It is the best camp ever for your kids. Mine are older and they really loved the choice of activities. When my kids come home and tell me that they got up at 4:00am to sit for a few hours in silence and watch the dawn and be one with their surroundings, and that that was the best experience ever...how great is that! It can't be any better.
Pam G.
The wilderness backpacking trek was the highlight of Will's 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 daughter loves LES, and she looks forward to returning every year. The counselors are warm, friendly, entertaining and knowledgeable; the natural environment can’t be beat; and the camp activities are thoughtfully engaging. The knowledge and appreciation (for nature) that she picks up every year at LES stays with her year-round.
I’m also impressed that Kate and Hub take such care to hire knowledgeable, responsible counselors. Seeing some of the same faces every year is a great comfort and gives me confidence that I’m leaving my daughter in the care of responsible, engaged adults who actually know her. That’s a HUGE benefit.
The whole LES experience is an important highlight in my daughters year. We love and look forward to the warm, family-like environment and engaging, child-friendly activities that offer friendship and recreation without pandering to the clamor for constant group activity and the overwhelming din that defines the average summer day camp experience. Sit spot is her favorite activity – she loves to claim a small piece of the wood and then to sit quietly and observe. In that way, the “Connect with Nature” idea is a truism that distinguishes LES from other programs that offer nature instruction: at LES, the interaction between my child and the natural world around her is immediate, is one-on-one, and does not need to be filtered through a “lesson” or guided tour. To sit on a claimed rock or log and simply observe, is to meditate on one’s own connection to the earth; and it’s an opportunity that too many children lack. So, while I do appreciate the guided activities and fun lessons that LES offers, I believe its fullest value is expressed in those small moments of independence that allow the child to exercise her trust and interest in the natural world.
Renee S.
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We Feel Blessed that we found you. It teaches my son real skills and boosts his self-esteem and love of nature so much. It is a fabulous camp run by incredibly knowledgeable, fun, and loving people. The kids love it. It fosters their connection to nature and strengthens their inner selves. I can't say enough wonderful things about it!
Jennifer F.
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.
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.
If your child enjoys the outdoors and is interested in nature, they will love this camp.
Ruta V.
We love that this camp was founded and is run by a family. It feels more personal than some of the summer experiences for kids that are managed more like a professional outfitter.
Dena M..
This camp is one of our favorite things about living in Charlottesville!
Emily D.
LES is the very best of what I want my children to get out of life
Robin L.
It is by far the best camp opportunity for children in this area. I have complete confidence in Kate and Hub and the counselors to not only teach and provide fun activities but to care and hold my child. We LOVED it!!!
Jeanette A.
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