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Comments
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1/15/24 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
This was so amazing. Everything about it was fun and structured. I can’t wait to go back.
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10/3/23 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
i went to french woods last year and truly that was the best year of my life. I really enjoyed the wide range of activities and things to to there. the only thing is that some of the younger counselers had things on their sleeping mas that said things like " **** off" I think that this is not appropriate for camp
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8/30/23 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
This was my 16-yr old son's 3rd summer at FWF. He is a musician, not a theater kid. His favorite experiences are to perform in the pit orchestras, to participate in the masterclasses with professional musicians, concerts, jazz, orchestra, side-by-sides with the New York Pops, concerto night. And besides all the music every day, he gets to do pretty much anything else he wants to keep it all interesting, like cooking classes, craft lodge, waterskiing at the waterfront, the climbing wall, working out in the fitness center. FW is a transformational experience every summer that makes him a more confident musician. Amazing place, great facilities (newly renovated cabins), wonderful food.
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9/8/22 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
My children attended summer 2022. They were denied medical care, came home with influenza A, weren't able to contact home as counselors refused children access to computers. Camp out of compliance with health code regulations for NY state. Horrible experience. I saw a used condom and rats on visiting day. Counselors made inappropriate, sexual jokes with my 9 year old. Food was unhealthy, place was unsanitary. Head of camp apologized and offered a BOGO for next year or to apply a portion of the cost towards their shady charity, which I refused. Counselors are scared of management, the owners Ron and Beth are really terrible people that try to scream and shout. My children were yelled at every single day during their meals. I would never send a child there.
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7/19/21 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
I just got back from this camp with my friend and we never wanna come back again, the counselors are very rude and one of them makes really dirty jokes, he made his campers uncomfortable by making really dirty jokes about women and he was being really gross and was always walking about masterbating. And then all they serve jn the vegan/vegetarian line is pasta! It is so tiring and what they ment my “satisfying the pickiest eaters” is serving them pasta every single day, the only time they dont serve pasta is at breakfast. Our cabin was nasty, the pictures on line are not accurate at all!!! My counselor was very rude too, the bathrooms are nasty, they have holes and lines so people can see you. The counselor would always yell at me and my friend and she was just in general rude. The real question is “is it worth money” HELL NO!!! French Woods Preforming Arts Camp is a worth of time, money, and summer, its only good for theater snd thats it, a waste of our time!
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4/5/20 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
This summer ahead will be my 3rd summer. Nothing will stop me from coming back!! Some ppl here have negative reviews, and all I can say is, don't listen to them! FWF is my favorite place in world. The counselors I've had are attentive and kind, and the girls in my bunk turned into the sisters I've never had. Even if you don't get a lead in the show, or the bunk bathrooms are gross, the only thing that matters is that you'll never have a dull or sad moment ever, FWF has a magic to it, and a sense of family you can't get elsewhere. I am couning down the days till next summer!
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4/2/19 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I went to FWF for 9 years, and I am grateful every day for the skills I learned, the mentors who took me under their wings, and the opportunities I was given that did not exist anywhere else. It is both a fun summer camp experience and a chance to to get hands-on instruction from arts professionals. I am currently working professionally in the arts and I credit much of my success to French Woods.
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*
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9/10/18 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
While my child did learn lots and made friends, $6200 for 18 days of camp is too much for what you're getting. I agree with the other reviewers: the programs are NOT well organized. As the previous poster said, you show up and many activities listed on their web site is actually not given or not age appropriate (for e.g., some vocal classes are really for young kids and some for high school kids). Also, I know it's the nature of musical theater but I just watch hundreds of kids (who at home have more opportunities) spend hours and hours stuck in chorus ensemble of musicals but don't actually do much else to improve their craft at this music/arts camp. Communications with the administration is not great. It's also annoying that you have to go for 2 days of performances even though your child will probably only perform for 3 minutes so a 3 week session really is only 2.5 weeks!You want to see the performances so you need to get expensive hotel rooms and/or drive far.
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8/5/18 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
. If you’re an older kid, as I was, and you’re not a theater person, which i’m not, it’s hard to fit in. Basically all activities that are not theater or dance are primarily done by the little kids. I was fortunate enough to be indoctrinated into the video department as a CIT and spent all of my 6 daily periods there (i’m a film major in school so it worked out well). I always found it funny when staff members would give tours of their respective departments and they always used the words “state of the art” to describe their equipment. The cameras and film equipment they use is at least 15 years old, the older theaters on campus look like their on the brink of collapse, and the circus equipment hasn’t been updated in years. The bunks are barely holding up and often showers are without hot water. There’s always an annual cough and stomach bug that goes around every year and the infirmary isn’t terribly well equipped. Honestly, I love FW but only because I found my niche as a CIT
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
*
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3/24/18 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
I went to this camp in the summer of 2017. Because I consider myself a serious performer, I thought it would be perfect. However, I found this camp extremely disorganized, unwelcoming, unclean, and unpleasant. I was thrown into a random production in which I was the youngest cast member due to a scheduling issue. The production was a hot mess- none of the leads knew their lines, the choreo was only shown once by the dance instructors and we were just expected to pick it up somehow, and the costumes were downright awful. Not to mention the show was so risque and offensive that I'm shocked the administration chose it. FW boasts that they choose mature productions for a teenage cast, but I thought that this production was WAY too much. The campers were unfriendly, cliquey, and stuck up. I couldn't make any friends so I spent all of my free time doing homework. The food was subpar but tolerable. The cabins were awful and unclean. The only thing I kind of liked was the dance program.
