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Testimonials

Spring Hiking

Some quotes we received from our 2009 Parents:

“I'm very happy with everything about Camp Matawa and its staff. It feels emotionally and physically safe.”
"Erin loves being a part of Camp Matawa and I feel that what she learns during her time here helps me to raise a responsible, well rounded and caring young girl.”
“Matawa creates probably one of the most positive experiences of the year for the kids. I’m always amazed at how well the counselors know my kids and remember them from year to year. This means a lot to me, it demonstrates that their interest in the kids is sincere.”
“The staff and counselors are amazing. It’s obvious they are all about kids. Every year I can’t believe Matawa can get any better, but it always does. Jackie has learned so much from the dedicated staff and counselors. I’m very proud that she is part of the Matawa experience.”
“I was very impressed with the camp as a whole. I was very nervous sending my son away for the first time. I was pleasantly surprised that my sonhad such a great time!”
“My daughter had a fabulous time. She cried all the way home because she would miss Matawa. I think the time frame was too short for her and I will sign her up for longer next year.”
"We are thrilled to be a part of the Matawa community. The kids look forward to attending camp all year long. Matawa creates probably one of the most positive experiences of the year for the kids every year. And I am always amazed at how well the counselors know my kids and remember them from year to year. That means a lot to me, it demonstrates that their interest in the kids is sincere."
" Jackie is unable to point out just one thing as her BEST thing at camp - she is devoted to all of the new friends and relationships she's made at camp. These friendships will last her lifetime!"

Some quotes we received from our 2008 Campers:

“I learned a lot. Trust on the Alpine Tower, endurance with Mountain Biking, and teamwork with Canoeing.”
“After the first night when we all met each other...then no matter who you sat by they were your best friend!”
“Thank you so much for giving me so many experiences and years of fun.”
“I felt included and had lots of fun!”
“I feel at home when I go there.”

Some quotes we received from our 2008 Parents:

Your counselors are GREAT!! A very up beat personality. Very friendly, and they seem to enjoy what they do at camp.”
“It was great when we arrived back at camp to pick up our son. Andy came over and let us know that Jack was home sick for a few nights. But he did great. It was nice knowing that someone was there to help him through it.”
“Your staff members seem "equipped" to do the job! They really relate well to the campers. They also relate well to the parents, which was evident at the closing night.”
“The entire staff is excellent and we feel you do a great job of knowing which staff to keep!”
“Al [staff] seem to enjoy themselves and take interest in the camp and the kid campers. Being a veteran of many Y camps, I believe Matawa assembles a great team. My daughter looks to one day 'give back' to the camp by being a counselor there. She said, ‘I want to be a counselor and help others grow and enjoy the experience but only if I could do it at Matawa.’ So her commitment and ties and bonds are tight with her camping roots at Matawa.”
“Everyone was very friendly and was focused on the kids. They all seemed to be there to make sure the kids had the best camp experience possible!”
“They are great. Jacob loved all of the activities and felt the staff went all-out to make them feel special and to provide fun for them.”
“They all really care about the kids! It is great to see.”
“Danny was happy to see he had the same counselor as last year- Evan. I think he felt more comfortable with a familiar face.”
“When he came home he felt like a whole new person.”
“Plain and simple....Ben loves camp. He loves the surroundings and the people involved. He has never come home and complained about a thing. Matter of fact...it always takes him a few days to get caught up on sleep :) and to adjust to the ‘real world!’”
“Overall, everything was very organized and staff were extremely helpful; would definitely recommend to others.”
“Keep up the hard work. You are helping us, as parents, to change our child into a confident leader.”
“The camp was a great experience for Ali. She rated it a 10 out of 10. The camp she attended last year she rated a 1 out of 10. She had a much better time this year.”
“We are so happy we discovered you a few years back and we'd donate a million $$ if we had it!!”
“I was really pleased with my daughter's experience at camp. She was a little homesick, and cried at night, BUT her counselors really made her feel comfortable and she wants to go next year.”
“ We loved the kids at the entrances, as first time camp parents it was really comforting to see the excitement from campers and staff from the start!!”
“Every year that Allie goes to come, she comes home a better person, and definitely more grown up.”
“My two girls are very different personalities and yet they both came home over the moon with stories of the friends they made and fun times they had. Clearly you do a lot of things right!”
“I really liked the goals set by the counselors for Stephanie.”
“Overall I'm pleased upon my drive home that my son talked for 35 minutes straight all about what he did and the fun stories. I feel it was the best investment I've made in his life so far.”
“I like how the YMCA builds leadership in young adults, fosters inclusion for our daughter with Down Syndrome and helps her be more independent in a comfortable community at camp. The tone is set to give mutual respect.”
“My son learned to be responsible at camp. They even got him to open up and meet new friends. Thank you!”
“You have become an integral part of our family, not just the summer camp, but the year round programs as well.”
“You guys do such a great job. Check-in and closing ceremonies are high-energy, positive and well-organized. I always feel really good when I drop them off. I appreciate that people recognize and genuinely remember my kids from year to year. The staff is patient and helpful and fun. When I pick them up, they talk excitedly and non-stop about their experiences. It isn't often that Jocie volunteers information anymore, so I love listening to her ramble about the people and the activities. It is clear from her account of the week that her self-esteem has been recharged. I don't know if any of you will ever understand how rare and important that is and how fortunate I feel to have found this place where we can rely on it.”