| 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
|
|
*
|
5/27/19 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
My son is a funny and kind kid with special needs. When he saw his sister going off to camp, he wanted desperately to have a camp experience too. We were excited to hear about Kodiak. His experience there left him sad and confused. He still talks about the lack of empathy displayed by senior camp staff. In following up with the staff we realized that his assessment of senior staff as 'mean' was accurate when it came to his treatment. The way they 'dealt' with his anxiety was to increase his anxiety rather than help him feel safe and reassured. Not at all what we expected from staff who reassured us that they had been trained to work with kids who have special needs. If you're thinking about this camp, please consider thoroughly interviewing staff members about how they deal with anxiety. My son has been left with unhappy memories of what will be his last camp experience. He was not given the respect and help he deserved.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"McKellar camp transformed into safe haven for kids with juvenile arthritis" - https://www.parrysound.com/community-...
|
|
*
|
5/17/19 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I've been going to this camp for the past 4 years and every year gets better every time I go. Before I found out about this place I wanted to go to summer camp after watching my sister going to camp for many years. Me and my mom have searched for many camps all seemed great but there was one problem. I'm on the spectrum and very high functioning but I have a hard time socializing with others. Until my psychologist recommended this place. At first I was skeptical but I decided to go after some hesitation. When I arrived at the camp for the first time i made many friends in less than a day. The camp offers many great activities such as rock climbing, archery, water skiing, and so many more activities. The Leader in training (LIT) program is a great opportunity for high school students who want to complete their community service hours for graduation. The staff are very nice and understanding and they are teachers in training. In all I give it a 10/10. You'll be wanting to come back.
|
|
*
|
2/23/19 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
The reviews on this website do not reflect my experience at this camp. I would suggest looking at other sites for reviews of Camp Kodiak. This camp does such a great job of bringing out the best in kids - especially those who struggle with social skills. I'm so glad I found Camp Kodiak!!
|
|
*
|
2/16/19 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
An AMAZING summer camp! If you want to talk to other parents, just ask the camp (don't trust fake commenters on here). I'm so lucky to have found this camp!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
|
|
11/7/18 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
I was disappointed with Camp Kodiak. They say they specialize in children with special needs but I feel like they only want to deal with quiet introverted children. Many children with special needs are extroverted and outspoken. They cater to special diets but the food is disgusting. The planning of the cabins is not done according to personalities or interests it is done based on age. This is not reflective of their interview process where they say they will match your child with children with similar interests Make sure to research the camp and be inquisitive with the directors.
|
|
|
|
7/20/18 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
As a staff member at camp Kodiak, my experience left me feeling lonely and bored. The Office was very unprofessional and I was treated rudely by a director. The cabins where the staff reside in are dirty and require maintenance. My cabin door had difficulty closing and opening. Also the bathroom door had no lock and you share a small space with several other people, Some of which do not care about privacy. There are staff who stay in rooms in a basement where the laundry department is. The only time most staff members and councilors have a break is past 10pm every night to socialize and rest with other employees. Although this time sacrifices the amount of sleep you get in the morning when you have to wake up at 7am. Being in an intimate relationship is impossible at this camp: my boyfriend and I were not allowed to hug, hold hands, or show any kind of affection in public. We could only see each other after ten and still we could not find any place to be alone.
|
|
|
|
7/24/17 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
Camp kodiac is an awful camps in many ways especially in term of false advertizing. The ratio of 1 to 2 advertized is a lie. The camp is in a beautiful setting but in need of repair. The equipment is broken and not always safe. For example as of now they don't have any drinkable water and they use water bottle for everything. The diswasher is broken so everyone uses paper and plastic everything. Can you imagine the impact on the environment. The staff is untrained and they work more than 15 hours a day with the rest time period as a break. They sleep in their campers cabin and they have one day off a week. For the next two weeks because of visitor's day on Saturday everyone is working 14 days in a row without a day off. Can you imagine the impact that it has on their ability to do their more than difficult job. Parents think of the impact that all of the above has on your child. Can you justify the price that you're paying for this camp. I am a teacher and I find this inhuman :(
|
|
*
|
4/21/17 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My experience at this camp was great the staff were nice but kind of treated the campers like preschoolers. The food is ok but they need to have a better variety to choose from . when I attended this camp i had a blast and i met a few new great friends. Another flaw in this camp are the camp fires with zero marshmallows . but the rest is great . all in all i gives this place a 7 out of ten sends your kids there you won't regret it
|
|
|
|
2/24/17 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
I couldn't sleep well because the mesh in the door was ripped and the window wouldn't close. The next morning I had 30 bug bites on my body. The rest of the summer at Kodiak got worse. I came home and told my parents I had a great time, but I didn't. so when they sent me back in 2015, I thought maybe it'll be better this summer, it was okay until second session, it was during dance choice, I fell really hard on my knee, and when I did,I heard a pop and felt something move, my knee had no shape to it, it was that swollen. The nurse on campus said it would be fine, might bruise a bit, gave me ice/crutches, that was it. In September a couple months later, I was in dance class back in California, and my knee was hurting, my dance teacher told me to get it checked. I went to the doctor, I found out when I fell my knee cap popped in and out, causing cartilage to be cut off. I had to have surgery. The camp never told my parents I fell at all, they never got a real doctor to look at my knee.
