We have a shy first grader who is apprehensive of new situations. The counselors made him feel…read morecomfortable and now he is loving camp. They offer a wide range of fun activities like archery, boating, swimming, etc

I used to be a camper here for one summer and when we were leaving to the annual camping trip in…read morethe Oakland hills our counselor left our entire group in a locked van for almost 45 mins in over 90 degree heat. I remember one or two people had luckily filled their water bottles or I think it would have been a lot different. When we got to the camp site we set up tarps and just put our sleeping bags on them with no cover. In the morning a bunch of white spiders were crawling on everyone and got in all of our bags. On that trip that gave us salad from a literal trash bag.

My family loves Mountain Camp and it's the highlight of my children's summer. My 13-year old…read moredaughter has attended for 4 years and my 9-year old son attended for the first time this year. Both my children have severe, epi-pen level food allergies (to peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, legumes, soy milk and egg). Mountain Camp is the only camp that was willing to take on my children for two weeks and have a detailed allergy protocol in place. In advance of camp, I communicate with the culinary team to understand the menu for the session (they have a wide variety of food from around the world and different lunches and dinners every day). I partner closely with the wonderful chef and kitchen team to ensure the menu is safe for my kids (and I bring replacements for items which are not). I trust the team completely and my daughter reports that they are the safest camp she has been to (she has been to sleep away camp in Switzerland, Austria, New Zealand and in school outdoor education camps in California). Both my daughter and son have a warm relationship with the chef and go to her directly, most often for second servings! We have not had any incidents and the camp is incredibly responsive in our experience. We are grateful to Mountain Camp for their kindness, diligence and the magic that makes this summer camp so special for all the campers. See you next year!

This is the second year my child attended Mountain camp. She has food allergies and the first year,…read moreout of an abundance of caution, I sent her with food just in case she felt she could not eat the food served. Turns out she did not need the food. Bolstered by this positive result, we did not send her with food this year. Yesterday, two days before she was scheduled to return home, I received a call that my daughter self administered her Epi pen after consuming an allergen. My husband and I raced two hours to meet my daughter at the ER in Placerville and decided to bring her home, letting the staff know of our decision. The following day, after leaving an email, voice mail and text, the camp director finally called us mid afternoon. Apparently a health emergency does not warrant a before noon check in. I confirmed my daughter's recollection, that their head kitchen staff gave my daughter a gluten free cookie, insisting it was free of egg, the item she is severely allergic to. My daughter, having been raised to be overly cautious, asked the staff member twice to check and confirm. The staff member insisted it was safe and did not bother to check. My daughter ate the cookie, suffering an allergic reaction within seconds. She travelled with a counselor and a nurse to the ER and waited for us to arrive. That she was scared is an understatement. Mountain camp is a beautiful camp staffed by well meaning people. They are not, however, capable of ensuring your child's safety when it comes to food allergies. The camp was well aware of my daughter's allergies. She was the only one at the session that they had to show special concern. The head kitchen staff member selected a cookie that looked identical to the safe cookie, but never bothered to double check that she had made the right choice. In fact, the cookie was correctly labeled as gluten free but not vegan, which should have been the tip off. Her carelessness led to a medical emergency for my daughter one which was completely avoidable. After discussing further with the camp director, it became doubly clear that they have ineffective policies in place and no redundancy. They have no business claiming that they are safe for campers with food allergies if they can't even be trusted to double check. My daughter trusted the staff member as she would an aunt or other family adult friend. Despite her positive experience in other aspects of the camp, we will not return. I do not advise other parents with food allergic children to have them attend unless you have confirmed that they have out in place basic safety and redundancy protocols for their camp, including staff training. Even then I would think twice or encourage against it.

Our daughter attended Avid4 for one Monday this summer. While she was enrolled for the full week,…read morewhen we picked her up that afternoon we discovered she was crying after being physically struck multiple times (bruises remained for almost a week) by one of the campers. We further learned that the same camper similarly struck other campers that same afternoon,. We were surprised to learn that Avid4 doesn't have a "no tolerance" policy for physical abuse, and made the decision to permit that camper to remain in the camp session for the rest of the week, at which point at great inconvenience my wife & I had to stay home with our traumatized daughter for the rest of the week, lacking a better "Plan B". Unsafe at any speed.

This is the first time I've put my kids in any kind of summer camp, so I was a little nervous…read moreputting trust into the unknown. I am so happy to say that my son has had a great time so far. The staff has been great, Nikki has been awesome, thank you. Not to mention that I applied for financial assistance through Avid4 adventure, because I am a single mom and these camps are not cheap, and was awarded with 75% off. I would absolutely recommend this program. My kids are very easy going and make friends quickly, so I don't have the challenge of a child that's more shy or less eager to try new things. But if you do, I don't think your child will have a hard time adjusting.

