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Comments
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2/5/19 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Five summers ago, we spent 2.5 months looking for the "best" camp to send my brothers, aged 8 and 12 at the time. We emailed about 20 camps trying to get a feel for a camp that would provide a great summer. We decided on Camp Birch Hill and hoped for the best. When we called the boys 2 weeks later, we could not believe how quickly they fell in love with camp. Their voices were scratchy from cheering on their peers and they were eager to get off the phone to go hang out with their friends.
Words cannot express my gratitude for what Camp Birch Hill has done for Chris and Alex. Though Chris aged out of camp, Alex is going back for his sixth year. I can't remember a time when he didn't talk about how perfect camp is and how he wishes he were at camp every day.
Camp became a haven for the boys. There were so many overwhelming camps to choose from that first year, and I cannot believe how lucky we were by choosing Camp Birch Hill.
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11/2/18 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
If you are in the market for a premier camping experience for your son(s)/daughter(s) you will find it in Camp Birch Hill! One summer we found Camp Birch Hill and now my son's entire year is spent counting the days from one summer ending until the next year's summer session starts. It doesn't just have all the amazing activities, field trips, etc., it's a haven for kid's to hang out, be themselves & make friendships that will last them forever all over the world.
We love Camp Birch Hill!
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4/27/18 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
This will be my daughter’s 3rd year going to Camp Birch Hill. We happened upon finding this camp by accident in a local newspaper in Vermont. I have to say, for my daughter, this was the best accident we ever made. Camp Birch Hill is an amazing, safe, wonderful, welcoming, awesome place where my daughter has learned and grown. Camp Birch Hill has shaped her life in a very positive way, she has made lasting contacts, and memories that will never fade. The camp is clean and organized, the “admin” (parent side) is streamlined, clear and easy. The staff are simply wonderful. My daughter used to go to another summer camp, but since finding Camp Birch Hill, she has no interest in anywhere else, and I’m totally fine with that!
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4/4/18 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My son has been attending Camp Birch Hill for the past three summers and he can’t wait to return again this year. He has begged me to sign us up for very session because he doesn’t want to miss a single day there. I am grateful at how willing Chrissy is to work with me on finances and after our many years trying our different summer camp programs, we have finally found home.
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11/16/17 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Our son (now in fourth grade) had a wonderful summer at Birch Hill last year. The small, family atmosphere appealed to us, as well as the camp dogs, the beautiful setting, and the variety of activities. The staff is so engaged, supportive and loving, they foster a sense of community and acceptance. Our son had so much fun, and he came back a more confident, more mature, more reflective person. He took risks and tried new things, but felt no pressure to do anything he didn't want to. One afternoon this fall, my as we were driving home from karate, he recalled, "You know, it's funny. When you dropped me off at Birch Hill last summer, I was crying because I had never been away from home before. And when you picked me up, I was crying because I didn't want to leave." I think that sums it up. He wants to go for two sessions next year.
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5/7/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
We love Camp Birch Hill. Our daughter has gone to Birch Hill for five years in a row. Each time she had a wonderful experience. The staff is friendly and caring. And the facilities are perfect for the kids. Our son now looks forward to going as well. Thanks Camp Birch Hill! :)
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3/29/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
This past summer at Camp Birch Hill was my daughter's first overnight camp experience--and we couldn't have asked for a better outcome. From the setting on the lake to the variety of activities to the cabins, it truly felt like a classic summer camp. Perhaps most important, we were extremely grateful for the responsible and caring counselors. She made great, lasting friendships as evidenced by a mini-reunion with a bunch of her cabin mates over the winter holiday break. I also found the camp management to be very responsive. I felt as if Chrissy, in particular, genuinely wanted my feedback and truly cared about my daughter's experience. Our only bump had to do with the availability and variety of gluten-free vegetarian food (not easy under any circumstance). This however did not influence my daughter's commitment to return this summer. I feel incredibly lucky that she had such a positive experience in such a beautiful location with a
caring group of counselors. Home run.
