| KEY |
Date |
|
|
|
P
e
r
s
o
n
a
l
A
t
t
e
n
t
i
o
n
|
M
o
n
e
t
a
r
y
V
a
l
u
e
|
Comments
|
|
|
9/6/23 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
There is no place else I’d send my kids. The best camp out there. The place, the staff, the wonderful friends cannot compare. I have never once questioned my decision. Towanda is home.
|
|
|
|
2/2/23 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I have attended this camp for 10 years as a camper. This is the best place ever. This camp makes me so happy and i wouldn't rather be anywhere else. I have made the best friends and best counselors here and every thing is amazing. I am truly always happy here and nothing else compares. I have seen other reviews and they are all wrong.You should definitely send your child here. They will be so happy and never want to come home. They will have the best story's to tell and you'll be glad you sent them to Towanda. I will continue to come here for many many years and i hope you send your child here too. The bunks are clean and perfect for camp, the staff is amazing, the food is good, the directer is fun and will always look out for your child, and the friends you make here are the best of all. You should definitely consider Towanda as your child's summer home.
|
|
|
|
2/18/22 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
A few years back, I saw all of these ratings heading into my first summer and thought people were being over-dramatic. However, every bad rating on this site is completely true. As a former camper, these were the worst 7 weeks of my life. I wish I could say I was exaggerating. My cabin was infested with multiple wasp nests, and it took three weeks for the maintenance staff to get around to removing them. The COVID protocols were unnecessary and quite frankly cruel. This camp has a clean, air-conditioned infirmary, however they chose to quarantine ill campers in a cabin with almost no windows and a LOT of bees. For this camp, you have no choice whatsoever in what you're going to do. Everything from your outfit choice to your daily activities is controlled. You have to fit the perfect camper mold, and if you're anything but that, you're going to be ridiculed. I was picked on not just by campers, but also by my counselors. Overall, DO NOT COME HERE.
|
|
|
|
8/6/21 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
As a licensed medical professional & avid camp staff / former camper, I would strongly caution both job-seekers & parents from working at or sending a child to Camp Towanda. Having worked at nearly half a dozen camps over the span of the last decade, I would describe this camp as an overpriced and underperforming corporation hallmarked by a seat-of-the-pants management structure & a decidedly hostile environment.
Despite their American Camp Association accreditation, Towanda was in active violation of at least one ACA mandatory accreditation standard this summer. In addition, their COVID policies, while attractive on social media, make mind-bendingly little sense from a medical standpoint (sick children, instead of being placed in private rooms in the air-conditioned infirmary, were "quarantined" in a poorly ventilated, wasp-infested coed staff cabin with curtain partitions between bunks & forced to sleep with face masks on.) Ironically, management was largely exempt from mask usag
|
|
|
|
4/22/20 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
this camp is racist making fun of indians with the camp director jumping around a fire place shouting, Mitch and Stephanie are selfish and are only in it for the money. they treat staff like trash making them stay late and they pay almost nothing, camp directors will also try to FIRE YOU at the end of camp for no reasons to make it so they pay you 5,000 less a total of 34 counselors were fired last year, kids that dont fit the perfect camp mold will be bullied by the rich snotty kids that believe they are better then everyone else. i will refuse to send my child hear PLEASE DONT SEND YOURS
|
|
|
|
11/7/19 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Worst camp. Avoid at all costs. The owners have shown themselves to be ruthless and greedy people who prize profit over the children who attend this camp. If you love your children you will not let them attend this camp.
|
|
*
|
7/23/19 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
This camp does not have any rules. The workers do not explain that you cannot take a charger from someone else. The company treats it's workers like their servants. It's more like a business company and not an actual camp. I will not come again.
|
|
|
|
4/29/19 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Camp Towanda is truly an amazing camp. I cant wait to see what this summer holds
|
|
|
|
12/13/18 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Our son had the most incredible summer and we are so appreciative for all Mitch and Stephanie did and do to make this happen. The Reiters took a camp that could not possibly be any better and improved it by a factor of a thousand! For a parent, it is so reassuring to know that our son is in such great hands, that his safety is assured, and that we can trust Mitch and Stephanie always to make the right decisions for the right reasons. It is apparent that everything they do is completely thought through with care and devotion. Until this summer, we had always known all of our son’s friends. So it was downright surreal to see him hanging out with all these strangers. Actually, not just hanging out — hanging on! All these kids with their arms around each other, falling on top of each other, laughing together — truly brothers! We couldn’t ask for more! So thank you, Mitch and Stephanie, for the incredible atmosphere you provide, for the family you create, for being our son’s summer parents.
|
|
*
|
7/31/18 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Camp Towanda is the best! I couldn’t dream of a better place to send my child. This place is filled with love, support and happiness.
|
|
|
|
5/7/18 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
It looks like a amusant park with many things added to it. They even had a camel.
