Website for Adventure Day Camp: http://www.adventuredaycamp.com/

Editor note: there is a camp in Oakland with a similar name: Adventure Time Summer Camp

Re: Summer camp recommendations for 2nd grader
My oldest son is now in 2nd grade, so has been through 2 summers of full time camps (we both work, too). What we learned the first summer is that going to different camps each week (or even the same camp, but the kids change each week) was really tough on our son. Once we had this ''aha!,'' I then really thought about it and realized how much I would hate to have something totally new every week...no chance to relax and feel comfortable.

Luckily, that first summer, we had sent him to one camp which had 3 week long sessions...AND he loved it. That is Adventure Day Camp (ADC) in Walnut Creek. Before you dismiss it as being too far away and in Walnut Creek, THE BEST part about it as a working parent is that they have a BUS which can pick up and drop off your child AT YOUR HOUSE...so awesome!!!

That first summer, he loved it so much that I ended up rearranging the end of his summer and taking him out of two other camps so he could go back to ADC for a second session.

Last summer, I signed him up for the 1st and 3rd sessions...many of the kids were returning from the summer before and many were there for the same 2 sessions...great comfort level and friends...his only bummer was that the counselor changed between sessions (this didn't happen the first summer).

So anyway, I would highly recommend Adventure Day Camp...both of my kids will be there this summer...and even if you don't go there, I would discourage you from having a different camp every week. It even drove my husband and me nuts...trying to remember where we had to drive, what the ''rules'' were for each camp...what we had to pack in the backpack...do we sunscreen or do they, etc ADC Loyalist

Just wanted to put in another good word for Adventure Day camp. I sent my 5 year old and 7 year old daughters to this camp for one session this summer and it was absolutely wonderful. The days are so thoughtfully and creatively planned, the spectrum of activities is amazingly huge (almost daily swimming, horseback riding, archery, rock climbing, arts and crafts, performing arts, cooking, sports, games, canoeing, hiking, mountain biking and sailing for the older kids), the sense of energy and comaradery among all the campers and counselors is palpable. Moreover, I have a child with a severe peanut allergy and they were incredibly responsive and worked with me to create a safe environment for my daughter. My daughters would get off the bus (at the end of my driveway!) at the end of each day excited, sweaty, tired and happy. This was our first year at this camp and we will certainly be back again. Highly recommended. Anne

Any positive recommendations or anti-recommendations for Adventure Day Camp in Lafayette? We're thinking of sending our kids, who will be rising first graders this summer. Also, we live in Oakland and would use the bus service - any thoughts about that? Thanks! Lisa

I was so worried the first day how he'd feel with all new kids and riding the bus for an hour... He leapt off the bus and danced to the door declaring it the BEST. Every day for 2 sessions got the same rave reviews.

He loved the variety of activities (inc. swimming nearly every day), his counselor, the camp out, the lip sync...you name it, he loved it (other camps were fine, but this one won our son's heart). Nikki

Re: Day camp near Walnut Creek for picky 6th grader
I suggest you check out Adventure Day Camp in Walnut Creek. My 15-year-old daughter has been going there for years and loves it. She now is a counselor-in-training there. Fun and age-appropriate groups include ones for teens, who get to horseback ride, canoe, swim, play games, do art projects, and so on. Yes, there are groups for younger kids, but she would be in a small group with kids her age. Go to adventuredaycamp.com for further details. If your daughter might like to talk to mine, email me at the address below. nancy

Re: Walnut Creek daycamps for 5th grade girl
Hi - you said you're considering Adventure Day Camp because your daughter's friend has had a good experience there, but she isn't going for the session you are looking at. Although it is nice to have pre-made friends at camp, I would definitely still recommend ADC. My son has gone there since kindergarten, and every year has been great. Some sessions he had friends attending with him, and others he didn't. Sometimes the sessions where he needed to make new friends were the best, in fact. Now, he is a third grade boy, not a fifth grade girl, but I can also tell you that I am flying my 12 yo niece out from Maryland this summer to stay with us and attend ADC. She won't have any friends there but I have talked to Kevin, the director, and I'm confident that my niece will have a great three weeks -it is simply a wonderful environment. My advice is to talk to Kevin and tell him your concerns. He has had experience with this situation, I am sure, and will have excellent insights. Fran - an Adventure Day fan

Re:Summer Day Camp for 13 year old boy
Take look at Adventure Day Camp which is right in your neck of the woods in Walnut Creek. They have programs for kids through 9th grade. My son will be going there for the third year this summer. He's younger than yours but he really enjoys the tremendous variety of activities. Older kids get to sail, kayak, horseback ride, etc. Fran

I need help finding a camp for my 9 yr old daughter. She's very active, but not interested in team sports. She's gone to KCC (Kensington Community Center Camp) which has a lot of fun and interesting activities, but more often than not she didn't participate. (The camp seemed to have some structure in place, but the staff didn't seem skilled enough to encourage and entice all the kids to participate. I know my child was a hard sell, but that was their job.) Rather than participate she'd find one or a few other children to play with and they'd come up with their own games. That wouldn't be all that bad except she was often attracted to kids I'd prefer her to steer clear of, and the activities tended to be devious rather than benign. She loves acting, but claims to be too shy to do any sort of theatre camp. If she could get past the shyness I think she'd have a blast. Ultimatley, I'm looking for a camp that has a group of kids assigned to a counselor and the group does activities together. I want to avoid the free-for-all type of situations that come with unstructured camp programs. Recommendations please? annonymous

I would like to hear about others families' experiences with the Adventure camp in Walnut creek. I am considering it for my 8 years old daughter and 6 years old son. However, this camp has no reviews in BPN. I like the diversity of activities offered, but since we leave in N Berkeley area, I am concerned about the distance/location, the setting, and most importantly, how good are the counselors and the program in general. Any feedback would be welcomed. Thank you. Ariane

I am interested in feedback on Roughing It Day Camp in Lafayette and Adventure Day Camp in Walnut Creek. I'm looking for a camp for my six year old daughter. Thank you. Andrea