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3/23/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I worked at Camp Birch Hill in the late 1990's, and now my children attend here. The Morell's do such a great job of creating a family atmosphere for all the campers and staff at Birch Hill. In today's world of ever increasing specialization of kids activities(sports camps, drama camp, etc), it's so nice to have a place where kids can go play sports, practice a play, ride a horse, throw a pot, and swim in the lake all in the same day! As a counselor I met people who I still consider some of my best friends to this day, and I have no doubt my kids will finish Birch Hill with many life long friends as well. What a great camp experience.
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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"Nature-Based Arts and Crafts" - http://campbusiness.com/current-issue... |
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4/2/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Best best best best best best best best best best best best place on earth. My 3 boys go every year for the full 6 weeks and only wish there were 8. Birch Hill is magic in it's simplicity. If you want your kid to get all the bells and whistles - don't go to Birch Hill. But if you want the most genuine, positive, all accepting, open-minded, camp, all set to the most gorgeous slice of New Hamprshire's Blue Moutains., you should come!
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10/6/15 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My son tried a number of different camps over the years. I was all but ready to give up on him ever feeling safe and happy at camp until we attended a camp fair in our area and he came running up to me with a Birch Hill t-shirt exclaiming, "This is where I want to go!" I took a leap of faith, trusted his instinct and he has been happily returning to Birch Hill for the past three summers. My one regret is that we did not find the camp sooner as he is going to age out soon. He loves the no-pressure attitude of the camp. He is invited to try new activities but not forced to participate. He feels capable and confident in his own good judgement at camp. He has made good friends each summer and comes home relaxed and healthy from a summer of recreation, friendship, and down time. I looked at so many different camps and I have found Birch Hill to be a great value for the price as well. Their facilities are decent and their offerings for activities are varied. My son even raves about the food.
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5/5/15 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
We love this camp! and so does our daughter. Every year she wants to go longer. I appreciate that all their camp councilors are college students, not high school., with an eye toward education. They are wonderful role models. And several have kept in touch with our daughter thru the years. A good all around camp. The kids often will try new things every year. Great friendships have continued to grow with the friends they met and the staff. We often remark, that we want to go to this camp too! Love it and so will your child.
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3/27/15 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Fantastic positive attitude is found in every councilor and staff person. They have a culture of enthusiasm. I'm also pleased that there are no screens anywhere !
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11/10/14 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My daughter attended Birch Hill this summer and loved it! She is only 8 years old and it was her first sleep away camp so both her and myself were very nervous about her going. When I went to pick her up she asked me to sign her up again for next year! Her counselors were great, she was able to participate in all of the activities she signed up for and she made a ton of friends. I already signed her up for next year and am talking her friends from school into going with her. I would highly recommend Birch Hill to anyone who's kids are looking to spend some time outside for the summer!
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8/22/14 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
BEWARE! Careless,negligent and lazy. My child was told by 'nurse' she didn't need her inhaler, that it wouldn't help her. Their was a lice outbreak because they couldn't be bothered with their 'mandatory' head check on a late arrival camper.Many items did not come home with daughter. Camps attitude was "oh well", their lack there of explanations makes no sense. Never again, I work to hard for my money.
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3/27/14 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My daughter has attended Camp Birch Hill, which we chose because it is a choice camp, for five years. She loves it, and will be a C.I.T. this summer! My son, who had a hugely successful weeklong tryout when he was six years old, has been going for four years. Both get to enjoy their favorite activities, make good friends and try new things. The atmosphere is relaxed, fun and caring: we highly recommend it!
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1/22/14 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
We are a West Coast family. My son started a Birch Hill at 8 years old. He loves it! The 1st year he went, the only time he called home was to ask to stay longer. The staff has been so welcoming and helpful as he has to travel alone each year to get there. We never worry about him with that kind of care. He has made friends for life, he emails his counselors and talks about the activities all year.
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11/18/13 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
Birch Hill is a place where kids can let go of the pressures of everyday adolescent life and just remember what it is like to be a kid again. It is a place where campers and counselors alike grow as people and make positive memories that will last a lifetime. The activities are fun and the elective schedule allows campers to choose what they would like to do to enhance their experience at camp.
