Camp Ballibay reviews

My son is just back from his 5th summer at Ballibay. We love Ballibay. The Rock Farm has been such an important part of his growth and development as a drummer/musician and person. He loves the food, the people and the whole experience. Everyone went about and beyond this year, particularly when travel plans were challenging because of weather and flight schedules. Kristin and Jim helped make sure everything was taken care of and were so helpful to ensure we could get him there and back. Another great summer! This camp is the perfect camp for independent, free-spirited, creative kids!

Starting from 6, my children have attended Ballibay every summer. Now they're 17, 12 & 11! It's they're favorite place to be. They've made great friends, and come back confident and happy. The campers as well as counselors are from around the counrty and world! They have a nice diverse group of children. And their counselors have always made my kids feel comfortable and well taken care of. My kids are well rounded in all the arts, music, pottery, theater, dance and more! And the food is healthy and fresh, but there's still pizza on Fridays. It's a wonderful community of kids, counselors and staff that sincerely love to be with children and teach and learn. We are privileged to be a Ballibay family!

Around 15 years ago my sister, my best friend, any I attended this summer camp two years in a row. I can truly say it was the two best summers ever! We made life long friends at this camp. Learned all kinds of things that we wouldn't have otherwise. I play many instruments and I accredit this to the camp. I went in playing alto saxophone and left having tried many other wind instruments and even base. One day when I have kids old enough I will surely be sending them to this magnificent place! The family that runs this camp is great and I wish them all the best! Best summer of my childhood. So, I must also say Thank You to this camp, their counselors, and the owners. Thank you.

My daughter had the best two weeks of her entire life at Ballibay's "Camptown Theater Workshop". It was her first time away from home, and we were all a bit nervous, but the staff and counselors made her feel at home right away. The education she received in acting, voice, and dance was extraordinary, especially when you consider how much less expensive Ballibay is compared to many New York-area arts camps. She also had time for non-theater activities, including swimming, gardening, horseback riding, and pottery lessons. She has made friends from around the country that I believe will last her for many years to come. She came home after two weeks with a new confidence in herself and her abilities. I cannot say enough good things about this camp. (Although it would be nice if the showers were just a LITTLE bit more comfortable...) All in all, I HIGHLY recommend Ballibay to any family with a kid who's interested in the performing arts.

Incredible place. This past summer was my 11 year old's 2nd year and my 9 year old's first year and it couldn't have been better. We thought they might be together but they were in neighboring cabins and my 9 year old didn't have one issue. They both made friends so quickly, loved their counselors and love all of the amazing work they do. In addition, and something I really appreciated, they love the food. They have their own garden and the kids participate in the "garden to table" program. The food is not "kid" food...it is well prepared, healthy food that everyone enjoys. The grounds are beautiful and the place is well-maintained. My kids are already talking about going again next year...and my 8 year old son plans on joining them.

I am a proud alumnus of the Ballibay Performing Arts camp, having attended four years in a row during my middle and high school years. I continue to look back on my time there as a formative experience both professionally as well as emotionally. I formed friendships that remain to this day and took on skills that carry with me, and that wouldn't have been possible were it not for the supportive, collaborative, and deeply trusting environment established by the founders and staff. The staff were professional and also understanding of diverse needs. The facilities were state of the art. The activities and schedule were set up in a way that everyone could be included and accomodated, and everyone was in sync with one another. I can't say enough about my incredible experience; I look forward to sending my own children to Ballibay.

My son has attended for two years now - a fabulous experience that has broadened his abilities as an actor, given him wonderful memories that will last his lifetime and introduced him to friends he will value for a long time. I cannot recommend another camp more than Ballibay.

