Testimonials

The wilderness backpacking trek was the highlight of Wills life so far

Sarah, backpacking camper parent
Charlottesville, VA

This experience is what living life fully, means to me

Laura, Adult Survival Skills

Thank you for making my girls outdoor experience such a wonderful one, in addition to one they will always remember. They had lots of praise for your counselors. Your camp was more than I hoped for. Thank you again for taking such good care of my girls.

Leonora, Earth Roots camper parent

Your camp seems to be what kids need but haven’t gotten.

Greg, Earth Roots camper parent

For the families that have an appreciation for the earth and nature, they will absolutely love this camp. Its so nice to remove the kids from their hectic (and sometimes “plugged-in”) lives for a week of nature. We love the camp and will continue to send our kids there.”

Daphne H

My son had the best week of his summer, if not his life. This was his first experience away from home and he absolutely loved it. He raved about all the activities and the staff. Thank you all so much for providing him with such a nurturing, fun, educational, fun, and especially fun week of camp. We have nothing but praise for a great program and wonderful, attentive, caring staff.

David K

Absolutely magnificent! My boys had so much life in their faces when they came back from LES. They are not usually outdoor kids but they really enjoyed being outside for five days in August. They seemed to be more interested in trying new experiences and new foods after coming back. I am particularly impressed with the camp counselors and Kate and Hub as people who are so entirely present with the kids and the world. Extraordinary!!! One of the highlights of childhood. (Unique experience that takes kids out of lives created by social norms and media and brings them closer to what it means to live on this earth.)

L. S.

I am in awe of the community you forge in these brief camp times together. Parents see this when they pick their kids up, and the magic and positive feelings continue for the child for days, and will continue for my daughter into the school year. This camp community with all the counselors as role models for character, leadership and relationships gives a child reinforcement to be the person they really want to be and to resist some of the negative outside world pressures. The camps are truly a life-changing experience and the bonds formed for my daughter with other campers and also counselors are very precious to her.

Felice L.

My kids had a great time at camp. We appreciate the personal growth, fun and safety of the settings and activities you lead. You care so much for the kids, and give them such a wonderful opportunity to appreciate nature and develop self-reliance, social integration, and new friendships. You’re doing an amazing and important work for these children, and we appreciate your efforts.

David M

If your child finds the natural world exciting and engaging, then this is the camp for them.

Marie L.

This program is full of heart and spirit. I feel great that my son did this camp and feels more independent and confident because of it. I also love that he is learning to understand the natural world by interacting with it and learning to appreciate the cycles. The main thing—The kids love it! They learn unique (enriching) things and in a way they really enjoy. Over the years, it has also become a nice community for return campers.

David H

I felt so connected and at peace, so complex and alive. It was incredible.

Camper –Genevieve Wall

The most nurturing camp around, on a deep soul level and FUN!

Kristen Pickering

My son absolutely loved this camp and will be back again and again. The set of skills you worked on—fire making, shelter building, tracking, tool making, knife use and, not least, attuning one;s senses and awareness to the wilderness were fascinating and very valuable to him. He looks forward to repeating the camp and following it with more advanced camps, and we look forward to him doing it.

D. brown

If you want your child to experience the true meaning of nature and living with the land, they should attend this camp. It’s a camp that goes beyond supervised summer activities. They teach, they explore, they nurture, and they care on a level not found anywhere else we have known.

Anne P.

This camp is one of the most important gifts you could give to a child. LES has created the opportunity for children to find out what is inside of themselves in a safe, nurturing manner. My daughter loves it and I love what it has done for her. It is truly a priceless experience.

Faith O.

If your child enjoys the outdoors and is interested in nature, they will love this camp.

Ruta V.

I would highly recommend this camp to children who love to be outdoors and have a great curiosity about nature. The camp is in a beautiful location, the staff sre all great with children, and we are so fortunate to have this camp in our “backyard”.

Kate, Hub and the counselors really listen to the children (and the parents), and its clear that the experience is REALLY for the children. The LES camps are awesome!!!

Justine I.