Four kids. Four completely different personalities, backgrounds and needs. One place where each of…read morethem simply got to be a camper. We had four kiddos experience Camp Kern over the years, two biological and our twin foster/adoptive daughters. Between them, we experienced everything from Taste of Kern and theme camps to Horse Camp and Adventure Camp. What stands out most to me looking back is just how different our children were. We had one who was incredibly energetic and lived for the adventure, twin girls who came into our family with some pretty big life experiences, and our youngest, who is highly functional autistic, very introverted, and had speech apraxia. They each came to camp with their own personalities, strengths, challenges and labels. But at Camp Kern, they weren't defined by any of those things. They simply got to be campers. With our twins, the staff made it a point to listen to our feedback about how the girls would best enjoy and benefit from camp. We talked about whether that meant keeping them completely together, completely apart, or finding a mixture of both. That mattered more than they probably ever realized. The girls had been each other's only known family throughout their lives. It was important for them to be able to physically see each other and cross paths throughout camp, while also having enough separation to make friends, try new things and create experiences that belonged to each of them individually. Camp Kern honored both needs beautifully. The girls crossed paths many times, giving them the reassurance of knowing the other was there, but they weren't so connected that one sister's experience became the other's. Each girl was able to have an individual camp experience while still having the security of her sister nearby. That made a HUGE difference for them. Our youngest's experience showed us that same level of individual attention in a completely different way. There was only one time he became overwhelmed while at camp. His counselors sat with him while he called us and gave him the time he needed to talk through it. He also loved going to the camp parties, but his counselors understood that the noise and activity could sometimes become overwhelming. They always made sure he visited the "library" first so he knew exactly where he could go to read and have some quiet time if he needed it. Something that simple made a world of difference for him. He could participate in everything with the other campers while knowing he had a safe, quiet place to go if it became too much. The funny part was pickup. His counselors would sometimes seem concerned that maybe he hadn't enjoyed himself because he was so quiet and didn't necessarily express his excitement outwardly. In reality, he had an absolute blast! We'd hear about his adventures and all the things he did for weeks afterward. And believe me, our kiddos were NOT filtered when they talked to us about their experiences. Over the years, we heard the good, the bad and everything in between, which is exactly why I feel so comfortable saying that I would wholeheartedly recommend Camp Kern. They never expected four very different children to experience camp in the same way. They listened to us as parents, learned who our kids were, adapted when needed, and gave each of them the opportunity to experience camp in the way that worked for them. Their backgrounds, diagnoses and challenges helped the staff understand what they needed, but those things never became who they were at camp. At Camp Kern, they simply got to be kids. As a parent, that's the part I will always remember.

The tour guides were awesome, they were the best part of the camp. The pool was great, loved the…read moresmall lake and lots of animals at the petting zoo. The bathrooms and cabins were dirty. The food was not good.

The bathrooms were pretty nasty and so were the platform tents. The staff should build more cabins…read moreand just have everyone sleep in one, like Glen Helen in Yellow Springs. The food was good, but the "table games" were really annoying. The camp should have more activities and events, within the camp, directed towards the teens who attend. I personally felt like I was treated like a little kid at that camp. Like an area called "Teen Town" would be a very nice add-in. The singing porch was very extra, but I understand it's directed towards kids 10 and under. I remember when it was POURING down raining, and the councilors STILL try to make us climb the high ropes. A lot of people quit, and then we got yelled at for "being disrespectful." The councilors would always try to get mad at us for complaining, like yeah what do you expect when you didn't want to come in the first place, and you're living outside for 6 days & 5 nights. I recommend for you to not go here if you're mentally close to your home and family. It's torture. I was apart of a program, so I got it for free, but I wouldn't pay for something like this.

My grandkids went to this camp last summer and had a blast. They enjoyed the Ninja course and the…read moreinstructors we very friendly and supportive. I plan to have them attend again this summer. Highly recommend this because it challenges them physically and builds confidence.

From the owner: USA Ninja Challenge is a year-round obstacle course training program that combines basic skill sets…read morefrom gymnastics, climbing, cross training and track & field. The sport of Ninja is quickly becoming the most fun and creative way to meet the physical needs of today’s kids! USA Ninja Challenge is open to boys and girls ages 4 to 17. Our class program has 6 levels to master with a wide variety of progressions, drills and challenges. Ninjas that demonstrate their mastery of skills advance to the next level of training. Each Ninja progresses according to their own abilities. The purpose of the program is to build children’s self-esteem, confidence and sense of accomplishment, one obstacle at a time.

Extraordinary week at Mezzacello Urban Farm for our grandson. Turned into such a special program…read moreand he gained so much confidence and self esteem from it. So much so, he will be continuing as one of their Mentor In Training MenTerns Program. At the end of the program he said " he was very very proud of what he had accomplished ." If there was a 10, I would have given this program a 10. A real inspiration.

Finding a summer camp that your kiddos love is a tough feat! Not only is Mezzacello an amazing part…read moreof the Near East Side but a welcoming and fun place for my kiddos to spend time learning. Jim is a true gem, he challenges the kiddos to be active participants in their learning. The most impressive part is that he treats each kiddo with the same respect he would treat an adult. Too often kiddos don't get this same level of respect and when you are able to find a human who truly appreciates and is interested in interacting with kiddos you have to celebrate them! Thank you for being a great teacher and learner Jim!