|
|
*
|
9/13/17 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
Mitch and Stephanie state when kids are sent home it is in the best interest of the other campers-this is their way of protecting their reputation with existing families and justifying their actions. Unfortunately, the truth is most of these campers do not deserve to go home. Rather, campers sent home need help managing homesickness, fitting in, making friends, dealing with conflicts, etc... support some campers need. Unfortunately, Mitch and Stephanie don't care enough to put in the effort and help these children succeed. Instead they send them home – right away – without warning and without discussions with parents to try and help. The post below is right, do your research as there are other Directors in the camping business for the right reasons -to help children grow and develop. As a parent, you never know how your child will adjust at camp-whether it's their 1st summer or an experienced camper-make sure the camp you choose shares your values and will support your kids!
|
|
|
|
8/11/17 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
I read these four years ago and thought these were disgruntled parents or their kids did something seriously wrong. My kids are good kids so I ignored the comments. Unfortunately, we learned Towanda is only great if you don't need Mitch and Stephanie to be the parenting partner they claim. They don’t truly help children develop. They are just running a business and don’t want to be bothered. Most disappointing, situations aren’t handled in an empathetic or humane way-regardless how long you've been a customer or how many tuitions you are funding. Those with positive experiences haven’t needed their help to know the truth. There are many other camps that offer the spirit and facilities of Towanda but run by supportive Directors who live by their camp motto. Don't ignore the reviews. Think twice; Why are there so many negative comments that all say the same thing? Carefully compare to other camps you are considering. Do your research- know who you are trusting to care for your children
|
|
|
|
1/25/17 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
The staff can't be bothered to help a child to succeed at this camp. You have to fit into their mold of the ideal camper or they have no interest. I wish I had known about this site before I sent my child to this camp. I would have never chosen it. They truly don't care and it's all a show put on by the director. So sad.
|
|
*
|
9/15/14 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
I have several problems with this camp but let me just say that most of the senior staff are helpful and Mitch Reiter (Camp Owner/director) is a good cheerleader when he is allowed to be. Mitch has a tough job. He wants to have fun in camp but he is limited by his very controlling wife Stephanie. Stephanie cares about her garden and little else. She has very little positive interaction with anyone outside of her garden club. She over rules Mitch on every decision. The camp has changed since the next generation of Reiters joined the staff. Of the 2 sons working there, 1 has been caught smoking pot in the bunks and the other liked to brag to the kids in his bunk about the girls he has slept with around the camp using various campers blankets. These young men run to mommy when they are unhappy and she will berate any camper that has dared to challenge her sons. This was an A+ camp 10 years ago but they have forgot about the campers. C-
|
|
*
|
5/4/14 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I was a counselor at Camp Towanda for a year, and I remember being very excited in the months leading up to the job, until I read some of the reviews on this website. After my first year, I can definitely say that working at Camp Towanda was easily one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and my worries were unfounded. If you work hard as a counselor, and focus on the kids, then you will find that camp is a very welcoming place. Although I did get exhausted, the time off is helpful, and the other counselors are always willing to listen to you and help you out if you ask. The owner, Mitch, isn't a perfect leader, but I never experienced anything but reasonable decision making and solid communication from him. This is a fun place for the kids, but a serious job for the counselors, and Mitch knows that, so he takes the job seriously. I would recommend this camp to any counselor or camper, and for those about to join the staff, don't be nervous, it's going to be great.
|
|
*
|
8/22/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Look, all of the negative comments are probably from fired counselors, or parents whose child got kicked out of camp for bad behavior. When I went to camp for my first year, I was 14 years old, so strong friendships were already made and I thought it would be hard to fit in. When I came to camp, I was immeadiatly welcomed with open arms by all the kids in my bunk, "1110". This place changed my life for the better, as I developed and matured through experiences that will last me a lifetime. Relationships are formed here the couldn't be formed anywhere else in the world. Traditions are kept that no other camp could even imagine taking part in. I visited many, many camps in search for the perfect one, and I can honestly say Camp Towanda is the best summer home one could ask for. If you want your child to grow as an individual and as a friend, send them to Towanda.
|
|
*
|
1/6/12 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I finished my 6th summer and plan on returning for at least 5 more. This is my summer home that I know I will eventually have to leave. I want everyone to know that I don't want to. Mitch and Stephanie, the counselors, and my fellow campers are all family. Just because camp wasn't right for your son or daughter, doesn't mean that that the camp is bad. I can't imagine what I would do with out camp. I have so much pride in this that I will sign my name. Club and Dorm 2013 forever. ~Jake "Jiller" Miller
|
|
*
|
8/17/11 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
All the negative comments about Mitch and Stephanie are true. And he has the staff scared of him. They also don't let the kids pick their own activities...it's always about what Mitch wants.
