Camp Shalom reviews

Come on campers and parents, login and let everyone know what a great camp this is. All 5's.

I have NO idea who is writing the negative reviews -- but it is probably either a disgruntled former staff member or a child that was, perhaps, rather "unpopular". My child just returned from a wonderful summer at camp! Great staff. Great activities. Fabulous food. Wonderful ruach! She came off the bus wanting to turn around and get right back on for some more time at camp! She is already talking about next year! Now that is a sign of a great summer!

I have been going to this camp for three years, and sadly this month was my last. My first two years were in august and there we hardly any kids, but it was lots of fun! I got to become really good friends with everyone and i hardly had to wait in line for a thing! I think Adam is great! He interacts with the kids and makes us feel like we are not dealing with a stiff grownup! The food could be better, but this is being written by a very picky kid! This year i went in July because i wanted to stay as long as possible, the staff made sure i was comfortable, and i became friends with everyone at once! I love that camp and wish i could stay there forever! SENIORS 08'!!!!

Camp Shalom is an amazing camp. The kids have tons of fun, and love their staff.

The ratio of staff to kids is high. my kids were well taken care of. In fact, my son gained some weight. He made a few new friends, and is looking forward to next year.

After spending two weeks at the camp as the Nurses' husband, I have to say that the campers are in great hands. The councilors are enthusiastic, energetic & intelligent. Most of them were once campers and are more then qualified to handle anything. Unit heads seem well chosen for their respective duties and encourage the campers to excel. Of course the Nurse for the first two weeks was exceptional as was the Doctor. Food! Abe's in charge and WOW. How he and his great staff get done what they have to, day-in and day-out, with the kind of selection they offered was amazing. These kids are so lucky to have this little jewel of a camp nestled in a quite bay on Lake Muskoka. I was a camper for years and the facilities and activities at Shalom offer it all. None of this could be accomplished without a conductor and that conductor is Adam. He does an incredible job in a very challenging and busy environment. I wonder when he sleeps? I miss camp too.

Both my kids attended Camp Shalom from the age of 9 until their senior year. My younger daughter is off to Solelim now, but both have fond memories of the camp despite the difficulties and transition. I don't know who some of these parents are, but boy, some of them seem stuck up, and very particular. My son had his most memorable moments taking part in the activities offered, waterskiing and tripping, and so did my daughter. It's not only the director and staff that make a great camp. It's the parents and their encouragement that drives the success. Get over it guys!!

My daughter went to the camp last summer and has returned this year. Not sure about all the negative comments..Maybe a dissatified staff memember trying to bad mouth the camp.. She loved the camp and had a great summer. We went up last years visiting day and saw the camp for the first time. Its very nice , clean and the staff was great.

As parents who send their children to Camp Shalom we are very pleased with the camp and are children are happy. We referred family friends for the July session and they are now on a waiting list because of the demand. We don't understand all the negative comments because they are simply not factual.

AWFUL CAMP! Hire someone professional to run it, PLEASE!!! Bring back the two month camp with 240 campers per session it was. The waterfront can also use a face-lift. And the programs are too repetitive.

i was recently a senior this year it was okay , but i am going to soliem this year and i cant wait!!

Camp Shalom isn't my home away from home. My older sister Minialla went to camp shalom 2 years ago and was supposed to stay for 2 months and came back after month 1. She thought that the camp was too religious even after the fact that my house is strictly kosher and all the ladies in my house wear skirts everyday, we pray atleast 5 times a day, and I love doing all of that but my older sis hates it all so she didn't like it.

While I appreciate the director's effort to be a fun guy who the kids like and look up to, I am extremely concerned with his inabilities to attract more campers to attend the camp, and his lack of efforts to rebuild the camp from the destruction that it's been having for the past 2 years. Adam Shulman should be the program director, while the director should be someone who's older and more experienced and skilled in handling the business, marketing, professional, and nitty gritty side of camp. Although the six week model for this summer creates more balance between July and August, the overall enrollment is still lower than last year, which creates some red flags.

