Well maintained nature center with a variety of animals to see and learn about. Delightful self…read moreguided walking path. We spent about an hour and a half exploring.

The Howell nature center absolutely blew my mind! The play place was very well thought out and just…read morephenomenal! There were so many different activities and places for the kids to play imaginatively. From the Burde blind to the stump jump in the massive treehouse with the hidden swings underneath, it is a child's dream playground. I can't wait to keep him back here and discover all the little things. We enjoyed seeing the animal ambassadors, especially Blue the turkey and it was a really good lesson to my kids about not domesticating wild animals. I wish it was easier to see some of the animals and some of them are mislabeled, especially on the side by the playground. Special tip; if you have a library card, the Howell nature center has a free pass with the Michigan activity pass. You can reserve for up to four people in your family. This is an absolutely amazing deal and we had a blast. Additional tip- pack a sack lunch and enjoy the picnic tables up at the steep hill by the fox and the deer. It's very peaceful and scenic and a wonderful place for the kids to run around safely, see the animals, and have a nice picnic lunch in the semi shade.

I rarely leave negative reviews, but I feel other parents deserve to know about our experience…read more I fully support camps enforcing rules and addressing inappropriate behavior. If my child makes a mistake, I expect him to be corrected. My concern is not that the camp addressed the behavior--it's how they communicated it. The message I received repeatedly used terms such as "sexual nature," "simulating sexual activity," "exposure," and "unsafe behavior" to describe a young child. Reading those words as a parent was shocking. The language felt more like my son was being labeled than a child who needed guidance and age-appropriate correction. Children sometimes make poor choices, especially in group settings. Those moments should be taken seriously, but they should also be handled with care, context, and a focus on teaching. Instead, I felt my child was characterized in the harshest possible way, with warnings of removal, rather than the camp working together with us to help him succeed. What was even more disappointing was that I emailed the executive director afterward to discuss the situation and better understand their approach. I never received a response. Parents trust camps not only to keep children safe but also to understand child development and communicate with families respectfully. In our experience, the communication felt unnecessarily severe and left me feeling that my child had been defined by a single incident rather than treated as a child who was capable of learning and growing. I hope the camp reflects on how powerful their words are. The language adults use about children matters. It can shape how families feel, how staff perceive a child, and whether parents feel like partners or simply recipients of a judgment.

I LOVE IT!!! This is problably one of my fav places so many things to do!!! Went here in fifth…read moregrade for a school field trip.

I attend an outside program on the YMCA Copneconic camp ground and the entire camp ground is…read morebeautiful, and the stuff helped the programming run very smoothly.

My children went to YMCA Storer camp as kids and now their kids my grandkids are going every year…read more They love the counselors and the variety of activities! Even horseback riding !

This review is focused on the one-week "Ottawa" and "Pioneer" level camp options at Camp Storer…read more Our daughter has attended a one-week camp at Storer last year, and again this year. And, she attended the mid-winter reunion weekend this past December. My husband and I are very impressed with Camp Storer. My husband served as a counselor and then a division leader at a summer camp for eight years; he knows summer camps "behind the scenes" and is thoroughly satisfied with the quality of Camp Storer. The facilities are modern, clean, comfortable, and air-conditioned. The staff is well-trained, and there is the right ratio of staff-to-campers. In a cabin for 7-12 young girls, there are two fully-trained/experienced college-age counselors, and one "counselor-in-training" ("CITs" are high-school-aged teens who have been to Camp Storer numerous times as a camper, and are ready for the next level). Both summers, our daughter's counselors were college students. Numerous counselors are from countries around the world, which makes it a wonderful experience for the children. One Sunday in March, I called Camp Storer to leave a message for the staff regarding a question I had. To my surprise, the camp director answered the phone, then gladly spent about 20 minutes on the phone with me thoroughly addressing my question and providing me the information I needed ot make an informed decision regarding which session option to sign our daughter up for. Camp Storer is adjacent to Stony Lake; there are two levels of swimming test the children must pass. If they demonstrate adequate swim skills, they can play in the shallow area; if they demonstrate stronger swimming skills, they can play in the deep area. Counselors are always with them, and a life-guard is on-duty. Regarding safety, the staff also takes medication very seriously. There is a Health Officer on-site at all times; and a strong process in-place to ensure that children receive the medication (or have the right food to address allergy concerns). The camp also has horses. Children have the option to sign up for horse lessons (both western and english lessons are available). The children also have the option of a daily trail ride. Anything to do with horses is an additional fee. Our daughter has taken horse-riding lessons both years, and thoroughly enjoyed it. She is also taught to care for the horses, and treat them with kindness & respect. As Camp Storer is part of the YMCA, there is a daily chapel service. Our family is blended; we are both Jewish and Christian. Upon careful questioning, we were comfortable with our daughter going to Camp Storer as the brief chapel service is focused on God, not any one interpretation of God. Our daughter reports that the food is very tasty; certainly, from what my husband & I saw of the dining hall, the facilities are top-quality and very clean. And, she also reports that the cabins are kept clean during the week; the children have daily cleaning duties they must perform that help the cabin stay in tip-top condition. There are modern toilets, showers, and sinks in each cabin.

