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Comments
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8/1/24 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Our son participated in the inclusion camp for the first time this summer, and it was a remarkable experience. He came home wit so many joyful stories and newfound independence and confidence. What a special place!
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7/7/23 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My son is spending his second summer at Round Lake and we are so happy that we found this camp! He has developmental delays and we never thought that we would be able to find a sleep away camp for him. Having grown up going to camps every summer - I was devastated thinking my son wouldn’t get that opportunity. I looked at special needs camp but they didn’t seem a fit, and I knew mainstream camps weren't an option as there wasn't enough support.
Round Lake has been perfect. The camp provides the support he needs but in a integrated setting. He loves camp and has made such great friends. And when he got back after his first summer, I could immediately see the positive impact sleep away camp had on him- he came back more independent, more confident and so, so happy! For anyone looking for a camp that provides extra support but in a mainstream environment - you should be looking at Round Lake!
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7/15/19 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
RLC is the most outstanding camp of its kind. My son has been attending Round Lake Camp for 13 summers. He has developmental delays and socialization issues. RLC is a magical place, we have never seen him happier. He has grown, emotionally, by leaps and bounds every year he has attended. Not only does he have a beautiful, supportive environment to thrive, make friends, swim, play ball in a place he feels is his second home, the independence and skills he develops each summer is beyond expectations. The counselors, support staff, camp officials, and most critically, the Director, Aryn Bauer are the most professional, kind and caring people we have ever met. Our son has the best time of his life when he is at camp. If you are looking for an amazing Camp for your child with special needs, do not pass go, go right to Round Lake Camp. It will be the most worthwhile thing you can ever offer your child. Thank you Round Lake, you are the best!
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7/15/19 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My brother has been coming to Camp Round Lake for 13 years and has loved every single second of it! Even though his counselors change every few years, they're always fantastic! The lake is beautiful and clean and they have a ton of great activities to do (jet skiing, banana boats, water slides, a water trampoline, etc.) The camp grounds are beautiful as well. This is a classic summer camp where you can really tell everyone loves it there and always has a great time. I would never want my brother to go anywhere else!
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7/14/19 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My daughter has been at Round Lake Camp for the past 4 summers. I noticed some negative reviews from years back. I can't speak to how the camp was run 10 years ago, but I can tell you that for the past 4 years, it has been run very professionally and very well. The counselors proactively communicate with me. The head of the camp takes care to make sure the right kids are in the right bunks. And, they do not tolerate kids being mean to (physically or verbally) other kids. Also, the staff gives the kids a lot of choice in how they spend their day. Some kids play sports, other kids spend time playing music or at theater. I'd highly recommend this camp.
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6/16/19 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
Male Sexual Harraser at camp for 2nd Year. Disgusting Attitude towards Women. He is racist. Aryn Let Him Back with Complaints. A Joke. Fire Him.
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8/1/18 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My 2 boys with special needs have had exemplary care at camp this summer! I would highly recommend round lake camp!
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9/4/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Our daughter just spent her fifth summer at Round Lake Camp. She loves the camp and has made great friends there that carry through beyond the summer. the activities are many and diverse. The Jewish elements provide a meaningful dimension to the camp and they celebrate shabbat in beautiful ways. It is a very nurturing camp and our daughter comes back more independent and happier each summer. The staff is warm, caring and attentive and the administrative team quite responsive. I would recommend this camp most highly!
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6/8/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My son went to Round Lake last year for the first time! He had just turned 11. For me, nervous was an understatement! The staff was amazing! He participated in both Round Lake and Nah Jee Wah activities! He made friends and thrived in a way that was so amazing! Truth is, he found his community at Round Lake. The staff kept me informed and I looked on line every day for photos and loved to see his smiling face!! He tried new activities and had the best time. As soon as he left, he looked forward to returning next summer! You are in the RIGHT place! I hope my son will have the same amazing time this year, as he did last year!!
