I realize it's unexpected that I would give 2 stars as my experience at Camo Unalayee was traumatic however I do recognize that the vast majority of people have a wonderful experience and I think most everyone involved in the camp have great passion for their good work. however, years and years ago, I was molested by a camp counselor at this camp- at the time, I told my other co-lead what had happened. At the time, it was suggested multiple times that I was "confused," there was no further exploration as to what happened, and my parents were never told. I myself did not tell them as I was so ashamed after speaking up and having it dismissed. years later, I wrote the adult woman I had told about my experience trying to understand why nothing was done- she told me that she had brought up the issue with the director (and I think founder?) as well as other staff and it never went further than that. I wrote the director, and he said he has no knowledge of it? As a woman and mother now, I recognize the counselor who molested me was practiced and I do fear there were other campers who went through what I did :( I really, really just wish they had spoke to my family about what had happened so that there would have been accountability and hopefully it would have never happened to someone else at the least if it had, we (I) wouldn't have felt so alone. it took my years to enjoy backpacking and the outdoors again- it was so very hard to have such an experience in the most beautiful of places read more

Camp Unalayee is the most amazing summer camp EVER to exist! The summer program at Unalayee is so amazing, not only because of the location (which is absolutely breathtaking) but also because the staff, returning and new campers each year create an amazing community. My parents brought me up to Camp Unalayee when I was six years old and from then on I was hooked. I've made life long friends and skills. I highly recommend this camp to any person young and mature. read more

First of all Camp Unalayee is not in Palo Alto, it is in the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area! Near Mt. Shasta. And by in, I mean IN. It is inside the northeast corner of the wilderness boundary of the 500,000 acre TAWA. There is not an electric light or telephone within an hours drive of Mosquito Lake, where Unalayee is located. I've been going to Family Days for many years now. Imagine your own private lake with 80 friends, some new some old. And you don't camp right on top of them, but spread out over ~ 50 acres. You've left your car at the wilderness boundary/gate and your camping gear is trucked in 4 miles to the actual camp where a number of staff help you carry you gear to one of the dozen camp spots. You may be able to see another family or two, but no more. You spend 6 days at the spring fed lake, fishing boating or just laying in the sun. And if you want to swim there are licensed Red Cross approved lifeguards to watch you and your family. Or at the craft shack. Or day hiking, remember the half a million acres you can go as far as your feet can take you or you can go to a dozen lakes within a day hike radius. Or just hang out and read. Everyone eats in a Central location and you will be asked to help out for one or two meals. There are no phone calls to interrupt your dinner as there is no cell phone reception. There is no music blaring, unless someone is making it themselves. Ok, sometimes they let the cook crew listen to music. And then at campfire maybe you may be lucky enough to hear 'Dancing on Strings' play Mozart or Handel or...I thought i was at Tanglewood. Until you've heard a 3 piece string ensemble play under the pines and in the moonlight, well. It is a magical place. And if you have kids and if you want them to learn to be comfortable in the mountains, to walk in the steps of John Muir and Galen Rowel, send them here for a couple of years and for the rest of their lives they will be able to find the peace that only a wild place can provide. read more

Camp Unalayee is truly one of the most amazing places on the planet. As a camper and counselor I made amazing friends, learned to cook over a fire, climb mountains and enjoy the wilderness. Like many other former cmapers, I come back, at least to visit, every summer because it's a beautiful place, a wonderful community, and one of my favorite places to be. Unalayee is a wilderness backpacking camp in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Campers ages 10 - 17 come from a wide variety of neighborhoods, backgrounds, and communities, and spend two weeks at camp, learning to make friends, play games, and have fun in the mountains. It's a "Place of Friends," a welcoming and nurturing place for all kinds of kids, and I cannot recommend it strongly enough. read more

This place has changed my life in so many ways and all of them good. I attribute my current love of the outdoors to the experiences I had at Camp Unalayee. You get to be in the actual wilderness, miles from any cities and it's amazing. It's an experience that very few people get, to be actually away, no phones, no Internet, no TV. This is something that today's youth are going to have more and more trouble finding. There is real face to face interaction, you get to meet other kids your age that come from all different backgrounds. I was never a very outgoing kid but I made several friends at camp and several of them are currently my closest friends. I was a camper here from 1998-2003, and it is one of the most incredible places on earth. I was one of those kids that loved video games and hated to be torn away from the TV but every summer for two weeks I was overjoyed to go to camp where there are no electronics allowed. You are outdoors the entire two weeks. You go on two separate overnight backpacking trips and when you're not backpacking there are tons of activities to do. Camp Unalayee is a special place and I can't even begin to describe how beneficial it has been for me. I wish every kid could get a chance to experience this magical place. read more