|
|
|
|
9/19/16 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
I have been going to Camp for four years, along with my brother, and have had a blast each summer. The counselors are all very well trained and about 1/5 each year are campers-turn-staff. The cabins are well staffed, and are never left without a staff member. The leadership program, called LIT's, is well staffed, and is a great chance for teens to get volunteering hours for graduation, and be able to get hands on experience teaching activities. Overall a great camp, and one I look forward to going to every year.
|
|
*
|
6/6/16 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
This camp is horrible. The counselors put up a good front but they are really mean. The food is disgusting, the sleeping arrangements are hell and there is absolutely no independent free time. The counselors treat campers like preschoolers and never let them out of their sight. In high school I knew some guys who spent some time in ‘juvy’ (aka prison for teens) and they said that my living conditions were worse then what they experienced during their incarceration. Campers literally sleep on a wooden board with only a thin piece of foam above the board. The punishments are so bad that they could be classified as torture and break the Geneva Convention! Also, if you don’t want to eat their disgusting food they will either punish you or trick you into eating it by saying it’s actually something else. It’s been well over 10 years since I was there and my doctor says I’ve got PSTD from being there. Stay away at all costs!
|
|
*
|
1/29/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Camp Kodiak was home for my 3 sons for 7 weeks each summer for 10 years. My eldest went for 5 summers, and my younger 2 went for 10 and 6. It was an amazing time each summer, and for my sons that needed the extra help and services it was always given with love and caring. The staff were so wonderful and consistent, and my one son knew he wanted to be a counselor and did become one after college. One of my sons was totally neurotypical, and he learned to accept children no matter what diagnosis or special need they had. He took with him from Kodiak the love of helping others and has focused on this in his career path.Dave is a wonderful man with these kids, and I thank him and his wonderful staff for the years we had there.
|
|
*
|
11/17/15 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
We had high hopes for Kodiak; great location and high staff to camper ratio. But we were disappointed with the owner and senior staff. We urge any parents considering Kodiak to spend some time talking to the owner about the philosophy behind his camp, and talk to his senior staff. When our child came home after a sad few weeks away, we felt that we hadn't done our research and we would have chosen another camp if we had.
|
|
*
|
5/18/15 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
This will be my daughters' 4th summer at Camp Kodiak. This camp has been the single best thing in my 14 year old daughters life. She counts down the days until she goes back. In fact, her dream is to one day be the owner of Camp Kodiak! The staff are comprised of mainly professionals - educators, special ed teachers and others that are familiar with children that have ADHD, LD and many more disabilities. This is NOT a camp staffed by teenagers. Dave (the owner) and his family are kind and knowledgeable. They know what they are doing! We could not have ever imagined our daughter being happier than she is when she is at camp Kodiak. The grounds are gorgeous too! Every year is a better year than the last. I truly believe camp Kodiak has helped shape my daughter into a better person - confident, sparkling, and empathetic to those less fortunate than her. She is truly shining when she can help campers that have more serious disabilities than her (ADHD and LD). Brings out the best
|
|
*
|
9/22/14 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Once of worse camp's I've ever attended. The director is an absolute dictator, who seems to care very little about campers and staff, whom are responsible for any success that campers may have since he is rarely seen. A shame that the potential for this place is buried beneath unprofessional management. Kids have absolutely no freedom and little choice in daily activties. For the price paid, you could spend your child to a place where they would get much more attention
|
|
*
|
10/23/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I’m writing this to correct a wrong and to ease my guilty conscience. I attended Camp Kodiak in 2006. I didn’t want to go to camp, but my parents made me. I behaved badly. I was disrespectful to my counselors and I bullied my cabin-mates. The staff did their best to work with me, but without success. Finally, after about a week, I was sent home. My parents, especially my mom, were furious at the camp. She screamed and cursed at Dave, the director, and demanded a refund. She didn’t get her refund, so she decided to get her revenge in other ways. She got me, my brother and several of our friends and relatives who hadn’t even attended camp to write nasty and untrue things on this web site and others.
