I cannot say enough good things about Canterbury Creek Farm School. Our family is still new-ish to…read moreGrand Rapids -- we moved here two years ago from Chicago -- and Farm School quickly became like a second family to our 3.5yo son. Born a COVID baby, he has always loved to play independently, but struggled in group situations. The staff and owners are incredibly compassionate and caring -- encouraging our son to play with others, but at his own pace. He has completely come out of his shell over this school year. It has been a joy to see the daily updates on the Brightwheel app (which teachers update during the school day), so that even when I am at work, I can relish in the absolute joy of a time our son is having at school. Time spent outdoors and with the animals is not only great for our high energy boy to blow off steam, but teaches so many life skills (outside of a classroom) that are so necessary to early childhood development. Their approach to early childhood education is incredible -- keeps all the content fun for kids, but with incredible impact. To compare his self-portrait and handwritten name from the beginning to the end of the year is insane! His end of year book brought me to tears -- and made me feel even more blessed to be a part of the Canterbury Creek family. In fact, this morning on our way to drop off, he told me he was so sad that school was over and that he would miss it over the summer. Good thing we will be back for Summer Camp and next school year. I cannot wait to sign up my 2.5yo daughter next!

We love Canterbury Creek. Its so cool that the kids get a full education here not just for…read morethemselves but for the animals too, it' so important at an early age to make sure kids have respect for all lives and they do with their interaction, feeding and caring for the animals here. Totally unique school, wonderful education, loving and caring instructors and overall a great, first class school all the way around. Our 4 year old daugher was at preschool there and will go again for young fives next year. We will do two summer camps with her and 6 year old sister.

What a really nice nature center. Four miles of beautiful hiking trails and it doubles as a kind…read moreof sanctuary for wounded animals. I saw more owls then I have in my entire life. They also have a school for kids that seems to be rich in programming. Three bucks to get in and the staff was very helpful. Only thing that would help would maybe more signage around trees. But that's pretty minor. A total gem!

We came on Saturday at 11:00 in the morning. This is a Michigan must do! Going in, we purchased our…read moretickets ($3 per person) and got to visit with some of the animals they are rehabilitating/giving a better life. Our hearts go out to the animals in their center and the struggle they went through, and we are glad to see them living their best lives now in peace and safety. We walked and hiked around-there was so much to see! You will need some good shoes to walk in, but the hike/walk was not a challenging one. We enjoyed our time in nature and exploring the area. We wished we could have stayed longer than 2 hours. Don't forget to visit their gift shop and make them a generous donation. Their merchandise is wonderful and there is something for everybody. We would have happily paid more for admission-the money goes to such a great cause. We WILL be coming back to this.

Great place! Patrick the manager is an amazing guy! I highly recommend going to the Optimist club!read more

"I like the icas nobody likes us we're the kids from Camp O! Alway grin'n, always a win'n, always…read morea-feeling fine. Aye Aye Aye!!" I always remember the consolers and buss drivers drumming up the day campers on the busses singing this song on the way into camp everyday during the summers of the 1990's. I attended this camp as a child for about 3 yrs and leared so much about being outdoors in nature, arts and crafts, archery, skits and how to be a kid. I still to this day remember ALOT of the camp songs sung in the early morning hours at the chapel we sang to wake up and moving for the day. "Good Morning Mr. Zip Zip Zip" was one of those songs. I started teaching my own children these camp songs that I had so much fun singing 30 yrs ago. I remember the, "Herman the worm" song very well and started teaching my daughter, loves it. Camp O was the first place I leaned to shoot a BB Gun and as the years progressed we moved up to learning to shoot .22's, that was fun alog with many of horseback riding in the woods and around the farm across the road from the camp. During the end of the summers they did overnight trips to a Yurt on one of the local farm field across from the camp. It was great stargazing late at night around the fire and hunting for that ever elusive Snipe.lol. **Overall, I cant say its the same Camp O than that it is now, but I have TONs of great memories here as a young child. I would send my child here anyday!

