Mama Bear Vent... I was looking into summer camp for my boys. I called Outpost thinking an outdoor camp would be fun for them. I spoke to Sam (4/11/2024) and inquired about inclusion programs and what supports they had for autistic children. Here's how that went: Oh, I'm sorry, we don't have inclusion programs. If your child is autistic, they just won't fit in with us. We don't offer aides. If your child cannot follow instructions, they won't do well. I get it - it may be hard for the kids to follow instructions. Ok, what if I hire an aide for them? No - we've had aides in the past and they just get in the way of the child learning and it makes them stand out too much. In 19 years of parenting 3 children on the spectrum, have I EVER come across someone who would talk to parents and about kids like this. This is NOT a summer camp that requires skills. Hiking, forts, mud and exploration are our foundational principles is what is says on their website. Funny that they would say: *It is important to us to be inclusive. We invite our non-binary and transgender campers to select whichever program would fit them best - Day Camp Girls or Day Camp Boys. To each their own, but I would STAY AWAY FROM THEM. read more

Pickup and drop off included in an all outdoor camp?! Say no more! My kids favorite camp of this summer. Excited to go everyday and exhausted every afternoon. What more do you need to ask for? read more

Our 5 year old started the half day camp last summer and loved it! Every day she came home with an exciting story about the activities she did. She made lots of friends and is really excited to do the full day camp next summer! read more

Such a disappointment! I wanted to really love this camp too. Outdoors and in nature is what camp should be all about. Yet neither of my children seemed to learn anything about the nature around them. I was really hoping they would learn about insets, birds, plants, and wild life. -First day of open house we met with the counselors. They all were really bubbly and excited but fake and phony about it. It was like really bad acting. -We were required to pack a lunch that was completely disposable. One time use items are filling up our landfill. I tried to pack everything in paper bags but it would tear all apart so everything ended up in plastic. Plus they throw it all away even if my child doesn't eat it all. Of course there was that annoying challenge to figure out what to pack that won't rot in the hot sun either. -I was told by the camp that they eat lunch at 10:30-11:00am. Here is the problem, They got picked up at 8am and they won't get dropped off till 5:00pm. Meaning their only food, because everything was thrown away, is their snack around 2:30pm which often time was a slice of watermelon or a few handfuls of grapes and a couple of crackers. My children said there were times when there was a string cheese too. But we're looking at 100 calories at best from 11:00am-5:00pm in an active outdoor camp in the hot sun? -they spray water into the children's mouths for them. Everyone shares the same water bottle so when your thirsty they would give three squirts of water. It's very difficult to get hydrated that way. Plus if your shy you won't want to ask for water. It's also awkward. My son ended up so dehydrated I had to come get him early and he wouldn't eat or drink any water. I almost had to take him to urgent care for fluids. After a few sips every 30 min I was able to get him drinking a electrolyte replacement and eating food later that day. He spent two days in bed recovering. -there was no open play time. I thought they would be playing in nature, exploring wildlife. Instead they were outside being told what games to play. Play is self directed, and self initiated and paramount to Childhood. The only reason I give two stars is because my children did get to create some fond memories outdoors. Looking at camps for this year they both begged not to go back. We won't be back. read more

My daughter loves this camp because of all the outdoors fun activities! This is going to be her 3rd year. The staff and educators are wonderful and responsive. read more

Our second year at Pre-Camp in Poway/Sabre Springs was great! My daughter came home everyday with a new story to tell about what they'd done that day. Outpost is 100% concerned with the kiddos and the care is excellent. I recommend this camp for anyone who has an inquisitive and active child who needs a busy summer. read more

The perfect summer camp for the child that enjoys the outdoors (and most do!). My 7 year old is loving this camp. She comes home dirty from head to toe with a smile on her face :). Her favorite adventure so far is the hike to the waterfalls and playing and splashing in the waterfall. She also enjoys the daily pool time. The Outpost van picks her up and drops her off at our doorstep- so convenient. I love that they have a MWF option (they also have TTh and 5 days). This camp has exceeded my expectations. read more

Last summer was our first time at this camp and it was by far our best decision of the summer! Our 7th grader loved the first session so much we signed up for another session later in the summer. The counselors were excellent and the activities phenomenal. He met all new kids and was outside all week exploring all that San Diego has to offer instead of imprisoned indoors in the clutches of video games. Transportation both ways make this a no brainer for a repeat this summer. read more