It is because of my wonderful experience at Camp Unalayee as a child that I have absolutely love the great outdoors & wilderness. Hiking boots, jeans, trails, rocks, boulders, the beautiful outdoors! Thank you Camp Unalayee for making a positive life long impress on my life. read more

It's the greatest place on earth! I had a great time there as a camper, a little scared my first year but camp helped me grow and become confident. Many of my best friends for life are from camp. I loved it so much I had to become a counselor to keep going back, and worked there (many years as a volunteer) for 10 years. I still try to go back and visit every year. It's the best place for a kid to learn and grow and experience the wilderness. Backpacking in the Trinity Alps is the best adventure! read more

Camp Unalayee is the real deal for wilderness experience. The base camp is located seven miles into the beautiful and rugged Trinity Alps Wilderness. The confidence and know how I gained as a child at Camp Unalayee has given me a rich life of rewarding outdoor adventures and a deep understanding of living in community. I would recommend this program to any child. read more

This is more of a historical note than a review since I attended in 1967. But the camp introduced me to natural beauty, independence and to some extent Quaker principles that have all endured for half a century. The only negative (at the time) was that it was obvious a lot of rotten kids had been shipped off there by parents hoping that the primitive conditions and Quaker roots would reform their little brats. I had a great time despite this. The counselors were good and I came back better for the experience. read more

I went to quite a few summer camps growing up. There were sports camps, YMCA camps, music camps, there was even a camp that took me overnight camping in the Alaskan wilderness. I had a great time at all of them. I mean, it was hard not to, summer camps are designed to be fun. That being said, they are not all equal. Among all the camps I went to, Camp Unalayee was the only one I demanded I come back to. What made the camp such an amazing experience to me was its structure. It puts campers into groups (tribes) of around 7, and gives them 2 whole weeks to bond. And partly because a large portion of the kids come alone, making friends is ridiculously easy, both within and between tribes. The restriction from electronics then forces new friends to have fun the old fashioned way - by running around, playing sports, swimming, doing crafts, or just hanging out. While in the base camp, i.e. not on hikes, campers are given the freedom to choose which of the offered activities they want to participate in. Believe me if you don't remember yourself, small freedoms like these are a huge deal when you're a kid, even a teen. Once a few days pass in a session, the campers start to realize how much fun they're having, and the place gets this great atmosphere - like imagine a community of maybe 100 people out in the woods in the scenic, mountainous Northern California wilderness and just about everyone is completely enjoying their self. It's not an experience you're likely to find elsewhere. Please don't think that you (or your kid) need to be an "outdoorsy" person in order to enjoy this place. I have seen so many city kids earn their love of the outdoors here. Personally, I know I wouldn't view the outdoors the same if I'd never gone to Unalayee. As a matter of fact, my life as a whole would be a lot different. This place is life-changing, in an extremely positive way. I can only hope that anyone eyeing this camp out understands how awesome it really is. read more

Camp Unalayee is such a wonderful place. My niece has attended the camp for many years and, through her vivid stories and photos, I feel like I have, as well. The location is beautifully tucked in the mountains and is extremely secluded. The staff is so genuine- I've had the pleasure of meeting a few of the counselors that my niece has raved about and I can see why they're so adored by the kids. They have a fantastic understanding of their environment (both social and natural) and really shape the kids in to young, camping adults! I can't wait until next summer so I can hear all about the adventures. If you have any qualms about sending your children there- don't because it's such an amazing experience. read more

Unalayee is a unique and remarkable place. I started at Unalayee as a very nervous, un-athletic, shy ten-year old. Unalayee welcomed me with open arms. I came back every summer thereafter, and went on to work there for many years. Over that time, I have seen many hundreds of kids grow and discover things about themselves and nature. It has always been an incredibly welcoming and diverse community. It can change the lives of kids. read more

Camp Unalayee may not be for everyone, but for those who can feel the magic, there is no better place on Earth. The warmth of the people and unbelievable nature never cease to amaze me. My daughter has been a camper at Camp Unalayee since 5th grade. Now as a junior in high school, It is more difficult to fit in her busy summer schedule. We will do the best we can to keep Unalayee in our lives for as long as possible. The simple values, such as respecting nature, yourself and others, is profoundly felt and encouraged in all. Unalayee is magical. read more

