We came to the open house to explore what the camp is and what it has offer. My boys, ages 12, 10…read moreand 7, have never been to summer camp...and that's a pity.
At the open house, my boys got to tour, ask questions, explore, play and even sample the food (burgers and hot dogs). They were so excited. In fact, when I told my 7 year old we had to leave, he almost started to cry because he thought the open house was the first day of camp! He enjoyed the 3 hours we spent there so much he didn't want to leave.
Located in the Santa Ynez Valley just inland of Santa Barbara, you drive up Main St. that turns into CA-154. The Saturday morning we went, the coast was gloomy with low clouds, overcast and some fog. As we drove up 154 on the winding two lane road, we started to see patches of blue pierce through the gray clouds. At the crest, before heading downhill, the clouds gave way to crystal blue skies and warm sun. We forgot jackets and I thought we'd be underdressed, but with the sun out, it was a pleasant 80°F.
The drive there was absolutely gorgeous with lake Cachuma flanking us on the right. As we got to the turn out, we turned left right before the Lake Cachuma camp grounds. The dirt road is shared with the boys club campground, so make sure you make a quick left (there are signs) towards Circle V Ranch Camp.
The dirt road has some undulations and uneven terrain that an average car or minivan can handle at slower speeds, but our 4X4 truck handled with aplomb. After the mile or so drive, the road becomes paved again and you cross a small stream and then the cabins come into view.
The lush greenery and warm breeze welcomes you as you pass the pool to the general parking area. Once we got settled, the camp counselors greeted us and invited us on a tour. The facilities are campy, but in a good way. Log cabins and a big field and sport court are the highlights of the grounds.
There really is something for everyone to do or find interesting.
When the time came for the boys to be dropped off for their week at camp, my littlest one began to cry, as did my wife on the drive back home. She lamented that this was the first time all 3 boys were away from us and that her boys were "growing up..."
Parents are encouraged to write letters or emails for the kids to read as the emails are printed every evening. My wife read aloud the email I sent the boys and she began to cry, again, as it was my way of telling our boys how proud I was of the way they were growing up and this, their first summer camp experience, was but one of many that the three of them will remember and enjoy for the rest of their lives.
The week seemed like a month for us, but for the boys it wasn't long enough. They had plenty of stories to share and bragged about how good the food was. In fact, all of them wanted to go back right away. They even experienced a little depression when they got back home because they said every day at camp was better than the previous one.
They sang their camp songs on the drive home from the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store drop off location in downtown LA and also showed us their prayers before meals. My 10 year old even told us he prayed every night, especially for his mama!
When my 12 year old, who will be 13 soon, returns next year he'll be what's called a table leader and, if selected, said he would volunteer the whole summer!
If we could afford it, we'd send them for 3 weeks. That's how much they loved the camp. But for the week they'll spend every year until they're too old to attend, it'll be more memories for them to store and share. And we can't wait.