Camp Shalom is an amazing camp, this summer will be my 3rd staffing summer and my 8th summer total. Over the past 2 summers I've witnessed the smiles on the kids faces, and seen them cry when they have to leave. It is a fun camp, and the children and staff are much friendlier than at the W camps. I really don't understand how others on this site judge, when many of them are not there in the summer to witness. It is an amazing camp and I definitely recommend sending your child there.

Terrible camp this is right now. Two months of fun has become six weeks of nothing. Malka was A problem, but certainly not THE problem (I agree). Adam Shulman is the real problem.

Camp Shalom was once the camp to be at. This is no longer truth. In fact, it couldn't be further from the truth. The camp director is an immature and haughty individual who cares nothing about anything to do with the camp unless it involves his own hubris. Malka was not the problem. Clearly. Just look at their website. My 10 year old could make better. The food situation is abysmal; my son told me he had nothing but white bread and plain pasta the entire month. He is not a picky eater, but when you have no choices, sometimes you become one. The activities at camp are hanging by the thread of the excitement that the staff bring to them. Sports means throwing balls onto the fields and letting the kids run around and fitness means the same. The camp's ropes and gymnastics programs are still very reputable, much like the camp's waterfront. Once the place to be for programming; that too is history. It seems like the camp won't be around for much longer. Sad because I went there t

What can I say? I'm just happy to have finally moved on from this camp. Even though it's a bit premature, it's the most dignified thing to do. It is unheard of to remove such good traditions and quality of the camp, not to mention the camp's duration, in an attempt to desparately attract more people. I remember when the UJA stepped in to rebound Camp Arrowhead around 10 years ago, and it's beyond me how they haven't done so yet for this camp.

It's so unfortunate that many of these comments are saying the camp has gone downhill. I haven't been there since 2001, but that was when Aubrey was director and things seemed to be going really well. I had a really good time for the 3 years I was there. Not necessarily the easiest 3 summers, but I wouldn't change it for anything. It was a great experience and I learned alot about friendships and being more independent at an early age. Plus, when I was there Dean still baked beavertails on a daily basis and would give us dough to play with. They used to have such good food (as good as camp food gets!) One of my fondest memories is being "woken up" (we were still awake, they just didn't know) to go to the intro for maccabiah in the middle of the night. I also loved that every morning we'd all congregate in the shape of a Chai on the Old Sports Field for O'Canada, Hatikvah, and morning announcements. I miss Shalom. <3

There were 90 campers this past summer in August, out of a possible 240. That's 30 less than August 06, 60 less than 05, 80 less than 04 and over 100 less than 03 and prior. It was even funnier that the Uppers only had 3 boys in the entire unit. The July month had over 200, but has always had over 200 every year, so that's no increase what so ever. What more can be said?

My child enjoys the camp but there are too few kids in the August session due to so many parents opting for other camps because this one is overpriced for what is offered and was so poorly run in the past. The jury is out on where it will go from here.On the plus side, there are a lot of counselors per cabin but that is probably because they stick around all summer and the camp goes from 200 and something in July down to under 100 in August. My child liked the counselors but we did not meet them on visitors day as they were not in the cabin as they had been in previous years. That is not proper in my opinion. The number one attraction is the food, which is good, but they can get good food at home. I have to wonder why they went all month without one campfire. The kids seem to like the camp but when you are there you have to wonder why. They need to keep the fees in closer touch with the reality of what they offer.

I have two children in Camp Shalom one who will only be returning tomorrow for her second session. For both my daughters the summer was a great experience and I would highly reccomend this camp to any parents who are interested in a small, jewish enviorment for their children. Thank you Adam and your staff for a great summer.

THe director is not very professional at all. His staff are really the ones who work hard and ensure that campers have fun by force of habit, and as a result are the ones who make him look so good. His job at this camp is almost like a vacation to him, as he's exploiting everyone to his advantage. Anyone who'd think he's really that good should probably watch their back.

I just got back from camp and I thought it was amazing!!!! I am a Junior-Root this summer. And I would definately go back until the end of seinoirs. I LOVE SHALOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have noticed a very positive change at Camp Shalom. The staff and the campers are happy, the Director is professional and caring and fun, which is what a Director is supposed to be.The office staff are attentive and caring too. Congratulations Camp Shalom.