|
|
*
|
5/16/11 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Camp Towanda is my summer home. I have been there since i was 8. I am now 15 in the highest age group. I had 1 bad summer and that was the year of the cliques but its the same year for everyone. I still managed to come back. I will be at this camp for the rest of my life no matter what. I will work there forever. I made the best friends of my life which have become my sisters. Mitch and Steph are so understanding and are always there for you no matter what. I have a brother who has been there for 5 years and one going in for the first this year. Our whole family loves it. The one bad time i have at this camp, is the last day when i am leaving and this year, my last camper year. I am what they call me a "lifer". This is my home and i cannot begin to explain to you how amazing it is. You can't make judgments unless you have been a camper at CT. Most of these comments are false about Mitch and Steph. If the counselors are not following rules obviously they will be fired. I love this camp
|
|
|
|
|
|
SYSTEM: 8 negative duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
|
|
3/11/11 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
I worked there last year and some of this is true and some of it isn't. I don't recall many children being sent home. Truthfully it was the counselors in fear of being sent home. But really the only reasons someone gets sent home is if they behave unprofessionally (counselors)or bully other children(campers). The age range at camp is about 6-16. Remember when you were that young. Remember the rivalry and cliques, naturally it happens here too. But after years of attending camp with the same group, in the end they come together. One big problem is the behavior of campers. Many come from wealthy family, which is no crime, but they have a sense of entitlement, believing it's okay to be disrespectful towards the counselors. Please teach your kids to listen, not talk back. It's possible to have a good time at camp and not be buttheads to the counselors. They forget we're there to keep them safe and happy, but happy only comes if they listen. No wonder the staff can't wait for time off.
|
|
*
|
12/10/10 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
I started at this camp from the youngest age and went for 5 years. At the time I went, I did not fit into the typical camp towanda mold, and so I did not really make any friends. Now, I would say I fit into the mold, but only after obsessing over becoming like any girl who went to towanda. It was an emotionally scarring experience. I definitely do not recommend this camp because anyone who doesn't fit in won't be accepted. Going to a new camp was the best experience I could've made.
|
|
*
|
11/21/10 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Our family has been a part of Camp Towanda for over 16 years and we know camp well. Throughout our long relationship with Towanda we have had the pleasure of watching our children blossom. They started as young campers and stayed until they were counselors. The experiences they had and the knowledge they gained throughout the years, helped them become the people they are. We thank Mitch and Stephanie for helping to raise our kids. They’ve learned to live and work with others, they’ve gained self-confidence, they’ve learned values that we know are important, they’ve made life-long friends and of course, they’ve gained a great appreciation for classic rock.
|
|
*
|
11/9/10 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I worked at Camp this past summer.My kids have been going to Towanda for 7 & 5 years-they love it. I have friends who work at other camps &told me nightmare stories.The single best decision I made for my kids is send them to Towanda. I learned at Camp that every decision made by Mitch & Stephanie was based on making the campers happy & keeping them safe.No amount of emails or letters can describe the Towanda experience. Everywhere you turn there r happy, laughing, cheering kids.On a rare occasion a camper might be upset, the staff are all over it. I was impressed with how Mitch & Stephanie knew of every issue & made sure it was resolved. It’s unrealistic to believe that issues don’t arise, but it’s how the issues are dealt with that is important.We want the best for our kids. I watched as campers lived out the best time of their lives.I have seen my kids learn respect, sportsmanship, empathy, compassion & camaraderie. I believe that they have become better people because of camp.
|
|
*
|
11/3/10 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I attended Towanda for 9 years (starting at 7 years old) as did my brother and sister. I have to say that camp has really taught me so much especially now being in college. The staff really cares about the campers and go an extra mile to make you smile. It has helped my adjustment to college and taught me life lessons that I wouldn't have learned without the help of the people who are campers and staff. CT helped me develop in a special way. This is truly a special place. I have recently been able to have a special connection with some older campers at college that I would not have normally connected with. As I never spoke to this camper prior to school, we have connected here at school having something in common growing up. It's nice to have a familiar face from camp here. I can't say my friends have this special connection from their camp as I do. This is most definitely the best place to spend a summer as I will be returning to my "home" as a counselor this summer.
|
|
*
|
10/28/10 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
Pick a different camp! All posts here are accurate based upon my 6 years of experience as a parent with Mitch and Stephanie. Mitch will send your kid home if he thinks that she/he doesn't fit into his program. Mitch puts Stephanie in charge of these kids and the kids go home and the parents are confused as to reasons. Every year for 4 years my son told us that each summer kids get sent home or "disappear" from camp without rhyme or reason. My youngest child went to camp with simple medication instructions and within days it was changed and the parents were not notified. Only at pick up did we learn of the change. Mitch never apologized and blamed us even though the meds change was at his camp. Stephanie runs the girls side and has the bedside manner of Dr. Kervokian. Pick another camp. The good and bad posts on this site are accurate, but do you want to risk having your kid sent home because he/she doesn't fit into Mitch's progam on their first summer away from home?
