Camp Cayuga

★Unscripted Minds

Hello, I just want to start off by saying that I’ve never posted a review before, but my daughter has finally made peace with her experience enough to be able to allow me to post one. When my daughter was 12 years old, she went to camp here for one summer with her best friend from home. They were both in cabin G-16 and classified as the “seniors” of main side (that’s the side that the Juniors live on because that’s also where most of the activities are) because at 13 you could choose to live on teen side. At this camp, you aren’t allowed to call your child until they have been staying there for 10 days. After that, you have to book a call with them in advance when a time slot is open. Calls are only five minutes and they WILL scream at you. Trust me, they screamed at her during the only phone call I was allowed to have with her. In her cabin, she was bullied every single day and night and the counselors didn’t want to get involved. One night, a counselor from another cabin came in and screamed at her, and would tell them that until they learn to get along they can’t have their mail (I would have something for her every day). I know that you’re thinking, “girls will be girls at that age” but believe me when I say that now as a rising high school senior, her encounters with her peers were never this bad again, not even in her school or in outside activities. The head of the senior girls did nothing to help her, because she picked favorites who were the girls who bullied my daughter. I could go into details about how she was bullied but just know it was really bad that it took her years (she was at camp in 2021) to get over. I am hoping that since she was there, things have gotten better because nobody should ever have to go through what she did. Sleepaway camp is supposed to be a “home away from home” not an environment that made a 12 year old neurodivergent girl (they failed to accommodate her in this regard as well) cry every single day and night to go back home. If I could go back in time, I never would’ve sent her here. I spent over $3,000 for her to have this experience and I put her in a place where the staff didn’t care about girls like her and that is beyond disappointing. Think twice before sending your kids here.

★★★★★Chris Feneli

It feels like from the moment camp ends, our daughters look forward to their time at Camp Cayuga the following summer. With endless activities and incredible counselors, our now 5th and 7th grade daughters always return with smiles on their faces and endless stories about the fun times they had. Our girls have made lifelong friends, experienced new things and gain confidence and independence. We would (and do) recommend Camp Cayuga to anyone.

★★★★★Katie Reilly

My son (14 at the time) loved his time at Camp Cayuga last summer! He had such a good time, he is going back this year and bringing his brother (and a friend!) with him. They care so much about the kids and have so much to offer. It's a great camp!

★★★★★Jonathan Darche

My son, now 11, went to Cayuga for the second summer this past August. The counselors are great and my son loved them. This summer, he learned to ride a horse! When we picked him up, he told us that he was ready to go for the whole summer next time!

★★★★★Alexandre Ducatti

This was my 14-year-old daughter's first summer at Camp Cayuga, after attending other camps in previous years—and without a doubt, it was her favorite! She enjoyed it so much that we've already registered her for 2026. She stayed for the final two weeks of the season and loved everything: the cabin, the staff, the counselors—who were incredibly attentive—the daytime activities, and the evening parties. She’s passionate about animals and art, so horseback riding and the crafts and painting sessions were a perfect fit. One standout feature, which sets Camp Cayuga apart from her previous experiences, is the way activities are tailored by age group. She appreciated being able to join the teen-specific programs, which better matched her interests and helped her connect with peers her age. The check-in and check-out process was impressively smooth. When we arrived, two friendly staff members were already waiting with strollers to help carry her bags to the cabin. And when we returned two weeks later, all her belongings were neatly packed and ready for pickup. A small but meaningful gesture: during her stay, it was her mom’s birthday, and the camp allowed her to make a quick call to say hello. That flexibility meant the world to my wife—and we hope she’ll be able to do the same next year! We’re already counting down to 2026. See you then, Camp Cayuga!