I literally stopped working to write this review! My daughter the attends Outpost After school program and we signed up for summer camp too! I am a huge fan!!!!!! My daughter not only loves the environment but the camp leaders really make this a great experience. Sam is the onsite Director and she is awesommmmme. she always demonstrates patience and I really respect how she talks to all of the kids. I always know my daughter is in good hands with them all. As a busy single parent, I really value this program. We are totally looking forward to summer camp and can't wait for all the great adventures I hear so much about! read more

I am writing this from the perspective of a parent of two teenagers who have volunteered at Outpost for 2 and 4 years. I can honestly say that their experiences as counselors have made a huge and lasting impact on their lives, bringing out a new level of confidence and freedom of self expression that we hadn't seen before they volunteered. I would strongly recommend to any parent that if they are looking for something for their teens to do over the summer, it doesn't get any better than Outpost! I only wish I had been aware of Outpost when our kids were younger so they could have attended as campers. But we can tell from our kids' comments and stories that Outpost is an incredibly fun, engaging and confidence-building program that greatly benefits kids. We see this directly when we go to the annual picnic. I will always remember the first one we attended, a young camper sat with my son during much of the program. I had never seen my son in that role before, I felt like I was looking at a new kid! All I can say is, great things happen here...for everyone involved but especially for the young campers! read more

I think the bar for camps in California must be pretty low. My two boys have been to camp in three different states, this camp was by far the worst. My children found this place to be lacking in that the counselors seem more interested in each other than the children (given they are all about 19 years old, I'm not surprised). My oldest's complaint was that there really wasn't anything to do except "made up stuff". He has a huge imagination and I can only say that his problem was that there was no direction and they spend half their day sitting at "campfire". The youngest was largely ignored by his counselor, he got to know his junior counselor pretty well but she was 14! Both my kids won't be returning. read more

It is my daughter's favorite summer camp ever! All staffs from drivers to counselors are amazing. Activities are plentiful and fun. Door to door transportation is a big bonus for busy parents. read more

An incredible camp that meets every logistical worry during summer days- excellent supervision, fun activities, plenty of water and reapplying sunscreen. The staff is great, door to door transportation cannot be beaten and getting the kids out of the house and unplugged all day is amazing. Try this camp! read more

Our entire family loves this camp! One of my favorites as a parent is the pick up and delivery service. My boy is picked up from home and brought back at the promised scheduled. This is our third year doing this camp and hope to be able to do it for many more years to come. Our oldest boy who is now 14 has been a camper for 3 consecutive years and this summer he is going to be a junior counselor to be able to be part of summer camp. We highly recommend it to our friends as a great experience for any boy or girl. read more

So we just moved to SD and I found outpost thru a Google search. I had no one to ask abt it as we knew nobody here and needed to put my 5 year old somewhere fun for summer and this sounded good. Good is an understatement. He LOVES it!!! I could not be more happy with my decision of selecting outpost. The counsellors are fantastic. Fun, energetic, enthusiastic engaging! The kids are playing outdoors and using no technology which is the best!! Old school imagination and outdoor play! I am a very happy parent and my son is a very happy kiddo! We will be back every year while in SD for sure! Keep up the brilliant work of making so many families happy!! read more

I am putting 4 stars on this one cause my kid loves it. Maybe, I set my expectations to high. If I put everything else I said above aside the camp is FUN and kids really are kids and enjoying their time. read more

This camp is everything a day camp should be! I am referring to the pre-camp in Poway for 3-5 year olds. Smiles are abundant and laughter fills the air. I am not sure who has more fun, the counselors or the kids!!! My grandson came home filthy and exhausted everyday..... sure signs of a great camp! This camp is your typical, almost old fashioned day camp that is meant to just be fun and make new friends. My grandson never wanted to leave. The counselors and directors are amazing people. Talk about a happy place!!! I would HIGHLY recommend this camp to any child who is looking to have a blast and be loved at the same time!!!! read more

This camp is so much fun! It's a traditional style camp with wonderful staff and programs. Thank you on behalf of the Rancho Santa Fe Unit of Rady Children's Hospital Auxiliary. read more

