjoyed their experiences. (if Yelp could weight ratings based on trusted reviewers with more than only one or two reviews, surely they would be closer to getting the ratings more in-line with reality!)

First time for sleepaway camp with my 3 kids ages 6,7,9. I was able to work there while my kids…read moreattended camp and was EXTREMELY blow away. We attended the first half. Everything was so organized and explained that we barely had any questions and when we did the staff was amazing at answering them quickly for us. My 6 & 9 year old boys cried when we left camp and asked why we couldn't stay longer. The had plenty of things for kids to do like lake activities, ceramics, sports and the evening activities were so much fun for them. This is a family run camp and we have already registered for next summer and its only October. I have never done a sleepaway camp as a kid and man did I miss out. I even tried a few things like trapeze and ceramics.

Fabulous camp. Caring staff and management. Looking forward to next year when life gets back to…read morenormal.

A very special place. It's so cool to see kids spending their summer outside, with hundreds of…read moreother kids, without cell phones! When the focus is making sure the campers have an awesome experience, it's hard to have a bad time yourself. There's a genuine camaraderie with the staff as we all live and work and spend time off together. Everyone really pitches in to help each other out and boost each other up! Leadership is approachable, the grounds are beautiful, and it really feels like a home away from home.

Camp Lohikan is wonderful. I spent a number of summers there as a child and each of my own…read morechildren have attended as well. The activities are endless and the staff are great. The kids are having an amazing time and I would definitely recommend it. They have many options for number of weeks that you can attend (2, 4, 6 and 8). Most camps force you to spend the entire summer, which many not be realistic from a time or cost perspective for some.

This is my son's 5th year going to Camp Lohikan, he has so much fun every year! I truly feel it has…read morehelped him gain maturity, and they have so much fun while they're at camp! There are so many activities available!

This camp used to be great and I had recommended it to friends for years. Now I realize this was a…read moremistake! ILC used to be a great place for the "weird" kids who didn't like to play team sports and didn't care about social status, purports to be accepting of all. But as the camp has become more expensive, the campers are different and not for the better - a camp full of those who can afford close to $8,000 (by the time you factor in what you must bring there yourself) for only 3 weeks (!!!) is naturally going to contain more kids who don't understand how much money that is and ridicule kids whose parents still send them because the kids love it even if this is a financial strain. So imagine how disappointing it is to spend a summer around this clientele, which has evolved to include plenty of mean girls who pick on others who don't bring fancy clothes to camp (because why? It's camp!), make rude comments about others' bodies, and allude to other campers' lower socioeconomic status, etc. Unfortunately it's not about the beloved activities anymore. It's about pleasing the richest clientele by throwing "parties" and being a wild display of frivolously spent dollars, minimal supervision (especially of the social situation), and scapegoating those who are bullied. Also, the printed manual discouraging bringing expensive clothing to camp means absolutely nothing. It used to be a camp for nerds by nerds. Now it's a place where the cool, ultra-rich kids always win. So if you have a kid who loves arts activities, send them to French Woods or Buck's Rock. This place is becoming just a lesser version of certain camps most well-known for being attended by spoiled brats.

I've read articles from other people that there are issues with Independent Lake Camp (ILC). Some…read morepeople have excessively high expectations that are impossible to meet. However, if you have realistic expectations, then you'll find ILC is a fantastic experience for your kids. I have and will continue to recommended ILC to my friends and clients. When my younger son went there, he was introverted and uncomfortable meeting new people. After just a summer (2 sessions), he came back out going and totally a new kid. I was so happy to see the transformation that he achieved at ILC. The camp gave him the opportunity try things never he had done before in a safe and encouraging environment. It is so much better than the typical school where our kids attend that do not encourage them to go beyond the comfort zones. My son experienced circus tricks, illusion, unicycle, and even rocketry. All activities he'd never tried before and came back excited and wanting to do more. To me, this outcome indicates the sign of a great camp. If your kid only wants to do sports, then Independent Lake Camp is not the right camp for them. If your child on the other hand wants to explore new things and challenge him or herself (and maybe a little bit nerdy on the inside), then they will find ILC an amazing experience.

