My son definitely enjoys attending the camp and I appreciate the communication with the counselor. I will highly recommend Hillsborough YMCA to others.

I think communication could be better with families starting midsummer vs week 1

I have sent my kids to the Hillsborough YMCA camp for the past 9 years. In earlier years, it was an amazing camp - there were an abundance of activities, specialty camps where kids could focus on what interested them, and my kids loved every minute of it. I recommended it to EVERYONE. After the original leaders were furloughed during the pandemic, the camp was never the same. Specialty camps are almost the same as traditional camp, but more money; activities are scheduled and when they are completed quicker than the time allotted, there is nothing else to keep the kids occupied; discipline issues abound and parents are called on a regular basis to discuss problems that may (or may not) be exaggerated. This is the last year my kids will attend. I'm sad to see that what was once a great program has devolved into 8 hours of babysitting.

Very nice camp I just can’t afford it unfortunately

I did not receive any communication about camp after I registered. I had expected at least a welcome email about what the kids should bring, or what drop off or pick up procedures were. Also, I was not informed that my kids would be bussed to the Somerville Y for swimming. I feel that consent was required for that. Finally, on Friday, when the kids were inside the Y when we arrived to pick up, the front desk attendant asked many questions including wanting to take a photo for a day pass, which seemed unnecessary just for pick up. Then, it took twenty minutes for someone to escort my child out for pickup, which was the final straw in a frustrating experience.

Great staff!

1.Due to HVAC renov, campers had to go to Bridgewater's pool. My son joined the camp for one week. His friend at the camp told him that they cannot change at Bridgewater YMCA and had to wear wet swimsuits back to Hillsborough YMCA. Also, they couldn't play water at Bridgewater YMCA because there is no Family pool. They have to swim laps. My son was convinced by his friend that it's not fun. Thus, he did not go swimming for the whole week. For future camps, I'd like to know if the swimming pool will not be available when registering, if possible. 2. My son came home one day of the camp and told me that he did not have a good day. The whole group had to eat in silence and lunch time was very short. The counselor was not in a good mood. At the end of the week, I asked him to rate all the camps he went to this summer. He went to several different camps this summer break. Hillsborough YMCA was at the bottom 3 and he said that the fun part was only because there were several of his classmates at his group. He had attended YMCA summer camp before and seemed to have a better experience than this time.

Well priced and an excellent full summer program that other camps do not offer.

Proximity and nice people

Reasonable price and kids enjoys a lot, make them busy.

Great counselors and fun programs for our child.

Everything !!

Outdoor. Lots of activities. Swimming during the day. My child is very happy and loved the camp.

My child has been attending since he was 6. He's now 12. The quality of activities have declined. Also, swimming is so structured it doesn't allow him to enjoy the fun part of camp. This may be his last year. Counselors and staff are great!

I really enjoyed my experience at the Hillsborough YMCA Summer Camp because it was fun, active, and felt like a second home fpry children. The counselors were friendly, responsible, and always made sure my children felt included and safe. Whether they 9were swimming, playing games, doing arts and crafts, or going on trips, safety was always a priority. I appreciated how organized everything was. From check-in and check-out procedures to how staff handled activities and emergencies. It gave my family and me peace of mind, and I didn't have to worry. My children stayed active, and had an awesome summer at camp!

My son is a CIT this year. He is enjoying the summer activities and the responsibility of being CIT. We will definitely be back next year!

Friendly staff. Daily swim lessons. Safe positive environment.

The management team and staff(counselors) at the YMCA are AMAZING!! Mr Austin is caring, kind and committed to the children and the families at the YMCA. It's been a great summer!

Fantastic communication through emails, the included swim lessons, the variety of specialty/sport sessions.

The team and the program! It is safe and friendly for our children.

Counselors are great!! Austin, Sara and Colin are great leaders!!

My son Juan loves going to the Y and see his friend and he likes the peers.

the price charged for field trips is insane. Most of the other places we checked would have different prices depending on where the students would be going; which is great for families that cant afford or dont want to spend $70 to send their kid to the movies for example. I was not aware of that when i signed up my daughter again this year (it was not like this last year) and will definitely be something i will look more for other places next year bc i want her to be part of the field trips but i wont be willing to pay such a ridiculous price. And next year it will be my daugher and my son so definitely need to look for other places that dont charge an arm and a leg for field trips.