I’m now an adult and studying to be a teacher. I recently sat through a panel discussion in which the panelists talked about how vulnerable people in the helping professions, particularly teachers, are to false accusations. That got me thinking that I needed to set the record straight.
|
|
*
|
7/28/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Our son just returned from camp and loved his experience at Camp Kodiak. He raved about the food and his new friends. He is adamant about attending next year (2014) as well. We had our son fly unescorted to Toronto and the camp staff were waiting for him (as advertised). He took a bus from the airport with the counselors, to the camp which was equipped with movies and a bathroom. My son has always judged himself very harshly against others and I am happy to say he came back talking about how much he personally improved in some areas not about not being as good as others. My son has declared that he wants to start an exercise regime now as he can appreciate the benefits of being more active. My son was there for the 4 weeks which appears to have had a measurable impact on his self confidence. It's too early to say the effect is permanent but we are liking what we see so far. We have filled out the early registration pkg. for next year.
|
|
*
|
4/21/11 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
Camp falsely advertises that kids without learning disabilities go there. I was basically the only one without special needs. Trust me, I know from personal experience about this stuff (came from an ld school) but wow were these kids messed up! Counselors treated me like I was 5 years old. Activities were terrible. They were so desperate taht they got any counselor to teach an activity - doesn't matter if they know what they're talking about! Facilities were pretty bad. Some of the kids were straight up weird. Surprisingly, made a few good friends despite this. A good experience, but wow was the camp terrible! I swear each day felt like a year. I look back and laugh at how bad it was. If you don't have any special needs, don't go! You're going to be relegated. El campamento de verano es mal! Good for who kids who really need this serious of attention.
|
|
|
|
|
|
SYSTEM: 2 negative duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
*
|
9/6/10 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Our son was diagnosed with Asperger's (mild) and we would not have trusted any other camp to look after him. We had to have an "interview" initially. His first two years were a bit rocky although he certainly had fun (insisting he go back for the 2nd year was one of the hardest things we've done as parents). He's now gone 5 years and really enjoys it. The transformation in his self-confidence has been remarkable and it has really helped his socialization. This is a remarkable camp and we are fortunate is it so close. Dave has done an amazing job getting the land and putting everything together. I'm startled by some of the negative comments but they seem to mainly be from disgruntled campers and a couple of parents. It's true that with this kind of camp you cannot please everyone. But camp Kodiak is truly an amazing place with the most diverse set of activities we've seen and we are so happy with our son's progress.
|
|
*
|
3/28/09 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My 10 year old son attended last year for the first time and had a great time. He is going back this year and is really looking forward to it. We drive all the way from Illinois and it is worth every minute. He loved the food (and he is a picky eater), enjoyed the activities and made lots of friends. When we picked him up at the end of camp he was SO happy, it was really awesome. His letters were very overwhelmingly positive (he tends to emphasize the negative). After reading the reviews on this site I asked him specifically about the counselors and Dave and he had no negative feedback.
|
|
*
|
3/7/09 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
We registered my boys at Camp Kodiak last summer in spite of some some of the ratings on this site, and I'm really happy we did. Both of my boys had an amazing summer at camp and returned home with more confidence, improved social skills and friendships that have continued throughout the winter months. Their teachers are amazed at the changes they have seen. At last kids are calling and the boys have been busy almost every weekend. This is a first for both of them. Until this year neither of them had ever been invited to a birthday party or a play date. Now they're almost too busy and the phone never stops ringing. We can't begin to express our gratitude to the folks at Camp Kodiak for the amazing work they have done with our boys. Camp has been a life altering experience for both of them.
|
|
|
|
11/18/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Kodiak was everything my wife and I had hoped it would be, and more. Our son had the time of his life and can't wait to go back. His social skills improved so dramatically that his teachers really can't believe the change.
|
|
|
|
11/10/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Camp Kodiak is truly a place to feel at home. The counselors are so nice and they come back year after year. There are hundreds of amazing things to do! My favorites are horseback riding and waterskiing. I also love campfires and evening activities. I made a ton of great friends and I can't wait to go back next summer!