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11/12/13 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
I loved my summers at camp birch hill! The freedom and flexibility to create my own schedule of activities I wanted to do made it a unique and unforgettable experience. The awesome staff made cabin time fun and program times enriching. I recommend this camp! Best pancakes in the world!
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11/12/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
The general definition of success states it as the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. To me, success means growing into a person that you would personally respect and want to spend time with, but it also means perfecting the ability to live in the moment. Dwelling on the past and worrying about the future are the last things that should preoccupy a 6-16 year-old. If there is any time of your life that you can't re-live, it's your youth. Partly because metabolisms, knees and hairlines aren't what they used to be, but mostly because it's too late to be a Birch Hill camper as an adult! Imagine waking up one summer morning to the smell of pine, fresh air, and the fact that breakfast is already being prepared. It's superhero day so your whole cabin shows up with towels tied around their necks and six-packs drawn on their stomachs for extra points. The rest of the day is spent sailing, painting, and laughing. At CBH, you never want the day to end, but you can't wait for tomorrow.
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7/5/13 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
I attended this camp as a fourteen year old. I am now twenty years old, working my third summer as a camp counselor at an overnight camp for girls. I work hard to make sure my campers do not have the same experience that I had at Camp Birch Hill. While at CBH, I had to work hard to seek out positive role models who I trusted and who were approachable. My counselor picked obvious favorites and did not foster an inclusive environment. Furthermore, she failed to respond to the continuous classic mean-girl bullying that went on in my cabin, nearly always targeted at me. I remember sneaking into the director's office and the nurse's office multiple times to call my friends at home crying because I thought nobody liked me. Even after camp ended, the harassment continued on facebook. For the sake of insecure teenage girls like me, I really hope this camp's choice of staff has changed for the better.
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6/14/13 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
My son loves camp birch hill. This is his second year attending. The staff are wonderful. There are so many options for fun depending on what you child likes to do. They are creative in their activities such as their "dress like a twin" and funny dances. My son loved the white water rafting trip. This was his first "away" camp. I could tell right away that I didn't have to worry about him - they put two counselors in each cabin and kids quickly made friends. When we picked him up at the end he immediately told me he was going to get a job so he could pay to come back the following year! I likes that the food choices were healthy as well.
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5/6/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My kids absolutely LOVE this camp. It is a truly special place. Rich has a heart of gold and the kids just love him. He knows every camper by name. My kids learned how to water-ski and sail and they still talk about camp every day. They can't wait to go back! The grounds are rustic but that is the way camp is supposed to be. The lake is warm and crystal clear. I feel very safe with my kids at CBH. So happy I found this camp.
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5/5/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Birch Hill is a great place. The staff are welcoming, and my child felt right at home!
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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12/12/12 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
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8/18/12 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
I personally love Camp Birch Hill but in all honesty, it is starting to fall apart. The staff could be better. The activities could be better. But, the people are really nice and its an overall great place. Its good for new campers too!
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8/12/12 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
My child went to this camp a few years ago. The facilities were in disrepair and there was trash on the ground. My child told me that many of her activities did not happen because kids would just decide not to show up to a certain activity, and then the counselors would decide that there were too few campers to run the activity. This camp did not seem to be very well run at all.
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7/11/12 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
My 8 year old traveled alone from the West Coast to go to Camp Birch Hill. We were worried, but then he called after 2 weeks asking to stay longer! I really feel that they love my child and treat him well and with respect. He is already talking about being a CIT in 5 years and then working there in college!!
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7/10/12 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I absolutely love camp birch hill!! All of the counselors are very nice and are all very welcoming! I think about birch hill year round and I am constantly thinking about it! I have so much fun there from the activities to bonding with all of my cabins!! I contact all of my camp friends year round and I am soo glad that I met them! Going to Camp Birch Hill is an amazing experience for me and has truly shaped me into a better person. Camp Birch Hill is truly my home away from home! Yahoooo!!!
