Our son is going into first grade and absolutely LOVES Valley Trails Summer Camp! He looks forward…read moreto going every morning and cannot wait to see his counselor, Gravity. The counselors have been wonderful, and it is clear that he feels happy, comfortable, and well cared for.
The kids participate in so many different activities, including arts and crafts, sports, swimming, the challenge course, team building, and more. Cayden loves the giant swing, although he says the zip line is still "a little too scary." He has already decided that when he is 7, he will be brave enough to try it!
For new parents wondering what to send, Cayden wears a bathing suit, rash guard, and tennis shoes, and I apply sunscreen before he leaves. I pack a towel, an extra set of clothes, and two water bottles. The camp has water available for refills, but I have found that it is easier for him to simply grab his second bottle when the first one is empty.
I initially sent him with a packed lunch and snack, but he hardly ate them because, in his words, "the camp food is good." They always have fruit and what he calls "picky pasta," meaning a simple pasta option, so there always seems to be something he is willing to eat.
I also drove him to camp at first, but he quickly became comfortable taking the bus and now thinks it is really cool. As a parent, I love that transportation is included. It makes camp so much more convenient and has given him another opportunity to become more independent.
The camp also has an app where staff upload photos every day, which is such a fun way to see what the kids are doing. It also makes it easy to communicate with camp staff if you need to arrange an early pickup or share any other information.
One of my favorite things about Valley Trails is that Cayden gets to experience a traditional, technology-free summer camp. He comes home absolutely filthy and exhausted every day, which I consider the sign of a truly great day at camp! I truly believe this will be one of his core childhood summer memories, and we are so thankful he has had this experience.