My daughter a teen- spent 2 weeks at this camp this summer. She had a miserable time - (ouch to the tune 1700.00 !) She is athletic, friendly - a trooper -and does not have any difficulty in groups - She found he camp so insular that it was very difficult to meet people - - She is naturally social and she actually choose to go "alone" and was looking forward to making new friends and having new fun experiences -this did not happen. To sum it up - the camp did relatively nothing to encourage campers to mingle and meet new people- many campers and counselors have been coming there for years - and they were pretty much oblivious to the fact that some people were new and were being excluded. The general camp had many different activities - all of which were optional - and not scheduled - so that most campers just hung around with their already familiar friends - not going to the activities and leaving other campers out. She said on the last day of camp there was a whole group of campers - that she assumed were older who were exactly her age ! - Why wouldn't one of the counselors facilitated a kid who was spending lots of her time alone ( observation counselors!) to meet other kids her own age? I am appalled by what occurred - She did enjoy the backpacking - and the wilderness - and thought the counselors were nice - but this camp gets an "F" for integrating /welcoming new campers - especially those who come alone. read more

Challenging my kid to this camp was a really good idea. She loves the open expanse of being in the mountians and is very challenged by the hiking and has been expanded by the outdoor living responsibilities. Downtime is verspers and this camp is fun and respectful. She had the opportunity to see places I have never been, amazing trustworthy staff and a great daily scheduale with time for relaxing, bring a book, and enjoy the epic mountains. read more

Living in Southern California there arent many opportunities to really get into nature as much as I would like. This is one reason Camp Unalayee is such a special place. It, for me, is like a two week long retreat where I can learn about myself and others, learn to live and work in a group, and meet and make new friends. Not only are you learning how to respect yourself and others, but you are learning about nature and the environment. Camp Unalayee is the "complete package" when it comes to camps because they are so good at what they do. The mission statement for the camp is " to bring together children from all walks of life to learn the lessons of respect for nature and community, as well as sharing the joys of camping and backpacking", and they fully live up to every word. I have met so many people from many different backgrounds, all through camp. The learning you do each and every day is exponential. Living in an environment that nurtures growing is extremely comforting. The counselors are all there to help the campers as well. Whether they're dealing with a homesick child or one who needs a little help making friends, they are very observant people who know how to handle any situation. Choosing on my own when I was eleven to go to Camp Unalayee ended up being one of the most rewarding and fulfilling choices I have made. I didn't have any friends that were going with me, so I know first-hand how Unalayee provides a great setting to meet and interact with many new people. Making fast friends was easy and fun! The counselors foster a great environment where the physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional growth is seen in anyone. They provide great opportunities to make new friends every day through the activities that are lead. There are so many options, from swimming in Mosquito Lake to going on a day hike with a counselor to the spring. Camp Unalayee is a truly special, and unique place where happiness and fun is evident when campers go home with knotty hair, dirty clothes, and an endless flood of stories about the adventures they had. In their motto "no child left indoors", they strive to get children outside no matter what background they are coming from. Fiancial needs are worked out and they work hard to put children outdoors no matter what financial problems anyone may be having. In my opinion Camp Unalayee is genuinely there to help. Overall, Camp Unalayee is a supportive, friendly place where people can go an be themselves. It is a "place of friends" and gives many people experiences to remember for the rest of their lives. read more

When,as an adult, I asked my mother why she'd sent my little brother (w/whom I fought a lot for some early years, he's not much younger than me!) and I there year after year in spite of the hardship of Time and Money it used she said, "When you returned that first year when you were 12, you two got along better, and in a real, deep way, and it lasted a long time. I recall watching you two in the backyard one afternoon and thinking, 'Whatever they (Camp) are doing up there, it's good, it's good for my kids'". I can't say it better, and it has held true for generations. My own now-grown children were campers,then staff, and are still involved with Camp and friends they made there. An abundance of Good Things and Friends in my life can be traced to Camp Unalayee. It's a strong foundation building place. read more

When I first got to camp Unalayee, I'll admit, I felt a bit awkward. Plus all these references I didn't know. There were no cabins, and we slept with what we brought. This was all VERY new to me and brought me out of my comfort zone because I'm very used to having my computer next to me, and going on YouTube. But after the 2nd day there, something clicked. I couldn't tell if it was just me getting used to it or just doing something I've never done before, but I decided I really enjoyed it. And that's when I started building relationships with fellow campers (ones not even in my group), and started learning how awesome it was there. Just the first day I had seen amazing sights I had seen before. Of course I was homesick and all, but the friends I made there and the new experiences made this camp great. Not to mention I became friends with the kids themselves, but also the councilors. Unalayee was different, but it was in a good way and I'll be eager to return back. read more