Camp Lanakila Reviews

I think Lanakila is one of the most special places on the planet. The emotional intelligence of the community impresses me most (though everything is pretty spectacular), and I m so grateful that my son has had an opportunity to grow and learn amidst such thoughtfulness. This last summer, in particular, I had an opportunity to witness the way in which Lanakila responds to conflict firsthand. I could not have felt more comfortable, and, equally important, my son could not have felt more comfortable. It s easy to be great when things are running smoothly, but particularly meaningful that you were able to step up to the challenge when conflict surfaced. Thank you for creating such a safe and nurturing space for boys my son has benefitted tremendously and has had three really wonderful summers. I would happily spend my summers under the majesty of tall trees, singing, laughing, and telling stories with people I love. The best!!

Having worked as a Photography Counsellor at Camp Lanakila for 3 consecutive summers, there's a reason I choose to make the transatlantic flight over from the UK ever summer - I just simply love it here! It's the most compassionate community I've ever had the pleasure of being apart of - teaching young men life skills, and values, which will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives.

Everything was great!! As first time parents we were blown away with the great communication with phone call at beginning and great letters. Great camp! Great growing up experience! First words our son said when we picked him up ... I'm definitely going back next year!

Lanakila is an outstanding place. The profound change it has made to my own life as a counselor and volunteer for many years is huge, so I can only imagine - though testimonies are many and lyrical here on this page alone - how huge an impact even one summer can have on the life of a camper.

So much of the community that is Lanakila makes me think of a line from one of the books published by its Director Emeritus, Barnes Boffey: 'it's the person I am when I'm in the place(s) I love'. At Lanakila, we encourage campers and counselor to 'put down their armour' - the armour that they unwittingly 'wear' in the outside world, where appearances have to be kept up, or group mantras adhered to. We value creativity, honesty, and victories over one's self. A great many campers and counselors find and create their best selves at Lanakila.

While we encourage independence to make choices about things to achieve, activities to enjoy, ways to respond to difficulty, and being 'the person you want to be', we have such a great camper:staff ratio (about 2:1) that there's always someone to talk to about how those choices turned out. The success counselling model we use underpins this and children's ability to evaluate their own actions and feelings increases dramatically at - and after - camp. Campers are also well looked after, too, in the sense that food is lovingly prepared and always eaten family-style in the dining room; equipment is up to date without being gimmicky; distractions of cellphones and other tech are off the scene; and our spirituality is nurtured through an emphasis on the importance of music, art, the beautiful outdoors, and both our Sunday gatherings and Council Fires with stories and experiences shared and learned from.

At Lanakila, we 'help create fine people'. I can assuredly say that Lanakila has had a profound impact on helping me to become a better person - and the many hundreds of campers and counselors who have enjoyed their summers over the past 96 years.

This is the best sleep away camp I could have asked for because of the counselors feelings and dedications to the things they do for the camp and the friendship of the campers

This is my sons last year as a camper. The whole family agrees that Lanakila is very special. We consider it one of the best parenting decisions we have made thus far. Your leadership and community have successfully created a unique thoughtful environment for boys. Lanakila is an integral part of my son becoming a wonderful young man who is comfortable in his own skin. Thank you!.

Camp Lanakila is an amazing community! Very rarely do you find an organization that is so fully committed to making intentional choices for every aspect of their program. The amount of thought and care that goes into everything from the food that is served, to the options on the activity schedule, to the music that is sung and especially to the success counseling method that helps kids work through whatever it is they are working through, is absolutely astounding.

The campers spend the summer with what I would not hesitate to call the most qualified and caring men and women who are mentors, teachers, role models and first and foremost friends.

Lanakila campers have the time of their lives at camp and form lifelong friendships (as can be seen by the 98% return rate of the counseling staff who also mostly grew up going to Lanakila). Campers are challenged through every aspect of the program to do things they know they love, but also to try new things; they learn how to fail and how to get back up and try again. As an adult (and a woman) I feel so lucky that I started working for this wonderful organization (the other camps of The Aloha Foundation are also equally fantastic!!) and I would give my eye tooth to be in Fairlee every summer!

Our son spent five amazing summers at Camp Lanakila and those weeks were always the highlight of his entire year, for good reason. The setting is amazing and the diverse activities are top notch, and for us as parents, the quality and continuity of the staff is really the backbone of this spectacular camp. We were always impressed with the counselors, year after year. We know this is no small thing - and honestly you can tell the counselors love it there - it's not just a job - and that's why they come back year after year. The attention to the lessons of life and inclusion of all the boys set Lanakila apart. At the dock the sign says, "there are many ways to be a man" and they teach the boys about character and values. The shared love for and at Lanakila is palpable to even a visiting mom. In fact, the July visiting weekend was truthfully one of my own favorite annual traditions. A summers night, singing together outside the barn as the sun is setting on the lake, all seems right with the world. And that's because when you can feel the love and pride, all is right with the world for a moment. I tell everyone I can that this is a special place every boy should have the privilege to experience. It made a real difference in the life of our son. Lanakila isn't just a summer camp, it's an experience that never leaves your son - he carries it proudly inside himself well beyond the summer months.

We've been so impressed by the care that staff and campers take with the things that matter: kindness, communication, team spirit and growth. We picked up a happier and more confident child after his first time at Lanakila this year. We think his experience will continue to bear fruit for him and for us as a family and we hope to be able to send him back for more fun in 2019.

Thanks in advance for all you do to make the Aloha Camps special!

My 11 y.o. son fell in love with Lanakila after an on-site visit and tour with one of the directors and has since been for the past 4 summers. It is as he says "his home away from him." I never thought I'd send my kids to overnight camp but Lanakila won me over - the leadership of the camp is experienced, strong and made me trust the whole process; the counselors are top-notched, fun role models; and the camp's focus on "many ways to be a man" is wonderful. My son loves the daily choice of activities, camping and hiking trips, sports leagues and other special moments of camp (e.g. birthday night, Amden league, July 4th fireworks and bonfire, etc). If you are thinking about overnight camp and are undecided about where to go, I highly recommend talking to one of the directors about Lanakila. It has been an amazing experience for my son and our whole family!