My daughter loves camp so much. When asked to pinpoint something specific-she can't. She loves the whole experience.

My daughter had a fantastic time this year at Camp Tupelo, bonding with her cabin mates, trying out a variety of activities, and expressing her creativity and personality. I appreciate the camp leadership and staff working with us after a disappointing experience the prior summer, to make sure this time around she was in a program and cabin where she had a solid feeling of belonging among peers.

Well run, friendly and beautiful setting.

The camp is beautiful, well organized, great counselors, well maintained, great communication, clean cabins, a beautiful lake and lots and lots of activities that our son loves.

This camp is well-maintained and offers many programs to many different people. We love that it fosters acceptance, inclusiveness and team building. It has been a great experience for me and for my family.

Happiness and Energy of staff to provide a wonderful experience for campers. Evening activities were inclusive of all campers Circle up before bed time for campers

Better ventilation in the cabins by installing ceiling fans. My kids get sick every year. It would be nice not to have a revolving door of Nurses. The kids would feel more comfortable sharing their issues with familiar faces. Laundry service needs to improve by not losing items that have been labeled. It happens every year.

I liked the freedom of being mostly in-charge of myself and being able to do activities I can't do at home with my friends. - Oliver Mankoff

My daughter had a fantastic time at Camp Minisink. It was her first time at a sleepaway camp and when we came to pick her up after two weeks, she didn't want to leave. She specifically loved the lake activities and gained so much confidence. The counselors were so supportive and nurturing, she'll definitely be back.

Everything

Great and perfect

The responsive and engaging counselors. Variety of activities, always having a choice of things to do, and having a variety of people around to talk to.

My daughters have had the quintessential camp experiences here: spending time outdoors, learning new skills, making new friends, gaining independence, etc

I love the community and the enthusiasm.

My son had an amazing experience so much so he asked to extend his stay. He loves the counselors and has made great friends. Once he leaves he is always counting down the days to the next summer at Fairview.

Overall they had a great camp experience. I just wish that when they were older there was an option for a 2 week camp, and I wish there weren't quite so many people from the South Orange/Maplewood area (not much you can do about that)!

My son loves it so much. He's made friends that he stays in contact with all year long.

Our girls continue to enjoy Laurel Ridge. One comment as the girls get older....we did hear about vaping and pot at the camp. The girls told us that the CIT counselors were smoking pot. Also heard one girl in one of their cabins was sneaking out repeatedly after lights out to meet up with a boy by the lake. This is a big concern to us -- I recognize that as our kids get older, these will be issues that come up, but I'd like to discuss at some point before we send the kids back.

Best decision I've made pertaining my child's well being.. He talked non stop about all of the activities and experiences he's had while at your camp

Fairview Lake is my daughter's happy place. She looks forward to going all year and is always sad to leave. From sun up to sun down she has a blast every day and couldn't love camp more. FVL gets a ten out of ten in our house!

Better and healthier food options including fresh fruit. New options for main meals besides burgers and chicken fingers. More camp merchandise for purchase.

The friendships and togetherness that's promoted.

My kids love FVL so much. They mostly love the counselors. I love how diverse it is, especially the counselors. Where else do you see young black teenagers in roles of leadership? It's really magical. The counselors are so great with the kids.

My son really enjoyed camp! He liked all the activities, kids, and counselors

My son loves everything about Fairview Lake. He is always so happy when he comes home, and full of stories!

My children completely enjoyed themselves.

My son has consistently had a great summer experience at Fairview Lake, and always asks to go back for longer the next summer!

This truly was the best experience that we could have hoped for for our daughter. She was a first-time camper with some specific needs. Everyone we parents came in contact with was understanding, responsive and supportive. We briefly met some of her counselors too, and based on that and what she said, they were wonderful every step of the way. And despite her shyness, she made friends at camp. She attended for 2 weeks, but had we known in advance how much she would enjoy and thrive at camp, we would have signed up for more weeks! Thank you everyone!

Great staff and activities. All the campers are well looked after.

My child had a wonderful experience and created memories that she will be talking about for years to come!

we liked everything. especially games, swimming and other outdoor activities all day long. And also the safety of our children.

The coming together of all the camp cabins to enjoy time together.