My children were never unhappy to wake up to go to camp. They enjoyed each and every day. The counselors were very respectful, and made me feel like they were genuinely happy to see my children each day. On top of that, they were noticeably sad a few days leading up to the last day. It's never a good feeling to see them upset, but if they're upset because they're going to miss their out of town friends and counselors, I'll take it. Worth every penny.

The hours and the length of camp.

Everything

We love the outdoor play time, the sports, the field trips, the counselors and all of the friendships!

My kids loved it and the camp counselor are amazing.

The hours of operation are convenient and the facility is clean.

My child really enjoyed the Hillsborough YMCA Summer Camp Program. The counselors were very upbeat and engaging with the kids. There were many activities, crafts, and outdoor games throughout the day. There is a great outdoor area with a lot of tree cover allowing shade for the outdoor activities and for lunchtime at the picnic tables. The kids really loved the end of week presentations put on for the parents in dance, the art show, or the weekly theme. Having swim each day is a plus. The directors and front desk staff were always very helpful.

This was my daughter's first time attending this summer camp. I truly appreciated how kind and caring everyone was, especially the counselors. My daughter absolutely loved going to this summer camp! She made so many nice friends and she really loved her counselors. It was the most fun camp experience that she has ever had!

Heat programs for all ages!

My daughter whose 5 loved it.

My kids absolutely love the activities, trips and swimming and they meet new friends each summer!

Both of my boys have been attending camp at the Hillsborough Y for several years and they are always excited to go. They love the swim lessons, the weekly trips, the theme weeks, the crafts, the ice cream trucks, the counselors and the friends they get to make. -Lucas and Damien's Mom

This was the first year our family participated in the camp. It was a great experience. My child enjoyed the trips to Chuck E Cheese and the Turtle Back Zoo. Staff was welcoming and supportive.

Very well-planned, wholesome program

My son, who participated in the 4th grade Pioneer group & sports camp, absolutely LOVES the camp counselors and Y staff. He can't say enough about how kind, fun and encouraging everyone is -- which is most important to me as a parent. I've also experienced nothing but warm greetings and helpfulness whenever I engage with staff. That's been such a comfort as well. In addition, the range of activities and field trips available this year has been awesome. At no time has my son said he's bored or not looking forward to attending. He's also progressed very well as a beginning swimmer, who went from being nervous about jumping into the pool to now sharing regular updates about what he's learned/accomplished with daily lessons. Plus, I love that positive behaviors are affirmed and recognized with the recognition cards that are given out. As a single working mom, I also appreciate the extended hours and the fact that the Y offers so much for less than $400/week. While it's still a big financial commitment for the Summer, I believe attendees receive a lot more positive support and engagement at Camp Star than other more expensive options.

Poor communication with organizer Gabby. She does not respond to emails and does not provide information when requested. Overall the program is highly unorganized and there is no structure. Camp counselors are seemingly high school students just volunteering their time, but no effort to create a more inclusive experience for the camp attendees. Children are shuffled in and out of the building and I have seen adults coming in and out. This makes me concerned on a safety perspective.

charging credit card without authorization

Be more responsive on finding the lost and found items.

Overall the camp was great. During field trip days, the kids who opt for field trip should not be charged for day camp. It becomes double the cost when kids spend most of the time outside the camp.

Everything

Kids have a lot of fun. Counselors have all been nice as well. Over all a well run program.

Our daughter gets to stay active during the summer, experience new places and concepts, meet friends, and express herself all in a fun, friendly, and safe environment.

Returning calls and emails other than that everything is great

My son gets lots of time outdoors, the swimming lessons are great and he gets to socialize with his friends. The counselors are energetic and fun and the field trips are great!

Our children look forward to going each day, are kept active throughout the day, and make many friends each summer. The counselors are also great with the children!

Camp is supposed to be fun, the Hillsborough Y camp not so much.

The YMCA has been a staple for over 10 years for my children's summer. Camp has been a positive experience for my son, via his interactions with camp counselors and campers, the activities and the environment. I was concerned that the cost for counselors in training is high, but it is overall a positive experience for my son and perhaps he will try to be counselor at some point in the future. He seems to enjoy working with the children and being a CIT. I am glad to have him so close to home, opportunities for trips and to be outdoors versus indoors all summer when we are at work. Our family is grateful for the YMCA!