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5/17/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Round lake Camp has truly been one of the greatest blessings in my son’s life. He was a reluctant camper three years ago, and now counts the days until he gets on the bus. It has exceeded both of our expectations, taking a deeply meaningful path that couldn’t have been predicted. Firstly, he came out of his shell and returned a much more independent child that every parent hopes to see from the experience. I credit the incredibly sensitive and attentive staff that always finds creative ways to keep my son engaged. Secondly, he’s made friendships that 1he’s sustained and that sustain him throughout the year. Most unexpectedly, a first summer crush became a healthy first relationship with a young woman and they continue to spend time together during the year. They now independently explore Manhattan together and share long talks over lunch; at feat of self-determination I never imagined on their part. I credit the staff again for persistently reinforcing the message of trying new things
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9/22/14 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
My son had to come home after two weeks. That was in June. I STILL have not received the promised refund and it's now late September. Don't send your kids here.
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8/28/13 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Easily the worst experience of my life. I went to this camp when I was a teenager, and about 10 years later I still remember it as the low point of my life so far. I am hot exaggerating when I say the other campers physically beat me up every single day, and the counselors did NOTHING to stop it. When they weren't hitting me they were treating me like crap, and one of the COUNSELORS contributed to this as well. The camp administration was unsympathetic and refused to let me speak to my parents for more than 5 minutes. I came home bruised all over. Again, the staff made absolutely no effort to prevent this, and in fact contributed to the verbal abuse. The fact that this place is still allowed to operate disgusts me.
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7/7/13 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
The counselors force the campers to do activities that they are uncomfortable with. For example, I never really enjoyed the advanced swimming, active sports, Olympics Day, and Israeli Day (these last 2 go on all day). Also, there is a developmentally delayed camper who bothers the other campers and is not dealt with. In general, this is not a camp for kids with asperger's because they don't seem to be socially accepted.
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4/9/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My daughter has gone to Round Lake for 2 years (second session ) and this year she is sooooo excited to go for the full summer. She has developed friendships with other teens that are a lot like her. The thoughts of going back to see them and experience a " normal" teenage gathering without being judged by others sets not only her mind , but also our families minds at ease. I have NO complaints about the facility,food,staff or cost of program. Thank you to the people who make this a positive experience. Also LOVE seeing daily pics of the activities,.,. A parent can always read their child's feelings through their expression . Good summer 2013 !!!
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9/22/12 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
THIS CAMP TOTALLY SUCKED! I've been there for six years and i've been through two director changes! Everyone is treated like kindergardeners! EVen the eighteen year olds. I only liked two things about round lake. The play and hanging with my friends. EVERYONE HAS TO PARTICIPATE IN EVERYTHING! WHY WOULD I EVER DO THAT! DUH!! And there was barely any play practice summer 2012. and paying 4 it is soo not worth it!! I'd recommend a nicer camp. I really liked the counselors, but the camp bosses them wayy too much in a horrible way. For example, making us do everything. Do not go to this camp, or any other njy camp! They have the worst food EVER! IT'S WAYY 2 KOSHER!! BOO!!! Everyone tells me that they HATE RLC! It looks like such a poor camp!
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5/27/12 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
this place is the pits. they built some new buildings but mainly for the staff & owners. This owner Woddy is "woody wacko" HE SHOULD NOT BE AROUND KIDS. DC & Jamie are nice but you can see they really fake it for the parents. The staff is more interested in getting out to the bars and their relationships:) than kids. These people are in it to take your money & should get OUT. My parents found me a Much better camp & many of my new friends aren't returning the kids that go there are great yet spoiled a little Jappy
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5/18/12 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Interviewed with this camp and after a lengthy negotiation process where they agreed to the employment conditions and checked my references. They began to change and modify the contract terms for the offered the position. The director changed the agreed salary, dates, and travel arrangements. They cant be trusted, to do what they say now, they won't do what they promise later. I wouldn't recommend working for or with this camp, they have a hard time recruiting staff, and can only get people interested by making promises they can't keep. Wish I'd known earlier, but consider myself lucky to have found out now before I was stuck in the middle of a camp.
