Bear Valley Y Camp

★★★★★Mary Ann Amaral-Russell

this is a pivate boys camp and Google has it as public road and option for arriving to my land . No trespassing in this part of forest Google needs to correct this in maps I hope they see this to do so Getting lost and hopeless without WiFi here

★★★★★Leila S.

This community has changed my life!! I truly love it here and highly recommend it to anybody interested in/considering a summer camp! The staff is so kind, funny, and really cares about each and every child that visits. I have never once felt excluded or unwelcome and I look forward to coming back every year. Bear Valley is like a second home to me and I hope to continue coming back for many, many years!

★★Jordanna Loughmiller

My 10 year old attended Bear Valley camp for the first and last time this summer. The most concerning situation I was told about involved an adult counselor (22 year old male) physically harming children after being found in a game of Hide-and-Seek-Counselors and the crying, injured children not being allowed to call home. My child was very excited to learn archery, but said there was no actual instruction and majority of the kids were just willy-nilly shooting arrows around. My child shared that it was pretty regular for campers and counselors/CITs to have discussions about sexuality and politics. As a youth program claiming to accept all and create a safe place, there were many times during the week my child did not feel accepted or safe. Also, in my personal opinion, politics and sexuality conversations are not appropriate for ages 8-12, unless it’s with their parents. To hear adults were engaging in and at times cultivating these conversations is concerning as a parent. The program also states they encourage campers to “develop self-confidence, self-reliance, and self-esteem”, which did not happen from what my child told me. I understand country life can be dirty, but for my child to return home with dirt not only caked on her but every item she took with her is just ridiculous. This may have been my child’s first time at sleep away camp but it is not my first experience with sleep away camp and I have never seen or heard of children living like such filth. I was really hoping this would have been a better experience for my child to enjoy for years to come but the cons don’t outweigh the pros.

★İryna Bogodenko

Hi, I don't like bad reviews, but my daughter just finished camp, and I am surprised at how difficult it was to communicate with the staff. I wrote messages and letters, but never received a response. My daughter told me that she was cleaning toilets, which I find unacceptable. She also cried in the evenings and asked to call her mom, but no one allowed her to. I am disappointed and angry at the bad service provided by the camp, especially since they charge $650 for a full 4-day session. The living conditions were also unhygienic, with my daughter being covered in dirt and dust. It's sad that such a beautiful country has a poorly managed camp.

★★★★★Luci Logica

This is really my home. I've come here as a camper, counselor in training, a dishwasher, volunteer staff, and as a counselor, and if I'm lucky, I'll one day be the camp director. This place is truly magical, the summer camp is truly inspiring, the grounds are beautiful, and the staff are excellent.