| 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
|
|
|
8/13/18 |
2 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
What a disappointing summer. The tech camps were basic at best, the counselors were short-tempered, and the drop-off and pick-up protocols were poorly thought-out. I would wait 20 minutes in the car line to pick up my child and, if it was drizzling or worse, we would be told "sorry, we can't escort your child when it's raining, please park and walk in to get them." Not a single employee I spoke with over the summer was empowered to make a decision, so any request we made was denied.
My kid left each camp each day frustrated. I literally spent thousands of dollars on this camp and we are walking away dissatisfied and with a bad taste in our mouths. Won't make this mistake again next year.
|
|
|
|
7/30/18 |
2 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
My rising 8th grader attended one of the tech programs offered by ESF. The class was offered for 4th through 9th grade. Unfortunately, the instructor did not possess the depth of knowledge to offer anything to older children. The class was really geared toward the younger children. I regret wasting my money with this camp. My son was extremely bored and he learned little. Additionally, the camp’s safety procedure requires the children to be accompanied by a counselor at all times. This includes walks to the bathroom and the walk at dismissal from the door to the car. Near the car the counselor put his hand on my soon-to-be 14 year old’s shoulder to guide him into the car. My son was mortified everyday. Lastly, my punctual husband dropped my son off each day. They waited in the carline each day until 8:45, and my son would get out, walk into the building and head to his classroom. Today I received a bill for “before care” because my son arrived before 8:50.
|
|
|
|
7/1/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Best camp around for our 2 children. I found the staff to be very experienced, the programs very well planned, and we have been attending for 3 summers and we are incredibly impressed how professional the staff is and how they inspire our kids. We are huge fans.
|
|
|
|
5/30/17 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
This camp is way overpriced!Administration doesn't care about the quality of the programs and seems like the money is the only thing they do care about. Don't bother to try and ask for a refund, not gonna happen! My son did not want to go back to this program!
|
|
|
|
|
|
SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
|
|
8/12/14 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
I am a personal teenager tht goes to ESF. (senior camp and tennis camp) at episcopal Its a great camp for younger kids. For teenagers i definitely dont recommend it. Its ridulous the counselours have to go everywhere with you, not aloud to use your phone, and its annoying and not a good experience. I have a Peanut allergy and we have to bring our own snacks and lunch, were not aloud to buy. Its like im 14 if im allergic to nuts i think i know what i can eat. Its just annoying they treat me like im 9, and the camp is way to expensive. Not even worth the price. Tennis camp is way better for my experience. Phones are aloud, counselours are way more liberal, by a lot. Im treated like 14, not like 9 there and its ridiclous how in senior camp im treated like a little baby. I would love senior camp if you were aloud to use your phones and let tennis who are responsible to know what they can and cannot eat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
|
|
1/14/14 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
I worked for ESF as a martial arts instructor for a summer. This was a very frustrating and completely miserable experience. I think they wanted someone that would just have kids run around, kick the air and yell a bit, somehow making them believe they could defend themselves with what is being taught. I have been involved with teaching martial arts for over 15 years and hold a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, one of the most effective martial arts around. During the interview, I told them about my experience and what I teach. They seemed enthusiastic. That is, until they saw the kids touching each other and interacting with each other. I have no idea how to teach self defense and martial arts if you are not allowed to touch each other. Going to work barely paid for itself. My co workers were nice enough, but the upper brass were VERY catty. Send your child somewhere else.
|
|
|
|
8/13/13 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
My son has participated in a variety of camps this summer and never heard complaints about him, however since he started esf all I hear is: he was getting in line and pushed another kid, he won a game, got too excited and hug a girl too tight! For god sake, he is only 5! If they were expecting a perfectly behaved camper, go work with adults and leave the kids for someone that is actually trained and know how to deal with kindergarteners.
|
|
|
|
7/30/13 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
This is a camp run by people who don't care. The counselors are hard working kids who are treated poorly by their superiors. Don't waste your time or hard earned money with a camp that does not deserve to get any recognition. Go elsewhere because ESF is not the way to go for your child's summer camp experience
|
|
|
|
6/1/13 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
Overpriced, lousy owners, I found out they fired several tenured coaches to save money by bringing in new, inexperienced high school kids. Saying that the older coaches were not "enthusiastic" at their training to go over the handbook and rules. Also, don't try to call or email anyone incorporate....they flat out ignore all emails. Run away from esf!
|
|
|
|
|
|
SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
|
|
2/4/13 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
This camp is way overpriced. Counselors are more interested in each other than the kids. My son did not want to go back after a few days.
|
|
|
|
|
|
SYSTEM: location changed from Devon, PA to Newtown Square, PA |
|
|
4/4/12 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
I use to work for this camp the owners treat you terrible under pay and over work and that polo that doesn't breath at all. Other staff members aren't friendly and the kids always seem so bored and over heated. Don't send your kids its a waste of money b/c it all goes back into the owners pockets.
|
|
|
|
11/17/10 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Two of my children attend ESF and I think its the BEST camp they have ever attended!! I highly recomend ESF.
|
|
|
|
7/9/10 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
This camp was horrible...save ur money. the owners were soo mean and didn't treat the councelors or kids nicely. Sleepover week was the only good thing....i would recommend you to not go to this camp
|
|
|
|
6/21/08 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
Great for younger kids. My feeling is if you are old enough to be out of the day camp (especially if you're considering Senior Camp,) go to overnight camp --- you're too old for ESF. [As a point of reference, ESF SC begins at age 9, going into 4th grade...which is a good age to go away for the first time.] The activities are great, and the counselors are well trained, etc. They are instructed to, perhaps rightly so, follow a strict code of conduct/procedure that might seem oppressive to older kids -- e.g. always having to be escorted to the bathroom (in pairs), always holding hands in parking lots (great for the little ones, but for 15 year olds?). The allergy policies might also seem restrictive, and makes one wonder how these children will survive into adulthood, but are sound policies that respect the safety of everyone.
|
|
|
|
4/4/08 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
The owners are awful.
|
|
|
|
3/18/08 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
I went to the chestnut hill ESF. I liked the couselors even though they get paid terrible money from the owner and have to give time with no compensation. The only activity that was fun for me was the talk show game. I went to one week of a friends camp elsewhere and it was like a real camp because you could just go to what you wanted to and also there was a lake. This camp was really hot and had an indoor pool that had clorine fumes that people got sick from including the lifeguards. I have a food allergy and I had to sit at a peanut free table evn though my allerfy is to fish! I could not even eat cake at a party. The owners are really cheap and mean to the hardworking staff. Staff quite weekly due to poor pay and crap.
|
|
|
|
8/23/06 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
ive been going to this place for over 9 ****** years the environment is supposed to be for children upto 15, but it feels like your being treated like 9 year olds. the activities never change each year, maybe the order. the food is bad, and you cant even bring your own food around with you because "someone" might have an allergic reaction. now, im friends with those people and they havent had that problem since they were two and eat peanut butter, etc. stuff and their fine. ESF, IF THEIR NOT SMART ENOUGH TO TELL IF THEY CANT EAT IT, LET THEM SUFFER!! thank god they rent this place cause esf is sooo cheap, they would have us taking our bussiness behind curtains. the only thing that was really fun was the sleepover week and when we went crazy and pushed counslers into pools ;). the only thing thats good here is that the people who've been here as long as you are there to help you out. if it wasnt for that, i dont know why i would have come year after year. save your money if your smart.
|
|
|
|
6/27/06 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
The counselors were okay, but it was run like the millitary
|
|
