Camp Starfish Review

Oh my goodness I been having so many memories when I used to go to Camp Starfish when I was younger. Man whenever I used to go there, it felt like home! It makes me cry how I have them memories. Do y'all allow adults to go there as camp members besides staffing? If any parents plan on making arrangements to go to a camp, Camp Starfish is my recommendation for y'all!

Just picked up my daughter from Starfish today and wow was I impressed with everything I saw. First, the application process is lengthy, but for a good reason - they want to know everything about your child that will improve their experience at the camp. Secondly, the communication between the main office and myself was fabulous. They were always there to ask any questions from a first time Starfish parent. Everything from drop off/pick up to activities, meal planning, etc. was well thought out. They give the kids goals for each day, such as increase self esteem and it really mirrored what my daughter is working on in her special ed social program. I ll also add that my daughter was teary eyed when I picked her up from the sleep away camp. and said she was sad because she wanted to stay longer! I can t say enough good things about all the staff there - I highly recommend it

I worked here for two summers and part of a third (but had to leave to start my job in Ohio). This is truly the best place I've ever worked in my life and the staff partnership is so rare in how unifying they are. The leadership team seems to always select staff who have experience and are always willing to do what is best for kids. Working here has been some of the best memories of my life and especially the relationships I've had with campers and other staff. Because the camp invests in hiring experienced staff and enough of them, kids have a lot of individualized support and are able to work on goals over the course of the summer. However, one of my favorite parts about working here was how involved kids are within their autonomy to make decisions and mindsets based off of their needs and experiences. I've taught for many years now and this is the place that has done it best, and consequently, kids almost always have overwhelmingly positive things to say about Starfish too. If you are a parent considering sending your child here, I would of course recommend speaking to staff about your child and get a good understanding of the camp, but I find that Starfish always does its best to adapt to kids and families needs to create the best summer and lifelong experiences.

The owners/caretakers are rude, have no concept of time, and think that changing contracts randomly is perfectly fine.
I refuse to rent from them.
Also from what I understand, they're special needs summer camp is going to run you about $10,000 per child. (but that's second hand information)

Camp starfish is an amazing place. It has changed our lives. The staff know just how to deal with our special kids in the right ways. They are encouraged at every moment. My daughter feels included and feels like she fits in for the first time. A wonderful experience we look forward to every year.

Camp for children with Disabilities. Good camper staff ratio - believe could be 1 to 1. Multiple programs for different ages also. But Long Application and makes Goals for campers - based on Disabilities.

Absolutely the best therapeutic camp for children with mental health issues! This is our 8th year for my daughter to attend - she looks forward to it ALL year...

I'm going there Tuesday July 30 th for session three it's my last year there I love it so much !!!!!!!!!

PARENTS BE AWARE OF THE TERMINOLOGY!!!!

Parents with children who need "one-ON-one" aid services, please be aware this is NOT offered at this camp. They offer a "Ratio" of "one-TO-one"; this means that at any given time if you count the amount of campers vs. the amount of staff members... INCLUDING cooks, nurses, admins you will find the balance. This does NOT mean that your camper will receive a "one-ON-one" aid service. Their services are actually "ONE-ON-TWO".

I am writing this review because I spent DAYS and my referral members spent HOURS completing their extremely over extensive application. I made several calls and spoke with Deana (who was rude and vague with answering questions) throughout the WEEK and she was well aware of my son's age and told her that my son required "ONE-ON-ONE" aid services and she never once told me that they did not provide this NOR that they have a cut off of the age of 14 for first time campers.

Had my camper been accepted he would have never received the services that his IEP required and his Medicade would have likely been billed from his school as if they had provided it because even the school, who had referred me to them, was under the impression that they provided "one-ON-one" aid services. So I am actually very happy that they denied him as this could have become an extremely huge legal issue!

The only good thing I have to say is that the Director, Jamie Ingram and Executive Director, Emily Golinsky seem very kind and are very good at answering your questions. I suggest parents speak with one of them BEFORE filling out their ridiculously long application that asks the same questions OVER AND OVER and has time out issues as well as saving information issues verses dealing with Deana being rude and getting denied anyhow. We parents have enough on our plates with raising children with disabilities, we don't need to deal with this kind of stress on top of our daily lives.