|
|
|
|
8/31/08 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
This is such a great camp. Kodiak is set in the most beautiful place I have ever seen. I especially loved the overnights, the high ropes courses and the weekly Friday night dances. All the kids there are so nice to each other. My counselors were so nice and helpful to all of us. The food situation was pretty good. Sometimes I hated the main thing that they were serving but they always had other choices and I could find something that I loved. I can't wait to go back next summer.
|
|
|
|
8/17/08 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
We just came back from camp and the summer was boring. A counselor always ignored me and yelled at me. This camp is like North korea
|
|
|
|
5/12/08 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
I sent my son to camp and he came back a changed kid! He couldn't stop talking about all the great activities he had done, the great counsellors he had, and the new friends he made. Three years later, every spring when it starts to get warm he can't stop talking about going back!
|
|
|
|
5/12/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I’m very disappointed in the comments made. This will be my 3rd summer at camp as a counsellor and a 3rd summer for my 2 kids.As a parent and a counsellor I see nothing but FANTASTIC things at this camp.Of course not everything is perfect, what is? My kids absolutely love it and so do I.It has been an amazing experience.As for Dave.What do you think would happen if he didn’t discipline or have rules?There is 280+ campers at a time, no discipline would = disaster.I'm I not right? Not all kids need the some kind of discipline or any at all.I have seen Dave do nothing but wonderful things for these kids. It’s a great camp!!The Food is not that bad. It’s not like Mom’s cooking that’s for sure but we must all admit that there is some favourites.As a Mom of 2 campers and a Mom that is there with her kids and can see what goes on,I would recommend this camp 100%.As for those with such negative comments and thoughts,why don’t you try and see the bright side of things instead for the dark side.
|
|
|
|
5/12/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I am confused by the negative comments on this bulletin board! I did a lot of research before sending my kid to Camp Kodiak and it's very highly regarded by my son's pediatrician and psychologist. The staff I met were positive and professional, and dealt with my son's homesickness with compassion and care. When I picked my son up at the end of the summer, he went on and on about the friends he had made and how much he loved camp. His teachers noticed a huge improvement in school and his increased self-confidence has carried over into the school year. He loved his time at Camp Kodiak and we are happy to send him back for another summer!
|
|
|
|
4/5/08 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
One of the biggest regrets my husband and I have ever made is sending our child to Camp Kodak. I urge any parent thinking of sending their precious child there, especially one with serious learning disabilities, to please, please, please reconsider. My child was traumatized, and begged to come home but we were told to not give in. It has taught me to never doubt my child again. I still cry when I think of how thin, dehydrated and broken he was when we finally picked him up.
|
|
|
|
3/7/08 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
I have been to this school only twice. The people(kids in particular) are cool but some counselors rn't that great. half the activities you are forced to do even if you have a fear of something they have to do with. Most common is fear of hights. The food is not that good and you barley get enough to last 2 hours without goin hungry. ALL the food is sugar free(exept the tiny desserts). Lastly the directer Dave, is an AWESOM person to know.
|
|
|
|
12/10/07 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
Horrible, horrible experience. This camp advertises that it serves kids with Aspergers, but did exactly the wrong things to very detrimental effects, triggering a meltdown, then blaming the child. The director, Dave Stoch, in particular, took Aspergers outbursts personally, and was extremely defensive to the point of making verbal attacks against the child and parent. The most unprofessional behavior I have ever observed in an education professional.
|
|
|
|
|
|
SYSTEM: 4 negative duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
|
|
8/12/07 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
Although Camp Kodiak is set in beautiful surroundings, the camp experience for me was bad. My cabin counselors were really mean and spent alot of their time administering punishment to the very badly behaved girls in my cabin. The age range in the cabin was too big - age 9 through 13. The cabin placement was not based on individual personality traits but simply age and sex. Maybe it is better for the boys and older kids. There was not a single bunkmate I had anything in common with. The camp staff are not really very helpful or interested in comforting homesick kids. I was placed in time out for saying I was homesick.One time my counselor sent me outside to eat but I was never told what I was being punished for. I will say that I enjoyed the activities alot andliked the instructors. The director Dave Stoch is a very nice person but he's not good at hiring staff. I thought the food here was bad. I lost weight and caught a cold. Think twice before going to this camp.
|
|
|
|
7/10/07 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
the price of this camp is way too high.ihated this camp.it reminded me of the movie heavywieghts with ben stiller.the directer was a master sadist. and hates kids.the lake was yellow.the food sucks.
