Among all the schools & programs I have selected over the years, Camp Buckskin has been the absolute best for my boys. Four summers ago, my California boys were nervous about leaving home. I was sure my then 12 year old (defiant, severe ADHD, executive function deficits, social skills deficits, etc.) would be kicked out. He wasn't.

Instead, he, and his brother, responded very well to the structure and discipline methods of the extraordinarily well trained Buckskin staff. This most challenging pre-teen went on to earn the "most improved camper" award his second Buckskin summer. His progress at Buckskin continued, earning him the honor of participating in the summer 2006 Senior challenge program . He tells everyone how great this program was, begging to return for a fifth Buckskin summer.

Said differently, Buckskin is the first place where my kids could not manipulate the staff, and also feel they are treated fairly. Coming home from his first session, my then 11 year old voluntarily told me which camp discipline methods to use at home-quite a shock from the world's number one sneak. My other son's success at camp convinced me that he could improve in the right environment. From this camp success, I gained the confidence to pull him out of his school program, where he successfully manipulated the entire staff, and was falling apart.

Both boys enjoyed the activities at camp, but most important, both made friends. (I have the phone bills to prove it.) My oldest especially enjoyed the close relationships built with his fellow senior challenge campers and counselors. Deep relationships had previously been missing in his life. He has truly come to respect Tom Bauer, Buckskin's director.

The annual Camp Buckskin report on my kids is invaluable. I bring the reports to every IEP, and include them with every school application. The psychologist administering the WISC IV test on my kids wrote in his report that all teachers and others working with my kids should review the Camp Buckskin report, and apply the successful discipline strategies identified in the report instead of reinventing the wheel.

Finally, Buckskin is good value for the $. What you see is what you get....no nickel & diming or sneaking in of extra expenses. How totally refreshing!!

Laurie L.

Camp Buckskin is a miraculous place. It was where my son first found acceptance. I will never forget coming to pick Aaron up from his first summer at camp. He was just going into the 3rd grade that year. I couldn't find him right away in the rush of children and parents across the grassy campus so I waited in the parking lot for a few minutes. As I waited, I noticed a boy about Aaron's age who was sitting against a nearby tree with his head on his arms. Thinking that maybe his parents were late and he was feeling anxious, I walked over and said, "Hi buddy. How ya doin?" He looked up and I saw that his face was streaked with tears. "I'm waiting to go home. My mom is putting my stuff in the car." I then asked, "You seem upset. What's the matter?" He said, "Nothin. I'm just going to miss my friend." Just then, the crowd opened up and I had a clear view of Aaron across the campground. Just then, the little boy's face broke into a huge smile and he got up and ran across the camp. As I followed in the direction of my son, I gradually understood that he was running toward him too. My heart lifted. Aaron was the friend he would miss so much! I still cry when I think of that day because Aaron was a child who was teased at school and did not have a friend until that summer at camp.

Aaron was privileged to attend Camp Buckskin another time in his sixth-grade year. Because his reading ability was above grade-level, he was asked to read to younger children. I could see the confidence he felt in being given this responsibility and how good it felt to have someone believe in him. And how he burst with pride when won his paddle in canoeing! That paddle is still among this grown man's prized possessions.

The boy that school counselors warned would likely not graduate from high school and would end up in trouble with the law, both graduated with his class and served in the Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician. Seeing him graduate from the Navy's Training Program in Chicago was akin to what I felt those summers he went to Camp Buckskin - it was a "burst my buttons" kind of love and pride in seeing your child at his best. Aaron honorably completed his service commitment and is now an apprentice engineer in Kansas City while he completes his degree requirements in college. Aaron is an affable young man who has many friends and is a good friend to others. As you can tell, I am so proud of all he's accomplished and I truly believe that without his summers at Camp Buckskin his life would have taken a far different turn.

I bless you and each and every counselor who put the spark of confidence and belief in that little boy's heart so many years ago. Without Camp Buckskin, the world would be a much less hopeful place for children with ADHD and other emotional problems.

Tracy D.

I just had to contact you after receiving the post camp report on my son's camp experience. I fully agree with your assessment, however, I either came home with the wrong child, or you as a camp have not given yourselves enough credit. Joe came home happy, cheerful, and social. Since he has started school, I have received several calls from the school because Joe is drastically different from last year. He is recognizing areas that caused him problems and avoiding them, he is interacting appropriately with his peers. I can't express all of the changes everyone has seen in Joe since camp. I want to thank you and just let you know that while you may have not known the impact you made on Joe, everyone else has.

Nadine P.