Worst camp ever. Interested in getting feedback about your child from summer camp then this is…read moreyour place. Want an unreliable summer childcare option threatening to kick your child out and labeling them a troublemaker for mild, age-appropriate indiscretions then send your child here. Have spoken to numerous Lamorinda parents with generally well behaved children with the same experience. The nerve of these unqualified high school counselors to report every mishap and have an overly sensitive director call 5-6 parents per day while at work (he admitted this number). Is this camp for real? Are we paying you to take care of our kids or not? Do your jobs and manage the kids

My child attended camp for three summers, and my younger one joined this year. Both are very…read moredifferent kids, but both relish it so much! They love the camp spirit with songs, skits, games, and crafts. The counselors and staff are friendly, kind, professional, and enthusiastic. Drop-off is through the carpool line, so I pull up, and a counselor opens the car door, greets the kids, and off they go, and off I go. Pick-up in the afternoons requires meeting them at their group, showing my photo ID, and initialing a checkout sheet before they're released to me. The projects that my daughter has made in years past have been so impressive. The theme was outdoors one year, and she made a backpack out of supplies like duct tape and PVC pipe. It was awesome! I recommend Galileo camps to all active, creative kids who appreciate a challenge and enjoy a full-packed day.

My 13 year old had a transformative 4 weeks at Roughing It day camp. She bonded with her group of…read moregirls, and responded to the great counselors and staff. Near the end of camp, she fell off a horse (only hurt her pride), and the counselors were so helpful and concerned for her to literally "get back on the horse" as soon as possible. That little tumble ended up being the pivotal positive experience in her entire summer! Although she attended camp reluctantly, she is now enthusiastic about returning this summer as a camper in leadership training (CILT).

The registration process is all online but good Lord they require a lot of information. If your…read morechild has ADD they require a Dr's note, if you don't want to medicate at the camp - I find the paper work excessive. It's super expensive ($600+) so I registered for the sample day (one day instead of the whole week) for $60. We are trying out the camp to see if it's worth the $$$. Cons - They don't provide lunch (for that much $$?) - The hours are 9-3 (technically that's not a full day when your a working mom) Pro - Check in was quick. They show up and check everyone in between 8:45 - 9am. - It's outdoors and they let the kids choose the activity - It appears friendly and loving Would I pay crazy dollars to go here? No, but I have always wondered what it was like. It's very similar to the Camp Potowatami at East Avenue, with a lake.

My kids favorite summer camp for multiple years in a row. They got to hold chickens, milk goats,…read moretake adventurous hikes, and learn to ride horses. The counselors are great with the kids.

Highly recommend sending your child here! I've been sending my oldest here for years now and she's…read morelearned so many valuable skills on how to take care of animals and herself if ever in the wild. She especially loves the horse and archery program. All the years we've been here the staff has been nothing but nice and welcoming! My oldest was having a hard time figuring out what she wanted to do after school and this has been the perfect solution! She's loved every bit of it! Thank you Sienna Ranch for all these amazing years!

This camp was very misleading. I enrolled my son in the 6-9 soccer camp and all sports camp (9:00…read moreAM-4:00 PM), expecting structured soccer instruction. Instead, the day typically didn't start until 9:30 AM and was essentially over by 3:30 PM, with kids sitting around waiting for pickup. On the first day, one coach kicked a ball into my son's head and then disappeared for the rest of the week. My son came home every day saying he learned no soccer skills because there was little to no coaching. They didn't even play soccer on the last day. Most activities were random games unrelated to soccer. Afternoons consisted mainly of crafts, Legos, and a bounce house--fun activities, but not what was advertised. The check-in process was also disorganized. The receptionist repeatedly struggled to find my son's registration because she was confused about first and last names, despite his information being clearly visible in the system. She claims everyone makes mistake and that's ok, please tell this to your boss, not me. This camp has potential, but it is poorly managed and does not deliver what it promises. Updated based on Russ's feedback - the name in the system was correct because when your receptionist can't find it and handed me the iPad, I was able to look it up and it looks right. However, looks like it was sorted by first name but she asked for last name. I understand it was supposed to be very structured, but during class, it was not the case. My son even asked the coach to teach him how to kick and shoot better but the coach ignored him.

If you are looking for a camp for your kids to be active and happy, this is the one for you!…read moreMy 6 year old is full of energy and this camp really is great with fun packed activities to keep the kiddos entertained and engaged. A big thanks to everyone on the team for their amazing work. My kid is way more confident and happier to try out new sports. 10/10 recommend!

Such an amazing camp. My son attended the Bentley academy this past summer and LOVED it. Such a…read moregreat faculty and staff. He came home with stories to share, a smile on his face...and exhausted.

The programs in the camp are run by Bentley School's top-notch faculty, so you're getting expert…read moreeducators with custom cirriculum all program long alongside summer-oriented activites like photography, culinary arts, and robotics. Also, the facilities at the Lafayette campus are phenomenal. With easy access to BART this is an excellent summer option for families.

