This is my daughter and I second time coming to Camp Oakes. Chef Mike made it special both times…read more Great job with the chow Chef! His Let's Eat program is super special as well. The Camp itself is phenomenal. Tons to see and do. Loved the sledding and rock climbing in particular. I look forward to going again. Thank you!

DO NOT WORK HERE. -…read moreThe workplace culture at modern Camp Oakes was extremely toxic during my time there (4/8/23-5/2/23). It felt like a mob-mentality environment where interpersonal drama often took precedence over professionalism. In my experience, if a single staff member took issue with you--for any reason (in my case, I suspect it was related to my spiritual background)--they and their peers could create a hostile environment that made it impossible to remain. - In my situation, someone even contacted law enforcement. I was never informed of what was said, but it appeared to be an effort to pressure me into quitting. Whatever was reported triggered a traumatic and unnecessary investigation that led me to resign under duress. - I've since filed a lawsuit for defamation, constructive discharge, and other related claims. While employed, I raised concerns about staff harassment directly with manager Samantha Rosenburg ("Wizz"). However, my personnel file appears to omit those complaints entirely--raising serious concerns about whether there was an attempt to obscure institutional awareness of misconduct. Afterward, several individuals in upper management and HR resigned, which I believe may have been an effort to avoid accountability. - In my view, this organization failed to provide a safe or supportive work environment. I've worked in summer camps, childcare, elder care, and recreation across multiple U.S. states. Nowhere else have I encountered treatment this hostile or damaging. - This staff requires serious reform and retraining if this camp is to remain in operation. - DO NOT WORK HERE.

My daughter went on a 3 day w her school She loved every…read moreminute of it!! The camp counselors were fun and the archery and the Gaga ball was all she could talk about

My son and I just came back from an 8th grade school trip at Pali. I attended as my son's caregiver…read moreso I was able to see first hand how the experience was for them. All the kids had a great time, the courses were interesting and fun for the kids. The instructors were engaging and made sure the kids were making safe choices and following the rules. My son is in a wheelchair but the camp assured me that they could accommodate him, and indeed they did! They provided us with our own private cabin with an accessible restroom, and any activity that wasn't zip lining or climbing ropes, the staff went the extra mile to make sure it was accessible and still fun for the rest of his group. The camp itself is probably around 90% accessible - there was usually a way for my son to access most of the main stuff. Of course most of the physical activities were off limits for him and we knew that going in. The only improvements I would say is that while the meals were accommodating to all kinds of diets, the quality of the food could be improved. I nearly choked grilled chicken I had for lunch (the rest of us at the teacher table also commented that it was super dry) and I heard the beef was served for dinner was dry and tough to chew. But I liked that they had a salad bar at every lunch and dinner to try and get the kids to eat their veggies! I also recommend that they make their field area accessible. It's lower than the rest of camp and where they held their game activities, but surprisingly there was no wheelchair access to that area, you could only reach it by steps, so my son had to miss that activity that evening.

I want to start by thanking all the staff and camp woodcraft for making this possible. My child is…read moregenerally shy but we saw her blossom and really take to the group. The escape from technology and outdoor approach to the entire camp really resonated with her. She did not miss screen time at all. It even opened her palette as she would normally only stick to basic kid foods but is now asking for things that she would normally avoid. We really look forward to the coming years and sending the rest of her siblings so they can relish in the experience.

Love love this place! Purely kind hospitable accommodating. Kind! Love the hikes and the…read moreprogramming. And I don't think there is a bad bone in any staff member there. In two words rare jewels! I especially appreciate the ability to eat! They met my families diet restrictions. I expected to starve but I'm happy that we did not.