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*
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1/25/18 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
Unless your child is a hard core performer, I would think twice about FW. Much of what is advertised is false. The productions are great-but that's it. The facilities are GROSS. The management is subpar-kids get screamed at during lunch. Every activity was not as described. Our children waited in line @ docks and never got to ski--when questioned, Isaac said that it was because they were short handed. This was the exact excuse given for the fact that our son's major was not staffed. Our other child signed up for piano lessons only to not find an instructor. Those two examples were repeated across the board. I believe that new management is needed because much of what has changed since we started going there could be addressed via management. I have now taken to directing people to other performing arts camps--after four years, we won't be going back.
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*
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8/15/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Carly Simon said it best "Nobody does it BETTER". This is what camp should be! You can even join the circus! There is something for everyone baritones to basketball, skateboards to sopranos, rockers and rock climbing life is good at french woods! #3kids #10years looking forward to many many more!
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*
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8/15/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Hey Ive been a camper for 8 years now and i never want to stop coming back. i love it. the activities are amazing and its not just a theater camp they have sports and horseback its so much fun i highly recommend this place. its like my second home.
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*
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6/27/17 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
unless your kid is broadway bound, this is not the camp for you. there were bed bugs, the bunks were disgusting and the activities disorganized. they put all the money into the older kids productions and profit from all the other 800 campers. its a factory
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6/13/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Simply the most amazing camp. My daughter's first year was great and she is now there again.
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*
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1/4/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
French Woods was a life changing experience for my two children. Each year they came back with something new and exciting. The activities are incredible, the facility is extraordinary, the staff so supportive and kind, the friendships my children developed will last a lifetime. There is no place like this, where the children are so very special. They are bright, creative, warm, gentle, and like the staff, supportive and kind. What a great environment to grow up in. The grounds could be prettier but there is no better place for children to go and grow.
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*
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1/4/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I was looking for a camp that met all of my child's needs and wants. Unlike most camps, she was able to everything here. She was able to be a part of a musical as well as participate in her favorite sports, and find new things she never even considered. The instruction was top-notch and the counselors were wonderfully supportive and kind. I highly recommend this camp!
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*
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1/4/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
The most amazing place for children EVER!! Great bunk, interesting and educational activities and the most dedicated staff in camping. My daughters are now 7 and 10 going into their 4th and 3rd years respectively - they cannot get enough!!
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*
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12/27/16 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
My daughter went as a first time camper at age 9. She is a friendly kid, an only child that does well on her own. Felt like she was completely ignored. I found out about a lot of stuff after she got home as kids this age don't communicate well through mail (and no policy on getting those letters out). Her bunk counselors did not seem to even know her when I picked her up to leave. No hugs, no goodbyes. I even tipped them! They put her in a play with younger kids (age 7-9) which was horrible. Play was 30 min long and only 3 of the kids had a decent amount of lines. I sent her for theater so this was hugely disappointing. The two week theater day camp I sent her to did a more impressive production. I believe this is a good camp. My sister went as a kid. Think it's best for older kids. I would not recommend as a first time camp experience for younger kids. At all.
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*
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12/12/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
This camp has truly made me the person who I am today. The counselors, administrators, and campers have shaped me to become a more independent and responsible person. When you go to Frenchwoods Camp, you make memories that will stay with you for your entire life and friendships that never end. I wish my summers here could be endless, for they have been the best ones. The activities challenge me while the staff help me to achieve my goals. I have overcome fears here and have also helped others to do the same. At Frenchwoods Camp everyone is one big family. We learn from each other. I have developed skills with people from different cultures than mine. The international campers have allowed me to expand my horizons and grow strong bonds. The connections you make here are incredible. My love for this camp is indescribable. Frenchwoods will stay in my heart, I dread the day that i have to part...only thing missing for this Camp, is an all year program ??
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*
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12/12/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I worked here as a counselor for 5 years, and I cannot recommend this place enough. I can't imagine what it must be like to be a camper here. The kids are from all over the world, and the camp offers every activity you can imagine. I wish I knew about this camp when I was a kid! It's awesome to see campers make their own program & pick the activities they actually want to do, as opposed to us picking it for them. There's seriously no place like French Woods -- IT'S MAGIC!
