Communication
Excellent program and staff with a variety of activities
Flexible drop-off and pick-up and, most importantly, kids said they enjoyed camp.
Our daughter loved camp all summer. The only info I would say is for the camp to provide better communication/updates and a better app experience overall.
The falsely told memtha
Camp has lots of activities to keep the kids busy (wish the trip times were longer so the kids all had a chance to do the activities), and daily swin is the highlight of the day.
The activities kept my son engaged and the counselors
It was frustrating to learn that groups are by age vs grade, so my daughter is not with the friend we signed up to spend time with. When I called they said they would fix it but they didn't. Seems like an archaic way to group kids. But otherwise the first day was good.
my two kids went on a field trip without a camp shirt matching with other campers. that is not acceptable especially for a 5 and 6 year old going on a trip for the first time. we paid a lot of money for this camp and to not have enough shirts is not okay. I also think there could be more activities, rest time if needed (indoors) and special guests for all the money spent on a weekly basis.
My kids enjoy camp and still ask to come back every year. The camp show is always great and the kids love it. I still wish there was more outdoor play as their favorite part is the last hour by the tent.
My main complaint every year is the communication. It's shaky, at best. This year was a bit of an improvement over last year, but there is really no good way to contact anyone about anything or any questions. Field trips are not announced early and it's very unclear of the details, always (like, do they need lunch? will they still be swimming? what time are they leaving?).
This year I had specifically asked that my son be with kids going into first grade, as he was turning 6 over the summer. This request was acknowledged before camp started, and then promptly ignored when he was put with the 5 year olds entering kindergarten. I got no apology, no message, even when I emailed about this specifically after camp started. It's incredibly frustrating. Emails don't get answered, facebook messages aren't replied to, etc.
I feel that they are safe and happy there, and I need the hours and full day that this camp provides, but it continues to frustrate me each year, and next year we may move on.
My son really came out of his shell and met great new friends. I know that Super Summer camp truly set him up to transition smoothly to his new kindergarten this year. He’s more independent and he always came home having had a great time.
The swimming “lessons” are useless, when they do happen. This is the second year for my son and he has learned absolutely nothing. Also, you keep the kids indoors way too much and there weren’t enough field trips this year. You’re not really teaching the kids anything new, either. At all.
More communication around field trips, what’s included, what they should bring and expect, etc.
Improve communication - either limit messages to one platform (Camp Source, Facebook or email) or ensure all messages are on all platforms.
Pros: excellent staff, variety of activities (would love to see a "day in the life" sample schedule for a week), supportive and encouraging environment.
The cost of the camp is the main reason - at over $600/week, it is not something I would recommend. It would be helpful to understand why the cost is so high.
I think the communication this year is much improved from last year, however, the app has been confusing and no one still replies to questions on the Facebook page (for example, someone asked if the kids would swim after the field trip this week - no reply). My son was also put in the wrong age group, even after I specifically corresponded about this before camp started. My email follow up sent this week about this still has no reply (although now I feel like my son would be thrown off switching groups since he already knows the camp show song). I understand that the counselors have a lot on their plate, but that's why I emailed about this before camp started.
All of this being said, my kids love camp and feel very happy and safe there, which I appreciate the most.
I wish the calendar was accurate, it was less expensive or had an option to not have aftercare included, and that they take the ridiculously inappropriate skit about shooting someone out of the talent show.
Kids enjoyed it- hours are great for working parents and the staff was wonderful.
The walk from HS to YMCA in this heat is a lot for very young child; I was under the impression there would be some sort of swim lessons for this price but it’s only free-swim; there is almost no communication for young children including lack of schedule/activities, counselors names, etc.
The camp is very fun, but the communication between home and camp could be much better. As a parent, it would make a huge difference if I got daily snapshots and updates on what my camper is doing. This could be easily achieved if counselors shared these directly with parents of the campers in their group via the camp source app or some other app. This wouldn't require a waiver for pictures to be shared broadly- parents could be tagged to pictures with their own children in them. I would Be much more likely to recommend the camp if this improvement was made. Outside of that, it's great!
There was no communication this past month, there were no photos, there were field trips when none were listed in the app, I have zero idea what my child has been doing all day (he is only 5 and doesn't remember) no idea why his swim clothes come home dry every day, no idea why he wasn't given lunch on the first day and left to sit there and starve even though I prepaid. This camp was way too expensive to deal with all that, and I couldn't even afford the whole summer, just 4 weeks, and I will not be doing this again.
We used to love Pioneer Trails Summer Camp and have done multiple summers. This summer, a lot of the staff has changed it seems. One counselor, Nicole, seems to be a bit frustrated with children. My daughter said that Nicole told her not to sign up for Art/Makers Space because she didn't want her in the class. I don't think we will return next summer.
Affordability
My son looked forward to camp every day. There were lots of fun activities, and many staff knew him by name. Great experience!
Great program and staff. My kids loved it!