|
|
*
|
8/19/10 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
My one child just completed his 4th year at camp. That was also his LAST year at Towanda. Without getting into specifics, Mitch and Stephanie are NOT the kind of "summer parents" you think they are. They portray themselves as caring and passionate, but would you want your kids to be with "parents" that have NO TIME for situations that occur in childrens lives? I just don't understand how these people claim to be competent camp directors, when their first natural response is ALWAYS to send a child home if there is ANY issue that arises. And I mean ANY issue. They are NOT capable of handling normal every day issues that arise with children, especially children away from home for the 1st, or even 4th time?? Please consider my words. I have been waiting to write this comment all summer, but was truly afraid if it was seen, my child may be SENT HOME because, that's how Mitch handles things. Yes, it is a beautiful camp, but beware...
|
|
*
|
11/22/09 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Simply said, this is the best check we write every year. Even in this time of calculated spending, Mitch & Stephanie deliver on every level... they love what they do, our kids love them and they are professional, respectful and on top of their game. The negative reviews on this website must be from disgruntled parents who have different values and are "never wrong" and staff that were dismissed.
|
|
*
|
10/19/09 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
It is obvious that the owners of Camp Towanda, Mitch and Stephanie Reiter, love what they do. They run a camp that, we're sure, is like no other. An excellent staff, terrific activities, lots of traditions, and an atmosphere of love and respect that is shared by both campers and staff. Your kids will be extremely safe at Towanda, because that is high on Mitch and Stephanie's priority list. Trust us...they will become Towanda "addicts" and will be counting the days until they return to Towanda each summer. Our kids have memories and friends that will last a lifetime, thanks to their many summers at Towanda. This camp is a treasure!!
|
|
*
|
10/19/09 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My two girls have gone to Towanda for 12 summers (collectively). One has been there for 8 summers and will go back in 2010 as a counselor. The other has been there for 4 and will likely be there for another 7. They love the place. Their most enduring friendships are their Towanda friends. Weekend "after camp" sleepovers are a custom and a norm, notwithstanding the distances that separate them from their friends. Mitch and Stephanie are hands on, compassionate owners who have the saftey of your children at heart. They do have rules. And many over indulgent parents may not enjoy all of the rules, but when the kids come home from camp, they reaffirm that they had the best summer of their lives. Mitch's daily emails about what is going on at camp are informative and appreciated. While you will never please everyone all of the time, Towanda is, on balance, a wonderful, loving, nurturing environment that builds lasting friendships and lifelong memories. It is a 2nd home to my kids.
|
|
*
|
9/29/09 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Okay,I've read all the reviews. Now I am going to give you mine. I am the parent of a 2009 new Towanda camper. My daughter is a very shy nine year old and my wife and I were very concerned about how she would do. She did awesome!She did awesome because Mitch has created a very safe and nurturing environment. He takes the time to not only learn about every camper but also about the parents. Does he have rules? Yes! Too many? Maybe. But I want you, as a parent, to imagine having the responsibility to care for about four hundred children 24 hours a day, seven days a week for seven weeks. Could you handle this kind of responsibility? Now add in swine flu, non-stop rain, and a recession. Really... could you handle this responsibility? Well Mitch handled it really well. His communication was almost daily and usually written in the middle of the night while I was fast asleep knowing my daughter was having fun in a "Mitch Safe" environment. Summation... Great Camp!I totally recommend the camp!
|
|
*
|
9/27/09 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My kids have been going to camp Towanda for 5 and 3 years respectively. Each summer my kids tell me; this is their best summer ever. The staff is remarkably well trained. Both my boys keep in touch with most of their counselors during the school year. They have been developing independence in a safe environment that gives them room to grow, learn and make mistakes. They see their bunkmates often. Mitch is a hands on director who has a set of rules that are clearly published in a parent’s guide. I like the fact that there is a structure in place with consequences so that my child is protected while at camp. My kids have had nothing but fun and have very high marks for Mitch. Mitch give the kids increasing privileges as they get older and my kids look forward to becoming upper campers. Towanda is what I wanted for my kids and honestly, after touring several camps Towanda was their first choice as well. Cannot stress enough how happy I have been with Camp Towanda.
|
|
*
|
8/11/09 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
I have 3 children at CT for past 5 years. I started to sense something bothering me about Mitch and Stephanie in year 2.Mitch is very cynical with parents.He would be well advised to lose the cynicism in his emails to parents. If he has some "problem" parents than he should deal with them individually and not subject the rest of his customer base to obnoxious lectures. Stephanie seems to be assigned the task of overseeing "problem" children. She is not the woman for the job. First, she is far from a "people person". She has very poor social and communication skills particularly when dealing with sensitive matters, such as someone's child. One minute she can be calm and sensible; next minute she is screaming with anger. Not exactly the person to oversee children's problems and supervise staff. I have such mixed emotions about sending my children back there. They seem to love it but with such serious concerns about how the owners handle problems, I have lost trust. Any other views?