Outpost Summer Camp has been rated #1 by my girls aged 8 and 10. It really is what summertime is all about - making new friends (the camp focuses on making friendships), exploring nature, swimming, drying in the sunshine, playing and having fun! We have tried numerous other camps, and none compare to the quality displayed at Outpost. ALL of the counselors are upbeat and actively participate in the activities - these are not babysitters working for a few bucks, but young adults interested in child development careers and truly working to make the camp day fun and memorable. This is our 3rd year, and we have moved up to a full 5-day 3-week session, instead of just the T-Th option, because my girls WANT to be there - it was their choice - which says more than my review ever could. And to top it off, the door-to-door service gives me extra time to run some errands after work before everyone gets home. I love receiving my worn out happy muddy girls at the end of a summer day! read more

Fantastic summer camp (my review is of pre-camp for ages 3-5)!! High energy staff with great resumes. Excellent interaction with the kids. Lots of creativity and imaginative play. It's like being out at a campground for the day. My high energy son comes home dirty, tired and very happy. Definitely recommend this camp! read more

This is our second year as an Outpost family . Both my sons go, one to the day camp and one to pre-camp. I wish I could come up with words to express my love for this program. The counsellors are so full of energy and so clearly love what they do it is infectious. I think it is impossible not to smile just dropping my kids off in the morning, and they are still going strong when I pick them up. There is NO BETTER CAMP in San Diego and we will send our boys there until they are too old for it. Thank you Outpost. You have lifetime support from us. Both boys will go all five days a week next year for at least two sessions. Worth every penny. And I challenge you to find a camp that costs less but offers more. And my youngest was very nervous and in tears at first. Now? He asks on weekends if he can go to camp because being home is so boring. Again. Thank you to all the counsellors. Thank you to all the directors. Thank you, thank you, thank you. read more

My kids can't wait to go back to Outpost every summer. It is hard to get a real camp experience these days, but Outpost is truly what camp should be. After a day of camp my kids get home dirty, tired and happy from playing outdoors all day. They can't wait to tell me stories about camp and teach me the new songs and skits they learned. It also seems to raise their confidence level which is invaluable in itself. read more

We started at Outpost when my son was 5, a little shy, and was showing signs of becoming a fussbudget. He didn't like getting dirty or walking in bare feet. We wanted him to get more exposure to the outdoors and begin to enjoy it. We loved that they had a 2 day a week option and he loved it from the get go. Suddenly he was talking about crawdads in the creek, forts and flags, and came home filthy and loved it. The next year he went 3 days a week and then 5 days a week the following year. When his sister was 5, we sent her too. She was very outgoing, very artistic. She would have excelled anywhere but Outpost was just right for her too. She made lifelong friends from elsewhere in San Diego who she stays in touch with over the school year and then they coordinate attending sessions together in the summer. She's asked to go every year through the last year of senior outpost and now hopes to be a junior counselor next year. She loves the sailing, the beach days, the ropes course-all the special things the senior ouposters do, plus the spirit days, but mostly how warm and wonderful the counselors are. And as a working mom-I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the door to door pick up and drop off. Outpost is fantastic-a safe, fun, and friendly place for every kind of child. read more

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My son went to Outpost this summer. He is 6 and this was his first time ever going to camp. From the very first time I called Outpost and spoke with Sandi to every day of camp, it was an amazing experience and I simply cannot say enough positive things about Outpost. Like most moms, I had concerns about my son going to camp (will he like it, will he miss me, will he be taken care of, will he be watched by counselors who really care about him, will his days feel long and boring, etc). And I can say everything was AWESOME - my son loved camp and I cannot say enough positive things about the quality of care (the counselors, the JCs, the admin staff, the management staff). The counselors CARE so deeply and my son truly felt nurtured and cared for by his counselors and JCs. He felt safe, watched for, and loved while at camp -- so important to every mother. They train their staff so well and they don't just hire any person - you need to love being there and you need to be amazing to the kids in your group, and it shows they do. I honestly can't thank Outpost enough for being such a wonderful camp for my son to go to. It feels like a family and we cannot wait to come back and I feeling we will be lifers with Outpost Camp. We even talk about my son becoming a JC in 10+ years!! :) If you are looking for camp for your kid(s), do yourself a favor, and try Outpost. read more