This is THE BEST PETTING ZOO/learning farm I have ever seen. Critter Barn animals, staff,…read morevolunteers, and property all exceeded expectations. Very reasonably priced, tons of handwashing stations and a wonderful experience all around. My kids both want to volunteer here now. Worth the drive and the price of admission--without question one of the best attractions in the area.

This is a must see. We have come back year after year. This is great. Please go and enjoy. Feed…read moresome animals and enjoy the farm feeling. The new space is fun and way more room and more animals.

My children have attended this camp every summer for the last 7 years. They look forward to going…read moreall year! The camp is an LCMS organization with conservative Christian values that we wholly support. May God continue to bless them in their mission!

This is a sweet little camp! My older son has been coming to Camp concordia for 4 years now, and we…read morejust LOVE the new management that came in 3 years ago. The cabins are air conditioned so I don't have to worry about my kids not sleeping at night. I think this camp is a great return on our investment in our kids. We pick them up from camp on Friday, and they are literally glowing from the inside out! Helpful hint: camp gives a big discount for early bird registration (before March 1)! Watch for it!

I went to Camp O'Malley many years ago. My main memory of Camp O'Malley is from a morning at…read morebreakfast. I have never written about this before. From that breakfast to the present it would serve me well to forget. The counselor for that breakfast-believe it or not was a young man that actually lived just down the street from where I lived. I didn't know him but knew where he lived and he was also quite older than me. Through the food line they would give you WHAT to eat. I asked that they not give me any oatmeal. But they said I didn't have a choice. Being from a low income family the counselors thought that I would make a GOOD example if they would FORCE me to eat that breakfast oatmeal. Well that was very mean and after I gagged up in the bowl they worked twice as hard to make me eat that oatmeal. I know back then Camp O'Malley was supported by Police Departments. So it was my thoughts back then that amp O'Malley was closer to a military camp than a leisure, fun camp. So after that I have never had another bowl of oatmeal to this day. And just because I came from a low income family was no reason to force their will on me at such a young age. Also after that I never went to another camp. If I could go for less than 1 star I surely would.

I loved working at this camp. I've worked there a little while now and every year has been great…read more the kids seem to really enjoy it and the directors have always been great to work with.

I love training here! There is a real camaraderie with everyone who trains at the gym. They have a…read moretramp and tumble team that is world class. Every Monday night is an awesome parkour class. They also have circus classes and teach aerial fabrics, trapeze and more through Bangarang Circus.

My daughter has been going here for about 18 months now and absolutely loves it. They give her the…read moreattention she needs to learn some very impressive gymnastics skills. She's 8 now and looks forward to attending every week. We also signed my son up (7 years old) for the Trampoline and toumbling class which started this summer. He is in love. If you've got a little boy who loves jumping on tramps, learning to do flips and all sorts of other things, this is the place. The instructors are extremely nice, and clearly know what they are talking about. They know how to push the kids to do their best, but never yell or get aggressive like you hear about on those gymnastics horror stories. I watch the kids each week from the observation area and I couldn't be happier with the instruction and support they are getting. One last note, this place offers 'day camp' in the summer (basically day care). The kids get to enjoy all the fun of this huge gymnastics center while being watched by the instructors. My kids only went twice this summer, but it was a life saver as far as babysitting goes. The only problem is my kids beg me to let them go every day even though their mom is home to watch them, lol. If your kids have any interest in gymnastics, give this place a try!

Don't send your child on any of these trips. Our daughter's Summer Journeys trip was intended to…read morebuild confidence. It has left her with nightmares, increased anxiety and generally feeling less safe in the world around her. I wish I could undo our decision to send her, and the lasting affects. Now 9 months later we are left with therapy and hope she can be her normal happy self again soon.

Please, don't be fooled. Before we sent our daughter, we heard so many positive stories and you can…read moresee they visit some amazing natural spots. Bottom line for my daughter's trip: It was a 44 year old man, 3 female "adult" leaders (age 19-23) and 8 girls driving around California in a van. Her trip was awful. A lot of weird sexual conversations and overall tense atmosphere that made her feel unsafe. It was bad enough that four of the eight girls flew home early. Our daughter is still struggling emotionally.