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*
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8/24/16 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
This was my first time at FWF and I won't be going back. The bunks were gross and the bathroom doors did not lock. I was disappointed that there were not more "getting to know" you activities in the bunk. It would have been nice to have had free swims and time around a fire too. I know it is a performance arts camp, but they should try to make it more well rounded. The food is absolutely horrible!! It is an expensive camp and their aren't any amenities. I won't be back!
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8/9/16 |
5 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
French Woods is truly amazing. 2016 was my second summer and it was absolutely fantastic! Roles are not based on who knows who. I have been the lead and title role in 3/3 shows and I was also a lead in the middle camp stock. It is definitely not based on seniority. There are SO many activities to choose from everyday and FW staff is amazing! The facilities are pretty dirty and are not kept up well. I definitely recommend French Woods though! It truly is an amazing place with life lasting memories.
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*
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9/14/15 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I have been going to FWF for two summers now, and it is amazing. Below comments about only getting a lead based on seniority are untrue, my first summer I got cast as a lead in a major musical without knowing anyone...it all just depends on what the directors want. The theatre program is even more amazing than everybody says, it is outstanding. The circus program is really impressive and so much fun, and so is Dance. You get to choose everything you do and the entire day is just such a great experience, I would stay at french woods all year if i could! You grow so close to everybody you meet and I promise, you'll never want to leave!
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*
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7/15/14 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I wrote a big long thing about how amazing this camp is but then the system made me register so it might be gone. Just in case I am doing a short one now... This camp is totally awesome except for the self proclaimed theater "Elite" who get the leads and act haughty in their bunks and in shows but are actually the most insecure people ever. Everyone is is totally cool, creative and accepting and the available activities are so wide ranged and amazing you can not believe it. The counsellors and staff are great and again, the only sucky thing you deal with are these drama kings and queens. Thankfully, there are way more of the great people around. French Woods rocks literally and figuratively.
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*
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6/30/14 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
ive been going to fwf for 3 years. i love fwf i meat alot of friends their they have an amazing dance and theatre program. the only thing that stinks is that the shows are cast a lot on seniority and who knows who so its really hard to get a part no matter how talented you are because ron has his favorite so if your looking to learn a big part dont go here but if you dont mind being in the ensemble its a good place. i learned more from the dance program bcause i was always casted in the ensemble and always will be. ive kinda given up on getting a part but i love fwf anways and its an amazing camp experience and you get to pick your classes and your not with your bunk all day so you make different friends i met one of my best friends at fwf and she was from a different bunk. so would recommended this camp for the most part
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*
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1/1/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I have been going here for years. This is my favorite place in the entire world. I start counting down the days until I return from the second I leave. French Woods is my home.
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*
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8/17/12 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Hi, I am the baseball coach at French Woods Camp for the summer of 2012. I would like to say my experience here has been very positive. The kids are great and everyone gets along well. The owners and senior staff are very helpful and always wanting to make things good for everyone. The dining hall serves a good meal that has a great selection of salads and fresh fruits. Great camp for all types of children. The theater program is very popular, and the other programs such as sports and outdoor activities are fun for everyone.
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*
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6/26/12 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
I have been going to French Woods for three years and always look forward to go back. The people who run it are very flexible and it is a great opportunity to any aspiring artists, or people who want to try new things. I found/find it a fun learning experience with a lot of freedoms for everyone. Most of my problems were social-related or with counselors, which are only at a personal level. One real concern is that most toilets are clogged, and there are spiders crawling up your bed when you sleep. (There is also no temperature control.) Still, a lot of my best memories happened at camp, and out of all camps I know of, the big grounds of FWF give the most opportunities for friendship, learning, fun, and freedom than any other camp I know of. And great times go beyond spiders and a few mean counselors.
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*
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4/12/12 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Let me first review this as an adult who has worked at FW for the past few summers, and who went to sleepaway camp as a child.This is an amazing, creative, nuturing place. The grounds are beautiful..well maintained. The bunks are typical bunks..but nice..many with new bathrooms and plumbing. And the food is the best I can ever recall at a camp. And even if you don't like the main selection of the day..the other options are endless.As far as the opportunity to immerse yourself in theatre, or circus, or dance, or rock shop, or glass blowing, or zip lining, etc....well it's really just incredible. I only wish I were a camper.Which brings me to the second part of this review. I have also sent my daughter to this camp for the past few years, and I can honstly say that she has never had a better time in her entire life. She has learned amazing talents...gained great social skills..and has made some amazing friends all over the world. There's really nothing like FW !!
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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4/8/11 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
This is a great camp to go to. You can do anything you want! It's like all camps combined into one. The food is great. The counselors are nice. And it's a great experience there. I'm looking forward to my sixth summer there!!!
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*
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10/27/10 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Incredible range of quality activities in a tremendous facility, with a staff that certainly cares about what it is doing. Many happy campers.
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SYSTEM: 4 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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7/22/10 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
The junior lodges were more then terrible th Ebathroom stalls wouldn't close and the showers had bugs in them the bunk beds weren't even bunk beds they just put a bed on top of a bed and put duct tape on them hey also put latters on but on friends bed they forgot she had to climb up the side. I chose a bottom bunk and I looked up to find a series of curse words.