Camp Craig is purposefully the most rustic of the three Dan Beard Council camps, located in…read moreLoveland. Like Cub World and Camp Friedlander, gravel trails/roads are throughout camp. At Camp Craig, five campsite are available for Scouts BSA affiliated programs to reserve. Outhouse is available. Murdock's are available for clean/ drinkable water. Shower facilities are available at the pool. The pool is only available June to September. Cub World also utilizes the pool during summer camp. One of my son's has camped here. While he wasn't thrilled about using an outhouse, he did enjoy camping at Camp Craig. It is usually less busy than Camp Friedlander. I have walked around the camp a bit. Foliage is lush during the summer. There is truly the feeling of beging out in nature. For groups who are looking to be surrounded by nature, but need a meeting style facility, a program building is available. That building is air conditioned. It also has a kitchen, internet, and AV hookups. This building is utilized more for adult training than for youth.

Don't be fooled. My kids attended this camp last summer. The staff is unwilling to be flexible…read more There were several incidents with my family and with another family we were with where the heat was an issue. No adjustments were made to accommodate. Luckily I was with my kids and I did make the adjustments. They do have a pool but in three days my kids were there they had a total of 1 1/2 actual in the pool time. I would never consider sending my kids to this camp alone.

Camp A Cappella is the happiest place on Earth (yes, better than Disney)! Everyone involved is…read moreopen, accepting, diverse, talented, kind, and just FUN to be around! This summer camp is for you if you like music at all, but especially if you're into barbershop or a cappella music (think Pentatonix, Straight No Chaser, Street Corner Symphony, etc.). You learn so much while also making a ton of new friends, in such a small amount of time. I will go back every year!

From the owner: Camp A Cappella specializes in contemporary a cappella training. From large ensembles, small…read moreensembles, and special skills like vocal percussion, arranging, live sound/audio, studio recording, and video.

This rec center is an absolute beast. As someone who loves to work out at recreation centers and…read morehas been to many throughout her life, this one takes the cake as one of the cleanest, most modern, and largest. It has an indoor fitness pool, an outdoor pool (looks like mostly designed for families with kids), an ice skating rink, a huge weight lifting and cardio machine area, multiple group fitness rooms, and a full-sized basketball court (that they use temporary drapes to turn into multiple courts for pickelball or pick-up basketball). There's probably more I'm missing. I've never actually walked through the entire place. They have a ton of community and fitness programming for the area. From 8 to noon then 4 to 9 most evenings, they have different fitness classes going on. They aren't just your basics either. They have enough TRX bands to support TRX classes or some of their strength-based classes use workout areas they've had installed. They have lots of spinning bikes and classes the support them. I've never actually encountered any machine or part of the fitness center that didn't work. Everything is well-maintained, and I've never even encountered an empty cleaning spray bottle before. The biggest "issue" I've had is when the water tastes a bit off because the red-light says the filter needs to be replaced on the water fountain. Prices aren't cheap, but they aren't expensive either. When a yoga class elsewhere will cost me $40, it's only $11 here at Kettering. If you get one of their multi-class passes or a membership, it's even cheaper on a per-class basis. They have lots of kids camps and kids activities including some homeschooling group play classes and more. I haven't paid much attention to the kid things, but I know they have some! Great spread of bodies and ages here too. You'll mostly see older adults, and it's really refreshing to see a ton of different types of people instead of the college-aged adults. Everyone here is super friendly, and it's clear a lot of the community uses this place as a great place to see and hang out with friends while staying active. Huge parking lot, but if there's a lot going on (like a kid's hockey meet), there have been a few times I've been unable to find a single parking spot in this beast of a parking lot. Bathrooms are clean too.

I love the Kettering Rec Center! That place made my whole childhood and early teenage life THE…read moreplace to be kids. I feel it allows kids to try something/sport they may want to pursue as a lifelong dream but wouldn't know where to start. Basketball, Running, swimming, pickleball, volleyball, ice skating, ice hockey, and a lot more but I'm sure I've forgot. Just such a great place for the whole family to go. Who else misses when the middle school mascot was a wildcat?

Amazing place love how well that react with the children. My…read moredaughter love coming here highly recommended

Awesome place Lots of energy Great place for kids ages 5 to 12. Check them out…read moreBounce house Friday Karate class included. Many activities

soooooooooooooooooooooo fun my kid went there last year she said that all the staffs are very nice…read moreand the food is very good and if you don't like it there is more stuff to the best place ever.

As a life-long lover of CAMP (CFAB afterall), I was very excited to find a place for my daughter to…read morecall her camp home. CAMP ERNST is the place. They offer a Summer full of week-long camp experiences for kids and they kick off and close out each summer with FAMILY CAMP each year. Our family has gone for the last couple years and in July, my six-year old will have her first week-long experience. CAMP is a gift that last a lifetime and there is no better place to make memories than Camp Ernst!