Steve and Kate’s Camp – Mill Valley

Our five year-​old daughter loved her camp experience at Alvarado this year. We tried last summer but she was a little too young. I remember being very appreciative at how easy it was to get my unused days refunded and this made us want to try again. Happily, this year, on the verge of kindergarten (and taking over the world or at least bossing it around a bit) she loves it! Every morning she is excited to go!
Her highlights include making bread of varying sweetnesses, the Magician Dude –«He kept getting interrupted by a rubber chicken! He pulled a long RAINBOW string out of his mouth! It was so magical!» and the friends she gets to enact melodramatic stories involving mermaids and spells that inflict errant weather patterns. She also really dug smashing a whip cream pie in a counselor’s face.
Thanks to all the friendly counselors for a streamlined morning. Their capability means that kids’ individual needs are getting met while still keeping the masses moving along. And it’s a lovely perk to have that big vat of coffee for the parents (only slightly broken hearted that it is decaf– I assume Phil down the street has some political influence in this regard).
You have created a program that makes it worth living here with our young kids.

Awww, I hate it when I feel the need to downgrade a review. Unfortunately, Steve and Kate’s has lost quality as far as the folks they’re hiring to work and run the camps. What used to be a great environment for kids with lots of choice and friendly young adults running the camps, is now becoming more run-​of-​the-​mill, with mediocre «camp counselors» with negative, rude attitudes once the parents aren’t there to see. Perhaps it’s because Steve and Kate’s are expanding into a bunch of different states — I imagine it’s harder to screen as strongly when you’ve got a bunch of different sites in different states to staff up. Yet you’d think the camps here in Marin, where they started out and have their headquarters, would still have a quality screening and hiring process in place.
My daughter went once this summer (Larkspur site) and had such a bad time she doesn’t want to go back at all. Last summer she went a handful of times (Mill Valley site) and had a not-​so-​fun experience as well, but not as bad as this year. Previous to that she’d gone several years consecutively (Novato and Mill Valley sites) and loved every bit of it.
During her one visit this year she heard counselors threatening to take students phones away — so she was then afraid to call me to come pick her up. She was refused seconds on food, even though all kids had already gone through first time and the portions are tiny, so she was hungry. The kids were not allowed on the grassy park area of the playground or the playground equipment «until after lunch». Seriously? So, they were forced to do indoor activities until after lunch? That has never been the case in the past. Then they had some drummer performer and all kids were required to go and watch even if they didn’t want to. My girl didn’t want to as she wanted to do her own thing (what’s supposed to be the main draw for Steve and Kate’s) plus it was in a room that created a loud echo and the drumming sound hurt her ears (a little hearing damage for your kids, anyone???). And this wasn’t all… This was the first week of camp and they did not have fabric available in the sewing area — only small scraps and very limited choices, and other activities she tried to participate in also either didn’t have their usual selection of materials, or weren’t fully operational.
This really sucks as Steve and Kate’s was such a really great camp with revolutionary ideas for free thinking kids and now that seems lost. Thank goodness The Planet is still in Sausalito — not as much to do, but they continue to follow the premise that kids need free choice and not to be herded around like sheep or forced to do activities they don’t like.
Thank goodness the refund of prepaid camp days at the end of summer is still in place, as I have a bunch of prepaid days that we obviously won’t be using at this point’.

We were initially worried that a child entering Kindergarten might not be old enough for Steve and Kate’s Camp, but our fears were laid to rest when we found that the K-​campers had their own group with the very sweet and patient Erin, and that they had color-​coded wrist bands matching her sweatshirt, so they would always know where they could get help if they needed it, though all the counselor a were super nice and approachable.
It was a great experience all around with the right balance of play and guided activities. It was also a very good introduction to many of the actives and skills he would need in Kindergarten: sitting and listening in a group, following directions, taking turns and just generally getting along with others.
But of equal importance, it was super fun! Our guy looked forward to the special activities each week, capped off by the carnival at the end. Camp should be fun, and this one is fun and beyond!
We always felt welcome to visit, to pick him up and drop him off at any time during the day. Very relaxing.
We are looking forward to next summer!

In theory and online Steve and Kate’s camp seems like every child and parents dream. I mean with all the activities they offer and flexible schedule, how could you go wrong?
I thought my kids would make videos, learn how to drum or play instruments, make ceramic projects and come home with some great sewing project. Instead after five weeks of camp my daughter made 8 finger knitted scarves and three felt pillows with the glued on buttons missing. My son only made a lame stop action video… could have been postable on my youtube account but its so bad i wont bother.
I think the idea of Steve and Kates is awesome but their lack of engaging staff and leading kids to finish and make projects is disappointing.
My outgoing easy to make friends daughter age 7 cried several nights and begged me to not go back. I was able to get her into another camp and am grateful to send her there. At least I know the staff there will engage the kids and help them with their program activities. It may not be as spashy as Steve and Kates but she wont come home crying.
I called one of the area directors in Mill Valley office to share with him my concerns about the kids not getting attention from staff and two were even unfriendly and seemed bored when I came to pick up the kids…
On top of that the promised great menu for lunch and snack fell short. I thought they would have gluten free

This camp is super crowded and basically chaos. My child had a very hard time dealing with the lack of structure or supervision. I was called to pick him up early the first day and we have decided not to go back. Very disappointing.

