Camp Gifford Summer Camp and conference center

★★★★★Kathleen Anderson

Me and my brothers went here as kids we can all agree that it is a core memory. Absolutely amazing and fun for kids. Highly recommend, I will be sending my kids.

★★★★Jamie Elliott

My kids loved it except my daughter didn't like kayaking she was made to do it because the other stations were full also it would have been nice if they would have had snacks before they got on the bus but overall all 3 of my kids loved it!! Weather wasn't great but my oldest learned to swim he past the test and ice cream party after dark!! Thanks camp Gifford they will be coming back next year!!

★Audrey Vieira

A friend recommended this camp. My daughter had attended another camp that she absolutely loved earlier in the summer and was excited to go to another week of camp. Sadly, this was a real disappointment. Most of the advertised activities (rock wall, ropes course, etc) were not made available. My daughter was bullied by a girl in her cabin all week, the counselor did nothing to stop it even when she saw it happening. My daughter told me the only things she liked about the camp was "canteen and sleep" (when going to sleep is one of your 8 year old's "favorite things", you've got a problem!). Then there was the transportation. First, they advertised that The bus came to our town for pick-up and drop off....they never stipulated that it was only if ten or more kids signed up....that otherwise I'd have to get her to/from a town 45 miles away (and I don't drive, so I'd have to arrange a ride) to take the bus....Then the bus was supposed to drop her off at 12:45 pm. I get that traffic or unexpected delays come up. At 1:11 I texted and asked if they had any update on the expected arrival....was told the bus was "about 30 minutes late, should be there soon". So I waited...and waited....and waited. At 1:55 I sent my ride away because she had to be at work (an hour's drive away) at 3:00 with no idea how I'd get myself and my daughter home. The bus finally pulled in at 2:05! Like I said, I get it that things come up that make people run late....but when someone has my child, I expect clear and accurate information about their whereabouts. Not telling me "they'll be there soon" when they weren't going to be soon. I also expect that if there is a delay in the schedule, I will be notified before I contact them asking where they are and why they haven't arrived yet. Thankfully, the ride I'd sent away saw the bus on her way out to the highway and turned around even though it was going to make her late for work, otherwise we'd probably have had to hitchhike back home. I was also not impressed that no-one asked for any ID or for me to sign that I was indeed picking my own child up. This is standard procedure at all the other camps I've looked into or experienced--check ID and make sure the person is either the parent or an authorized person to pick up the child.

★★★★★Jeff Potts

Full disclosure. .. I used to work there -and I loved it! A great Christian based, sliding scale camping experience. Affordable to almost any family. Well trained staff. Great child protection hiring, background checking, training, great monitoring procedures (which are more important than background checks! ) - a safe place for kids. Swimming, boating, hiking, classes, campfires, songs, skits. .. almost 100 years at this location!

★April Wood

My son returned home from this camp yesterday and it was an absolute nightmare for him. He has large visible marks on his face where he was hit by another camper, as well as a swollen finger that was twisted and injured as a result of being knocked to the ground. I was not contacted by the camp about it, nor did they send any type of incident report home with him, which is basic protocol. My son was completely traumatized from the physical violence that he endured. Also, his counselor "Sandy" or "Sand man" bullied him and mistreated him the entire time there. He took all of the snacks that I sent for him (that I cleared with the camp ahead of time) and laughed at my child while he ate them in front of him. My son reported being hungry several times. He also took his glow sticks and broke them all, then passed them out to the whole cabin but refused to let my son have even one. This counselor made fun of my son, was disrespectful toward him, cursed at him and told the campers to "shut up" regularly. I sent letters ahead of time for my son to have while he was there, which were never given to him. Also, many of the advertised activities aren't even offered to the children. There was no rock wall climbing, rope course, zip line, air rifle, kayaking, etc. I'm pursuing these issues with the camp director, as well as with their sponsor, Salvation Army. But I would never trust these people with my child again and regret doing so. Please be cautious.