Parent Testimonials

I was struggling to find the right summer camp for my son.  His first year there, he was 13, and diagnosed ADHD, PDD-NOS, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Anxiety Disorder.  He is a mixed bag, with a little of everything and no really strong diagnosis!  I scoured the internet, the ADDitude Magazine, the CHADD website, and our Physiatrist and Psychologists offices trying to find the best place for my son.  I narrowed it down to 2 places, and then did a lot of phone calls to the camps to decide.

After a lot of agonizing, I chose Camp Buckskin for two 4-week sessions - and I had never even visited the camp.  I was so pleased with that decision.  My son initially did not want to go to any summer camp, let along go all summer.  But he thrived there.  He loved the first session and could not wait to get back to the second session.  4 weeks sounds long, but really it goes by so fast!  That much time is really needed to make a significant change in the children.  Not only is the 4 week session good for him there, but it was good for the rest of our family to have some downtime to regroup before he came back.  When he arrived back for the second session, the counselors all greeted him like a long lost friend, and made him feel so welcome!  He never had that before and you could see the self confidence building.  He made a lot of casual friends, and 1-2 good friends - something he has never had before.  He really needed work on his social skills, and this was all handled there.  They can see how he interacts with other children at camp and observe and correct his behavior immediately with many things that we don't see at home.

Aside from all of his positive ADHD related stuff, he also really liked the food at Camp Buckskin - and came home with some new (positive) eating habits and an expanded list of favorite foods!  Another plus!

He is eager to go back this summer, to see his good friends again, and we can't wait to send him!  This has been the best thing for our entire family.

Carol N.

We appreciate the opportunities Camp Bucskin offers Paul. The continued structure throughout the summer helps him stay focused. The staff is wonderful. They seem to value Paul for the person he is, looking beyond some of the problems he has. They do their best in trying to help Paul learn how to interact in a positive way and to control some of the inappropriate behaviors that can occur from time to time. Paul will be attending for the sixth summer and is very excited about seeing camp and old friends. He loves the activities offered (especially riflery --who would have ever thought?!). Camp Buckskin is a safe, caring environment in which he can spend his summer. The reading/writing program reinforces skills he needs to stay on top of during the break from school. Paul grows up and matures a bit during each summer spent at Camp Buckskin. We are very lucky to have learned about such a great place for Paul to spend time away from home!

Nola B.

My teenage son, has attended camp for the past 2 years.  It has been a wonderful experience for him.  My son connected very well with the counselors at the camp.  The first year he was opposed to camp.  This lasted about a week.  I don't think anything shorter than 4 weeks would have seen this postive experience.  Each time when we picked my son up from camp, he seemed happy and relaxed, lots of hugs and good-byes when we left.  Each time he came home, I could tell that he grew.  This did not happen easily at home because he struggled with school and organization.

My son said he did not feel pressured and was able to learn at the same time.  To see him have such a postive experience is great, one thing that we had not found a replacement for elsewhere.  My son is 16 years old now and is eager to return for a 3rd year.

Joyce L.

I discovered Camp Buckskin about 2 years ago while searching the web for camps I could send my son to.  My son then 15 years old, is autistic.  He has attended a camp in northern Wisconsin exclusively geared for autistic children, ages 8-15 for one week each of the previous 4 years.  Since he was out-growing this camp I needed to find an alterntive.  He enjoyed the camp experience and also needed something to fill his summer.  The trick was to find a camp that would like a good fit-one where he would be taken care of and yet one that would challenge him.

I can say without a doubt that sending my son to Camp Buckskin was the best thing for my family.  I must admit that I was nervous about the 4 week long session, but I wanted my son to be as independent as possible, so we all have to go outside of our comfort zone.  Camp Buckskin provides a safe, challenging, fun, healthy, nuturing, and educational environment.  The skills that my son has learned at camp have carried over throughout the year; his teachers have all expressed amazement in his mental and physical improvements.

I plan to send my son to Camp Buckskin again this summer making it his thrid year.  I know that the first year was the hardest - he didn't know what to expect - last year was so much better because he did know what to expect and I expect this next summer to be even better.

Thank you Camp Buckskin!  My son has come a long way and I can honestly say we could not have done it without you.

Lori U.

 Camp Buckskin provided our son with just the experience and service that I was hoping it would.  Our son, who has Central Processing Deficiency, was experiencing failing grades in school, despite his high IQ.  His emotions and self worth were in a downward spiral and he was beginning to "get into trouble" with several of the teachers and the prinicipal.  This was totally out of character for him, and far, far beneath his capabilities, as well as extremely stressful for our entire family.

After a month at Camp Buckskin, we "had our son back again"! Through a month of positive reinforcement, fairly enforced rules, a structured schedule, and exposure to new experiences and new frineds he saw himself as capable and successful.  He wanted to learn, and he was happy!  I am appreciative of the varied and comprehensive program, as well as the professional and friendly staff, of Camp Buckskin!

Mary D.

 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.

Nadine P.