I attended this camp in 1976 as a camper. I attended again in 1982 as a counselor. I was proud to send my children in 2010 and they have returned every year since. Addressing the bad ratings posted: The best indicator of a camp is giving your kids free range to choose where they want to spend their summers and for how long. Both of my children look forward to attending Camp Blue Ridge months before the summer. They stay in touch with their counselors throughout the years and request them each year. My kids write us almost every day and have never complained about anything! They speak highly of the food, even turning down our invite to go to any restaurant of their choosing on the last day of visiting weekend. They are anxious to get back to the camp and more fun. One of my kids enhanced a newly developed skill of water-skiing, thanks to the training and opportunities he obtained at camp. Regarding "mice", my kids have NEVER seen anything in the rodent family at camp. "2 thumbs up!"
As a former camper, current staff member and mom, I highly recommend this camp. With its warm, intimate setting, campers are able to foster lifelong friendships. I am very fortunate that my kids have been able to go to CBR. It is their home away from home. They count down the days until camp begins. The owners truly love the kids and are constantly coming up with new and exciting activities for the campers to experience. The kids know that if they ever need anything, Joey and Lori are always there for them. The camp is wonderful and it is such a great place to spend the summer.
Camp Blue Ridge has been a huge part of my life since I was 6 years old. I am now 43 and have been fortunate enough to be able to share my CBR experience with my own children. Not only was I a camper there, but also a counselor, unit leader, art director and whatever else Joey and Lori threw my way. As a mother, I know that my kids are in a safe and loving environment. The camper to counselor ratio is 4:1. Not many camps can boast about that! Safety is paramount!! CBR allows each camper to choose his or her own activities....skiing, rock climbing, art, rocketry, soccer, drama and about 40 more....it's like heaven on Earth!!!
This camp is a joke! Interesting that the last 7 positive posts were done on the same day. I worked at CBR as one of the Head Counselors and can honestly say that this camp is only concerned with profits. The lies, short-cuts and complete disregard for campers and staff safety and happiness is appalling. Cabins were intentionally crammed with beds to gain profit, & when asked if fire exits should be unblocked by these beds, their answer was it would be done before their accreditation visit; the ACA accreditation which they had lost & told no one about. Most of the facilities are very poorly maintained and have not been updated since the 80's, although it is nice to see they have finally built a new dining hall. Staff training week was a lot of manual labor instead of staff education, leading to a very immature, uneducated college-age staff taking care of precious children. BEWARE! There are better camps for campers, staff and your money!! I would never send my child here!!
I have not one reservation in recommending Camp Blue Ridge to families. This camp is family owned and truly run like a family; the owners are kind and responsible. They know each camper by name, and in turn, the campers feel that the owners are approachable and available. The staff is amazing also. The well trained counselors are great with the kids, whether they're at an activity or in cabin. They really care for the children's well being. The many activities offered, (and fact that the campers can choose their own schedules), give the campers the ability to try so many different things. Bottom line, this camp offers so much for the campers and best of all, peace of mind for the parents!
AMAZING!!! Summer camp is most definitely a child's home away from home and there's no better place to send your kids then Blue Ridge. My child LOVES the camp and couldn't be happier. At Blue Ridge, you get to choose your activities and you stay in that rotation for only a few days. Then you once again choose your activities (some kids choose new ones and some stay with what they did previously) and camp NEVER gets boring. You have the chance to do things you love and the chance to try new things (by having that activity rotation for 3 days, you're not stuck doing something you find may not be your favorite - but at least you tried something new!). New experiences, great friends and a home away from home - CBR is the best!!! We love Joey and Lori for all that they do!
What an amazing place! It is everything you could want in a camp. The facilities are great. There's a new cafeteria with delicious food and options for even the pickiest eater. They keep the kids busy all day - exposing them to all kinds of activities with skilled staff. And, it's a family place. Where else can you go where campers from 20 years ago are now coming back as staff? This place has heart and soul. They will love your kids and your kids will love CBR! Coach, Sheila, Morris, Joey and Lori have built quite a following over the years. It really does not get better.
I was a camper for 8 yrs & a counselor for 2 yrs at Blue Ridge. This is my 3rd year as a “camper parent” & every summer I live vicariously through my kids sharing the same stories & songs from 30 yrs ago! I’d do anything to go back & re-live those days but I am overjoyed that my boys get to have this incredible experience. From the cabins to the activities, campfires, bunk sing, color war, friendships that last a lifetime & much more, CBR has it all! Even the food is good! Not to mention that a HUGE majority of the camp are kids of alumni! If I call, text, or e-mail them, within minutes, they know where & what my boys are doing, & that IS NOT b/c I am an alum. It’s b/c of who they are & what they stand for: happiness, safety, fun & family! Bravo to Coach, Morris & Shelia for creating such an amazing camp. To Joey & Lori Waldman for continuing the legacy that has defined so many, & now, preparing their girls to one day insure that CBR is & will always be, “your mountain of fun!”