Great camp with amazing facilities I've experienced this camp first hand and let me tell you it is…read morefun. The reason I gave the camp 4 stars is because of the bunks/Cabins I may sound spoiled but for the price the camps bunks need a/c. the temperature in the bunks change drastically many nights the weather in the day was very hot which made the bunks very hot and the heat needs like 5 hours once the sun goes down to cool to a reasonable climate sometimes in hot conditions many kids fall asleep on the porch and wait till the climate cools but that takes a long time. Please camp directors act fast because us kids need quality sleep. You may be wondering why I gave this four stars while's I'm just complaining about the bunks but other than that issue everything else about this camps is hands down legendary from the trips to the lakefront and the sports it is the place to be.

I am a former counselor at Camp IHC and it was by far the greatest experience of my life. This…read morecamp has created an environment where there is so much support, joy and satisfaction on a daily basis. It all starts with the leadership of two of the most genuine and caring camp Directors, Joel and Lauren. They constantly go above and beyond to ensure that the experience for every camper and every staff member is something they will cherish forever. That was the case with me! I have been out of the camp world for a few years now and I miss it constantly. One of the reasons I wanted to work at Camp IHC is that they only take the highest quality staff. If you come to Camp IHC as a staff member and underperform or don't give 100% you will not make it there. They only want the best since that what the parents, campers, staff and the Camp Directors have come to expect. The formula obviously works since that is exactly what they get every year! Joel and Lauren have a remarkable talent to discover the best people throughout the world and bring them to one of the most desirable summer camps in the country. I've worked alongside some of the most kind, caring and talented counselors who remain my close friends to this day. Camp IHC builds these lifelong relationships and I am forever thankful for the experience. The facilities, amenities, living conditions, and the food are all superior to anything I have ever seen or experienced from any other camp. I recently read a review saying that the food was "not edible" from a disgruntled former counselor. I couldn't disagree more. The food was incredible with an amazing daily variety of options. Never once did I see a camper go hungry. Another falsehood she mentioned is about the doctor's hours. They have a state-of-the-art Health Center that is open 24/7 with experienced full-time staff always available to take care of the children and counselors. Camp IHC has thought of everything to make the summer experience incredible and they constantly succeed. That is the reason the kids and counselors come back year after year. Camp IHC has one of the highest retention rates in the industry. This is a Camp that will let you be amazing! If you want to be a counselor and know that you can give it all you have, this is the place for you. All others need not apply!

Great camp. Great kids. Remote in woods. Kids seemed to be having fun at the camp. Beautiful area.read more

Weequahic has become my sons second home. He loves camp and looks forward to going back year after…read moreyear. I love it too for many reasons, primarily that son is so happy but also how professional they are with any of our needs or inquiries.

1. Reports of Serious Staff Misconduct * Reports that a head…read morestaff member allegedly sent inappropriate images to a former camper. * Repeated accounts of inappropriate comments being made about female staff by this same member of head staff. * Campers reportedly witnessed a counselor engaging in sexual activity with a kitchen staff member. * Reports that a high-ranking staff member sent inappropriate images while in the bunk. * Staff allegedly returning intoxicated and behaving unsafely ("play fighting") around campers. * Several counselors allegedly dismissed during the summer due to drug/alcohol related issues. 2. Poor Working Conditions * Pay that averaged extremely low when calculated against real working hours. * Only one set of sheets provided for the entire summer, with laundry taking two full days--making it impossible to wash bedding regularly. While campers' bed sheets had to be changed every week. * Clothing frequently going missing, returning stained or still dirty. 3. Wildlife Hazards Staff reported: * Regular sightings of a bear and cub on camp with little advance warning from management. * Rumors among staff that the mother bear was killed, potentially explaining the cub's repeated returns. 4. Questionable Management Practices Accounts include: * Staff being rehired despite prior dismissals from other camps. * Experiences of favoritism, including claims of certain individuals receiving bonuses due to personal connections. 5. Cost-Cutting Despite High Camper Fees Despite families reportedly paying around $13,000 per camper, staff commonly described: * Thin, uncomfortable mattresses and only one set of sheets for the entire season. * Laundry returning clothing dirty, damaged, or missing. * Food described by many as low quality and unpleasant.

It has been 14 amazing years for my 3 kids. So many wonderful activities and a terrific staff to…read morehelp make wonderful memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.