Other than their food, I'm really surprised that this camp still has anything to do with the OCA. They only meet the minimum requirements and make no effort to go above and beyond and they've broken the OCA's ethics several times after being reminded about it. Hopefully the next time the OCA needs to visit the camp for their 4-year check up, which I believe could be next year, they'll step in and make the necessary adjustments.

My husband and I have just returned from visiting our son up at camp today, and we're sorry to say how disappointed we were with what we saw today, and what we've been hearing over the past few weeks. Other than the spectacular sweet table that was served in the dining hall, all we saw today was our son wanting to come home, and most of the counsellors and even the director just lounging around and not showing any effort to represent the camp professionally. Our son has also been writing home a lot saying he's bored and nobody cares about him, with this being his first summer there. Both myself and older son have gone to this camp in the past, but it most definitely had a more upscale and community-like atmosphere back then. It's sad to see how downhill this camp has become since.

this is a camp of total chaos and blah blah blah everywhere. the director is too young, immature and unprofessional to run the camp and doesn't know how to separate himself from the staff, as he's running the camp with his camper buddies from Billy. Malka's gone, so now's the chance to get someone who's a better fit and knows how to handle everything, and not to be so selfish.

this camp is amazing. it is my home away from home. i was bawling on the last night last summer was my last summer there, and i am still so upset i am going back. i have been going to shalom for 4 years, and i have loved every year of it. you make the best friends there, and you learn a lot about yourself. Camp Shalom is overall an amazing experience!

Going to this camp was traumatizing. The kids were mean + horrible. The staff didn't really care about the kids. They shoved political opinions down our throats and did not respect any kind of difference. It was awful.

This is a great camp. My kids look forward to attending each summer. I have never seen more spirit and more smiling face when I went up for parents day.

This is a camp with fine facilities, and a great place for children to make new friends and not feel left out for being new, but is totally not worth the money spent for it. Other YJ camps like Kinneret and Kadimah also have that vision of promoting more friendship and less of a top-class facility atmosphere, but they charge way way less than Shalom. They also treat their staff well, and make every effort to ensure the camp's growth and success, and that every tradition and aspect of camp that the campers like, get KEPT, and not tampered with. Shalom has only been fracturing within the past few years, and this is all 100% true. Having less than 100 campers in August, when there should be over 200 is absurd. Having the best head staff getting fired for no reason is ridiculous. Honestly, I can't say anything more than WHY MUST THIS HAPPEN?

THIS CAMP IS AMAZING! I CAN'T WAIT TILL SCHOOL ENDS SO I CAN GO BACK!

THE MOST AWESOME CAMP ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Camps like ramah and kadimah are great, since the directors have respect for their staff. Too bad Shalom doesn't. It shows.

not the best camp anymore. community that is just falling and breaking apart. definitely needs some interventions from the public. there really is nothing more sour about a manager's reputation than the fact that she cannot earn any respect from her employees, and that she couldn't care less.

the facilities are getting old it and the camp is really going down hill, every sumer there is less and less campers going. Evening that crummy camp couchiching is better.

I must say that the Staff and facilities are very good, but over, this is a very bad camp. Malka, who is the head of the camp, is ruining camp. This year I was a senior. Thank God! Now I can go off and have some fun at Soleliem. Camp Shalom SUCKS!

It really is unfortunate what has happened to this camp. It once was great, but horrible management and a lack of a solid experienced director or program director has brought it down. Parents must tell the TZC board that Malka Klein cannot run this camp, and is entirely unsuitable for the position.

the good from this camp is all in the past. now the camp is nothing but, campers leaving or not joining; 3/4 of staff leaving every year; changing directors; programs and traditions that never last; and horrible management, there is no need to say WHO at this point. this is highly unfortunate.

Some people may say bad things about this camp but I think that this is the best camp[ ever to exist on this face of the earth, no matter what is happening, going to happen or did happen about this camp. GO SHALOM!

you should also mention that a camp that revolves around a board of directors rather than the campers, is not a camp. neither is a camp that has a horrible retention rate and lowsy management. at least the good thing about campers only going for one month, or two separate months, is that there are two maccabiahs, but that is really the only good thing.

