"A fun camp where a kid can truly be a kid while building independence, confidence and social skills. Our son has
certainly gained all of these and more. He arrives home every year from camp letting us know that he wants to be signed up for the following year." "After my daughter's first trip to GAC as a Gold Nugget, she has already figured out when she will receive her 5 year blanket. She absolutely loved it!" "Our son has never shown us the photos spontaneously before when he came back from other camps. Today he explained to us all the photos one by one." "All three of our girls say that GAC is the best part of their summers. We feel very fortunate that we are able to send them every year because they always return to us more confident, mature, self sufficient and happy. While they are at camp we look forward to their letters but we also look forward to hearing from their counselors and what they observe about our kids! Each of your counselors is very well trained and we always feel confident that our children are in great hands when we send them to GAC!" "This summer was my son's first overnight camp experience. We ended up sending him to two different camps, and by far, Gold Arrow stood out to us and him as the camp he wants to return to next year." "As parents we've never felt so relaxed when our children were at away camp. He was in capable hands and the level of activities and campfire entertainment was over the top. The counselors are smart, creative, talented and supportive. Just seeing the Neon dance pictures and how ALL the campers AND staff were dressed up and everyone was participating made us realize the organization and enthusiasm of your camp." "As third generation GAC campers, my children have been hearing about GAC for many years. I can't tell you how thrilled I am that the camp continues to be an amazing experience for children. I especially appreciate that the activities that I did are the same activities that my children got to experience. This camp is truly a timeless experience of what an all around camp should offer. I hope that it is around for the 4th generation of Amestoy/Reilly's to attend!" "Aside from how wonderful the activities are, and how appreciative our daughter is of the physical beauty of being in nature for 2 weeks, it is also a very nurturing place, where children can feel comfortable being uncomfortable, and safe enough to find comfort to work that through. This adds a kind of confidence for a kid from the city that is difficult to get anywhere else." "Being able to see the pictures of her brother smiling from ear to ear every day has prompted our daughter, (a serious homebody), to ask if she can go to Gold Arrow next year too!" "Both of my twin girls loved each and every year at GAC for different reasons. When they were little, they loved the feel of the camp, the sleeping in bunks, big campfire, all of the activities. As they grew older it became more about the people they met, the friends they made, the skits, the dances, and the socials. Now that they have completed their last summer at camp as campers, they have all these memories of great summer vacations in a camp in the mountains with new and old friends. They will always be a part of GAC and GAC a part of them." "Our daughter looks forward to Gold Arrow Camp all year long. After 5 years, it's still her favorite activity of the summer. She falls in love with her counselors each summer and can't stop talking when she gets home. Stories, laughing, friends...it's magical!"
"Both of the boys told us they were fighting tears when it was time to get on the bus and come home! They didn't want to leave." "Both times when we picked him up at camp one of the first things he says is that he definitely wants to come back again next summer. This happens when we are driving out of the staging area for the camper's bags!" "My daughters think that the whole year revolves around the two weeks of camp They constantly talk about what they did at camp last year and are excited about what they're going to try this year. They wonder how many of their camp friends will be back and promise to make at least two "new best friends" each year! They say that these friends are different from home friends because they're not competing for the best grades, popularity, or in sports. I love that they gain independence, confidence and social skills, while having fun, in such a safe and organized environment." "Our son was talking today about GAC spirit container and how over the course of 2 weeks the campers try to earn enough "spirit eggs" to fill the container. He said, "Spirit is being "spirit-full" and is how you treat other campers and the counselors." What a wonderful lesson to learn at camp!" 
"My son loves everything electronic, as do most 13 year old's, but doesn't miss them for a minute at camp." "Camp helped my kids learn to make friends. I call camp the happiest place on earth because it has such a positive atmosphere!" "It's simply the best well-rounded and grounded summer camp there is!!!!!!" 
"Change a child- two weeks at a time. Gold Arrow Camp is like salve on a my daughter's soul. Thank you for bringing her back to herself, year after year." "Each child is treated as an individual. They are not lumped together to be GACampers. They are encouraged to try a lot of activities, So much attention was given to each cabin by the counselors, they worked as a team. Paul and I feel your staff is above and beyond our expectations. We wanted to stay and get the GAC spirit and experience. How about a parent week? Great long term benefits." "For a girl who has grown up in Singapore, the camp experience offers her a completely different experience than what she is used to and provides an opportunity to develop social skills and build confidence in a beautiful outdoor environment." "My shy, quiet, 9 year old went to GAC not knowing a sole. Two weeks later my daughter came home transformed. She blossomed. She made friends, learned a multitude of activities, felt safe, loved, confident, and happy, really happy. As hard as it was on me, it was all worth it for her. I know this is the single best thing I have ever done for her. She knows it now too." 
"For their first sleep way a camp my younger son was nervous (and so were we)... the photo's you provide gave us a snap shot of the experience daily. We knew they were having fun. When they returned we asked "do you want to go again and for 1 or 2 weeks?" Their answer was "YES and YES!" "From start to finish, the Gold Arrow experience is professional and put together. In each step of the process I always felt my child and his/her needs were at the forefront of everyone's mind. They'll be back for more!" "From nervous and apprehensive about getting on the bus, to helping to direct us around camp and showing us (her family) the docks and cabins and places around camp with confidence and ownership showed us how much she grew in 2 weeks. It makes you wish you were a kid again, so you could attend." 