Ballibay is a place where you can be yourself and you won't be judged. It's a very easy place to make friends. In terms of staff- they are amazing. They know what to do AND are fun. The cabins are rustic but you get use to them. They become your home. The facilities such as the art barn, dance building and theater are great. The actives are unbelievable. You get to choose what you want to do and then get called for lessons in small groups or private classes. I mostly do theater and I can say that I learn a lot with each show that I am in here and also have a great experience and fun! You get a lot Personal Attention which is great. For example in dance, you can ask to have private tap classes. The food is great. As someone who is vegetarian, the food is really good and healthy and they always have a vegetarian option. This camp is honestly the best place on earth and I cannot wait to go back. It is worth every dollar for the experience that you get.

Camp Ballibay was life changing for my daughter and nephew. This was the first time both my 16 year daughter and my 14 year old nephew had ever been away from family at a sleep away camp. We were amazed at how they had discovered so many new abilities and talents in just a couple of weeks. For the first time they were able to explore completely independent of us what they wanted to do each day and pushed themselves (in a good way) to work hard and accomplish fantastic performances. The Ballibay staff was incredible. They were extremely knowledgable about the area in which they were instructing and experienced in their field. Some of the staff even formed great bonds with the campers. Each kid got a lot of personal attention with their councelors and the wide range of activities offered by staff allowed for everyone to find something fun to do. This allowed for them to establish some lasting friendships with people who shared their interests. Ballibay was an unforgettable experience!

This summer was my first year at Ballibay and it couldn't've been better. All of the counselors are so nice and you only have to do what you want to do. I wish there was more to do during down time because sometimes I would just wander around. However, the facilities and activities are so great. There is so much to do and I wish I had done more. I hope to come back for many years to come.

The staff is so warm and welcoming. The quality of the theater program is top-notch. At the final performance you could really see how hard the kids worked, but also how much fun they had putting on a quality show. The kids are really encouraged to try new things in a warm, non-competitive atmosphere. It is a safe place to stretch their wings!

Overall, this camp is great. My daughter just signed up for her 3rd year in a row... and she plans to continue coming back as long as this camp is around. She always comes home with great stories of all the fun things at camp. This was her first, and only, sleepaway camp. If you are unsure about this camp, it really is an incredible experience for the camper and the parent.

My daughter has gone there for two years now and it is wonderful to see how happy she is to be there and how much her self confidence has grown. She gets to try new things with total support. The food is very healthy and I am happy about that! The kids are occupied for most of the day with just enough down time to send a quick email or relax. She will go back again next year and we are recommending it to our friends.

My daughters are very picky (this was their third camp in three years)and they absolutely loved this camp! They made some terrific friends and will definitely be back this summer! I just wish we had found it sooner!

ould not advise sending your child to camp ballibay for a three week session. Children come and go every week, which did not allow my daughter to make friends, as some of her friends left after only four days of her being at camp. The staff were wonderful, but it seemed that many of the staff that I had dropped her off with were mysteriously "no longer there" when leaving. Though she had a wonderful time, I was concerned about the instability of the environment. I was concerned to get emails home about a camper that made my child feel unsafe at camp. Overall, though she loved her time and met many great friends after the fact, I was upset by the emails I received home and will not be sending her back to Ballibay.

Ballibay is truly amazing. Everyone is so nice, accepting and talented...Ballibay is my second home. Every single program from theatre to rock to dance is amazing, and well planned out, and you learn so much from just a few weeks there

I have been going to Ballibay for 3 years now and plan to go for a 4th! I went 1 year for the Theater Intensive and the Rock Camp for 2. I absolutely LOVE them both because it is not corny or anything.(Not fake like a TV movie)For the Rock Intensive you get paired with a band and you can jam everyday and then do all the other activities at the camp. I learned to ride horses and even got to do a live radio show that the campers can listen to! I was amazed at the level of talent of the campers, especially the musicians, they are amazing! All of my friend that I have made there keep in touch with each other and a lot are going back again this year too. Some of them are from different countries such as Japan, France, and Spain, so I cannot wait to see them! I hope to see some of the counselors that were there last year again, they were so awesome and chill! I have been to other summer camps but Ballibay is by far the best! EVERYONE is like family, very supportive. My home away from home!