This camp is not one that you would want to send your child to nor work at. They treat the staff horribly and dont care about the children. The cabins are filled with mold and there are many precautionary measures that they do not take in order to save money. Terrible place to send your child or work.
My daughter had her first overnight camp experience at this camp and she LOVED it! She is not from Florida. She only stayed one week, but it was her favorite week that summer (except for our family vacation). She and her little sister are coming this summer. The owners are nice. PLUS, we like that it has it's own lake!
I had the opportunity this past summer to not only work at camp blue ridge but to bring my children with me. I went to camp blue ridge when I was younger for several years and also worked there when I was In college. However, this past summer was a new experience for me having my children there. My son and daughter had an amazing summer. My son learned how to waterski, kneeboard, skateboard, and play the drums. These were just a few of his favorites. He went zip lining, white water rafting and fishing. He met so many great friends and was so comfortable at camp. My daughter, who was a lot younger, was treated like a little sister. The other campers loved her and made her feel so comfortable. What I love about this camp is the family type atmosphere it provides. The owners are so warm to the children and take a special interest in each child. They were always there for me and for my kids. You can feel confident that your child will be happy and well taken care of.
This camp is not worth the money. Dirty( mice in bunks), staff that party way to much and most of all owners that care only about money not your child!!!!
I personally grew up going to Blue Ridge. The friendships I formed have lasted the test of time. That is a testament to the way Blue Ridge fosters relationships and the its intimate setting. This past summer, I was lucky enough to be asked back to help run the art department. With my three children in tow, we had the most outrageous experience. My kiddos have not stopped talking about how much they loved the activities. They learned how to ski, tube, skateboard, climb robes, zipline, go cart, white water raft, etc. Where else on earth could they have done all of these things while under the supervision of a really fun staff? Blue Ridge has been nothing but a wonderful experience for both me and my children. I highly recommend attending this camp.
this a wonderful place to spend the summer. the personal attention and care is unlike any other camps! there is a true family atmosphere that is not apparent at other camps. i felt like my child was treated with the utmost care and was really watched over carefully. my child came home with strong friendships, independence, and a self confidence that i could have never provided him at home. i highly recommend this camp to anyone!!
My kids have been campers and counselors at Blue Ridge for years and we have constantly been amazed by the care and personal concern the onsite directors give to each and everyone. The facility is updated and luxurious compared to other camps my friends sent their kids to. Unfortunately this is not a forum for disgruntled employees but it seems to accomodate this since there isn't a way to monitor who rates the camps. This camp was MY first camp when I was 5 years old and my kids have grown up as campers as well. The reason they have been in business for 40 years is due to their love of kids and the running of their business as if every kid and counselor is theirs once they walk through the welcome gate. With over 40 activities to chose from my kids where never bored and they were always able to chose what they wanted to do. My husband and I love to hear them break into a camp song when a reminder comes on the radio. CBR has totally enhanced their lives in a very positive way.
You cannot find a better place to send your kids!! My children had an amazing experience at Camp Blue Ridge, as did I as a parent!! They are in constant contact with you if you have any issues, they answered every one of my crazy questions and addressed every nutty concern!! They were so wonderful to my son who got a little homesick in the beginning, they gave him so much attention and respect for his feelings I couldn't have done better!! My children came home and raved about the "amazing food". They said the bunks and bathrooms were comfortable and awesome! The counselors and owners were amazing and that they were never bored there was so much to do.The evening activiites and socials were the highlight of their trip. They have so many new friends and memories they will never forget this absolutely wonderful experience, neither will I, these people made it so easy for me to be comfortable and I trusted them completely with the safety of my kids and that isnt an easy thing to do!
Best place i ever went in my life. it was the experence of a life time and after 4 summmers as a camper there it is my home away from home. I hope to be a couselor there and one day give kids the same experece i recived. I speak highly of the owners they make the camp like a family . Also color war is amazing and i miss camp so much it is something i reocmoend everyone to do if they are given the opeertuntiy. I miss every one so much and i kno i will remeber this place for the rest of my life. Also i would like to say they have an amazing waterski program as well as my other personal favorites gymastics, rockclimbig, and gocarts. I woould like to say there is something for everyone there and i could just go on and on but it is the best place ever basicaly!!!! The camp it self is always ading new things and the staff is realy awesome!
I LOVE BLUE RIDGE!! Last summer was my 4th summer at camp and I am counting the days til i can go back this summer. I love everything about camp. I have made so many friends, and met people from all over the world. My counselors were amazing. The food is soooo good. Also there are so many fun activities, the water skiing is so awesome. I cant wait til the summer!!
I have been a counsler at this camp for two years and hope to return to my summer family as long as I possibly can. Having never been camping before I attented blue ridge, I was surprised with how awesome the bathrooms and food were... the two things I was nervous about. My best summers were spent here!
