I can't believe I am the first to Yelp the most wonderful children's camp on earth: Bay Cliff…read moreHealth Camp in Big Bay, MI. I was so lucky to get selected to work two summers at BCHC, two decades ago, and have kept in touch with the camp and remained a donor and FAN of the camp's work for the last 29 years. Full disclosure: I did not have a child enrolled here, so I not reviewing the camp as a camper nor a parent of a camper. I do have a child with special needs, and I would absolutely send my child to this camp, but my child is too old now as their disability occurred later in life. I am reviewing the camp as someone who had the honor and great joy of working as a therapist with the 200 campers and the nearly 200 staff members for 8 weeks full-time one summer and 10 days another summer, when I returned as a guest therapist to help with evaluation week. The care the staff provides to the children is exceptional: compassionate, dedicated, enthusiastic, and highly-skilled and detail-oriented. The facility is huge. It is beautiful and comfortable. The "Big House" is the most joy-filled gathering spot where all staff and campers eat together, every meal, every day... unless they are on camp-outs which happens and is so exciting for everyone. Songs, games, arts, swimming in the pool, hikes down to to Lake Superior, and of course, lots of time doing things to help with children achieve their individual therapy goals. When I was there Bay Cliff offered PT, OT, Speech, and audiology, plus there was a full-time nurse, and visiting dentists. They may have added more services, too. Check out the website to learn more about this marvelous therapy camp. https://baycliff.org/ I won't include photos from the Bay Cliff website in my Yelp review, nor any of the ones from my summer with the children as those are HIPAA protected, but I think I can find one of me with some staffers on our final day of camp. if you are someone considering applying to work at Bay Cliff for the summer, or for any of the off-season week-long camps, I HIGHLY recommend the experience. It was life-changing for me and I am sure many other counselors, cooks, therapists, maintenance workers, and administrative staff who were so honored to get a job here for a summer.

Some of the greatest memories of my childhood involve Camp Batawagama. Waking up to taps in the…read morecool UP morning )and walking to breakfast, stuffing my face full of Ice Cream bars and soda (sorry, POP!) at the canteen and swimming at Long Lake Falls are favorites. It's a credit to the people of Iron County that a place like this exists to this day, when so many similar places have been gone for years.

We take our visiting grandkids here once or twice a year. It's always at the top of their "things…read moreto do" list when planning activities. Please note that some of the craft options are as little as $15, and some are over $100. We set a budget before we arrive and there are many of the less expensive items from which to choose. The staff is exceptionally kind to children and are helpful in answering questions. There's about a one week lag time between making a creation and having it ready for pickup. I think there is a mailing option available, but please verify that.

They are so welcoming and polite. I couldn't ask for a better place to go to with my child.read more