YMCA Camp Torch Hayo-Went-Ha — Local services in Central Lake Township

If you are considering sending your child to the Sparks Day Camp, I’d go pretty much anywhere else. I signed my 7- and 9-year old kids up after quite a bit of research and hoped that this would be the highlight of their summer. It was a complete waste of money. My kids came home the first day of camp really upset that the day camp director yelled at all of the kids constantly and kept making them sit and not talk. They said the whole day was boring and begged not to go back, which is unlike them. I emailed the camp director and he said it was “a Monday thing” and should get better. Tuesday-Thursday were slightly better, but they still didn’t get to do most of the things advertised on the website. There were no camp songs, no silly skits, no hikes, crafts were minimal and were often a stack of copy paper and some markers on a table. None of the counselors seemed like they wanted to be there. Games and swimming were the majority of the entertainment. We told our kids they didn’t have to go on Friday and planned a day as a family. On Thursday, we got an email that Friday would be “Fun Friday.” The kids were told they would hike, zip line, rock climb, and do archery. Those were all of the things my kids were hoping to do all week, so they wanted to try the last day of camp. I came to pick the kids up and once again, I had two really upset kids. They didn’t hike or do archery. My son got to do the zip line and rock climbing. My daughter did the zip line and then was told she wasn’t allowed to rock climb. The whole week was nothing short of glorified babysitting. Zero chance I’d trust my kids with them for an...

I have been a camper at the HWH Boys Camp for seven years and every year I have enjoyed it more than the last. I have made my closest friends there. I don't' have a brother but if I could pick them I would choose my boys from camp. I have doe hiking, biking, canoeing and sailing trips with HWH and they were all absolutely fantastic. The staff is an incredible group of diverse, talented and fun people who become your older brothers with a little more authority. If you want to give your son a true summer experience, send with to HWH, he will not come back the same.

Each For All...

Incredible camp run by great people! So well run & exceeded all of our expectations. Loved all of the counselors (which really makes a camp great). My daughter had an amazing experience (she is 10). Being a former camper (both my husband and myself) the 2 week program is perfect- 1 week camps are too short to build such a great experience & bond. We cannot wait until next summer!! Both of our girls...