1st time going to sleep away camp

My daughter first went to Ravencliff (the week run by El Cerrito Recreation) when she was 10. She was miserably homesick for the first three days and had really bad airborne allergies and nose bleeds. I was a wreck because I had irrational fears of her accidental demise. Omg I am so glad we got this out of our systems early! Anyway, after her third day of misery the staff let her call home. We both felt much better after that. She had a great time and I calmed down as well. It is hot and dusty, there is a lot of walking, your son may never change his socks or underwear, but my daughter really had a great time and couldn't wait to go back!

My kids went to Ravencliff last summer as their first sleep-away camp, at ages 8 and 10. We chose Ravencliff based on a recommendation from other families who have kids who have attended. Both kids had a great time and want to go back. Things that I heard from my kids about the camp generally struck me as good. They did an "overnight" where they slept out under the stars. My son mostly did sports for the activity periods where they got to choose. They had chore time every day, where they rotated through various chores through the week, including washing dishes--which I like. I think it's good for kids to learn that they need to contribute to the group. They liked/loved their counselors. My good eater said the food was great; my picky eater ate some new stuff and didn't starve. They sang songs from camp the whole rest of the summer. Only one thing I heard struck me as weird--erring on the side of overly cautious about personal "safety": they had to wear their swim suits when they took their one-time mandatory shower, even though they had individual curtained areas in which to shower! Still, all in all, a great experience, and got my kids love sleep away camp as much as I did growing up!

Both of my sons started going to Camp Ravencliff(week run by El Cerrito Rec) when they were about 9 or 10.  They absolutely loved it, so much that they eventually became counselors-in-training.  They knew all of the counselors, and most of the other campers through the El Cerrito after-school and summer programs.  They came back filthy, but so happy.

My son is almost 16 now, and began attending Ravencliff when he was 7 or 8 years old. He went every summer until just a few years ago. It has been such a wonderful part of his childhood and we were both very sad when his schedule conflicted with the teen camp offered and he wasn't able to go to camp that summer. It's a traditional wilderness camp - there is no electricity in the cabins (Just the recreation hall/cafeteria building) and they even go on an overnight camping trip when they cook dinner over a campfire. No calls home. No cell phone service. No electronics. My son always came home filthy from playing outside in nature all week. But, he was also always incredibly happy. It's a wonderful place for kids to explore nature, make amazing camp memories and new friends, and have experiences that are independent of their parents. The camp director has years and years of experience and does an incredible job. I can't recommend it enough!! All kids should be able to have an experience like Camp Ravencliff as part of their childhood!