Y Outdoor Centre - Camp Thunderbird

Our adopted granddaughter"

*Children are forbidden to call home during over-night stays. When asked at drop-off the camp leader was evasive, and said they were trained to deal with home sickness.*No one returned my call to the camp directly while my child was staying there.*No responsible adult made themselves known before my child's stay via email, or on site. I had no idea who was running the show, other than teenagers.

Just picked my kids up from camp and want to say thank you to the kind and caring counsellors who made their stays so wonderful. My daughter loved her nine day experience with Nic and Laraya, and my son’s first camp experience was made awesome by Maddy, Anna and Alex. These amazing individuals are no doubt the rule (not the exception) in a larger cast of other amazing counsellors and administrators. Thank you; your efforts make an enormous difference to both the campers and their parents. Can’t wait for next year!

I would like to share feedback from 2 junior campers who attended Camp Thunderbird last year 2015. Firstly the 2 counsellors- Emma and Graham- provided none of the to be expected camp tools, such as comfort when away from home, nurturing in times of sadness (common to younger children), and an ability to solve problems when they arose. During the overnight, which is another item I will address further down in this review, Emma and Graham completely dismissed one of the campers who was noticably distraught and missing her mom, and couldnt find any room under the tarp to put down her sleeping bag. Emma and Graham told the camper basically to get lost and go work out their own problem. Deplorable counselling.The overnight was not a fun, learning experience at all, but more a drudgery, and very negative experience, with everything from the food - eg counsellors burnt (granola), dropped the cheese on the ground and served it to the campers full of rocks and dirt - to the way in which sleeping issues were completely ignored and not dealt with (as mentioned above). Now, I have nothing against dirt - I used to eat it myself when I was young - but this was a choice. Parents are paying good money to send their children to camp and expect at least, the minimum to have food served to their children that is not burnt or contaminated.I am shocked that counsellors such as Emma and Graham are working in the role that they are but perhaps this simply is the standard for Camp Thunderbird. I will make sure to let everyone know about this camp and the experiences that these 2 campers had and I shall strongly discourage anyone from sending their children there.Stay tuned for an exciting You Tube video that shows the REAL CAMP THUNDERBIRD!

Camp cancellation policy needs to be changed. There is a no money back policy after May 1 with the exception of medial. Life/circumstance changes do not qualify for any refunds.They do however want you to cancel so they can add a person from the wait list and collect collect money from that person. Which means they are getting double the money for one campers space.They do not allow you to transfer the spot to another person once a camper is registered.

Girl guides had a wonderful time learning new skills. Newt is the best counselor, so good with the girls and taught them valuable team skills

Sent my kids here last summer and they loved it. Will definitely be returning. Despite the no trespassing sign the camp is usually open as a place to start hikes.

My kids have been attending camp T-Bird every year for the past six years. Every summer camp has been the highlight. This was my youngest's last year and she plans to apply for a volunteer job as a program assistant next year.It has been a great place for both my kids to learn survival skills, teamwork, and build self confidence. It tests their capabilities in a manner that is both risky and safe. The kids in the groups all have to work together to get the most out of their experience. It has allowed them to grow to believe in themselves and to appropriately rely on others when needed.The only thing I regret is not sending them to camp sooner!

Great place. I grew up going to the camp and am hoping to continue my time there as a counsellor.