The counselers were good and bad are head conseuler was terrible but most off the other conseulers weren't terrible
the activties were amazing but the evenin activity is more then bad french woods would make an amazing day camp but it isn't one so it dosnt really matter
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*
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6/27/10 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I went 2 this camp 4 the first time last year and i had the best time of my life i can not image a world without FWF
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*
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3/15/10 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
OMG i love frenchwoods! So much!!! the food is great and has a very wide varity, and the activites are amazing and u can do basicaly anything u want, like activity wise, cuz even though the counslers arent strict, they do keep things organized. They r great at personal attention (the only thing i would say bad about them is that for the shows the kids they tend to know get the leads, and about organization, 6 minor day is a little unorganized, but u learn fast) the campus is great and for those people writing about the nurses, i went during the swine flu outbreak, and we were tested before we even got to camp ( just our temps) but ive never seen a more devoted crew of madical staff and counslers! I <3 FWF!
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*
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1/30/10 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
This was my favorite out of the 4 camps I've ever been to. I was very homesick at first and I wouldn't talk to my counselors or bunkmates but they still kept trying to make me comfortable. I ended up loving it and I made lifelong best friends with my bunk mates. Isaac does a great job directing the camp, however the owner, Ron is EXTREMELY rude. He yells at the staffers who do a great job, and he yells at kids who are homesick. All in all though, I reccomend this camp.
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SYSTEM: 3 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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4/9/09 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
best camp ever. i loved it here. they have so much to offer. i have made lifelong best friends everyone is so accepting and nice and even the counselors are some of my best friends.
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*
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2/1/09 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
In response to the review below me- I'm not quite sure what you're talking about, as all children are placed in a production. If they audition, it's guaranteed. Food could be better, but not horrible. There is always PLENTY of options to chose from, so almost always something for everyone. The nurses are decent, but not the best. They will be able to assist with most issues, but if you had a serious medical problem (not just a fever, etc.)- your best bet would be to ask to be taken to the local hospital if they didn't suggest it already. Can't comment on a specific girl in the cabin. Camp is only what you make of it. If you chose to take helpful classes, you will gain skills. I know i have... You can learn and do anything you want, you just need to reach out and make the effort. This camp is for kids who are very independent on their own. As to the quality of hotels surrounding French Woods, it's like that with any camp. They're in the middle of no where- you can't expect a Four Season
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*
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1/31/09 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
daughter went last year. She was never in any productions...seems only a few are chosen. Food was terrible...lived on the evening junk.became ill and the nurse ignored her...I had to intervene. She had a crazy girl in her bunk who sounded seriously mentally ill and the camp kept her there. The girl sounded like she could have really harmed some in the bunk. There is no place halfway decent for the parents to stay on visiting day in the area. I thought she would learn more dramatic technique or skills...nothing much learned. She has zero desire to go back.
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SYSTEM: 3 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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9/30/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
this is my favorite place in the world. every minute i'm there, i enjoy. i see people complaining that their children didn't get enough time with independent study or that the counselors weren't helpful, but i just went for my 3rd year and i never experienced any of that. the activities are great, anything you can think of will be there. the circus program is absolutely amazing. plus if you don't like your bunk, you can always switch, isaac is usually really good about that, but if you can't switch, don't worry because you don't have to hang out with your bunk that often. i was in g12a and i had a lot of friends in g11b so i would always just go to that bunk and hang out. plus you have a choice of any activity. you don't have to go with your bunk, you can go by yourself and meet new kids. honestly, i think french woods was an amazing learning experience because it taught me lots of independence. next year i'm going for 6 weeks instead of 3 and i'm sure it'll be amazing. i reccomend fwf
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9/14/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Anybody considering this camp should not even think about not going. Counslers are amazing and hired from all over the world. For example, The counselers in my bunk were from Holland, South Korea, New Zeland, Denmark, and Scotland. I only had one from the US. Thats six counselers. I only had seven campers in my bunk. They were comforting. I got homesick once and i was helped by all my counselers.There are 100 activities to choose from and you choose everything you do. I would deffinetly recomend this camp.
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9/7/08 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
Nice camp with nice facilities and great activities and a great program, but some of the rules were a little harsh and stupid like no picnicing on Visting days...come on thats the only chance u have to get real food.
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8/16/08 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
1st of all, who ever put the focus as horseback riding was crazy... also it's not a sports camp! so don't go there for sports! also they've never made anyone use ping pong paddles and lacrosse balls for TENNIS. they have two nice tennis courts. don't lie just cuz you don't like the camp. Now, I've been going to French Woods for a while and it's the most amazing camp I've ever been to! I've met soooo many new and cool people, and i've learned so many new things there. the theatre department's phenomenal; all the shows turn out amazing. the circus is amazing and always have great performances. the visual arts are great, the teachers/counselors are always there to help you. It just keeps getting better and better every year!! I absolutely can't wait to go back next year. It's definitely my home away from home.