I can't say enough good things about Camp Ballibay. My kids have made amazing friends, look forward to going back each year, eat healthier than they do at home, and come back inspired, relaxed, happy and more mature. They have so many activities and fit so much in, without ever feeling rushed or stressed out! I am always amazed by that! The facilities are great, without being too upscale so it doesn't feel like camp. The staff are creative in their own right, plus good with the kids. And the programs don't breed the kind of competitive, stomach-churning nonsense I was afraid a performing arts camp would. At all. I don't know how they do it...I'm just glad they do...and honored that my kids get to go. It will be one of the things I look back on as a parent, pat myself on the back, and say, "you did good by your kids."

This camp is what the rest of the world is missing- community. Your kids will build a strong sense of their individualities here, and they will likely remember it for the rest of their lives.

This camp changed the course of my life. It will always be one of my favorite childhood memories. I am now in my 30s and still am friends with folks I met there. Thanks to Ballibay's excellent staff and administration the arts is not only my hobby but my career.

Beautiful Camp, wonderful staff, great food, so much fun, life changing expierence :) I love all my friends I met there and as soon as I got home I couldn't wait to go back, the best camp you could ever go for art of any kind :)

John Janone and his staff worked tirelessly to ensure that my boys had a successful summer.Ballibay is a unique place where campers are treated like real artists and performers yet the place still maintains that sense of wholesome camp-like fun. We are still blown away by the production value of the performances we saw. Ballibay is a great place for creative kids to explore their talents in a safe environment where they are appreciated and understood.

I went to Ballibay for two years when I was in middle school. It was my first sleep away camp but it was definitely the best. The counselors were amazing, they really have great facilities. My parent's loved seeing me preform in the Music and Dance review at the end of the summer. The private music lessons were also very helpful and productive!

Our son has attended the camp at Ballibay for the past three years. The versatility and variety of programs that are offered has allowed him to spread his wings and grow as an artist and musician. The friendships he has nurtured will last him a lifetime and the quality and talent of the instructors is immeasurable. Camp Ballibay has embraced the wonder of nature and nourishes those that attend and work there with the luxury of organic and healthy menus. Our son looks forward to attending once again next summer as a counselor in training, and in the future as an instructor himself. Anyone looking for an "Arts" camp for their children to attend, should consider this delightful excursion that is Camp Ballibay!

I attended camp Ballibay for 6 great summers. Each year I stayed for 7 weeks and loved it. I have made some of my best friends and best memories there, and would highly recommend it to anyone. The staff was always extremely nice and talented. I got opportunities to try hands on things, such as video production and directing, that I would not be able to anywhere else. It was really a one of a kind experience.

My daughter is in love with Ballibay and with good cause. And so are we! The camp during the past three summers has helped her feel good about herself, connected her with wonderful and amazing friends and staff, nourished her soul with healthy food, meaningful experiences and loads of fun. As a parent and a worried one at that this camp made me feel so comfortable and at peace with her being there. My daughter loves Ballibay so much and I am so happy that we found them. I also looked at ratings when I was choosing a camp so I know how you feel. The creativity, art, music, theater, dance, fun, community is amazing, simply amazing. And when we saw our daughter perform this summer we cried tears of joy to see her blossom, flourish and thrive so in this wonderful nurturing camp called Ballibay!

There are no words to describe this camp. I LOVED it. I signed up for the next year within a week of getting home. It's the only place where being wierd and being yourself becomes normal. I have never made so many friends. I have never put on an amazing full length musical in less than 3 weeks. I have never had an experience quite like Ballibay. I<3 Ballibay!

This has been my 5th year at camp Ballibay, and each year has been exactly what I have wanted it to be. I began at the two week theater intensive program, which was a great help with musical theater, as well as Shakespearian theater. My 4th year, I came to the three week Ballibay session, and found out I could do all the theater I loved, as well as improve some of the music skills I also love. This past year I was able to both be in two full plays (musical theater, and comical Shakespeare) as well as play in a band on rock night (on the violin, Ballibay being one of the few places where the violin is not considered simply a orchestral instrument). I was able to do all these things, have time for lessons in other areas I am interested in, and just hang out with friends. If I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to preform something, or if I had practiced something enough times to play it well for a show, there'd always be a counselor there, telling me I could. Thank you Ballibay!

