After a week at Camp Marshall, we were very disappointed. I sent this letter to the director:
I am writing to express my disappointment in the quality/organization of Camp Marshall after having my daughter spend last week there. She was so excited to go to camp for the first time and although she reported that she had a good time, there were many things that were unacceptable for the amount of money that I paid for the week.
At the start, Ava was place in a cabin with girls that had just turned 7, Ava is turning 11 in October and had very little in common with these girls. It states on your website that the ages of the girls in each cabin are within 2 years, this was not the case.
My daughter also reported that she was always hungry, and even when she told her counselor that she was hungry she was told there was nothing that could be done. Her cabin was often last to receive all meals so by the time that "seconds" were offered, her cabin had just received their first servings. I expect my daughter to be taken care of no matter what when I put my trust and money into a camp. To be told that there was nothing to give a hungry child, when I paid for her to have her necessities met, is unacceptable.
Moving on to programs that were offered throughout the day. Many electives and programs that Ava signed up for ran out of supplies, were not prepared and were run by people that had little experience in what they were teaching. I was told they ran out of craft supplies, firewood, and the kids were often left to do whatever they wanted. My daughter did not learn anything in Survival and even asked the teacher what they were supposed to be doing and was told that the teacher forgot her book so they could just play. Ava learned very little at camp, I feel like I sent her away for a week of babysitting.
The weather was a factor I understand that, and the campers did not get to go swimming until the middle of the week. This being said, other activities should have been planned, not extra free time.
Overall, Ava did meet some new friends and did like camp, but she will not be returning and I will not be giving your camp a positive review unless some things are improved. I am sad that this was her first experience at overnight camp, because she and I were expecting so much more.
I got a response from the director:
Good Morning
As the Director of the overall facility, I do appreciate all forms of feedback. Each child has their own perspective on the camp experience.
I am glad she did have fun and did make friends, but I am certainly concerned with the issues you have addressed.
I will certainly be meeting with the Camp Director and Program Director to discuss this email. Our goal is to have every child have a wonderful
Experience hear at Camp Marshall.
Please look forward to an additional email within 24 hours.
Again, I do appreciate the feedback as these are things we need to know.
**I never received any response after this even after pushing the subject for a response. I would not send my child there ever again nor would I recommend this camp to anyone. read more