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7/21/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
I love this camp! I went to 3 other sleep-away camps before I found this one and can honestly say, it is by far the best. Unless your a big sports person. They have a good sports, but alot of campers dont sign-up for them, except the tennis and horseback programs which are both great .
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7/16/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Nothing short of phenomenal. I spent three summers there and I can honestly say that it opened my eyes to so many amazing things and truly made me who I am today. The most fun a kid could have and I will definitely send my children there. I cannot thank frenchwoods enough for the experiences they made possible for me
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6/27/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I am a camper at Frenchwoods Festival of preforming arts and this coming up summer will be my 4th year attending this amazing camp. To me though, this isn't just a camp. It is really a second home. Friends i've met 4 years ago have become my sisters and staff that i've known for such a long time have become practically my parents. Right when you get to camp you feel as you belong because everyone there is so understanding and wants you to have the summer of your life. The staff there is amazing especially in the theatre department and sports department. The theatre department has so many people that once worked on broadway. The sports department has so many people who are highly intellagent in sports and are very encouraging. I suggest this camp to anyone who wants to have the summer of there life . Even though to me it is the best preforming arts camp across the country they have almost evreything there you can think of. This place is where i live to go everyear.
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*
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6/18/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
French Woods is, by far, the best performing arts camp in the country. Although it's not known for its athletic department, it's also great, actually run by a former NBA player. The music department and the tech theatre department are especially good, and run by people who are well known in their fields. I would recommend French Woods to anyone who is interested in the performing arts. However, if you're not interested in the performing arts, French Woods is not the place for you and is never going to be.
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6/7/08 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I have gone to this camp for years and it is PERFECt (for me at least). It definitley isn't an athletic camp but if you are interested in Theatre of ANY sort, and dancing, and circus this is your camp. I used to go to an all around camp which had great facilities but wasnt fun French woods is full of great kids and great talent and I wouldn't give it up for anything.
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6/2/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I went to this camp as a late bloomer at the age of 14, and for the 3 summers that i attended, it was a wild and crazy ride. I grew up, learned about life, made some incredible friends, whom I still keep in contact with, and have never had a summer after that could compare. French Woods is a eutopia, a place of discovery. I recommend it to any family with an artistic child. There is so much in store for them. Not only will the kids they meet become better than family, they will have the summer of their lives.
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5/25/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My children have attended this camp and now my grandchildren are attending. The opportunities are endless. My grandkids love being on stage, flying on trapeze, waterskiing and playing in bands. What a life! - Here's to many more years at FWF.
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5/9/08 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
OMG i lovee fwf. I have sooo much fun here! the people are really nice and the food is great.the best thing is deff the circus. all the activities are so much fun i've been going for 5 years and im soo not bored with it b/c the activities are so fun. i learned 2 waterski there and fly on the trapeze. where else can you do that?? visiting day is rly crazy tho. but its so fun and i love it.
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4/26/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My daughter will be attending for her third year this summer. She loves it, and the time I've spent there on parent's weekends was fabulous. She is very circus intensive, and the training is unique- where else can a teenager learn to work a cloud swing? Post camp is even better! She will start college in the fall, but is likely to be back next year too.
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4/17/08 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
who ever says the counclers are mean is crazy, because im a returning camper, and 2008 is going to be my 5th year, and i have never had a bad councler. if children are going to be homesick, dont send them to camp. the counclers arent there to cater to the child's every need. my first year, when i was very homesick, i was in fact comforted, greatly even. my councler let me use her laptop when the other computers were in use to emial my mom. there are so many activites that by the end of the day, i forgot about all my homesickness. in this camp, i was never teased or made fun of. the kids are unique, and all are very nice, at least to me. the bunks may not be "country club" worthy, like my friends camp, but the atmosphere, activites and staff totally made up for it. i took djing and i had the coolest councler wwho only got mad if u didnt respect your counclers. the people who say that the counclers are mean are snobb and spoiled, or just anit-social because they are very nice and caring.
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4/16/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I went to fwf for 7 years. Now that I am older I look back on my summers there and realize what a truly amazing place it is. Although it is a fine arts/ performing arts camp, the thing that makes fwf truly special is the fact that campers make their entire schedules themselves! There is no one telling you that you must do something you might not be interested in--campers choose their own activities. From fwf I also gained a true appreciation for the arts and I have carried that with me throughout my college life. Surprisingly years later I am still very close with many of the friends I made during my summers there. I would highly recommend fwf to any parents as it is truly the perfect camp.
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4/2/08 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
haha, I love FWF! I went there for just 2 years & I'm planning on coming back as a counselor soon. The people are so fun, though admittedly it did go downhill a bit even in just the 2 years I went. I wish they kept the VA porch though, that place was awesome. The circus and theatre classes were amazing and I pretty much lived at rock shop. I also loved the photography darkroom and the individual attention you received. Staff is very fun and open and while it is somewhat expensive it's an AMAZING place to go <3
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3/17/08 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
The camp is fun and keeps you busy but the bathrooms in the bunks are disgusting and well yeah, but i love it there go fwf!