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7/8/12 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
While the camp does provide all of the activities it describes, the facilities are frankly old and have only the barest of maintenance. The bikes, paint ball guns, and Hobie cat sailboats all were barely functioning, and more time is spent trying to patch them up than actually partaking in the activities. My son didn't get in a single mountain bike ride without someone's bike breaking and having to walk home. It seems that the camp is more interested in making money then keeping up its facilities.The paintball course is literally just rotting pieces of plywood, the original obstacle course was built about 10 years ago, and has been left in the mud ever since. I didn't even notice it at first, it just looked like forest. I actually laughed when the counselor tried to explain it away. Just a bad experience all around for my son. The food is cooked by the owner's daughter Chrissy, it's nothing good, just plain mass-produced food.
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7/23/11 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
oh my god this is THE best place in the world i love it so much i had to leave today and i cried for hours along with everyone from the little 6 year old girl all the way to a fully grown man crying about how sad he is to see his awesome cabin leave i saw everyone at the camp cry because leaving i love every little thing there the screen door of chalet shutting to the ocean painted bus i cant describe it but every single second at this camp was the best moments of my life!!! if you dont decide to go here you are crazy i love it so much the only thing i cud complain about is not going to camp earlier i really wish i started going to birch hill when i was 6!no one every leaves because they are homesick but people do come back because they are campsick i miss camp soo much i miss it all the way up until the first day of camp the next year and rich the camp owner is the best person alive during pc i wud go in the gator with him and hand out ice pops to everyone he is the best person alive!
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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7/24/10 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My 13 year old son just returned from this camp and he had am amazing time! My husband and I spent all night listening to his stories, and I was so impressed. He had never been way to camp and he was very hesitant about going, however, I researched camps and thought Camp Birchwood had a lot of activites that he had never done before, and I was right. First their are tons of activites and the makeup of the camp allows for kids to change activies and do what they want, ie.. some days he chose to do one activity spur of the moment. He really liked all of the counselors, they are a great and personable group of college age students that really enjoy being there. He went on and on about the night activies, such as all of these great games he played each evening. He was happy with the food and as a 13 year old he was never hungry, which is impressive, he also had drinks at his disposal through out the day and a great dessert each night. He wants to go back next year for the summer!
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8/11/09 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Ive always wanted to go to a summer camp. Im thinking about going to Birch Hill next summer because it looks so fun. Ill be 15 when I go and I was wondering what it's like your first time there.
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7/16/09 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
Birch Hill is such an amazing camp!! I went there and my only problem was that I was a new girl in a cabin of 6 people and I was the only new girl. This one girl was mean to me, apparently only because it was my first year. Everyone else was mean to me too only because she was. It annoyed me but everything else about the camp was downright amazing, except for the fact that they tell you not to bring money but there's a candy store on campus (???). Otherwise a great camp and definitely a must-go if you're looking for a great summer camp!
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2/11/09 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
As a lifelong camper from the age of 4 at over 10 different camps, Camp Birch Hill is by far the best experience of my life! It's somewhere you can go and just be yourself and make the closest friends that will last a lifetime. I went starting when I was 10 and this summer I will go back to be a counselor for the second time. The people are amazing, the activities are great, the freedom of choosing a schedule makes everyone happy. I would recommend this camp to anyone looking to have an amazing, adventurous, unforgettable summer! YAHOO. -Natalie
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2/10/09 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I spent my childhood summers at Birch Hill and it is awesome to see all these great comments and that the camp is still going strong! Some of my best friends are still the guys and girls I met at camp; I highly recommend this camp to all parents and prospective campers!
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1/28/09 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Camp Birch Hill is really my home away from home, like it is for most kids that go there. On on your first day when you step out of your car into the fresh air with trees surrounding you, you fall in love with the whole place. The councilors are amazing and so much fun I had to give them a 4 because I think they could do a little little better but not much. From day 1 to how many days you spend everyone makes you feel just like your are at home and you feel like you have known everyone four years. If you can I would highly recommend going. If you worry about the nights don't, by the time you go to bed you have had a full day and at night before bed you have an evening activity. Camp Birch Hill really is my home away from home! I LOVE CAMP BIRCH HILL!