|
|
|
|
|
|
SYSTEM: 4 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
*
|
2/17/09 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Camp Towanda is my second home. Ever since I came for my first summer I have never felt the same. When I go there I feel like a new person I have made the best of friends, who I will never forget because they are like my sisters. If anyone didn't like the camp its because they are not fit out for sleep away. If you look in the dictionary of amazing camps, Camp Towanda would be right there no doubt about it. This camp has changed my life for ever. Whenever i am in camp atmosphere i feel like a whole new person and that I can do anything, and when i leave all i do is cry because there is no place better than CAMP TOWANDA!!!, and if u decide you do not want to go to this camp you have major problems
|
|
|
|
10/31/08 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
Trust me when I say they can NOT handle properly any problems which may arise. The kids can become emotionally scarred by the pretentious cold attitute of the owner who clearly does not have the best interests of your child at heart. Beware!
|
|
|
|
9/16/08 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
The negative comments regarding the owners (Mitch and Stefanie) are unfortunately true. It is all about Mitch and not about the children. The children are only there as his puppets to march to his drum beat and fulfill his egotistical and controlling needs. When you send your children to camp at such a young age,the camp owners and staff are really the surrogate parents. Mitch and Stefanie do not have an emotional bone in their body and in a very short time can inflict great damage to the self esteem of a young child. There are a lot of great camps out there that are managed not only as a business but also as a safe and nourishing environment for the social development of children and young adults. Under its original ownership, Towanda was such a camp. But not under the directorship of Mitch and Stefanie. Unfortunately, they lead will fear rather than their hearts.
|
|
|
|
8/28/08 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
Towanda is the best camp in the world. this will be my third year and my bros 5th the worst thing about camp is leaving. I love towanda, and will go back until i am an ex camper. My family and i love towanda
|
|
|
|
8/26/08 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
I am 11 years old and i went to Towanda for the first time this summer. It wasn't a very good experience, like I always imagined. The girls in my bunk didn't like me, because they said I was a baby and couldn't go to camp earlier, even though it was only their 2nd or 3rd year, so I really didn't come that late. They didn't want to be friends with me because they all had their friends already. The counselors didn't even try to help me when I was sad! I felt like nobody cared about me. Besides that, the food wasn't very good. I am not going back next summer, because I am trying a new camp! I didn't like Towanda!!
|
|
|
|
8/14/08 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
CT was my home, when I didn't know a home. The Boys HC, and Asst. HC are the two corner stones on what is left of a great camp. I operations man. seemed to usually have his hands tied, due to the ever intolerable owner/director, and his wife. The kids there are for the most part fantastic, and there is an attempted air of greater family. I made many a good friend, and good business connections through this camp. !Parents! be wary of what you see on the tours, and what you hear from the Owner. Ask yourself, who puts the "center" of camp, by a cess pool?
|
|
|
|
8/1/08 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
3 |
I joined this camp when i was 15, the oldest age for campers and i made several new friends almost instantly. Everyone at this camp is close and I loved it there
|
|
|
|
7/27/08 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
Do not send your older kids here, over 10 yrs, they will be treated as outcasts, most of the kids have a clic by this age AND the owners do not even want the parents to know how badly their child feels, they will say the kids are having a great time but it may be the worst experience in a child's life- some of the most arrogant and rude children return this camp and Mitch and Stephanie care so much about the money, they do little to confront and handle this behavior professionally and do not even tell the parents how obscene their darlins are acting. This is a camp with unethical owners who jump only at the threat of a lawsuit. My kids were not happy Campers at all!
|
|
|
|
7/22/08 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
Camp Towanda is a woderful place for the right child. If your child falls in with a good group of kids and has no issues with the transition, things will be fine. The issue of concern is if your child has difficulty fitting in or if a sibling down the road has an issue of any kind, there will be little support from the owners/directors of the camp. Mitch and Stephanie purport to be your child's summer parents and that Camp Towanda is a family. In fact, when my child had an issue we encountered a lack of accessibility of the owners who had refused to return phone calls (they have underlings take care of the unpleasantries). Please be careful when making a decision about where to send your kids for the next 6 or 7 summers. Make sure that the camp will meet the needs of all of your childeren. With all of the wonderful camps in the area, I would strongly consider sending your kids elsewhere.