We've been part of the Rebel Art School family for about six years now, and I truly couldn't be…read morehappier to support Alex and the entire Rebel team. They just celebrated their 10-year anniversary, and I can honestly say they've created something really special. I always joke that I'm terrified of losing our spot at Rebel. The anxiety is REAL when that registration email comes through! Rebel Art School will truly make an artist out of you. When my daughter first started, she spoke mostly Spanish, so I wondered if that would be a challenge for her. I quickly learned that art doesn't require a specific language. It's its own language. My daughter is also naturally shy and tends to keep to herself. She's not usually the kid who will walk into a room and immediately try to make new friends. But Rebel gives her the freedom to be in her own space, focused on what she's creating, without ever making her feel like she needs to be an extrovert. And when she does connect with people, it happens naturally. It has been such a wonderful experience for our whole family. Now, at nine years old, my daughter has created her own little business. She makes watercolor greeting cards, sells them at different pop-ups, and even has her own sweet little corner in Rebel's retail area. Watching her creativity grow into something she's proud enough to share with the world has been one of the coolest things to witness as her mama. And honestly, one of the best parts for me is getting to fill our home with all the art and color she has created over the years. Every piece has a little memory attached to it. So if you have a little one who you think would thrive in this kind of environment, don't hesitate. This is a REAL art school, and it's such a special one. Now we just need to convince Alex to bring Rebel to Oakland someday. Wink wink. We love you all! Claudia + Colette

Rebel Art School is one of those places that I wish every family could find for their kids…read more Our oldest has been homeschooled his entire life because he received a liver and kidney transplant when he was very young and remains immunocompromised. His education has consequently involved a lot of computers and technology. He also has developmental delays and clinically diagnosed difficulties with dexterity, so when we first found Rebel, we were excited about simply giving him a chance to unplug, use his hands, and experience a completely different kind of learning. What we didn't anticipate was just how important Rebel would become to him. Art has challenged his fine motor skills in ways that are productive and enjoyable. He is painting, drawing, sculpting, building, and working with different tools and materials, all while strengthening skills that are genuinely difficult for him. Instead of feeling like he's working on something he struggles with, he's proud of what he's making. But what Rebel has given him socially may be even more valuable. When you homeschool a child, finding meaningful opportunities to build relationships and feel like part of a group can take some extra effort. At Rebel, that happened naturally. He has formed relationships with his instructors and classmates, he gets excited about going, and he has a community that belongs to him independently of us. Watching that develop has meant more to me as his mom than I can really put into a review. Our experience was so positive that we eventually signed up his younger brother too. He's now almost through his first semester, and we've watched him find his own place there in an entirely different way. Both boys have participated in Rebel's summer camps as well, and those have become something our family looks forward to every year. Something else I really appreciate is that Rebel doesn't confuse teaching technique with teaching conformity. The kids are absolutely learning how to use materials, develop skills, and understand artistic concepts, but they aren't being taught that everyone's finished product should look identical. Their individual perspective is treated as part of the art. Their ideas aren't corrected out of them. They're encouraged to take what they're learning and make something that actually feels like theirs. I think kids desperately need more of that. They need places where imagination is taken seriously. Where making something unusual isn't automatically making it wrong. Where they can try something, discover it doesn't work, change direction, and keep going. Art gives children a language for things they may not always know how to put into words, and Rebel understands that beautifully. As a parent, I'm also incredibly particular about the environments I trust with my children. Rebel is somewhere I can send them knowing they are cared for, respected, encouraged, and surrounded by adults who genuinely seem to enjoy helping kids discover what they're capable of. I thought I was signing my son up to learn art. Instead, we found something that has supported him physically, socially, creatively, and emotionally, and eventually became something his brother could call his own too. So if you're asking me if I would recommend Rebel Art School? 10,000 times over, we recommend them!

Next Level has truly helped my team get to the Next Level. On rainy days I bring my girls here…read more Pitchers can get in work and there are multiple stations fir hitters to work while they wait to hit off the machines. I've even hit ground balls to my team in here. But the real value is in the private lessons. Many of my players take hitting lessons from Trini and her amazing staff after they leave our team practice. The affect has been outstanding. So much so that in 2016 our team won the CIF NorthCoast Section Championship. Thanks fir everything Next Level, you're a big part of our success. Jason Shelton Varsity Softball St. Joseph Notre Dame High

What an AWESOME facility. If you want to just get extra practice in, then go to a batting cage or…read morehang out at a park. But if you are a competitive softball or baseball player who wants to IMPROVE your game, then this is THE PLACE. It has tunnels (not cages) set up for ADVANCED hitting -- a super high tech pitching machine that can throw 40 - 90 mph softball or baseball pitches, curves, sliders, and fastballs. It has a remote, so if you are in there with your coach, you can stop the machine and work on your technique. And if hitting isn't all that you need to work on, there is a portable pitching mound to get you out of your slump. Ok...and now for those who are just starting their softball/baseball careers, there is an entire section for little sluggers. This area has tees, a pitching machine that spits out whiffle balls the size of golf balls. YOU HAVE GOT TO CHECK THIS PLACE OUT -- THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT ANYWHERE IN THE BAY AREA!!!!