"GAC has exceeded my every expectation. My son's confidence and independence has grown considerably. The counselors teach lessons of friendship, nature and an overall sense of well being. We will be back next year displaying all the award patches on his new GAC jacket! Every year we can measure his success." "GAC is the best decision I have made for my kids! They are stronger and healthier, in body and spirit!!!" 
"GAC provides the perfect combination of a rugged outdoor experience in a safe and nurturing environment." "GAC took my city-kid who could barely ride a bike and returned a sailing, camping, climbing, in love with the outdoors young man." "It's wonderful to see my son unplug and have a wonderful experience in the outdoors. He always comes home with a new found confidence in his abilities. Thank you!" "Gold Arrow Camp is a offers a wonderful combination of a wide variety of experiences, a terrific setting, and high expectations for how to be good friends in an inviting, low key and fun manner. Our kids each had a wonderful time and took away different things from their experiences--and they can't wait to come back next summer!!" "I wish that our son's entire year could be as good as the experience he has at Gold Arrow Camp." "Gold Arrow Camp is the quintessential camp experience. Fun, nurturing, safe and incredibly well organized. I love that my son has so many memorable experiences with GAC and that I get to watch him (via the online photos-those rock!) and know he's well and happy. GAC is truly something special!" "Gold Arrow is in a beautiful setting, a real break from the hustle and bustle of life in Los Angeles!" "I feel so lucky to give my kids the opportunity to spend 2 weeks in nature and to just let them be kids without all the complications and pressures. Their time at GAC will make them better grown ups." "In a world of digital or virtual everything, the GAC experience is the real deal! It offers kids the chance to experience real challenges, real friends and real fun!" "Just do it! Sign up your child and feel confident that they WILL have a great time and that this camp is the best!" "My son had the time of his life. It was his first experience being away from home. He came home and shared his time away with day-by-day descriptions. He has already talked his twin 5-year old's into going with him next year! What a tremendous experience at a first class facility!" "Living in the Midwest, my son relished the chance to enjoy California's beautiful mountains and challenge himself to so many new activities. As parents, we loved Gold Arrow's positive messages, amazing, responsive and caring staff and high-quality programs. You provided a memorable experience for us and our son." "My son got on the bus not knowing anyone at GAC and never having gone to sleep-away camp before, and the GAC counselors had him off and running and making friends from Minute One. Everything you do is made into fun. There is no competitiveness. There is this sense that I am able to let my kids experience some of what it was like to grow up in safer, less congested, slower times, where they have independence and low-tech fun." "My children are making memories that will last a lifetime. I was looking at pictures on the camp website and noticed the smiles on the camper's faces, sheer unadulterated joy. I wish every child could experience that feeling." "My daughter is more confident, independent and fearless than ever before. And she is more conscientious. She is now cleaning up after herself and truly helping around the house in a way that all the nagging in the world can't achieve!" "My son did not want to go to camp, but as soon as he stepped off the bus he was talking about next summer. He was afraid he would be homesick, but now that he's back home he says he is "campsick"." "My son gets picked on a lot. He is small, but he has a quick mind and a smart mouth, which has often gotten him in trouble with bullies. At Camp Gold Arrow, he has experienced a level of non-competitive camaraderie which is hardly available in today's die-hard environment and he was able to interact with other children of different backgrounds without that one-upsmanship/I am better than you struggle-that permeates so many athletic and social activities today - especially in preteen and teen boys. I am so happy about the no cursing, no put-down policy that was instigated right at the beginning of camp (I cannot tell you how prevalent this behavior is at my son's school and local parks, public places, I just abhor it.). If kids can experience this benevolent behavior within camp, and see the beneficial effects, could they possibly carry this on into their "real lives" and wouldn't that be wonderful domino effect? My son had "the time of his life" and I would certainly recommend this camp to anyone. If I was 35 years younger, I'd be filling out an application myself." "My son felt comfortable with the counselors to address anything with them. He loved the night-time reading with his counselor Gatsby. I think that made him feel like it was a bit of home right there with him. He has made great friends, tried new things and had a great growing opportunity in the true sense of the word." "The counselors were so sweet and caring, I felt completely confident in leaving my daughter in their hands. And, my confidence was more than justified. My daughter had a wonderful time in her first overnight camp experience. She said it was like a "big slumber party". It's amazing how much confidence in herself she gained in just the one week she was away. What a great experience!" "The people are what make the camp and Gold Arrow knows how to pick the right counselors!" What a great experience!" "This is the most important part of our summer. Everything else comes second. The counselors are incredible -they have so much energy and creativity. Our son gets more out of these two weeks than an entire year at school!" "Two weeks at Gold Arrow are worth their weight in... gold! Our daughter loved every day, every experience! From water sports to Casino night, this was the camp for her!" "We love Gold Arrow for giving our kids a wholesome and traditional camp experience. The staff are fun loving and so competent. We have made it part of our lives and own family tradition to go every year." "Your on-line communication with the campers family at home was so comforting. I pretty much knew what my son was doing each day, throughout the day!!! This was our first experience having our son at sleep away camp and we could not have asked for a better one. I especially appreciated the automated call that I received, both at home and on my cell, informing me when the bus arrived safely at camp the first day. For me, it set the precedence for the rest of the two week experience!" |