|
|
*
|
6/22/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Camp Kodiak is the best summer camp I have ever gone to. This is my third summer back at Kodiak. There is so much to do at camp Kodiak. My favourite things to do at camp Kodiak are sailing and riding. The food there is super. The staff there are great. I really enjoy the evening activities planned for of every evening. From Colin Brown
|
|
|
|
6/7/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
This camp was/is a saving grace for our child. He lives to attend this camp each summer and he's made and maintained friendships with many of the campers and their parents. It has been a good investiment, a safe and happy place to be and this will be his 5th year attending. I have highly recommended this camp to other parents of high needs children. The staff training is exceptional and the attention and care given to my child is as good as it gets. It's a one to two ratio of staff to kids, the activities are fun and teach good life skills in a way that is accepted easily by those who learn differently. In the past 4 years I have met teachers, physicians, psychiatrists, psychologist, ocupational therapists and other professionals who have an interest in children with ADD and ADHD. These people have chosen to work at this camp because it is a great training ground and they WANT to be there. We're glad we found it and so is our son!
|
|
|
|
2/10/07 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
The councillers are very mean. One told me to shut up, one said I was fat, and they get mad at you for no good reason. This camp should have better councillers and should be observed by the OCA.
|
|
|
|
12/7/06 |
1 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
i thought the councillers are very strict and kind at the same time the go karts sux and they made you eat food you dont like! i am going there this year and if i dont like it i am going to a different camp!
|
|
*
|
11/30/06 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
this camp is ok some people like it some people don't
|
|
|
|
11/15/06 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
First of all this camps food was horrible, the kids were mean, when you get hurt the nurses take like 3 hours just to check you. The punishment given out by the councillers are horrible. Like they'll say thats 1-2-3. You out. One time I went to tthe office and my councellour came in looked at me and walked out. I asked the secratery to bring me and my freind back. The councellors are really mean.
|
|
|
|
9/11/06 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Just finished my 12th year (2nd on as staff after 10 as a camper) and still loving it. Activities are great but after so many years begin to seem monotonous. Some of the facilities have outdated equipment but everything still works. Staff go through extensive training before campers arrive and the results of the training are clear. the 2-1 camper-counselor ratio ensure lots of personal attention. When I was a camper I thought that perhaps camp was expensive but as I grew up and realized how much camp had improved my quality of living I reflect that I'd be willing to pay almost any price to send my future kids to Camp Kodiak.
|
|
|
|
8/27/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My 16 year old son had a wonderful experience. He said the counsellors were awesome and he made friends. He has a lot of difficulties so it is hard for him to be comfortable away from home. We were thrilled.
|
|
|
|
8/11/06 |
2 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
dave isn't so bad but the staff isn't the greatest i prefer day camps because of the food. it is much better. i go 2camp kodiac every other year. it doesn't suck. its fun but not the best
|
|
|
|
7/11/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My two children have gone to Camp Kodiak for a total of seven years between the two of them and they both loved the camp. My ten year old is there at the moment and wants to stay for the second session if there is an opening. Having visited the camp over the past four years at least half of each cabin's 9-10 children are return campers for more than two years. The camp must be doing something right. The negative comments in prior ratings do not ring true. My kids think Camp Kodiak is heaven on earth.
|
|
|
|
6/10/06 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
Dave Stoch is terrible. I agree with the other poster saying he is a dictator. The cooks don't seem to know anything about food safety (burgers were black on the outside and PINK on the inside) the food alone made me go vegetarian immediately after leaving there, and they wouldn't let me have the food I wanted, so half the time I only ate the bread (which by the way was excellent). Pottery was fun, and I didn't enjoy much else.
|
|
*
|
6/7/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
At Camp Kodiak you get what u pay for.... U pay the money foer either 4 weeks, 3 weeks or the full 7 weeks....you also get to have fun with your friends... even if it's your first year...you make friends realli quickly... When it was my first year... I went up to kodiak with my parents... I was greeted by all the councellors clapping and singing... It was amazing...I made friends the first day I was there....Everyone was really friendly... I was a little afraid to be away from home but I quickly adjusted... The first morning was the best... I had sooo much fun and quickly forgot about how much I wanted to go home... I have now been at Kodiak for 5 yrs... And I do not regret ever going there.... Thank you for providing me with so many activities... CAMP KODIAK IS THE BEST!!!
|
|