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1/10/12 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Don't send your kids here. I worked here for two Summers, and I still don't know why I came back. The place is run by nasty, power-hungry people who will make sure your Summer is miserable if they decide they don't like you. They purposely humiliated me in front of campers on multiple occasions. The facilities are horrible, I mean if you look at the bunks you'll see. The other counselors don't actually know what they're doing. They all would go out and get blind drunk whenever they could. They are not the kind of people you should be trusting your special needs child with. Send your child anywhere else but here.
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SYSTEM: 3 negative duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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10/24/09 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My daughter had a wonderful summer. The counselors and administrators made sure that she felt comfortable in her new surroundings. We even made a surprise visit and found her having a great time. I did not witness any of the appalling things listed in some of the other reviews. In fact, my daughter can't wait to go back next summer and we will be sending her!!!
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10/23/09 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
My daughter had a wonderful summer. The activities were never ending and the staff were enthusiastic and attentive to her needs. The administation was very helpful and friendly and made me feel comfortable leaving my daughter in their care. We can't wait for next summer!!
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10/20/09 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My son has learning disabliltes and has always experienced difficulty with social interactions and making friends. He has never had so many friends than he has at RLC and they last through the year. He feels comfortable and confident when he is here. He actually fits in, he belongs. The staff is professional and dedicated. There is such a wide variety of activities from swim and sports to art and theater, computer and music. It's a great place to be.
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10/20/09 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
As a professional, what encouraged me to recommend this camp was the recognition of what the child needs by Sheira Director-Nowack. She has a keen insight into not only the diagnosis but how to make sure the child is placed in the appropriate bunk. The administration has been responsive to my phone calls and questions on a consistent basis and always present themselves as nothing but professional.
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10/20/09 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
my daughter has been here for five summers. And gets the greatest summer experience of her life...thank you
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8/19/09 |
5 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
One can overlook the condition of the facilities. The camp is clean but just a little run down looking. You are not sending your child to Round Lake for the facilities. The children go there to get a chance to socialize with their other children with high functioning disabilities. My son is 15 and went for the first time this summer. He couldn't stop saying how much he loved it. This is not his first experience at a special needs camp either. The counselors ans staff understand the needs of these children and really work with tem on their social issues. My son was so relaxed that he appeared like a"normal" teenager when we visited him on visiting day.
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8/5/09 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Stay away from this camp at all costs. The management is non-responsive, dishonest and does not follow any of the rules and policies outlined in their promotional material. My twins were sent up with a private counselor who the camp basically stole away from me and tried to send home my children early and keep her on. I ended having to pick them up early because the camp said they could not handle them and did keep the private counselor. When I got there, my boys were so ill with respiratory and flu symptoms and had been in the infirmary yet I had not been contacted. My children have been home sick yet the camp refuses to tell me what sickness is going around nor reimburse me. I even reported the camp to the CDC and Pennsylvania department of health yet the camp did not care. The management is completely unresponsive and should not be licensed by the camping association or allowed to run such a disgusting dirty poorly run camp. Shocking no one has reported them!!
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2/5/08 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
This following summer will be my fifth and final year at this camp. I have learned so much each summer and have made amazing friendships. I disagree with the person below who called their bunkmates 'retards' and that the camp is only for the mildest disabilities. I,too, am aware that the staff tries to bunk people with whom they best fit in with; however, everyone at Round Lake attends for a specific reason, and people need to respect those differences. I think that this helps kids learn to be more accepting, and the interactions with other campers teach how to get along and communicate with other people. It's understandable that people may need different amounts of help, and I think the camp could improve on managing that balance between those who do need more and those who less. Still tolerance and respect should be practiced, whatever conditions, all the time.
