Willowbrook Arts Camp

This camp is a mixed bag for sure. I had always heard good things about it so this summer I signed my kids up for all 6 sessions. Right now we're in week 5 of 6. I've had a few questions from time to time and I've found out that emailing does not get results. After camp one day I asked my question in person to the staff member in charge and was told "I try not to answer emails unless it's an emergency." What?? So if you have a question, call them! Also, as others have said, the pickup process takes on avg 30 mins each day, some days 40 mins. They have a good system with taking your pickup slips and putting a number on your car about 15 mins from the front of the line. But then it takes so long for the counselor to actually round up your kid(s) I always end up waiting at the curb for quite a while when I get to the front. This process could be a lot faster if they could have the kids ready quicker. There are signs to not park in the neighborhood, but I tried it one day out of desperation, and it was a 10 min walk each way and 10 mins to find my kids so it doesn't save any time. Drop-off is quick, but the counselors don't walk the kids in. This week temperatures are in the high 90s and will be 100+ at least one day. The cancelation policy is you get $0 if it's less than 2 weeks before the first day of the session in question. And they only offer refunds if they cancel an entire week. I'm very surprised they didn't cancel this week. But now today (Monday aft), they emailed suggesting we all pick our kids up an hour early. If we need to leave them the whole day, that's allowed and no extra cost, but I kind of raised my eyebrow at that one. I think they should have given families the choice to get a refund instead of forcing us to either roast our kids or pick them up early. I agree with others that most of the art projects my kids have brought home are not impressive materials. But they both did try clay and really enjoyed that. My younger child got to do tie dye but my older one was told they didn't have enough supplies / slots for him to do it. BEWARE- after 5 washes, the tie dye is still heavily bleeding. The one thing that really bothered my older son - he was told at the invention tent he couldn't build something that other kids had been making. The counselor was a bit unkind and wouldn't let him use the materials he needed. He was told he could build it if he brought his own materials, even though they had what he needed at the invention tent. This upset me as a parent. My younger son had fun but one day fell on the hooks they hang their bags on and got a horrible gash on his back. It still looks awful, I'll attach a photo. I don't know why there's a scenario where kids can fall on hooks, and why he didn't receive medical attention. The thing this camp does the best is plays. If your kid wants to be in a play, this is for them. Beware though- they mostly go in 2 week cycles. Week 1-2, 3-4, and 5-6. Older kids will need to attend both weeks because the first week is when casting happens. The plays happen in the second week. Younger kids join in the 2nd week, doing a preshow. My kids were both in a play each. My older child in particular really loved the experience. Overall, I think I'd send my kids here again, but not for all 6 weeks. Next year they'll do week 1-2 or maybe 1-4 but it's getting too hot for outdoor camp by week 5-6. Side note- this camp is held in a public park and chain link fences are installed to keep the kids safe. On several occasions, I witnessed a degree of anger / aggressiveness from local community members frustrated with us all. I guess I don't blame them, but it puts us parents in a weird position. FYI, expect to hear expletives hurled at the pickup line or mild road rage from passing cars. In summary, I sent my kids here so they could explore their interests in the arts as autonomously as possible and I think we've achieved that. I would say I think communication over email could be greatly improved, and more efficiency with the pickup line would vastly improve the experience.

We tried this camp twice hoping for a better experience last year, but we won't be returning. It seems like the older kids have a great time, but I don't think it is a good environment for younger kids or shy kids. Neither of my kids made any new friends and much of time they felt confused about what they should be doing. They weren't excited about any of the art projects. It is VERY independent which might be great for some kids, but I expected a bit more guidance/ quality art materials for an 'art camp'. They round the kids up for pickup very early and have them sit in the dirt for the hour that it takes for parents to slowwwwly get to the pickup area. The drop off and pickup is very stressful and the staff in charge screams their names which was frightening to my kids. It doesn't matter if you arrive early or late, the pickup procedure takes 30-75 minutes! And your car is idling the whole time which was so disgusting to me, especially on 95-degree+ days! So many of the reviews (and I'm sure many emails) complain about the pickup/ drop off, the fact that they continue to do it the same way they have for decades is so disappointing! Hire a couple of buses to shuttle kids from a local church parking lot, it wouldn't be that difficult!

This camp wasn't what I expected. My daughter is 5. Based on the website I thought that she would have more structured, instructor-led time with all of the activities listed (music, ceramics, dance, weaving, etc). The projects she brought home were pretty basic (folded construction paper, a beaded bracelet, a folded paper plate, and a shaker). She enjoyed the group games but I don't feel like she was exposed to the arts in a meaningful way. Willowbrook's unstructured environment might be a better fit for older kids. I will say that everyone was very nice.

I was disappointed in my son’s experience at this camp. He begged me to let him stay home after two days because of the “mean” camp counselors. Unfortunately I was not surprised, as I found them unfriendly and apathetic at pick up and drop off. You would think they would select empathetic and warm counselors for the littlest group of kids (3-4 year olds). The cost of 4 days at camp was quite steep and the arts and crafts they did were rudimentary (construction paper and paper plates). I got the impression it was a glorified daycare. Willowbrook touts a link to photos from “camp today” so parents can see what the children did that day. There were never any posts, so I have no idea what they did for 3.5 hours besides eat a snack and hang out in a fenced in area with a large blanket down on the dirt. I had read great things about this camp, but I guess they’ve gone downhill. Waste of money.

I’m a Willowbrook alumna who now travels across the country to send my kids here each summer. This camp and the culture it creates is truly magical. The child-led experience (kids, especially in the older ages, truly choose their own day’s schedule and activities) is so rare in camps and education. This model both lets children explore their interests and allows kids with passion to focus on certain arts if they want to. The camp attracts and fosters artistic talents while also being a place where everyone is welcome and celebrated. I know professional singers, actors, writers, playwrights, and comedians who I grew up with at camp. My own children getting to experience this place is a highlight of motherhood for me. They love it so much and are glad to be back this year.