Ballibay is a fabulous camp. The quality begins at the top. John Jinnone is an owner who genuinely cares about the camper's experience. He has an amazing staff including a director who is focused, smart and cares enough to interact with the campers and their families. My daughter, even though, she has had bumps in the road, loves her summers at Ballibay and can't wait to do it again next year. As a former camper at a variety of overnight camps, I feel very secure about sending my daughter there. She attends for both sessions.

Our 14 yr daughter went here for the RockFarm to learn more about her instrument (the electric bass). She came home SO enthusiastic about music, the bass, and so much more confident in herself. She was the bassist for 2 bands and practiced 2 hours each day; also she had individual instruction, they had a rock band concert! She could chose other camp activities daily and she chose to go to the art barn and made a beautiful clay, fired, bowl. Her fellow campers and instructors were from all over the world (including Pennsylvania where the camp is located!). I went to a YMCA camp as a youngster but it hardly compared to Ballibay - Ballibay is a "theme-based" camp (for us, music, but they also offer dance, horseback riding, art and other specific activites) really was dollar for dollar significantly better than the general camp that I went to. The staff and owners of the camp love what they do and it really is evident! We'll not hesitate to sign our daughter up next year!

This summer was my daughter's (10) second summer at Ballibay. The camp is truly beautiful surrounded by gorgeous PA nature, but the most amazing thig was the STAFF. They are true musicians, artists and theater techs from all over the country and the world. If your child is a professional minded performer, this is the camp you want. If your child is a shy artist, this is the camp you can trust. If your child is just wanting to get away for summer, this is the camp she/he wants to be at... because Ballibay offers the best of the bests. I need to especially note about high qualified Rock department and musical theater department. Those departments hire "pros" to teach campers. Just amazing to see who are teaching there.

Ballibay 8/22/10 5 5 5 5 5 My son has been to Ballibay the last three summers. The staff is top notch. All very talented and excited to share their knowledge of music and art with the kids. Everyone is encouraging without judgment. The equipment is state of the art. My son keeps in touch with his camp friends all year. He hopes to be a counselor there some day so he can, in his words "return for 50 years." Thank you Ballibay!!

Great camp - amazing people - need a few more activities for the down-time (not alot but a few more).

Ballibay has been like a home for the past 3 years. The food is great, the staffers are nice too. The best thing about Ballibay though is how much everyone loves eachother and the sense of being a family that you get from it. The incredible people that come to this camp truly make it unique and a place that I look foward to coming to every summer, because of the relationships and friendships we have.

Both of my kids spent their entire summer at Ballibay this year and were sad to have to come home. There is a wide variety of activities from which to choose, the food is good and the night programs spectacular.

Our son who is 14 just finished his 3rd year there. It just gets better every year for him. Ballibay allows kids to be who they really are,which is difficult for any one who is this age range. They cover all of the arts with an excellent staff who all are involved in the arts outside of the camp. This makes for a wide range of talents that they share with the campers. Can't say enough about what this camp provides. Our son has made some lifelong friends there, from all walks of life. He says it is a little piece of paradise.

I wouldn't give Ballibay any less than a perfect rating. I have worked here for 10 years and will continue to do so for as long as I can. The administration and staff are dedicated, talented, enthusiastic people and there is a reason why so many campers return year after year.It's philosophy of "It's the Journey.. not the Product" and its focus on non-competitive, individual choice programs really makes this camp unique. As a public school teacher, my summer is my "time off".. but I wouldn't have it any other way.. Ballibay is a second home for me now. I feel I teach at my best when I am at Ballibay and am supported by the administration. When I start a family they will be at Ballibay... no doubt about that! No need to look anywhere else.. you've found the perfect camp right here!

