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Steve & Kate's Camp - San Jose Willow Glen
3.6(8)3.6 out of 5 stars, 8 reviews San Jose, CA
About Steve & Kate's Camp - San Jose Willow Glen
Steve & Kate's Camp - San Jose Willow Glen offers a wide array of self-directed activities such as sewing, media lab with 3D printers, bounce houses, and water play, alongside highly flexible drop-off (7:30 am) and pick-up (6 pm) hours. Parents appreciate the included, customizable lunches and often praise the energetic and personable camp leaders, specifically mentioning Alex at the San Jose location for knowing kids and parents by name. However, the camp's quality can be inconsistent, with reports of dirty facilities, reduced activities at this specific location, and a significant concern regarding management conduct potentially risking child safety. The booking website is also noted for poor usability on mobile devices.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Parents needing highly flexible childcare hours (7:30 am - 6 pm).Children who thrive in self-directed activity environments and enjoy choosing their own schedule.Kids interested in a wide array of activities from crafts (sewing) to technology (3D printing) to active play (bounce houses, water day).Families who appreciate included meals with choice.Children aged approximately 5-12 years.
Why families love it
- Wide variety of engaging activities including sewing, media lab (with 3D printer), bounce houses, water day (every Friday), and daily morning kickoff games.
- Highly flexible camp hours from 7:30 am to 6 pm.
- Solid quality lunch included, with an entree chosen by parents and a salad bar for kids.
- Flexible attendance system: purchase days online and use them by simply showing up.
- Exceptional camp leaders, particularly Alex (San Jose), noted for endless energy and knowing kids and parents by name.
- Opportunity for outdoor play (unlike the Palo Alto location mentioned in a comparison).
Insider tips
- Be aware that the cleanliness and activity level at this specific Willow Glen location might be inconsistent or below expectations.
- Prepare for a challenging experience when using their website for booking or managing camp days, especially on a mobile phone.
- If you desire a camp where your child is pushed to try new activities or monitored for engagement, this camp's self-directed model may not align.
- Given the serious management and safety concerns, consider inquiring directly about these issues before enrolling.
- Take advantage of the flexible hours for busy schedules.
Good to know before you go
- If strict cleanliness and modern, well-maintained facilities are a high priority.
- If you prefer a highly structured camp environment that actively guides children into different activities and learning opportunities.
- If a seamless, user-friendly mobile website is crucial for your booking and camp management needs.
- If concerns about management conduct and potential risks to child safety are absolute deal-breakers.
- Inconsistent quality across locations; this Willow Glen location received reports of dirty/sticky floors and minimum/reduced activities compared to other S&K camps.
- Crowds
- Not directly mentioned in terms of crowding. Reviews suggest a full range of activities and camp-wide games, implying it can accommodate groups.
- Value
- Payment is made by purchasing days of attendance online, which offers flexibility. The inclusion of a solid quality lunch adds value. No specific price points are mentioned, but the drop-in flexibility and included food offer convenience.
- Food
- Solid quality lunch is included, with parent-chosen entree and a salad bar for kids. No information provided regarding outside food.
- Accessibility
- No specific accessibility accommodations are mentioned in the reviews. Operating in a school setting may imply general accessibility, but details are absent.
- Safety
- Camp is located at a school, ensuring kids stay in bounds and preventing entry of unidentified or unauthorized adults.
What parents say
"We like Steve & Kate's camp philosophy and we have had a good experience with the Sunnyvale camp. This one at Willow Glenn and Palo Alto one are very disappointing though. I guess they operate via franchises, and do not do any quality check over their franchises! My kids went to the Willow Glenn one today after being frustrated at the closed environment and broken machines at Palo Alto. This was worse. They operate it in a school cafeteria area, with a sticky and dirty floor with minimum activities. Place looked awful from drop off. Also, they have reduced activities. Only good thing is they c"
4 months ago
"I cannot begin to explain how much our family loves Steve and Kate camp! Everyday my son is excited to go to camp where he enjoys activities like sewing, the media lab (where he has printed many 3D figurines using their 3D printer), bounce houses, water day every Friday, daily morning kickoff (where the camp comes together to play games as a whole to get the day started), and many more activities. We love Alex (the camp leader in San Jose)! Alex seems to have endless energy which the kids truly enjoy and he knows each kid and their parents by name. All of the camp leaders are outstanding and t"
2 years ago
"An excellent, well-designed summer camp with one flaw and a horrible websiet. Overall I'm very impressed by this location and by the brand as represented here. They have thought carefully about how to make the camp satisfy the needs of busy but devoted parents and their kids. There are a wide variety of interesting activieis so the kids have fun all day, and a solid quality lunch (with an entree chosen by the parent and a lot of optionals including a salad bar for the kids to select from) is included. Camp hours are flexible, with lots of drop-in activities so you can check yhour kids in a"
6 years ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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