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10/30/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
hey next year i am probably going to go to birch hill!!!! but do u think 14 years old is too old to start camp??? please respond!!! can't wait till summer! =)
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4/14/08 |
5 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
Camp Birch Hill is soooooo much fun and I loved it. The kids were soo sick. The counselors had to be some of the most chill people I have ever met(special props to josh and tony). The facilities are not very good but if you let yourself go you will have an amazing time. Rich does what he can to make sure everyone has a great time. I wish that kyle was still director but jake and chad are doing a solid job. Camp Birch Hill is my home...Wish i could go back this year =(...but overall it is where i could really be myself.I hope my kids can experience the magic of camp birch hill.
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3/25/08 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
This camp may not be as fancy as some other ones, but it has a lot of good things. The directors love their job and they love to help the kids. For example, Rich [director] knows every kid's name, every single one. He'll do whatever he can to make the kids happy and secure. The counselors are really great, they're fun and love kids. The facilities could be better, but it is camp. The activities aren't incredibly structured, there isn't a 'planned' lesson, but the intructors know what they're doing and make it fun. I love Birch Hill, and going back for my 4th year this summer!
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10/4/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I loveee Birch Hill sooo much it is the best camp ever!!!! and i can't wait to go back next summer!
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3/15/07 |
5 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
i met some truly amazing people there. birch hillhas rules, but at the same time it isnt overly strict. the schedule is flexible and the director rich does whatever he can to make sure kids have an awesome time. i spent 4 years as a camper there. inevitably, there will always be people who you dont like. at birch hill, i got along with everyone. its a fantastic summer experience and a true camp experience. riding in the bus painted like a cow, trips to wal mart (sounds lame but was actually quite fun), and going mud sliding are just a few of my favorite memories. in conclusion, camp birch hill is amazing.
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2/14/07 |
5 |
2 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
this camp is so amazing. who cares if the stuff is falling apart... the people you meet there will be your best friends forever. the counsellors are amazing, and can totally relate to you. amazing camp. not good if your parents are super protective though. so much fun.
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2/13/07 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
since my first time at birch hill, the memories have never been able to slip my mind. All the great times and amazing activities all lead to the best summer ever! Even though i aged, i still wanted to go back to camp and i did, as a counselor. the waterfront is great and the togetherness of the camp is unsurpassable! BEST EXPERIENCE EVER!! even i say Yahooooo from time to time... best choice i ever made. -Jessa
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2/12/07 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
Speaking as both a past camper as well as counselor, I spent YEARS at Birch Hill and feel I am a good source on the in's and out's of BH. BH is a traditional summer camp that isn't run to impress with new and high tech facilities, but run in a way to let kids be kids and grow through exercise and fun. The camp directors are truly passionate about kids and providing a summer that allows for new friends, experiences and activities. Their enthusiasm flows through camp and becomes part of the campers, the counselors, and is the spirit of Birch Hill. It saddens me to read that not all campers enjoyed BH, but one must realize there is no such thing as a perfect summer camp -- but BH comes pretty darn close. As a working professional, I hope BH is still around when I have kids, so they might experience the magical summers I had as a child.
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11/25/06 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
this camp was ok. some of the campers were REALLY MEAN. but i LUVED THE COUNSLERS. the owners were SO FUN. i miss the dogs 2. but i found a better camp so HAHAHAHA
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11/16/06 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
2 |
4 |
It's SO COOL THERE!! YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! .. |____|
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9/19/06 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
I love getting to pick your own activities and it is a lot of fun. It would be nice if it were less expensive, but it is still a great camp...and they send Holiday gifts! I haven't been for a couple years, and I miss the dogs!
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8/30/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I don't know what that other person was talking about, Birch Hill is incredible! The fact that the staff are relaxed about everything is a good thing - it adds to the whole "independant" piece of sleepaway camp. All of the campers I've been with over the last few years have gone back until they get too old. This person probably just had a bad experience and is venting their anger by giving Birch Hill a bad rating. So what if the facilities aren't incredible, it's not a five-star hotel after all. It's the activities and, most of all, the people that made this camp one of my best summer experiences ever!
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