I loved everything about my four years at Ballibay. It is a wonderful, non-competitive environment where you can show off your talents in various musicals, revues, dramatic productions, band nights, tennis tournaments, just to name a few. It's also a great place to try new things. I, who had never been on stage in my life, found myself in a starring role of a play. What an amazing experience! The friends I made are what really stuck with me, though. 6 years later, I still keep in contact with so many of my Ballibay friends. This camp is everything that summer camp should be. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It changed my life.

Amazing, artsy, individualized attention and lessons. You make life-long friends who understand you. A complete and total WIN. =D

My daughter has spent the past 2 summers at Ballibay. She comes home having grown, each time. She is more mature, has more self-confidence, and exhibits self-assuredness. She is happy and doesn't stop talking of camp for months afterward. The camp leaders believe that kids can do it all. By using creativity and their brains, NOT by braun. My youngest daughter is going this year for her first. She cannot wait. I highly recommend this most excellent camp.

Our 12 year old daughter attended Ballibay for 3 weeks, the very longest time she has ever been away from home and really loved it. She had many opportunities to try different kinds of arts, horseback riding, swimming as well as have a part in a play and learn all about staging a play. She felt loved and accepted by both campers and staff. This camp is very well run, in a beautiful environment. She plans to attend next year and likely for several more years. We highly recommend Ballibay.

Ballibay helped our son explore his passion for music and developed a technical understanding. He was brought into the creative process and encouraged to find his voice and need to make music. In the off season he worked very hard. He learned to play his instrument and can now be called a young musician. His confidence, work ethic and ability to work in groups have really blossomed. All this would not have been possible without the inspiration of camp management and a talented and dedicated staff. Together they have created a safe, supervised environment that looks and feels "bohemian" and yet has real structure and sets serious yet attainable goals. The food was good, the physical plant was clean and well maintained. We felt very confident about his well-being while at camp. We were able to communicate with our son regularly by email, and we were encouraged to visit he was there. We highly recommend the Ballibay experience - it was a life-changing experience for our son.

My daughter has attended this camp for the past three years. She hasn't stopped talking about it since she set foot on this beautiful property. The camp is well run by a dedicated owner and the terrific staff. My daughter has made her best friends at this camp. The activities offered are extensive. This is a camp where self esteem blossoms. I would highly recommend this camp.

i have attended ballibay for one summer and i am already looking foward to my next one. all the people at this camp are very accepting and it takes no time to make friends. i know that these people will be life long friends who are over all amazing. the food and actavities are great. the staff is great. the campus is great. this camp os GREAT. i recomend ballibay for any child, it doesnt matter who.

Ballibay was one the BEST experiences of my life. I made some awesome friends and had a super fun time as well. I loved being there for all three years I was there and doing all the activities were soooooooooo much fun!!!The food is also very good and the kitchen staff are very friendly and kind. Basically the past three summers (session 1 for 4 weeks) was the ABSOLUTLY AMAZING AND I WILL NEVER EVER FORGET IT!

I was a staff member at Ballibay and, having worked at quite a few camps through the years, I am still impressed by the programs and activities available to the campers. Much of this is due to the broad range of experience that the staff brings to the table. On top of the theatrical, musical, artistic and technical expertise, the campers benefit from a variety of hobbies that the staff shares. I would encourage every family to consider Ballibay. If your child has any artistic interest in anything from rock n' roll to classical music, radio, film, theatre, writing, dancing, photography, painting or ceramics (to name a few)...this is the place to be! Definitely give Ballibay a try this summer!!

Ballibay is a woderful place for any child interested in the arts to spend their summer. Whether thier interest be in acting, music, or the fine arts, ballibay's talented and knowledgable staff will instruct kids to practice thier craft, and build incredible friendships while doing so.

This camp is a spectacular laid back enviroment for kids of all talents levels to excel and have fun. I would recommend this camp to anyone, camper or staff!