|
|
|
|
7/2/08 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
My three kids have been going to Towanda for a collective 14 summers. From a parent's perspective, all I can say is my kids live, eat and breath this camp. They count the days until the next summer is set to begin. Yes, my kids tend to fit into the "mold" and are very self sufficient. But I would have to say that if your kid is not self sufficient or is otherwise concerned about going away, this Camp is probably not the place. Tidbits of what I have heard from other parents whose kids were not comfortable at the camp verify that if you are not a cookie cutter, problem free kid, then expect no coddling or extra attention. I would also note that Mitch is a control freak and that he is, for the most part, putting on a false fase when he smiles and tells you everything is "great." If my kids didn't love the place so much, I would have pulled them out years ago. He is basically a "my way or the highway" type of person, and after 14 summers I still can't figure out what his wife does
|
|
|
|
6/11/08 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
This will be my third summer as a counselor at Towanda. I am returning because I care about the kids and it's truly a really fun place! Some of my co-staff members felt restricted, like they were treated like children and that they didn't get enough time off, but I like to think that the camp would not be as safe, nurturing or well-run without the strict rules and policies. I would not be able to run a camp better than Mitch and Stephanie. They love what they do and they truly care for the campers (AND staff) as if they were their own children. Don't work here if you want to make a lot of money, have a lazy summer, or if you can't handle the regular frustrations of working with children. The campers all seem to get a lot out of it. Overall, Towanda is a great place!
|
|
|
|
5/10/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Camp is my life. Born and raised, literally, at Towanda i was its child. if it wasnt for camp i dont know where i would be today. it has allowed me to keep the childside of me alive. It is the perfect place for a kid to grow up; under the bright, blue, scattered clouds, sun shining day with great friends and experiences awaiting you. Mitch, does a fabulous job, if not the best job at keeping people, happy, safe, entertained and welcome 24/7. if you think about it, he is really watching over 400 kids. if you asked me, tyou gotta be a little insane to do that. All you others who cant see the good, respectful and selfless person he is all the time, then i feel sorry for you. however, camp,let alone towanda, is not for some people. and i m sorry if ur first n last was with towanda but do got disrespecting it. just move on with your life. Camp gives kids a world of good.
|
|
|
|
4/8/08 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
This camp is unbelievably money-driven. Mitch is the smarmiest person I've ever met...completely fake and two-faced. If you're considering working there, BEWARE. They will treat you like servants. They generally make sure you know you're dispensible. (they fire roughly 10 staff members over the summer for ridiculous reasons, like having a bottle of tylenol in your toiletries bag). I had an absolutely miserable summer. Please send your kids somewhere else, and please never apply to work here. Towanda is a show. The owners are constantly "on". Only the staff see how they REALLY are. In addition, because the parents of all these kids are loaded beyond recognition, the owners are terrified of being sued. Staff members are outsiders and not part of the "old boys club" (except staff that are former campers and have been there for years). They have a very low turnover rate for staff (not a lot of people come back each year). One of the worst experiences of my life.
|
|
|
|
4/7/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
i think this camp is honestly fantastic. i have many friends who go there and they all say how fun it is. if it can satisfy them and make them happy then im sure it is a wonderful place worth trying. I would send my children there and reccommend it to my friends children
|
|
|
|
3/8/08 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Listen...this camp is none other than the worst camp in the world. I know someone (my close friend) who felt homesick and wanted to leave! Mitch threatened her dad or something and acted like total jerk! He cares about $$$ and is the meanest camp owner ever!!! Do yourself a favor and go to a different camp!
|
|
|
|
2/12/08 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
I have lived through some intolerable times, but working at Towanda was one of the worst experiences of my entire life! Time off was scarce. Staff would have been so much more effective and energized if they had additional time off. The kids had been together for years so they were impossibly cliquie; new girls or awkward girls had the worst time. I've been a teacher now for 8 years and to this day I have yet to see a more bratty, disrespectful group of kids. The pay was miserable. I actually went into debt working there. I'm sorry to say, but I completely agree with every one of the poor reviews on this site. I wouldn't send my child here. Mitch is a great salesman and I'm sure he would be a successful politician.
|
|
|
|
2/11/08 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
This camp is great for the kids...not the staff. The reason the staff seems to care alot about their time off is because they are treated like second class citizens. The camp is run very well and the supervision is amazing. The kids all seemed to have a great time and i was lucky enough to be in a cabin with some of the most fun kids on the planet. I guess going in you should realize that you're not going to make alot of money and you will be in misery at times but over all is rewarding. I'm going back to work at a different camp this year because towanda was not a good fight for me. I had an amazing experiance with the campers and the staff (made some of the best friends i'll ever have).
|
|
|
|
1/6/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
camp towanda is amazing, it's going to be my dom summer this year. and i am so sad that my summers at ct will be over soon. i've had soo many amazing experiences at towanda that i will never forget. ive met my bestfriends/sisters there, and will never lose touch with them. all you people saying bs about mitch. you dont know anything. he is he nicest most caring person ever. all he wants to do is comfort homesick campers and make sure the parents are well-informed. i love camptowanda, it is my second home. it has taught me so many life lessons, that i know my friends at other camps dont learn. towanda is the best, no matter how you put it.