Me and my kids enjoyed seeing all the animals and all the staff was very knowledgeable about the…read moreanimals and they were very helpful with any questions or concerns we might have .

The Creature Conservancy is pretty awesome! I pass by it all the time but finally had a chance to…read morevisit during open hours on a Sunday. It was pretty delightful & the staff were super friendly and interacting with the animals. The CC was started 20 years ago with Al the Alligator! He was dropped off at the Vet clinic and they started CC all around him. Pretty awesome. It's not a massive space so it was perfect to get there at 3:30pm - in time for the 4pm show which is followed by an Al the Alligator feeding! We checked out all the habitats on the outside as well. Super cool experience - I'd love to come back for one of their turtle yoga, 18+ paint nights, etc. They always have pretty cool themed programming. Also follow their social media - they post the best content!

My daughter has been attending camp here for the last 5 years. This place has given her so many…read morememories. The staff is always wonderful and organized. The counselors are positive and caring and they take great care of the kids. They have so many activities. My daughter has also really enjoyed the food options. It's a great camp.

Great activities for all. Went there with our Indian Guide tribe for the YMCA. Wind River. Bugs…read moregalore everywhere. Swarmed with dragon flies everywhere. Loved the canoeing. Lodging facilities were pretty good. Bathrooms are outside in a another area.

Wildwood Ranch Day Camp was a wonderful experience for my kids as an alternative to traditional day…read morecare. The affordable cost includes lunch and they went beyond my expectations in accommodating my daughters peanut allergies. Johanna and the day care counselors (Katie, Rachael, and James) were really gracious and great with the kids. My kids took to them easily and I was completely comfortable leaving them in their capable care. I have two children who were ages 6 and 7 when they attended last year and the activities were perfect for their ages. I was concerned my son wouldn't try riding a horse, but they somehow convinced him to try it with Rocky and he loved it! My daughter was already to hop right on America and she loved interacting and groom the horses as well. There was so much going on everyday, I can't even touch on everything in this one review! We liked Wildwood Ranch Day Camp so much, we are scheduling two weeks again this summer!

From the owner: Exciting and Enriching Week-Long Day & Overnight Camps for 5-15 year old children…read more We offer fun activities such as horseback riding, The Blob, swimming, boating, arts & crafts, Climbing Wall, Dual Zip-Line (only 9-12 yr olds), Gaga Ball, Archery (9-12 yr olds), Low Ropes activities, Nature Center & Exploration, Game Room, and much more. We offer early care during our summer months as early as 7am and after care as late as 6pm for an additional fee. Qualified staff who will make your child their #1 priority

this one stinks and their teaching is horrible my child and me got our money taken by herread more

What a wonderful place! My daughter talks about it all year long! She attends summer camp and…read morecouldn't have more fun. She learns a lot too! The farm and barn are so big. You can tell they truly care about their horses and the people who come to ride. They make you feel like you're at home, it's like a big family. Everyone is so nice and they all know my daughter. I know we will continue to bring her to horse camp for years to come and soon enough look forward to riding lessons! Thank you MVF!

This camp does amazing things for the blindness community. Beautiful camp with amazing staff.read more

I worked at Bear Lake Camp for two summers, 2005 and 2006. My experience as a staff member led me…read moreinto my current career as a special education teacher. The facilities are top-notch; what a great opportunity for children with disabilities!

Wyn Farm is any riders paradise. This farm sports fabulous facilities, immaculate barns and arenas…read morealong with rolling acres of cross country. The lesson program is perfect for anyone from beginners all the way up to the show team. Give the barn a call to set up a tour and sign up for lessons. You won't be disappointed!

Wyn Farm is a horse riders paradise! Family owned and operated, they offer private and semi-private…read moreriding lessons (English saddle only) for both kids and adults, board horses, and host competitions. Over the last few years, the owners have expaned their facilities to include an indoor arena, four outdoor areas, a cross country course and a dressage ring. It's a great resourse, and just 20 minutes from Michigan State University. Our children love taking riding lessons at Wyn. The horses are well trained and Jordan is an amazing instructor. We'll be back!