Camp Fire San Diego
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Camp Fire San Diego is highly regarded for its consistent outdoor programming, including unique activities like archery and rock climbing, and is particularly praised for its attentive, enthusiastic counselors who remember individual children and foster an inclusive environment. It attracts many repeat families for summer and school break camps, with a convenient location in Balboa Park.
Key Highlights
- ✓Counselors are attentive, enthusiastic, and remember individual children even after breaks, fostering a strong sense of inclusion.
- ✓Offers a variety of fun outdoor activities, specifically mentioning archery and rock climbing.
- ✓Features small group sizes, contributing to a personalized experience.
- ✓Continuous upgrades to the camp facilities are noted and appreciated by long-time campers.
- ✓Highly rated by repeat attendees, with many families returning for multiple sessions and years.
Standout Features
- ⭐Dedicated outdoor programming with activities like archery and rock climbing.
- ⭐Small group sizes for campers.
- ⭐Highly praised and attentive counselors.
- ⭐Prime location within Balboa Park.
- ⭐Reported reasonable prices and flexibility/availability of camp sessions (though not cancellation policy).
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Be extremely diligent about the cancellation policy; assume full forfeiture of tuition if plans change, even with significant advance notice.
- →If friend grouping is critical for your child (especially if they are shy), inquire about and proactively complete all necessary forms *well in advance* of camp, and confirm arrangements directly with staff.
- →Consider packing your own snacks if you prefer to avoid sugary options or the pay-as-you-go snack shack.
- →A great option for consistent, engaging activities during school breaks and summer for children who enjoy being outdoors.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Extremely strict cancellation policy: full tuition is typically forfeited even if cancelled months in advance (a partial refund was granted in one instance only after extensive documentation and a special process within 24 hours of booking, for a cancellation made two months out).
- ⚠Reports of a camp director being rude, condescending, passive-aggressive, and unsympathetic.
- ⚠Rigidity in group assignments; a shy child was not allowed to join pre-arranged friends, even with a special request and despite the director being aware of the child's shyness.
- ⚠Parents may be unaware of specific forms required for friend grouping, leading to issues upon arrival.
- ⚠Snack shack primarily offers 'sugary foods' on a pay-as-you-go basis, which some parents might mind.
Price & Value
Reviewed as having 'reasonable prices' and 'availability/flexibility of time' for sessions. However, the strict cancellation policy means the full tuition amount is at high risk if attendance plans change, which can significantly reduce perceived value. Additional costs include pay-as-you-go sugary snacks from the snack shack.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility accommodations mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Access to a 'snack shack' offering 'sugary foods' on a pay-as-you-go basis.
- •No information provided regarding whether outside food is allowed or restricted.
🚗Parking Info
- •Located in Balboa Park, implying parking may be typical for that area, but no specific details on parking availability or cost are mentioned in the reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Advertises 'Small Groups' as a positive feature, suggesting a managed camper-to-staff ratio and group size.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Counselors are described as attentive and actively working to make every camper feel included, suggesting a focus on emotional well-being and supervision.
- •Small group sizes can also contribute to better supervision and a safer environment.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If you anticipate needing flexibility with cancellations, due to the extremely strict policy.
- • If your child is highly sensitive, very shy, or relies heavily on being placed with specific friends, *unless* you have received explicit, written confirmation of friend grouping from the camp director prior to enrollment.
- • If a highly accommodating and sympathetic camp management (director level) is a top priority for you.
Pricing/Package/Events
Photos
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Recent Reviews
C MacLeod
10 months agoGreat camp experience! This is our second year going. Lots of fun outdoor activities. The counselors always seem excited to see the kids, and remembered my child even after a long break from camp. My child (age 5) loves this camp and we will continue to go here for school breaks.
Mary Dorsey
5 years agoThe experience my son has had at Camp Cahito has been very good. So far he's attended 3-4 different sessions and he's loved all of them. They're outside all day and get access to the snack shack (pay-as-you-go, sugary foods). I don't mind this arrangement but some might. My summary: Good (4 stars): Nice program, nice people, happy kid, reasonable prices, and availability /flexibility of time. Not-so-good: cancellation policy is really strict. I cancelled two months in advance, within 24 hours of booking. They made an exception and refunded part of the tuition - usually they take the whole thing. I provided lots of supporting documents and went through a special process to get that partial refund. So just be mindful of that.
Skin Guru Charlotte
7 years agoDO NOT send your child to this camp! Director is super rude and condescending. We signed up for this camp strictly for my son to go with his two friends from school. He's never been here before and does not know one child except for them. There was a form that we were unaware of that needed to be filled out. The director was completely passive aggressive, rude, and unsympathetic. Our son is very shy. I'm a business owner and I would do anything in my power to try and make it right for the customer. She wouldn't even consider moving him into their group. I get it, my best friend runs a preschool. I'm sure she's used to angry parents. I just don't understand why they couldn't make an exception and put this one child with his friends. Ridiculous! And it wasn't even that she wouldn't do it, it was the way that I was treated. And especially how my son is being treated. I guess kids are just a number there. Oh, we have also been sending our children to camp for years. I'm not a new mom and this is not a new experience for me. My older daughter is 12. We have been going to the Y camp every week, every summer since she was five. I have never had anything like this happen there.
David Smith
7 years agoWe have been sending our Campers here for years, the Staff are attentive and really try and make every Camper feel included. Our Campers are loving the new upgrades at Camp year to year. The Pros include - Outdoor Programing - Archery - Small Groups - Great Counselors - Rock Climbing - Location in Balboa Park
Nikki Rae
3 years agoCamp counselors are great! Campers seem to enjoy their time at camp and love the variety of fun activities offered.