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2/23/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
FrenchWoods is an amazing place. I have been there for 4 going on 5 summers, and it truly is a place that one will remember forever. As one rater here mentioned, the bunks maybe be older, but thats whats the camp feel is. The kids have chores and clean their own bunks and the maintenence people are wonderful. The kitchen has a wonderful diversity and you can basically eat whatever you would like. The fine arts section of camp is just one part. We have EVERYTHING. You create your own summer. 3 majors are done every day and 3 minors (which can stay the same or change) depending on the child. It really is something you have to experience. All the musical put on whether lower, middle, or upper campus (age limits) are all wonderful and dedication is definitly seen. The counselors are wonderful and work to their full potential to give each camper a wonderful camp experience. You have the opportunity to try everything.Please if your reading this give it a try, it's worth it!
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2/17/08 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
I went to French woods for 11 years. No joke. I started when I was 10 and finished when I was 20. I was a camper for 8 years and staff member for 3. I had a great experience and was able to get involved in activities that you cannot do anywhere else. The program is very much focused on the camper. You pick what you want to do and if you don't like it you choose something else. French Woods gives you the full camp feeling but with some technological advancements. The food is really good for a camp and facilities keep getting updated. You will not find better facilities at any other camp. I can guarantee it. It is located on a private lake and the campus is beautiful. There is something for everyone. From sports to theater to music, circus, arts and crafts, dance, water sports, and so much more. I highly recommend checking out the website and seeing everything for yourself. Take a visit up to the camp and see it. Hopefully, this review helped.
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1/25/08 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
I've gone to French Woods for 3 years now, and I'm returning next year for a 4th. I absolutely love it there! While it has an amazing theatre program, there's also an awesome circus with so many cool acts, a great visual arts program (silkscreen!), a lake with swimming, kayaking, water skiing, wake boarding and much much more, a horseback program, a magic department, a sports program, and so many more wonderful aspects that keep people coming back year after year. Also, since I live on the west coast, i've made many new friends on the east coast whom I enjoy visiting whenever I'm in the area. Overall, French Woods Festival is one of the most amazing summer camps there is. I couldn't imagine doing anything more cool during the summer!
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1/18/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I am a former camper of FWF and now my kids go too! My daughter is into musical theatre, art classes and the general camp experience and my son, who usually does sports at home decided to try something different and did rock shop, rocketry, circus stilt walking, wood shop, rock climbing and anything he could try (he was 9!). They both LOVE it and have made lifelong friends. This camp is an excellent blend of a serious peforming arts/musical theatre program and also the traditional camp stuff - cranked up like 100 notches! Truly a magical place and the people make it special.
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1/14/08 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I luv FWF 2007! It was the best camp i have eva been too. It was an awesome experience with a lot of talented people!
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1/3/08 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
THE MOST AMAZING PLACE ON EARTH. there are 100s of activities to choose from and everything is SO much fun! there are tons of councilors and a lot of them are pretty young so they are really fun to talk to. the medical staff isnt all that great....they will do their work (no worries about like dying or anything (: ) but it can take some time. the people at french woods are amazing and you will meet so many! This place is BETTER than heaven on earth! i have kept in touch with so may of the people i have met here!basically just come to this camp and you wont regret it!
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12/30/07 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
k basically its the most amazing camp in the whole world i love everyone in my bunk and they have millions of activities but i mostly go back for my friends. i dont love the counslers but there are good ones if your lucky..i just usually dont get the good ones =] this is my sixth summer and i love camp so much !!
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12/21/07 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
don't go, counslers are mean, no follow-up on complaints from campers, dirty bathrooms and bunks, medical staff uncaring,no follow-up there either I think people are paid to write good reviews. Went to visual arts once and no counslers there, email never work. My parents called my counsler and it would take 2-3days for him to return the call,
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11/21/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
This is the best camp I've yet to go to!I went from camp to camp for three years and the first year at french woods made me never want to leave. This summer will be my third. It has truley become my home. I have never been in such a place where there was so much acceptance and love. French Woods has taken a really special place in my heart!
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*
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10/21/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I've been at French Woods for six years and it is truly my second home. The friends I have made here are lifelong and I talk to them at least once a day. All the amazing things I've experienced at FWF are things I never could have done at home, like being in the circus. All of their programs are great and a ton of fun. I can't imagine what my life would be like without looking foreward to FWF each summer. I'm counting down the days until the summer of '08! I recommed French Woods to everyone looking to make friends forever and have the best summer of their entire life. Words can't even come close to what French Woods has come to mean to me. It's honestly heaven on earth.
