Driftwood Day Camp — Local services in Town of Huntington

I attended this camp in 2024 and it has to be the worst camp I have ever been to in my life. I came from the UK to be a councillor and was told they would be providing accommodation. I was put in an abandoned nursery, the taps leaked, the shower water was brown, the back door did not lock, the washing machined did not work, there was no oven and the ceiling fell through. On top of this, when I faced extreme harassment and went to management, I was brushed off and nothing was done. When I left 3 weeks into camp, they ordered me to leave within one day and also did not pay me for at least 3 months after I had left. The management lies about what to expect and if you are a POC, DO NOT COME HERE, there is no diversity at all. They market themselves as inclusive, especially with diet requirements, however I found this was very much not the case. They also stress that you should not speak to any reporters outside of the camp and I now understand why, as they are terrified of the real camp experience being told. If you are an international councillor looking to experience an American camp for a summer, Do not choose this one, they treat staff horribly.

Response: I actually WAS there when the transfer happened, the fact you are unaware of that shows that management did not have an understanding of what was going on. Furthermore, while the accommodation was nicer, it does not explain why management thinks that putting 4 girls in a small room on mattresses on the floor is appropriate. You take no responsibility for the fact this should have never been an issue in the first place.

Secondly, it is not that I "feel" my concerns were not taken seriously, it is a fact that they were not. As far as any resolve after I had left, I hear the exact opposite from staff, therefore I can only hope you take steps to be more aware of what is happening within your camp and with your staff in the future.

Lastly, as a camp, you have no right to ask me why I have posted this now. Whether it be a year ago or today, the events I have described are very much true. While I feel I do not owe an explanation to the camp, I will still give one for those who read this in the future.

I wrote this review as it is the time of year where camp starts again, many of my friends and family have been curious and asked about my experience. I wrote this review as I never want anyone else to go to another country and work at a camp that treats them the way I was treated at this one. This is not out of hatred or anger, I simply hope you do better and that if international workers do choose to become part of driftwood for a summer, they are treated better than I was.

I hope you read this and are able to provide a positive experience for others in the future,...

Thank you for creating THE. GREATEST. CAMP. EVER.

Driftwood Day Camp has truly become a second home for our daughters. They’re not just spending summers there—they’re growing up there. Driftwood has shaped their childhood in the best way possible. They’ve made real friendships, connected with staff who make them feel cared for every single day, and built memories we know will stay with them forever.

The People The people are what make Driftwood so special. Our girls have made “summer friends” who feel like family—kids they can’t wait to see each year and pick up with like no time has passed. And then there are the staff. The counselors and Group Leaders don’t just look after them, they truly know them. The way they care feels personal, genuine, and heartfelt—and as parents, that means everything.

Safety When we put them on the bus each morning, we never worry. We know safety comes first at Driftwood—whether that’s supervision at activities, nurse visits, or simply making sure they always feel included and supported. We’ve seen both our daughters encouraged to try new things and celebrated for every win, big or small. We know they’re cared for like they’re your own.

Communication The communication is something we treasure. From Group Leader emails and nightly updates to photos, calls, and texts, it gives us such a clear window into their world at camp. We love being able to share those moments with our girls at home and relive the highlights right alongside them.

Camp And then—there’s camp itself. The activities, the facilities, the spirit… it’s all incredible. They love swimming twice a day, trying new things like trapeze, and doing everything in between. Special events like Color War, Olympics, and scavenger hunts leave them buzzing with excitement. They come home chanting, cheering, and completely lit up from the day. Each summer feels fresh, fun, and unforgettable.

⸻

Driftwood isn’t just a camp for our family—it’s where our daughters have grown up, where they feel safe and happy, and where they’ve built a lifetime of friendships and memories. We honestly can’t imagine their childhood without it.

Thank you, Wags, for making it...

I attended Driftwood from 2004, when the camp was under different ownership, to 2010. The camp was acquired by the current ownership in 2009. For most of my time here, I had a very positive experience and I made memories that still stick with me today. I couldn't wait to keep on coming back day after day, summer after summer.

About a month before the 2010 season, when I was in my last year in Teen Travel, I was unexpectedly diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. My mom called up Wags to let him know of my diagnosis, and he told her there would not be any problem, and my summer would be problem-free.

Unfortunately, a few weeks later, Wags told my mom that they couldn't find anyone to assist me with the Diabetes when we would be off-campus, despite one of the Teen Travel counselors being an EMT. He almost wouldn't let my mom come in and help me out, because he said "Sorry, no Parents allowed." Although he let her come in for the first few days of camp, she wouldn't let her come on some on the overnight trips, and therefore, wouldn't let me come on some of the overnight trips either. Wags forced me to stay home and miss 2 weeks of camp because of his refusal to be acomodating.

It was difficult enough having to learn how to manage my new way of life as a Type 1 Diabetic, but even worse when I almost get banned from camp because my diabetes was a nuisance to the camp owner who never even went on any of the Teen Travel trips. I never even got to speak to him at all and have a say. All communication was between Wags and my mom and not me. To top it all off, he never even gave me a full refund.

I felt cheated out of having a perfect summer at what was my summer "home away from home" for so many years. The former owner, Gerry, would have never done this to me. The current owner simply doesn't treat their campers nice at all and doesn't care about your issues. I did not return to Driftwood as a staff member after this and therefore, I haven't stepped foot on Driftwood...