Brookhill Ranch was a great camp. After my first week at Brookhill Ranch, I was hooked. The kids…read moreat Brookhill were very nice and I made a lot of friends.
Activities: One of the nicest things about Brookhill is that you are able to choose your own activities (4 activities total - remember it may be different now). Activities include: arts/crafts, big/small lake activities, fun swim (with waterslide), horseback riding, go-carts, archery, riflery, dancing, Hodge Podge (different sports games each day) and bumper boats (probably missing a few but it has been awhile since I have been there). Outside of the chosen activities, each night there is other night time activities, the first two nights (not including the starting day of camp) we fished and it was boys versus girls on the fish count. The third night I cannot remember; fourth was a hacky-sack night where we raced in big burlow sacks and fifth was a carnival night. In the event of rain/storms/inclement weather, indoor activities will take place in the main pavilion in place of chosen activities. I have had a few of these days and they were a lot of fun and by no means a disappointment for missing the chosen activities.
Meals: All of the meals were given in the dining hall located in the main pavilion of camp. It was cafeteria-style just like you have at most public schools. I do not have much knowledge as to the type of food they had but I do not recall disliking anything. Do not expect steak or a four-course meal, but food was good. Outside of the meals you have access to a canteen that is available at the beginning of the 2-hour rest period each after afternoon after your fourth activity. The canteen has different drinks, snacks and confectionary (limeades/lemonades, sno-cones, etc. - all canteen items extra charge so bring some money with you).
Religious activities: as a Christian type camp, obviously you will expect some Christian activities. Each day after lunch and before our 3rd activity, we sang a few Christian songs. On Thursday night, the staff had all of the campers in the main pavilion and put on a drama act of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Very powerful and moving. On Friday night, they have all of the graduates (10th graders going to 11th grade - the last year they can attend camp as a camper) light a candle and walk around the pavilion in the dark while Kathy Troccoli's song "Go Light Your World" was playing. One night each week the boys would walk over to the girls cabins (after they are in bed) and sing to them and vice versa the next night. There were numerous other activities of this nature throughout the week but to save some length of this quite lengthy review, I will omit them.
Important notes: you are not allowed to bring any form of electronics with you to camp. This includes: mp3 players, iPods, all cellular/satellite phones (everything with an on/off switch). I am note sure but you may be able to bring a camera; not too sure about that though. Do not worry, if it becomes necessary, the staff will call your parents or legal guardians if something important arises; they just want you to just basically escape the outside world and all of its distractions (texting, calling, etc.) and enjoy your time with the friendly kids and staff around you. One of the annoying things I experienced at this camp (a very small one) was when it was time to take showers at night. There was always a big line and about 10 seconds after you enter the shower, staff says to hurry up and get done; they have you start rubbing in your shampoo in your dry hair even before you get into the shower. The temperature of the shower was a little bit on the cool side. I do not know what the cabins look like today but back then, they were rustic bunkhouses (bathroom was in a separate facility and not a part of the bunkhouse). There was no air conditioning so bring your own personal fan (preferably a clip-on fan). I personally used a standard big box fan but if you do not want that much air, a smaller one will work.
All in all, an excellent camp. The first year I went for just one week. The second year, I went for one week then I spent a week with my grandparents just up the hill in Hot Springs Village and then another week at Brookhill and I did this for the third year as well. If you are worried about being homesick especially if this is your first experience away from home and your parents/legal guardians do not worry, the staff will make your time super enjoyable and by the end of the week, you may not want to go back home yet. I almost forgot to mention, they also had a miniature gold course for you to play during your off time.
Again, some or all of the things I have mentioned here could have changed as it has literally been a decade since I have camped here. Any doubts, just sign up; you will be very glad you did.