From my experiences at Camp Ballibay, I found that I grew as a person and learned lots of new things. I recieved personal, helpful, and valuable attention from my counselors that I still use to this day. In addition I experienced many new activites from learning a new instrument to the workings of technical theatre.

Ballibay changed my life. I attended Ballibay for six summers. If you are a person who loves theatre and making new friends then this is the camp for you. It has everything in the performing and visual arts and you can do all of it or pick and choose certain things. The camp has a theatre production every night run by the campers. Campers are actors, costumers, lighting, sound, video, and audio. There are dance classes and voice lessons. The art barn contains all types or art drawing, painting, pottery, photography, print making, jewelery making and if the art barn doesn't have it but you want it then you can do it. There are lots of instrument lessons. If you like sports there is golf, soccer, volleyball, a pool, 2 tennis courts with basketball, and horse back riding! The cabins are great for camp and the food is great. I have made friends there that will last me my entire life. This truly is an amazing camp with a beautiful setting and a beautiful message anything is possible.

One of the best camps of its kind: great learning facilities, traditional/fun cabin living quarters and good food, a close-knit family atmosphere and opportunities far beyond what is generally available to kids these days - Ballibay is the perfect place for youth interested in the arts!

Ballibay is a great camp. Campers there choose their schedule. They can be in a play or dance, or sing. They can play an instrument, do all kinds of visual arts, be in a radio show, work behind the scenes in the theater on camera, in sound, making costumes and sets, etc. Campers can do all of those things or just choose what they want to do and try. Campers with experience at these activities will do well, as well as kids that are trying stuff for the first time. My children went there for many years and loved every minute of it. They made lots of friendships that continue outside of camp. The staff is caring and well qualified in their area of instruction. The food is good. The administration is great. I really don't have a single negative thing to say about Ballibay. It's a great choice for people who are interested in the arts.

I have the distinction of being both an employee and a client of Ballibay. I thought it was Heaven. I would agree with others who suggest it best suits an "artsy" kid, as it is not a traditional jock camp. Relative to my other camp experiences, however, it is also almost zero sum competitiveness, and extremely open and receptive to all levels of participation. The owners of the camp are highly in tune with each camper, and problems are solved as quickly as they are discovered. If you and your prospective camper like theater, art, and great food, I would heartily suggest Ballibay.

I attending this camp many years ago, so things might have changed. I am very artsy, but quite shy and I was made to feel very uncomfortable. I was actually berated by one visiting director for not being outgoing enough. I would recommend this camp only to very outgoing children who are interested strictly in theatre.

As a camper at Ballibay, I'd say that first summer was probably the besty-best-best summer I've ever had. Not only are all the things I'm interested in offered there, but you can get individual lessons. The staff is really nice, also. Even in your first year, in about a week you get used to everything happening and when everything is done. By the second week, you feel like it's your home. By the third week, you don't know what you've been doing all your life without it. (Or at least, that's how I felt.)

I only went once to Ballibay (although I would have liked to go again, my schedule didn't permit it), but I had so much fun there. It's 2 years later and I'm still talking to and finding time to see the friends I made there. There aren't many performing arts camps (that I was able to find)that don't make you have a major to attend. That's a big reason I loved it there. Because I didn't want to focus on just one area, I dance, I play instruemnts, sing, act, and draw. The teachers were great and had good background credits and the counselors were mad cool and super nice.

I spent several summers at Ballibay as a camper, did their CIT program, and have been back to work there. The camp just seems to get better and better! I wish the programs were as good as they are now when I was a camper. It's a great place to be a kid. It's not easy to work there, but can be very rewarding if you give yourself over to it. It's a real drag to be there if you are not an artsy type I think. This goes for staff or campers. But if you are into any and/or all of the arts: theater, visual art, music, dance, rock, video, or radio, the camp offers unbelievalbe opportunity. Criticisms? They ought to use their lake more. More hikes in the woods and things like that, too. Also world music/dance programs would be a good addition. African dance & drumming, for instance. The camp website needs to be updated, too. But, really, it's a great camp and 99% of what they are doing is perfect.