YMCA Camp Duncan

★Joko Hernandez

I’m writing this as a concerned parent because our camp experience was honestly really disappointing, and most of it came down to Kevin. Camp should feel fun and safe for kids, but the way he acted made the whole thing feel uncomfortable. He yelled at kids way too much and it did not feel like normal camp direction or trying to get their attention. It felt harsh and unnecessary. Kids are going to be excited at camp, that is kind of the point, and they should not be made to feel bad for that. I also noticed the way he talked to staff, and that was really concerning too. He spoke down to them in front of others and it made the whole environment feel tense. It is hard to feel comfortable leaving kids in a place where the person in charge is acting that way toward both children and staff. There were also issues brought to him that he just brushed off. We told him about a leak in one of the buildings and instead of actually listening, he basically told us it was something else, even though we saw it with our own eyes. That was frustrating and honestly made me wonder what else gets ignored. There were good parts of the camp and other staff seemed to care, but Kevin ruined the experience for our group. Because of how he yelled at kids, talked down to staff and dismissed concerns, we will not be coming back. It is sad because this could have been a good experience for the kids, but I would not feel comfortable returning with him there.

★Vanessa Mohr

I’m sad to be writing this review but hope it helps others. I went to camp Duncan as a chaperone for a school trip. Our school has been attending camp for over 10 years. Sadly, ownership and staff have changed and not for the better. The staff director (Kyle) yelled at our group of elementary students for the entire 2 days. He snapped at us, belittled the kids, asked them “what’s wrong with you?, and demanded complete silence from 100 people every time he spoke. Our kids are well behaved and respectful. It seems the staff do not have training in early childhood and perhaps should not be working with school aged kids if they don’t have the knowledge of what developmentally appropriate behavior looks like. Our kids look forward to this trip all year and the staffs attitudes really but a damper on the whole trip. What should be a couple days of pure joy was made complicated by lengthy instructions, knit picking, and a power struggle between grown adults and children. I hope they can do better, because the magic of this camp that once existed is gone.

★★★★★K Styles

We attended the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience. It was real nice. The warm weather made it 10x's better.

★★★★★sianna Liu

The first thing that catches the eye is a guardian spirit emitting a blue glow, standing tall in the forest. At that moment, I really felt the urge to shout "Expecto Patronum!" 🪄 Continuing on, each section feels like entering a new magical chapter: ✨ Waving a wand, the forest lights suddenly illuminate; 🦄 A wave of the hand, and magical creatures of light and shadow materialize and leap from the bushes—that moment truly gave me goosebumps! 💥 There's also a spot where two people can "battle" by casting spells, light waves colliding and flashing in the air, just like a duel scene from a movie! 🍄 When you reach the "Mushroom Forest" section, the ground glows with each step, and the surrounding mushrooms shimmer in the darkness, like stepping into an elven kingdom. 🚗 The "flying car" trapped in the forest—the lights shining on it give it an eerie blue glow, as if it's about to take flight at any moment. The entire experience takes about an hour and a half, and the queue can be a bit long, so we recommend arriving early to queue at your reserved time. Although there are no actors in costume, the lighting, music, and sound effects perfectly recreate the magical world. Both children and adults can find something to enjoy. 💡Tips: • It officially starts after dark • Dress warmly, as it can get cold in the woods at night; (of course, if you're hiking, you'll sweat) • Make sure your phone is fully charged, you'll want to take photos everywhere! 📸 📍Location: YMCA Camp Duncan (Ingleside, IL) 🎟️ Tickets can be booked online in advance. Parking tickets are $5 cheaper online ($10 parking ticket). On-site offerings include Harry Potter hot chocolate, roasted marshmallows, butterbeer, and themed merchandise.

★★★★★Jaron DeVito

Went for the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest experience and it was so much fun!!! Food and souvenirs were available but was insanely expensive (small stuffed animals for $50, small pins for $20, small posters for $15). The experience itself was amazing. It easily took us about 2 hours at a normal pace so was well worth the cost. I highly recommend the deluxe package! Wands aren't really necessary. They're fun but there were only a few spots and I wouldn't say it was worth a $50 price tag for a cheap toy wand.