I like that it's a classic camp, no screens, just fun with friends. From what I can tell people are encouraged to be kind to each other. My son comes home more polite, thoughtful and helpful. He loves going to camp and considers it a big part of who he is. That is an impressive impact for a place he goes to only a few weeks every year.

My child had a fabulous time- made memories of a lifetime and friends that will hopefully be part of her life forever. She loved spending time sailing, paddle boarding and swimming in the beautiful lake. She misses camp so much now that she's home.

My daughter came home from 3 week sleepaway camp with impetigo on her lip (no one could Miss it) and on the back of her leg. Apparently, the children were discouraged from going to the nurse with issues related to bug bites, but a bit of first aid attention could probably have helped her avoid this highly contagious infection. Since the children cannot have any contact with their parents, we trust that the counselors and nursing staff will take care of them. Had she been on for another 3 weeks of camp without medical attention she would have been in trouble and so would her fellow campers. I understand that you need to limit the nurse visits but maybe better training your counselors to bring the real issues to the attention of the nurse would be a compromise.

The experience for my kids has been perfect. They get to meet other kids in an inclusive and fun environment and learn how to be independent.

My camper really loved camp. The only reason this isn't a ten is (1) there was turnover in my camper's counselor and it sounded like the reasons the counselor was let go were concerning, and (2) some of the kids in my camper's cabin were not kind and I expected that the counselors would put an end to that kind of thing quickly, and they did not.

My son had an amazing time the 1st time at this camp. I really loved the communication from the front desk and also the counselor in charge Anthony who kept us in the loop of my sons request or anything that going on. My son can't stop talking about it and said he found life long friends. He can't wait to come back for the CIT program.

My child had a wonderful time and met such great people. They tried new experiences and felt comfortable the entire time!

Old school camp experience. Kids are outdoors, having fun in a traditional camp format and away from screens.

My daughter loved her time at camp! Every picture I saw of her she looked happy and when we went to pick her up she asked if she could stay an extra week! She has made good fiends two years in a row and has thrived during the three weeks she is there!

My daughters love camp so much, from start to finish the experience is a 10/10 for them and us. The counselors and staff are amazing, the facilities are beautiful, clean and safe, the activities are more than a kid could dream of for an incredible summer. Thank you Fairview Lake for our 4th fantastic year and we honestly can't wait for 2025!

My son had an amazing time. And seeing how emotional the boys were saying goodbye was really surprising and touching to witness.

The counselors and CITs are the best aspect of this camp. The children love learning and interacting with them. Their attitudes make the camp exciting and friendly while providing a sturcture to the day!

The fact that my kids are screen free and outdoors on an idyllic campus in the care of great counselors and enthusiast leaders and fellow campers. This is THE quintessential camp experience.

It seemed like my child had a solid camp experience. I don't think he loved some of the evening activities as much and I think he would have liked to try more of the daytime activities rather than having the long break time. As a first time sleep away parent I was disappointed by the lack of photos (I think there were four of my child two on the first day and two on the last day with). I do understand photo-taking is not central to the counselors role but I think snapping a picture every now and again is a reasonable expectation.

Security is the biggest issue. Particularly at the front gate. Some of the changes post covid have made the experience lacking. There are a lot of great things about Fairview. My oldest daughter's experience and our youngest daughter's first year was why we suggested Fairview, up until recently, to our friends and family.

My son loved it, he had an absolute blast. Can't wait to come back next year. Team Raptor!

My son has done specialty camps the past 4 or 5 years (which he will continue to do, too). This year he decided to also try 3 week traditional camp. I thought it was a great idea that was also pretty brave - it can be hard to start as the new kid when other kids have been doing it together for years already. He was nervous and excited, and I am so happy to say he had a wonderful experience. I'm sure there were ups and downs, but he has already made it clear he's returning next summer😊

This is the 4th summer that my son gets to enjoy the privilege of camp at Fairview Lake. Each year, he is sobbing on pick up day which I am ready for as the letters sent while away only beg for us to sign him up for an extended session there. My son has changed a lot and all for the better since being at Camp. It's a very inclusive environment that allows him to be himself and meet others from so many walks of life. He loves that he gets to learn new games, be outdoors and most importantly, meet so many new people.