You get what you paid for. Minimally trained kids taking care of younger children. Case in point: My kid was scratched on the face horribly by another kid. The initial staff response was akin to «too bad.» After pressing the topic, the extend of their procedures ended with a chat about the kids feelings. So, if your kid loses an eye in Steve & Kate’s camp, you might as well expect an «oops».

This is an update to my earlier review — I received an extremely detailed and generous response from Steve and Kate’s Executive Project Manager regarding my son’s experience at the Mill Valley location. I’m confident that there will be improvements to that location’s camp based on our review, which is very gratifying. Kudos to Steve and Kate’s for being responsive to criticism, and offering ways to make things right. Overall they run a fantastic program and I would now recommend this camp to anyone.

This review is for the Santa Rosa Camp. Like other reviewers, we heard great things about the camp — happy kids, 6 studios, hot lunch prepared by an ex-​Google chef — sounds pretty good so we signed up our 8 and 6 year old boys.
It’s been a disappointing and underwhelming experience. First off, counselors were not engaging and looked bored and tired. Yes, they have 6 studios but not all were opened daily. If a counselor wasn’t there, then a studio was closed. Lastly and most importantly, no internet security setting on their ipad which is placed in the animation studio. My child and his friend were able to access the internet and searched inappropriate pictures of women. My son is definitely at fault but the camp should have had internet controls in place or changed their 4-​digit passcode weekly so the kids couldn’t enter. I was told by the manager that the kids watch the counselor enter the passcode and commit it to memory. To top it off, manager said that this has happened at other locations! Was this comment suppose to make me feel better — it just made me feel worse that I sent my kids to a less than ideal camp.
Steve and Kate’s is good if your kids enjoy navigating in an unstructured environment with little adult supervision. The price is too high for what you get.
We’re not returning next summer.

I just reviewed the camp brochure and we’re ready to sign up again for our 3^rd year! My 11 year old son loves the various activities and clubs-​there is so much to chose from that everyone find something to enjoy. I primarily use the Pleasanton campus but visited the Berkeley campus once to see the big cats. Amazingly I have gotten a refund every year and I use it full-​time (except for vacation).

I must say, not only did both of my kids love Steve and Kate’s Camp but so did my husband and I. My son, who is very active and loves to pound on the drums (at home I can only take so much of this) got to not only pound on the drums at camp, but got to record and be encouraged by the other kids and staff there. My daughter who is crafty got to exercise her talents and passions and made several items, one of which was a cool pillow.
When they came home from camp each day, they were so jazzed and always had nothing but great things to say, but (now this cracked me up) the thing they loved the most was the food and snacks they provided the them. Their favorite snack though, was the HONEY STICKS! (My little foodies) They went on and on about how yummy they were and how they were rewarded with them often for lots of reasons. They loved them so much, I had to buy them some for home and I am so glad I did, as they are super healthy for them. As a parent, who loathes the nasty, unhealthy food most schools and camps provide, I truly appreciated their well balanced and high quality menu they offered the children, I mean REAL maple syrup too, now that is awesome!
To sum it all up Steve and Kate’s was such a fun and enriching experience for my kids. The staff truly love what they do and you can tell by the warm greetings we received and by the way they engage the children. They allow the kids to be free in pursuing their interests and encourage them, all while maintaining order and ensuring their safety.
We love Steve and Kate’s!!!

Philosophy — Great
Activities — Great
Food — Great
People — NOT SO GREAT!!!
— Friendly & Caring Counselors — No
— Hands On /​Engaging Counselors — No
(Comments from my son and his friends:
«They are just there to talk to each other and earn some money for the summer»
«Only one actually smiled and talked to me»)
Fees — Great
Location — OK
Steve & Kate’s camp is such a great concept — I wish they would hire better quality camp counselors or at least set the tone for them to interact with the kids respectfully and with a positive attitude. Try Camp Galileo, they have the most positive, friendly, helpful counselors ever!
If you child is more reserve, is hard for him/​her to fend for him/​herself and the counselors are really not paying enough attention to notice.
The Counselors are also setting an example for all the kids there as to how to treat younger ones. I sincerely wish S&K will take this into serious consideration and have better training for their counselors.
The Counselors really do make a world of difference in the quality of the camp and the safety and well-​being of the kids attending the camp.
Without the humanistic aspects, its just a well-​run child care with individuals who would care less about your child.

My son and daughter are both active, my son is the more play type while my daughter likes some down time. I am not going to say that they didn’t have a good time as they did but the program is bit confusing and the hands on activities were a bit crazy as there was little or no interaction between my children and the counselors. It was more like free play time but with a direction. I have heard great thing about the camp but I think my kids need more interaction and stimuli.

