Parent Testimonials:

“The staff at backyard camp create an inclusive environment where kids with diverse personalities and play styles feel encouraged and accepted. Kids are respected by staff and in turn learn to respect each other, all while taking part in organic and imaginative play. I am so grateful that Backyard Camp makes space, both literally and figuratively, for my kids (and all kids) to be themselves, swing from trees, and get dirty!  It’s an experience that surely creates many summer memories!”

- Jen, parent

“One of the things that makes backyard camp so successful is the playworkers ability to look like they aren't paying attention to the kids while FULLY paying attention to each kid along with an awareness of what each kid is capable of. Seniz has a gift for this, it's amazing to watch. This is not an easy thing to teach other people and I predict that one of the reasons is that it comes from a firm understanding of the philosophy behind this style of education and child development. When this is working it only LOOKS like Lord of the Flies but in reality each adult is engaged and aware of dynamics between the kids as well as thoughtful of safety concerns (without stifling or intervening unnecessarily).”

-Meg, parent

“Backyard Camp is what being a kid and enjoying the summer is all about! My daughter had a wonderful experience last year and will definitely be returning this summer. The staff allows the kids to explore, create, imagine, and simply play, in a safe and reliable atmosphere. Backyard Camp is reminiscent of my childhood when kids could be kids. No screens, and getting tired and dirty (in the best ways possible).

The teachers provided different media, project choices, and creative outlets daily and allowed each child to choose from what was provided for their own learning and enjoyment. We are looking forward to all the fun that awaits this year!”

- Laura, parent

“Our kiddo LOVED backyard camp!  Working with *real tools* and having the space for totally free play really boosted his confidence and creativity. He was so proud of his ability to do real work and to create imaginary worlds with other kids. And we loved that he got a solid block of uninterrupted outside time!  This is exactly what summer should be for kids.”

-Mariah, parent

”The stories, the stories! When your kid goes to Backyard Camp, they come home with stories of adventure, of playing, negotiating and cooperating with younger and older kids, and of doing things they never knew they’d even be allowed to try. Awesome!”

-Christy, parent

"I delivered my 4 year old daughter to this camp last summer, and found myself wandering into 1978. Back then, I could just play with friends in the backyard. Seniz gave me a hug (in Minnesota!) and one of her happy helpers climbed down from the tree fort to pull out a box of yarn, then a box of glue, glitter, and paint, then a box full of boxes, a box of costumes—different options everyday. I admired the gorgeous garden. The kids made crazy cardboard, grass, stick and mud forts. I could barely get her to leave. We're going back this summer. Thank you for bringing childhood back, Seniz!"

- Tim, parent “I fully endorse this endorsement!” Dana, other parent

“Backyard Camp is such a valuable free play experience, our daughter can't wait to return this summer! Last summer she loved the first week so much, we signed up for the next week on the spot. [She] had the opportunity to get as messy and creative as she wanted, which is awesome because I don't always have the energy for high mess projects at home! At the of the day, I'd often find her swinging under the large oak tree in the backyard, kids shouting from the treehouse above and poking their heads out from the cardboard box forts they had made. It's such an awesome camp, I almost wish I could play too!”

- Susie, parent

“We love Backyard camp for a million reasons but the one idea I keep coming back to is that THIS is what I want my children to remember about their childhood…. not the scheduled, rushing, programmed life that seems to be the norm but tree climbing and imagining and building and unstructured time with friends where they have to figure it out on their own.  I wish this is what everyday looked like in our neighborhood.”

-Meg, mom