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SYSTEM: 3 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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10/2/07 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
i used to go to this camp from 03-05 great horseback program..and i was in Les miserables(<3 in 05) Mikado and HMS pinnafore(2004 +2003) if u love to act/horse ride/do magic trix u will love it the most b/c thats what there known for even if ur not amazing at acting/singing no matter what if u tryout for a musical u will get into a musical...like i was in ensemble all 3 shows but i loved it...its amazinnnng i left not b/c i was dissapointed but b/c i wanted to move on get a job...and most of my friends weren't returning
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9/17/07 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
this camp is the most amazing camp ever.
my dad and his cousins went there, and then my older cousins went there and now me and my sister go there. at this camp there are so many amazing things to do. when i get back home i tell my friends all these amzing stories, and they never believe, like expecially things about circus. i will be returning for my 5th year this year and i am 13. at this camp, whether you black white purple or green, striaght,gay, shy, hyper, youw ill always be accepted. this camp has been such a big part of my lie. ever since i was 8 i have been going 9 weeks, and its never been a watse of time. i have made so many amazing memories made there. also, the friend i have made their have been their for me alwys
my 2nd year, i had two girls frrom london in my bunk, and when i went to london, 2 years later, we meet up. i see so many camp friends away from camp, go so many places with them. frenchwoods is truely my home away from home. this is truely an amazing camp.
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9/9/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
this is the best camp i've ever been to. it is amazing- the rest of the year i spend dreaming about it. i would never go anywhere else!!! there isn't a place better than fwf. the only bad thing- the campus is so huge and packed with stuff that you have to walk a lot to get to your classes!! but this is a labor of love. great, great, great love.
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9/5/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Frenchwoods is one of the most amazing camps in the country. If you like theatre, its there, dance, its there, sports, they've got em, art-check. Anything you can imagine is at camp and the people that work there are the nicest as can be. My best friend this past summer was a counselor. It is the greatest experience in my life, and in many of my friends who go there as well.
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9/3/07 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
This camp is great! i usually hate camps but this was the most non camp camp experience ever! after three weeks you may think you want to come home.. but once you leave you just want to come back. i love love love this place. i got really close with all the girls in my cabin, even with the counselors. we were like a family. its an experience i will NEVER forget, and its probably the best thing that has ever happened to me! I <3 FWF!!!
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8/19/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I attended this camp as well as worked as a staff member, and I can say without reservation that you cannot pick a better place for your child. The camp is for, about and geared to your child. The staff's only goal is to make sure your child has a wonderful camp experience. The program is the ultimate in camp, YOUR CHILD CHOOSES THEIR PROGRAM! If you want your child to begin to learn independence, what could be better than having your child choose their own activities? The food is varied and interesting, and despite other opinions, the staff IS well trained in helping with homesickness. Send your child, you will not be disappointed.
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7/25/07 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
This was my first year sleaping away from home and I am happy I did it at French Woods. I am very interested in theatre so it was the perfect place. There were great opurtunities in almost every type of theatre. I made great friends and also met a lot of people from foreign countries. All my counselors in my cabin were from Austrailia.The food here was ok you will try something new, believe me. The reason I made personal attention my lowest rating is because there are a lot of kids and if you don't get one of the main roles in the show sometimes the director doesn't really see you. On the other hand in my cabin my counselors were always there for me. I would strongly reccomend going her because it's a great place with great people. I LOVE FRENCHWOODS!!!!
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7/16/07 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My kids went to French Woods this year for the first time. They are very different children, and both had what they said was the "best summer of their lives". The camp really gives the child the opportunity to explore their individual interests. My son loves sports. He played baseball every day, and dallied in tennis, waterfront, basketball as well as doing a show and loving the magic program. My daughter loved horseback riding, gymnastics, and of course acting. My daughter said that when she was at camp she was always happy, always busy, and always smiling. What more could I ask for?! They will both be returning to camp next year for 6 weeks!
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6/3/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
anyone interested in performing arts must look into french woods. its a great place to act, and have fun doing it. it is not very structured, it is great if that is what you are looking for. there is no program like it, and no place like. french woods will always be a part of my life.
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5/5/07 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
FWF if my LIFE!!! i am sooo excited to go back this summer!!! i go for 2 sessions and i NEVER want to go home!! it is my summer home and i could never be anywhere else..IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE SUMMER...COME TO FWF! you make your best friends...and it is so much fun! i will always treasure my times at FWF...i miss my campiess <3
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4/5/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Many parents send their children away for a summer with the intent of 3-9 weeks for "parenting vacation." Well, I assure you FWF is the best place to send any child interested in expanding their minds, honing their talents, creating, but most importantly; becoming a more confident, self-aware individual...and being surrounded by the most supportive and loving fellow campers and staff. As a former French Woods camper, I can comofortably state that FWF has shaped me into a person I am proud of, a more open-minded individual. There, I learned to grow as a performer; learning all of the aspects of theater, involving myself with their superior Orchestra, flying on the trapeeze...and meeting the most amazing people I would never have met otherwise. I love this place, and I bet your children would too, I urge any parent looking for an arts camp to look no further, at FWF there is a place for every child <33 Thank you Ron, for giving me the best summers of my life!
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4/1/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
french woods is soo amazing. ron and isaac really make dreams come true there...it's really to amazing to even describe. i love it there and it will be my second home forever!!