|
|
|
|
11/26/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Camp Towanda is my summer home. People saying horrible things about it just well is definitely not true what so ever. It is an amazing place to be at. This will be my 7th summer and i know for a fact it is going to be amazing. I have a whole other family there who i anxiously wait to see every summer. The free spirited kids and traditions that stay alive is what makes Camp Towanda, Towanda. Mitch and Stephanie are kind and care a lot about all the campers. They remember everyones names. Can you remeber 400 names? i definitely can't but Mitch and Stephanie can. They make a huge effort to get to know each and every camper. I honestly don't know what life would have been like for me if i never came to this camp. Life would have been very different for me and i am so glad i entered the Camp Towanda family. It was the best choice i ever made. Towanda is simply amazing.
|
|
|
|
11/26/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Mitch does not only care about his money. If you are so concerned about the money, why would you send your child to this camp? NORMAL people pay money to have their child go to have an AMAZING time at a place where activities are great and where the traditions have been kept for a long time. Money is a big issue. You are sending you child away for 7 weeks. there are so many counselors. How do you think mitch is going to pay them more when there are so many of them to pay? I think that parents should be great full that mitch puts smiles on all of the campers faces each and every summer. If any one disagrees, then why don't you try doing mitche's job? he is responsible for 400 kids, and all you guys do is complain! think about it. you probably send your kid away for the summer not only for them to have a good time, but for you to have a "relaxing/kid free summer", and mitch is the one taking care of them all. so i think that Camp Towanda is an amazing camp. People should be great full.
|
|
*
|
11/6/07 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
I grew up at camp for 9 years and to be honest it has been nothing but the best years of my life. I was a camper for 7 years and a counselor for 2 years and I just love this place! I met some of my best friends at Towanda and they can't be replaced at all. I love all the activities and things that are offered. This place is absoultley amazinng and I couldn't imagine my life without it.
|
|
|
|
10/21/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Camp Towanda is an amazing camp for a child who is caring, friendly and looking to have a wonderful summer for themselves and their camp mates. The entire staff encourages everyone to create a sense of community and that is why so many kids and counselors become lifelong friends. This is not the place for children who put their own needs above anyone elses, or parents who think their child is better than any other child. If you are looking for high-tech or flashy, Towanda is not for you. If you are looking for a camp with old-fashioned values and a strong leadership, you will love Towanda. The athletic activities are designed to celebrate the participation of athletes and non-athletes and the camp finds ways to make every child "shine". The years my son has spent at Townada have been amazing; he waits all year for the day when he can get back on the bus. Each summer is 'the best summer of his life"!
|
|
|
|
9/11/07 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
this camp is the best camp on earth. i have gone for six years going to my seventh and i would spend my summer no where else.
|
|
|
|
8/10/07 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
The Owner Mitch is a Slave Driver to the staff!! He is only concerned about the $$$$$. He does not care about the kids-He cares about his $$$$. He treats the staff like crap!! Most of the staff come from overseas, and he pays them $15 a DAY to wash his car, cut the camp grass, weed wack, rake leaves, paint while he sits in his office counting his $$$$$$. He made his own child work in the laundry facility off camp one summer. This man is a control freak, a monster, and MOST OF ALL A FAKE!! Do not believe one word he says-Send your kids to a different camp - PLEASE!!
|
|
|
|
7/30/07 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
I went to this camp and it totally sucked. All we did was play the same games every single day for 7 weeks. BORING
|
|
|
|
7/27/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
anybody have a time machine? it's been our family camp for 3 generations, and to this day the memories,(rules and all)ramain happy and as loving as ever.still talk to my best friend fron almost 50years ago. it's a place of pure joy. i've never met anyone who went there who didn'y feel that way.
|
|
|
|
7/18/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
great place..tons of parent communication throughout the summer...rules which are enforced...tons of fun..great music played all the time...great lake...people are warm and know how to have fun...no japs
|
|
|
|
7/15/07 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
I did not choose to send my child to military camp, I wanted to see my children have a warm, happy, experience with activities that we could not provide. Instead, my chiidren feared Mitch and Stephanie did not step out of the garden. Dont forget to send your child with something they need, Mitch will go thru the roof if you send it to them. We as the partents never got the warm fuzzy feeling that were sending our children to a "second home". As it turned out that is not the experience they had either. Look into other camps that are not in it just for money and control (Mitch is a total control freak).
|
|
|
|
7/9/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My husband went to CT and both my sons are campers there now. We have always had a positive experience with the camp and the owners. My boys love it and my husband still talks about how amazing it was. My kids are lucky to go there.
|
|
|
|
6/17/07 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
Always thought Towanda was a good camp. But, once you get older you learn it is not that great. There are many rules to this camp, and the kids are brats. As a staff member this camp is not at all reasonable. The staff get paid below minimum wage and have a curfew at 12. From a parents point of view it seems great. But, they don't see the real Towanda. Before visiting day they make all the campers work on cleaning everything up like there is no tomorrow. First they have to clean up every piece of paper, even if its a scrap and then they make the bunks super duper clean so you have to pick up every piece of dust. Also counselors will destroy your stuff if it's not clean enough. But, once the parents leave the camp is a mess again. The owners are very involved, but quite annoying. And I heard they transfered this camp into a uniform camp!! I repeat they turned it into a uniform camp!! Which is not summer fun to kids!