BEST WEDDING VENUE EVER!…read more My husband and I dreamed of a wedding where everyone could stay together onsite, immersed in nature, with no worries about driving after a night of fun, and Camp Osito Rancho made that dream a reality. Our families stayed in the health center, lodge, and electrified cabins, while our friends embraced the adventure of summer cabins and tents. The venue offers so many stunning spaces, from the spacious dining hall for meals to the stage/amphitheater with fire pits--perfect for s'mores and late-night stories. We exchanged vows at the top of a hill near the outdoor pavilion, with a gorgeous backdrop of pine trees and a view of Big Bear Lake in the distance. We were able to offer our guests camp activities like archery and a pool day, as well as had room to setup other activities like craft tables and lawn games. The biggest perk was the complete freedom to choose our own vendors, allowing us to create a truly personalized experience (huge shoutout to Scratch Kitchen for catering--our guests still rave about the food). We spent a year making signs, collecting décor, buying solar lights, and crafting to transform this Girl Scout camp into a full-blown wedding festival. If you're up for planning the details, this venue is the ultimate blank canvas. Last but not least, the Camp Osito Rancho team is absolutely amazing. A huge thanks to Angel for her help throughout the year, Ryan for his help throughout the weekend, and to Gerardo for the tour that sold us from the start. For a wedding that feels like an unforgettable getaway, this place is pure magic

Amazing camp!! Came with sweet elite Girl Scouts 2020. My daughter canoed, rode horses, zip lined,…read morelearned archery. So many activities. Well worth the work. Beautiful campsite.

Everything it was a wonderful sermon, beautiful people the surroundings was awesome I had a…read morewonderful time even had time to go sightseeing

Overall: 5/5 The…read moreAlpine Retreat & Camp was the perfect location for our 2026 Winter Retreat! It was both-breathtaking and calmingly...to be surrounded by a 360-degree view of nature. It was also SO much fun driving up the winding mountain roads to reach the destination! Friendly+organized and+helpful staff with delicious food, a picturesque location, upgraded bathroom/showers (inside-cabins) with spa-like accommodations, and heated rooms? #YesPlease Location: 5/5 Staff: 5/5 Facilities: 5/5 Food: 4/5

Camping in the summertime is absolutely a must! And with Alpine Meadows Retreat Center in Angelus…read moreOaks, California near the city of Big Bear Lake it's a place I trust! Alpine Meadows Retreat Center which borders Camp Mountain Chai (pronounced Hi) is a larger spacious multi-level and terrain center as well as site has several bunk cabins, buildings and a main lodge center with tons of ammentinities including soccer field, basketball court, fire circles, mini amphitheater, ropes courses, swimming pool, gathering spot cabin filled with board games, sound system, tv monitors, snacks, popcorn machine, etc. There's a main theater for announcements, shows, classes, etc which is connected to the kitchen and dinning areas not to mention several other facilities. Water areas for refilling bottles or jugs and usually cold water and beverages filled by staff daily. Vending machines with mainly soft drinks only. Plenty of restrooms throughout the entire space in cabins or various rooms and buildings. I was able to attend 9 day event for 4 days with an organization that rented out the area for the duration of 10 days (including set-up and clean-up/breakdown) with the Community of Men enjoying Naturism group and had probably the best vacation getaway gathering retreat camp experience ever especially as an adult lol The group organized some many great events, contest, activities (both in and outdoors), daily hikes, sporting, classes (including zumba and hip hop line dancing - I did both!) and much much more. The meals were amazing including the vegan and vegetarian options that were made available. Tons of BYOB/D made for a huge supply for any and all during social hours and throughout the evening. Everyone at Alpine Meadows, Camp Mt Chai and the C.M.E.N. group did such an amazing job accommodating and providing services through the duration that I can't thank every enough. I'm pretty sure I attended this site in my early teens for a youth leadership and development camp with the Red Cross of America back in 2001/2002 as I had such a sense of nostalgia the entire time including climbing up those massive steps on both the "treacherous" O.O and not so treacherous inclines from the bunk level up to the recreation and rope course areas. Unloading and loading vehicles can be easy as the paths and roads are wide enough for most vehicles to maneuver around, just try not to block the main road for the parking area so vehicles can pass going in or out simultaneously. Enjoy this retreat experience with your group to the fullest, soak of the stars, memories, human interactions and connections and cherish you semi-vacay. Looking up at the stars, spotting beautiful blue jays and breathing in fresh mountain air... It's easy for me to say... 7000+ ft up and away is the way!