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10/3/07 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
I highly dissagree with the person below, obviously, u have never been a camper there, obviously, u have never seen the kids, there are fights every day, its like juvie except no guards, no one cares, since i was a camper there last year, i would know, the this camp is terrible, it is in terrible condition, u probably have never seen inside the bunks, the stuff they have is crap, nothing works, i mean in my bunk the fricken toilets didnt work, if u wanna say special needs go ahead, but it is for way more severe special needs, i mean when kids need there behinds wiped by the counsolers, its really bad, the fights that go on are a disaster, and talk about no supervision, if u wanna screw around, go to this camp, if u want ur special need child to go to a camp, find a day camp, so u dont have to pay a rediculous amount of money for camp or spend money on crap like this.
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7/9/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My daughter now goes here after 4 years at pricey, exclusive Summit Camp and she likes this camp better! She thinks the people are nicer here and there are less kids with sever mood issues. Summit is a good camp, but it is NOT worth the extra money. This camp is every bit as good or better. But as with any special needs camp, what works for one may not work for another.
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4/20/07 |
5 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
What I found really sets this camp apart is the knowledge of the key staff of the campers. They know what they're doing. The counselors who come here really take pride in what they do and have a genuine interest in working with and helping these children. I never found the issues that other campers/parents bring up here.
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4/20/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I could not disagree more-- with the above- my daughter wnet to his camp for 10 years and they were so supportive and ALWAYS there to help me and our family--
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10/8/06 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Well, I got beat up by my bunkmates every single day, and they all assaulted me when I woke up on my last day. They made fun of me, threw rocks at me, laughed at me, blasted music all night when I was trying to sleep, and pushed me against walls for absolutely no reason. One of my counselors made fun of me, the others didn't lift a finger to help, the people in charge acted like it was my fault and tore the phone from my hands when I was talking to my mom while crying about how terrible I was treated. Facilities were very dirty, with 2 exceptions the staff didn't give a rat's behind about anybody, and they refused to refund the fee meaning I had to pay an obscene amount of money to get violently abused for three weeks. I came home with bruises all over my body, some of which didn't heal for months, and the camp still didn't do anything about it. STAY AWAY!!
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9/25/06 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
I went there last year and it was booring as hell, the kids who i were with were complete morons, most of the time kids got into fights and it was hell. The only bathrooms in the whole entire camp were in the bunks. They do many babyish things, like instead of a baseball they used a "baseball", actually a peice of foam. There are many kids who are just complete retards. this is for mild disabilities, not kids who need their butts wiped by staff. Unless your kids are completely retarded, dont send your children, Remember I suffered. the staff was pretty cool, i was able to watch movies with them like 40 year old virgin. I was one of the counslers par say, in that i was the one was the most responsible and never got into fights. Just remember, if your child is good, the counslers will like him and he would get special privalegs like i did, like the weight room. I hope you make the right choice.
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7/24/06 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
Ditto to the last listing. We visited four special needs camps in 2004 and also wanted to like this one, but that was impossible. The campers seemed sullen, bored and unengaged, and the counselors seemed sullent and disconnected with the campers. There was little shade, so it was incredibly hot without relief. Worst, it appeared that the management had no idea how to deal with children who were having problems at camp. We witnessed a young girl sitting in "time out" during our entire tour and visit, who was visiblly upset and kept undressing herself. Everyone was ignoring her. When parents of special needs kids look for a camp, it is to find a place where our children can be helped, accepted and nurtured. This seemed like a camp of last resorts, incredibly depressing! We narrowed our choices to Summit and Northwood, either of which are great choices for special children.
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4/11/06 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
I did not send my kids here --- but I visited this camp about three summers ago. I really WANTED to like it, (especially since it was reasonably priced)...but from one special needs parent to another...what I saw there was VERY unsettling. The counselors looked bored & uninvolved, the kids were not well supervised, it seemed too unstrucured on the weekends. And those are the nicest things I have to say. I left with a very BAD feeling & promptly enrolled my child in Summit Camp, instead. Yes, it's expensive...but you get what you pay for.
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