A camp that only goes up to the age of 12 or 13 isint a camp. A camp that only has the option of going one of the two months isint a camp. And if you wanna go full summer, u go home and come back up with the 2nd onth campers?? whats with that. I will officialy say, this is not a camp.

Compared to other camps, the staff are way younger and most don't return each summer, the activities are less structured and orgranized, and the monetary value is ridiculous. Even a camp like Northland is more structured and has more facilities, yet costs way less. The food is pretty good, and the campers are great friends to have, but other than that, this is definitely not a camp that would keep up well with its competitors.

SHALOM IS THE MOST AMAZING CAMP IN THW WORLD!! ITS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE PLACES ON THE PLANET AND ITS LIKE MY SECOND HOME! WHENEVER I GO THARE I FEEL LIKE I BELONG AND IM SURE THAT EEVRYONE WHO GOES THERE FEELS THE SAME WAY. THE LOVE AND SPIRIT JUST MAKE EVERYONE COME ALIVE AND I DONT NO WHY ANYONE WOULD WANNA SAY ANYTHING BAD ABOUT SUCH A SPECIAL PLACE -LAUREN

As a parent of a child who couldn't complain more about how this past summer wasn't nearly as good as previous summers, and of a former staff member who got poorly treated by malka and ended up going elsewhere, I could not agree with everyone any more. I will not pay this much money what so ever, just so that my child can see all his friends again. It's also ridiculous how for two summers in a row, all of his favourite counsellors (including his own) haven't been back, knowing that many of them would have liked to have returned. As a result, my children and some of his friends are no longer going to be at this camp, until Malka either comes to her senses, or leaves.

AMEN to all these comments 100%. At the rate that things are going, it wouldn't surprise me if the Lowers, Uppers and Seniors amalgamate into one sometime in the near future, just like what happened with the Juniors and Roots in 2006. It also wouldn't surprise me if very soon from now, the staff will actually be telling the campers the truth when they say "There's no Maccabiah this summer!", as they won't be able to afford it with the minimal revenue that this camp is getting. Somebody really has to charge into the TZC office and say to them "It's Malka, or our Children, make your pick".

This camp was well..just not fun. No affence or anything but i feel like i just wasted my time in it. Its fun for more of the little kids like 3 or 4 cause i have a little girl that i know and shes 4. She said it was boring and the cups fir snack smell!

The camp has been going down hill for the past 3-4 years. There is no stability, as there has been five directors in the past six years. There are a group of people to blame and that's Malka and the TZC board. I pulled my Children from the camp many years ago, and I would encourage all the other parents to pull thier children as well. For the same cost or less, I want my children to go to a camp with more stability and more imenidities. Good Job board.

ATTENTION TO ALL PARENTS (and if you read this, then PLEASE tell others): The TZC Board and M.K. (initials) have the FINAL AUTHORITY on the camp, but they are the ones responsible for what's been going on lately (BIG TIME!). Their personal politics and beliefs are why the directors keep changing every year, why the August enrollment keeps dropping (as it's nearly down to half of what it should be), and why over 60% of the staff each summer keep not returning lately (particularly the head staff, older and more qualified/experience staff). It is understandible that your children may be happy enough there (especially since they're with their friends and away from school), but in the long run, this will NOT help the camp. At this point it is clearly up to you guys to do whatever needs to get done, in order for this camp to improve (and PLEASE, do it quickly!!!)

As a parent, I can't believe they charge more than some of the other camps which have far superior facilities. This was my daughter's first year at the camp, and her last. Have you seen the legal restrictions on their website? real fun bunch of people at this place.

How can they charge this much for this place. My last camp had so much more then Shalom and cost less. We went to Shalom this year, and it was soooo much worse this year .My friends last year told me this was a great camp, but even they said it sucked this year and their not coming back. Unitheads were really good but that's it, and the food

an organization that i belong to used this camp a bunch of times for weekend stays. it was an awesome facility, but the weird graffiti on the bunk beds about jesus being your friend was a little awkward.

Could be great, but same person keeps messing it up. Get Bob and April back. We need some stibility. We know who really has to go. Changing directors every year doesn't help.