My camper who is going into 5th grade has complained that it is boring and they sit around a lot. My younger camper seems to be more engaged. However, it is one of the few camps in the area that has extended hours which I need because I have a FT job.
My 9 years old daughter has been enjoying her camp so far. She feels her camp’s daily activities are very engaging and enjoyable.
We chose Falcon camp because of our previous experiences. We enrolled our son as a kindergartener in 2024. We were very impressed with Eric and his team. So much so that we drive from Ewing. In February, we excitedly enrolled our son. To our disappointment, Eric and the team (except for Mrs Parker) were terminated. While disappointed, we understand staff changes. However, this year there is a lack of expertise in youth development. Princeton YMCA stood out because it was more than just teenagers and their summer jobs. There was a curriculum that included emotional regulation, youth development and support. Previous years, the camp was secured. Currently, the main gate is not staffed full-time. People can just wonder in. My husband recalled an incident where he walked in and picked up our son. Previously, non-camp personnel were prohibited from entering that gate.We thought we found a camp home for our son. Unfortunately, we’ll be looking for somewhere else next year.
I cannot recommend this camp, particularly for families of children with special needs.
Before enrolling my children, I completed detailed intake forms more than two weeks in advance outlining each of their needs, including my two sons who are on the autism spectrum. I was transparent about their support requirements because I wanted to ensure the camp was an appropriate fit before making the financial commitment.
Unfortunately, those forms were not reviewed until my children's first day of camp. Just four hours into the day, I received a call informing me that the camp did not have the staffing resources to adequately support my son, specifically during pool time and outdoor activities. Had this conversation taken place when I submitted the paperwork, I never would have enrolled my children.
I was also told during my tour that campers would be placed in small groups of approximately five to six children. Instead, my children were placed in groups of more than 20. For children with autism, that difference is significant. Had I known the actual group sizes, I would have chosen a different program.
Communication throughout the enrollment process was also very frustrating. My children don't have nut allergies, but because they rely on nut-based foods as an important source of protein, I asked whether they could simply eat in a separate area so they could continue eating the foods they were accustomed to. When I learned that wasn't an option, I completely changed what I packed for them in order to comply with the camp's nut-free policy. While I was more than willing to do that, it would have been extremely helpful to have known about these requirements before camp began. I also had several questions throughout the process and was told someone would call me, but that follow-up never happened.
Most importantly, the experience had a real impact on my children. My youngest came home extremely dysregulated and had a very difficult evening recovering from his first day. My middle, was completely exhausted, which tells me he spent an enormous amount of energy simply trying to navigate the camp environment.
I understand that not every camp can meet every child's needs, and I appreciate honesty when a program isn't the right fit. My disappointment stems from the fact that the camp had the information it needed to make that determination before the first day but didn't review it until after my children had already started. Combined with the miscommunication about group sizes and the lack of follow-through on other questions I raised, the experience left me feeling that expectations were not clearly communicated and that my family's needs were not adequately considered.
I hope this feedback encourages the camp to review intake forms well before the first day, communicate program expectations more clearly, and have candid conversations with families when they believe they may not be able to provide the level of support a child requires. Those changes would go a long way toward creating a better experience for future families.
My daughter in K grade was bullied and hit at camp. I was not made aware of this. I only found out because I heard the mother of the bully telling her at drop off not to hit anyone that day. The counselors gave her a knowing look. Later that evening I asked my daughter about the situation and she shared she was hit in camp by that child. She always loved her daycare and is very active. When she hated camp I knew something was off. She was only there for two weeks but I ended up keeping her home the last four 1/2 days because she was so miserable. I would not recommend this camp to anyone. I did not speak to the counselors or director about this because they made no effort to share who my daughter's counselor was or her name. I felt nervous every drop off because I didn't feel like they even knew my daughter. We do not plan on returning and since she missed almost the entire last week it was a waste of money.
My kids enjoyed their time at the camp and were always excited to return. It allowed them enough time to play with friends and explore nature and their surroundings. The different excursions were a bonus that my kids enjoyed very much. We look forward to another camp at Princeton YMCA.
My child, and many of her friends, were bullied constantly by another child at camp. Counsellors either didn't notice, or were not trained on how to handle this situation. All in all, this atmosphere of neglect was physically and emotionally detrimental to the well being of multiple children. We certainly will not be returning, to camp or the Princeton YMCA.
Not enough things to do for CIT campers.
My daughter had the time of her life this week! Every day, she came home bursting with stories—like the day she and her friends found a grasshopper and made it their pet for a while. The staff were consistently warm, patient, and welcoming. I truly appreciate the diverse and inclusive environment—it all comes together beautifully. We'll definitely be back next year!