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3/26/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I went to FWF for 8 summers including being a CIT, and counselor the last years... this was back in the 80's. The friendships I made there I still have to this day. FW is a wonderful place to let your kids experience supervised independence and the friends they make may last a lifetime. Thanks Ron & Isaac for many wonderful years. And I will be sending my kids there when they are old enough!
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3/12/07 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
my faovirte place ever! Im going back for my 4 year this year and i cant wait! I dont like the girls counslers most of the time, some of them are nice but it seems that the girls are more strict then the boys. the shows there are amazing and u make the best friends ever! im still friends with some of the kids in my bunk from 4 years ago!
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SYSTEM: 3 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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11/22/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
fwf is my seconh home. this year was my 4th year and i honestly never wanted to leave. i cried for days after i left. i met so many amazing people. at this camp, everyone is accepted for who they are, and no one makes anyone change. the theatre program is great, and there are a million amazing shows that go on. there are sports, too. even though this is a performing arts camp, i had friends who didn't do anything at camp that had to do with theater. there is no pressure. everyone there supports each other. the food is great. the staff is funny and nice. the facilities are clean. Frenchwoods is definitly my favorite place in the world. i couldn't imagine my life without it. i recommend this camp 100%.
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11/22/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
frenchwoods festival is the equivalent of my life. i could never imagine going to any other camp. I've made some amazing friends there. The theatre program is incredible. the food is great and the staff is very friendly. everyone is accepted no matter what. i've gone to this camp for 4 years and each year i had the best time. i really think that you should choose this camp.
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11/18/06 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I loved French Woods when I went there...The only thing I really didn't like is the favoritism, but that's in all of life I Guess.
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11/15/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
french woods is my second home. i've made amazing friends and the camp itself is amazing. french woods is the best place ever. the end.
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11/8/06 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
French Woods, as sappy as it sounds is my second home. I absolutly love it there. I miss it soo much and can not wait to go back for year number 5. The staff is fantastic, the bunks and not so fantastic, but i would spend 12 months there in a heartbeat. There is no sense of aleination or anything of the sort at FWF. You sit down in the audience at a performance and you think your watching a Broadway play. FWF is THE best camp experience a young performer can get.
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10/28/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
THIS CAMP IS THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH I HAVE BEEN GOIN FOR 8 goin on to 9 years and i love it so much it is life i have met so many cool people and i still stay in touch with themm..
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9/14/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
French Woods is one of the best things I've ever done my whole life!!! I made tons of friends there and the cool thing is they live everywhere you can imagine. Arizona Pennsylvania new York Connecticut calfornia and tons of other places 2 it really was just sooooooo amazing! i especially loved: tubing, banana boating, going on the high trapeze(sooooo fun) and hanging out with my friends! its really great also because every night there is a fun activity like a kewl concert or big game or dance to go to! also they have canteen every night so you can chill and hang out with ur friends! the acting singing and dancing are great at french woods and also th sports and art sections . french woods is just sooooooooooo kewl bcus they hav evrything u could possibly ever want to learn or do. you can experiment every day with new things in ur minors and also hav three majors which r always the same! to sum it all up. there's no place like French Woods. I <33 it!
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8/27/06 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
We were very disappointed in FWF after our children went there for 3 weeks this summer. It is very loosely supervised. The counselors are not well trained in comforting homesick kids or in creatively distracting them. Our son's counselors "playfully" referred to the boys in the bunk as "shitheads" and worse. Our kids were exposed to some really inappropriate stuff thanks to the older (teenage) campers there. The camp offers "tutoring" for those kids who need to do some summer work. We were assured there would be qualified high school students to monitor their work and be available to answer questions. There was no one at all available. Instead, the kids were shown to a room off the lounge where they worked on the floor with teenagers sleeping nearby. Apparently, a lot of cursing went on in all quarters on a daily basis. Not only were we sorely disappointed, we feel we were misled by the camp's brochures, management and head counselors.
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7/22/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I went in 1982-1986. I loved every bit of it and found that French Woods will always be a part of me today. I hope to send my children there one day.
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7/16/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
Just got back from visitng weekend at this camp and all I can say is...WOW!!! Really...WOW! The circus was not-to-be-believed, the shows were top notch and the staff members were all incredible. These are not inexperienced couselors who get thrown into new areas to teach. these are professionals of the highest caliber who WANT to be here, summer after summer...and their professionalism and instructional skills shine through. This is a place where children of diverse backgrounds with diverse interests all work beautifully together. Thanks Ron & Isaac for giving our daughter the summer of her life. We'll definitely be back!
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5/24/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Beautiful, well maintained facility with LOADS of activities to choose from. And that's that's the beauty...YOU get to choose! You pick three majors that you keep the whole session & three minors, which change each day, so you can really mix it up. GREAT for theater lovers...but also has music, circus, skateboard park, horseback riding, rock climbing, tennis...you name it. Each session is 3 weeks long.
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