This is my second review. In my first review I said the camp was good for 7+. I have to say that since then, S&K’s has made a lot of effort to adjust the program for the smaller kids; their efforts and response to feedback is truly impressive. I think it’s a great program… for 7+ kids.
I still maintain that the camp is best for 7+ and now even more so, although for slightly different reasons. I think that kids who are 5 — 6 are still learning how to socialize, in fact, that aspect of their development is in hyper drive, and I don’t think there’s enough supervision at S&K’s to guide the younger kids through this.
My son (5 years old) came back from 2.5 weeks at S&K’s with a propensity to hit during conflict, which he had done when much younger but had grown out of a long while back. In fact, his teachers praise him for his cool head. After 2 weeks away from the camp, he was back to what I consider his normal self.
While I can’t say for sure it was specifically his time at S&K’s, he has told me some things that make me think it is. Mostly, I think there is a whole lot of social interaction that goes on unmonitored (a given considering the size and format of the camp — I’ve seen it first hand while there) and while that’s perfectly OK and even desirable for older kids, I think the younger kids are still too young to be able to defend themselves using the proper behavior that parents are trying to instill when pitted against older kids who aren’t «playing fair.»
But again, great camp. Thanks to S&K’s, my son has begun to explore music and photography/​film making with real enthusiasm. He’ll definitely be back… when he’s a little older.

I agree with all of the comments on it is great for 7+ year olds. My 5 ½ year old is outgoing, but can’t do alot of the activities. Sewing, movie making, karaōke (she can’t read yet). I think they should back up and program the marketing of their «kindercare» better.

We are first timer’s and our daughter is already saying she wants to go to Steve & Kate’s again next summer.
When we were researching our options, what sold me on Steve & Kate’s was the fact that all the food is provided. And the cost when you are full-​time is fairly comprarable to the other choices we were considering.
Even though the location is not convenient and adds 12 miles to my commute each morning, it is totally worth it to be at the beautiful Sonoma Country Day School campus. And totally worth it because my daughter is so excited to go every day!
Our daughter has been going full time all summer and absolutely loves it. She comes home singing songs and talking all about what she did that day. If anyone had told me my kid was going to spend the summer sewing and knitting I would have said «I doubt it!» but she has been inspired and is now insatiable. She’s sewed lots of cute stuffed animals with felt (some with decorations and other fancy designs). She’s learned finger knitting and crochet. Our cats are thrilled to have new cat toys from the «scarves». :) She’s also loving the ceramics and has brought home several clay creations.
I can’t say enough great things about the staff. Each staff person is bright and articulate and a great role model. They clearly love being at camp just as much as the kids do.
The opportunities are amazing and I am really thankful that Steve & Kate’s is available in Santa Rosa.

Overrated. The concept sounds great, but it’s just another camp run by teenage camp counselors who could care less about your kids and at $ 75 per day, that’s just not good enough. Today was our first and our last day at the camp. The morning started great with a very nice tour guide and ended with a poorly check-​out system and an indifferent staff during pick-​up. Other than the flexibility of this camp which is awesome, everything else is nothing special and you can definitely find more creative, fun camps throughout the Bay Area.

A move from the area spurned fewer camp days than in the summers past, but that time left enough of an impression that our favorite camper decided to take up digital filmmaking over the summer. The budding director was so inspired, she saved up to buy — yes, with her own money — a Flip UltraHD at the end-​of-​camp annual sale.
The point being… the kid understands the possibility of making something out of nothing and it’s something the S&K staff helps nurture. I would take that over a craft project that probably will get thrown away any day.

Sounds like the first review here was written by Steve or Kate! It is in reality a cross between «Lord of the flies» and daycare w/​Nintendo. yes, the kids have total free will to do what they like all day. Gee, an arcade with Wii, xbox, and similar — where do you think your kid will hang?
While there a lot of activities, there are also long lines for many.
And the food is good — but there is nothing with it — no fruit, no veggies. If you order a burger, that is all they get. Oh and they do get choc milk and ice cream as a snack everyday.
So, yeah. I cannot recommend it for more than a few days a summer as a treat. But compared to many camps out there, there is little learning going on here — in my opinion.
On the positive side: the counselors seem pretty good.

Steve and Kates is the ultimate summer camp for kids. Fantastic activities, fantastic food, fantastic (young, enthusiastic) counselors. There is now more than one location; we’ve used the Tam Valley site.
Instead of having to figure out which week to sign up for, you just buy ‘camp days’ for the whole summer. Say you purchase 10 days of camp – your child can attend any 10 days. Don’t use all your days? The refund is sent to you automatically after summer’s over. The best way to send your child to S&Ks is with a friend – the format is purposely unstructured, so a buddy can keep a little one from being overwhelmed. After 28 years in the camp biz, Steve and Kate know what kids like and don’t. The staff is extremely responsive to concerns and questions. It’s a working parent’s dream-​come-​true, or should I say a child-​of-​working-​parents dream come true. What’s not to like?
UPDATE: I read the other review of S & K: You know, my feeling is that our kids are structured so much of the year. Some camps are also highly structured – and maybe that’s best for you/​your kid. This camp is for kids who love hanging out with their friends in a looser environment. Yes, they personally can choose their activities for a change. Lighten up! This is a fun camp, not a science camp, a math camp, a soccer camp, or an academic camp! It’s PLAY TIME! And good heavens, the food is great.
p. s. I’m not Steve or Kate