Lack of security at check in/check out there was no one to make sure I am picking up the right kid
My son comes home everyday happy and looking forward to the next day. If I had any questions or concerns I was listened to and not viewed as a burden. On very hot days they make sure that the children are inside a lot of the time. When I pick my son up I see counselors interacting and playing games/sports WITH the kids not just watching them.
All of the staff are super nice and great to my kindergartner. This is his first year at YMCA camp and he loved it. The activities are great. We will be signing him up again next year. Chakia Britton
Provide lunch options
Only 2 trips for the summer camp this year, but charged the same price as other years where they went on 4-5 trips.
Grouping campers
The kids have a lot of fun. They enjoy the games and the activities that is at the camp. It was easy for them to transition and the daily swimming is a bonus!
I think my child was perhaps too young for the program but really struggled with the full day outside with no down time/quiet time. He cried every morning at drop off and had to be physically restrained because he was so unhappy at camp. After a week, we decided to take him out of camp and he returned to his normal happy self.
Everything else were good ! Teachers / Guides were really great ! However, bathrooms were poorly maintained. Portable bathrooms were unclean, inhygenic as so many kids using the same bathroom !! Health issue may arise among kids due to this. It is risk should be taken with high priority !! Thanks Barsha
In the hot weather, it would be nice to construct a cooling station for the children.
I would love to see more field trips (once per week) and maybe more art project and different types of sport. Not just soccer.
Next year, I would love to give you the ice-cream money upfront or include it in my tuition. Makes the line faster!
My kids just don't like it. They cry about going and constantly complain/beg to stay home. I think there's too many rules not enough freedom/unstructured play. They also don't like that they can only play with kids their exact age.
The People who work there
It was FUN! Kept the kids active all day. Flexible hours. Extremely reasonable price.
On the first day of camp, my son was involved in a serious verbal altercation. This incident itself made me feel a lack of confidence in the supervision provided by the camp and it was clear that it was not a safe space for children. While it's clear that he needed to take responsibility for his own actions, he reported he was called a name involving a homophobic slur and a crass name for a male body part. I thought it was important to follow up to learn as much as possible about how the incident went down so I could appropriately debrief with my son. Despite calling multiple times and sending an email to the camp director, my communication was never returned. Given how serious I felt the incident was, I was shocked that the camp director did not even bother to respond to me. I cannot recommend this camp.
Real time updates on an app. Specific instruction list for parents what to send with children on specific days. Big issue — no deducted space to keep bagpacks. Children would misplace one item every day. Do t think there was emphasis on teaching basketball despite it being a basketball camp.
I like the program because it gives the children a space to be themselves in a fun diverse environment.
The staff is good
it will be great if YMCA could provide more constant communication, eg, sharing activity pics, send notification through emails, etc.
The kids had a great time! The basketball coach was dedicated to their development of the sport and took care to build up their confidence. They made lots of friends. As a parent I appreciated the flexibility of drop off and pick up times. We will be back next year!
My children really enjoyed their YMCA summer experience. The swim lessons were the highlight, and they enjoyed all the other activities as well. The staff was kind and helpful, and we were very encouraged by this experience.
The Princeton Y no longer serves the community that I care about. The changes that are being made are for monetary gain only! It's about the bottom line, for the head honcho. If this was a different location, perhaps this would work, but you must know the community you serves and with this recent merger, none of the staff knows the community and it showed. ‚úåüèΩ
My son enjoys the staff, people, and activities. He enjoys going daily and is upset when he can not make it.
I emailed the contact person twice asking a question before the camp, but did not hear back. I called, but the number did not exist.
Friendly and welcoming staff. Flexibility in drop off and pick up times. A variety of activities available for the kiddos.
Plan more fun and different activities instead of doing nearly the same thing every day.
It would be great for specialized themed campers to adopt attend trips.
Love the camp. Charge us extra money for the ice-cream and bbq snacks. Also, throw in a pizza day. Include it in next year's price. That way, it's already paid for and kids can line-up and get their ice-cream.
More varied activities, field trip every week, longer swim, different indoor sports (not just soccer)
Flexibility, my child loved it, kept her engaged.
Mis hijos aman ir al campamento de verano de YMCA se divierten mucho y las personas que los ayudan son muy amables,
The program is ran extremely well. Plenty of different activities for children of all ages to enjoy. Biggest plus is ending the week with either a bbq or adventurous trip! My children are having a fantastic memorable Summer.
Ellos le enseñaron a nadar amis hijas
The camp was very organized and professionally managed. My daughter loved it and I was happy about the extended times that were offered. Will definitely be back year.
Great to have my children in the camp!
very dependable with great staff.
it would be great if constant feedback, eg, kids photo, communication emails could be shared regularly with parents.
The opportunity to share, play, and learn in a safety and secure environment and place.
My kids are having a great time at summer camp. They get to swim, do sports, art and crafts, and science. They are both learning so much as well has having fun.
It's a fun program and my Child enjoy being there everyday.