Nestled in the mountains, this is a decent retreat center…read more There are a lot of cabins and meeting halls to accommodate multiple groups. The cabins can sleep up to 20 people, but it's not the most comfortable. It's very bare bones and feels old, but everything works. All the beds are bunk beds with a basic sleeping pad; make sure you bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. The bathrooms run on a septic system, so be judicious about what you flush. All the cabins are left unlocked for the duration of your stay, and that's a bit unsettling. We spent 2 nights here, with 30 people across 3 cabins, and didn't have any issues with theft. The meeting rooms come with coffee machines, a giant cooler of water, a fridge, a microwave, and as many chairs as you'll need. There's also a projector, speakers, and a control panel to hook up instruments and microphones. Microphones and accessories are provided by the staff. A wide range of activities are available to help with team building or alleviate cabin fever. There's a basketball court with a bunch of balls, but a vast majority of them are deflated and/or have no grip left. Tackle the rock-climbing wall or the ropes course to overcome your fear of heights. Work on your aim and hunting skills in the archery range, or run around the synthetic turf ball field to improve your conditioning. There's also a pool, some swings, a small jungle gym, and a life-sized foosball table. Meals are buffet style and offered 3 times a day. Breakfast has a cereal bar, instant oatmeal, packaged yogurts, and fresh fruits. The kitchen whips up some scrambled eggs, French toast, pancakes, soy based sausage, and potatoes. Lunch has some pasta, salad, and veggies. Dinner was roast beef and mashed potatoes one night, and rotisserie chicken with rice the other. A full salad bar is offered during lunch and dinner. The food is decent, and I appreciate the effort the staff puts into it, but it's not going to win any cooking awards. Out of everything I ate, the chicken was easily the best. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. A walkie-talkie is provided to your group leader for communication with the staff, and there's someone available at all times. Basic first aid is offered, but anything more serious is 45 minutes away, or 75 minutes to the nearest emergency room. The grounds and facilities are well maintained, but the facilities are in major need of a renovation. The location has very little, if any, cellular service, so communication with friends and loved ones who aren't on site with you can be challenging.

I just want to say how much I love this camp! The Downey branch counselors and directors were very…read morecool with me and I consider them as one of my close friends, not to mention most of them have been going to camp since they were kids, and I wish I did the same as they've done! They are one of the most prominent people in my life and I'll most definitely return because I enjoyed being friends with them! Just want to show how much I appreciate their love and support! Also some of them went to Downey and Warren High School!

This year my 3 kids showed an interest in going camping and participating in a seven day camping…read moretrip through the Ymca . I was able to meet the counselor's and the directors of the camp and I felt very comfortable sending my kids away for a whole week. While they were gone to camp I had the opportunity of sending them a care package, writing them letters, sending them daily emails, and looking at pictures of them that are posted online during the trip. It felt really good to be able to go online and look at pictures of what my kids were doing during the day. When I picked them up and ask them how their trip went they were excited to say that they wanted to go again next year. They talked about all of the fun things that they did from swimming in the big pool with the waterslide, archery, canoeing, zip lining, walking ropes, camp fires , wrist rockets , playing games, dance contests, a dance party, a carnival and going to the lake. Thank you to Ymca for being able to put together a great vamp for the kids . Looks like we will see you next year!

This place is such an amazing place to hold a camp or retreat!…read more2 years in a row I have held a camp here and all my kids and parents love this place. Located right on big Bear lake there are so many things to do outside camp that it becomes a camp within a camp. Archery, kayaking, rock wall, slip n slide, hiking, swimming!!! Food is amazing... service is 6 stars and can't wait to be back.

My sons went to a Christian retreat there recently. They are both over 6'5 and had trouble fitting…read moreinto the small bunk beds. They were accommodating and friendly when I called to ask if they could plop the mattresses on the floor but it sounds like this place needs an update. The food was mediocre at best and the ping pong table was broken. They had no board games or cards and very little outdoor activities other than a zip line. No campfires at night and very little options for snacks.