|
|
|
|
6/15/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
This camp, there are no words to exactly describe my feelings for it. I love it more than anyone could ever know. It is only my 3rd year but i feel as though I have been going there my entire life. Camp Towanda has changed my life in so many ways, I feel like I belong there. I reccomend this camp to anyone and everyone who is looking for excitement and the feeling of home. I love everyone I met at my camp, I will never forget them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
SYSTEM: 3 negative duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
|
|
4/12/07 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
boy are the owners a bunch of jerks. when the Nordans used to own it, they kept it on the smaller, more manageable side. now they have like 450 campers. all the owners care about is money. such BS. the owner talks on the PA all day long. he loves to hear himself speak. and his wife, she does nothing but the garden club. she's very witchlike. campers have fun there, but the whole thing is just too pretentious and moneyhungry. its a business not a warm place, which is what i want for my 4 kids.
|
|
|
|
11/6/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Mitch and Stephanie are some of the most nuturing, nice people around. Some people may say that he doesen't provide individual attention but he does the best he can. The two great Head Councelors, Bob and Linda are quite responcible and will handle any and every problem. Bob has taught me so many things about camp and about life. He is a great guy. Camp Towanda is the best camp and I dread to think that next August I will be too old to go there as a camper anymore. To parents, don't hesitate to send your kid. It will be the best summer of his life and he or she will be begging to go back. To campers, enjoy your time at Camp. Because before you know it, you'll walk into the Club or Dorm. You'll have the best summer of your life one last time and then you'll have to say goodbye to camp. Just enjoy your time and treasure every moment with your friends. C2K7! C.L.U.B. YOU KNOW WHO YOU WANT TO BE...THE CLUB, THE CLUB, YOU WISH YOU WERE THE CLUB!
|
|
|
|
10/26/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Camp towanda has honestly taught me so much about life. From making friendships that will last a lifetime, to loosening up and having fun, camp towanda is a perfect enviornment for anybody. seriously, if you say one negative comment about my summer home, it really hurts me. the only place i could look forward to 10 months of the year. i cant beleive im nearing my last summer ever but I LOVE DORM 2007!!! WOOOOOOOO
|
|
|
|
10/24/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Camp Towanda is my home. Its the only place that I long to go back to when I am at home. My life would just not be the sam without it. I don't know if its the people who work there, my friends, or just the enviornment. Those three ingredients are what build Camp Towanda. From the moment you get there in June if you are a new camper, you are accepted into a the growing Camp Towanda family. You will feel accepted every single day of the summer. The emotion of camp brings tears to my eyes, its a place that is supposed to make you happy, but it is a place where you need someones shoulder to cry on. Wheather you are competing in an intercamp game or olympics there will always be someone to lean on. At camp there are so many people who I can say are my role models some are staff members but most are my camp friends and the dorm and club. I have been at camp since I was a little girl. Its really all I know. It is going to be the hardest place to leave since I am nearing my dorm summer. <3333
|
|
|
|
8/28/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
camp towanda. is actully the most amazing thing i have ever expereinced in my life i made the most amazing friends that i can tell will last me forever i think to my self everyday and cry wishing i was there not home camp is the most amazing thing i have in my life nd i would do anything 2 b thr right now i wouldnt give camp up for anything in the world i try to explain what camp does to me but its actully impossible because its unexplainable and camp changed my life forever towanda will b with me forever nd i wouldnt trade anything in the world for my camp expereince idk who i would be without towanda. and seriously all the bad comments about towanda r b.s. mitch?! are u kidding he is the most amazing guy in the world all he does is care about his campers. he knows everyones name nd he loves camp. camp changed my life and i love it more then anything in the world i love my seniors of 2006 and dorm 2007 will be amazingg. camp is my lie nd i love it more then u do. love always stefanie
|
|
|
|
8/28/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
this is deffinitally the best camp ever. no camp can get better than this one. amazing staff and campers. top notch
|
|
|
|
8/28/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
camp towanda is the most amazing place in the world. its actually my home and anyone and everyone that goes there has the best summer of their life. its actually my obsession and i would die without it! i love camp towanda so much and my 29 sisters <3
|
|
|
|
6/13/06 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
Have been going to this camp for 5 years. The director is strict; the camp is very well run with great supervison. All the kids have a great time and lots of fun!
|
|
|
|
3/24/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
We have had a very good experience at Camp Towanda. The camp is also very concerned with the safety and well being of all the children, which in my opinion, is one of the most important criteria when choosing a camp.
|
|
