Steve & Kate's Camp - Belmont

Oct 23rd, 2021

My 11-year old attended for a few days last week, we are never going back. To say we are angry and disappointed, is an understatement. A little about the Covid setup -- Parents must select "squads" online for their child each week.  There's either "athletic" or "sampler" squad, for the given week only athletic was available. No issues about that, my kid enjoys sports. Parents must also choose their lunch preference and "express check-in" their child online and then bring the QR code at drop off. Our experience last week was awful. Our child went in the first day, there was no organization, minimal effort to assimilate the kids or group kids of similar age. Kids were pretty much wandering around on Arundel school campus, where this camp is held. Our child said he tried to play basketball, but the balls were deflated. He asked for a pump to inflate the balls but was told to they had none -- all the balls in this so called "athletic" squad remained deflated the entire week. He mentioned that counselors were mostly on their phone and socializing with each other. He sat alone for most of the day and ate lunch by himself. The website paints a starkly different picture, the actual experience is far different.That evening, I received and automated email from the site leader asking for "brutally honest, real-time feedback" via text or email. I texted her, no reply. Next day, tried to talk to the person checking kids in/out at the campus and gave feedback. Asked about inflating balls and suggested inviting the kids to play was told the "leader my child's squad was out the previous day and so things were a bit off." Not sure what kind of response that is. Figured things may get a bit better, as our kid also needed to make an effort to make friends as well. On Friday, we pick up our child, and on the ride home ask how his day was. He tells us another kid bit him. Upon inquiring more, turns out this kid also hit another child with a baseball bat. In normal times, this is egregious but in Covid times, this is dangerous. The kids are supposed to be wearing masks and keeping bodily fluids to themselves. If kids don't have masks on, the counselors don't bother enforcing it.There were no counselors around, my child had to find one and report what happened.Apparently, the counselor was shocked and became very nervous. Calling others on their walkie-talkies (that's pretty much what these counselors do, either stay busy on their phone or their walkie talkie) and excitedly figuring out what to do next. We didn't receive any text/call, accident report or even a follow up to see if our child is okay. I sent a text to the site leader that afternoon and again, no reply. If you care about your child's physical and emotional well-being, don't bother sending them to Steve and Kate'sFull disclosure: I received a voucher for the summer camp as part of a local school PTA fundraising auction. The voucher was donated by Steve and Kate's.
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