BALLIBAY FOR THE FINE & PERFORMING ARTS

Camptown, PA

Overall Camp Rating: Full Star (Score: 98)
5 stars represents the highest rating.

URL: www.ballibay.com

Email: jannone@ballibay.com

Phone: (570) 746-3223

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Camp Scores

Calculated from 26 reviews since 03/31/2008

Average Scores For All Camps

Admininstrative Staff	98	95
Counselors/Instructors	97	95
Quality & Range Of Activities	99	95
Facility Condition	96	94
Value vs. Cost	96	94
Camp Policies & Procedures	97	94
Safety & Security	99	96
Quality & Quantity Of Food	98	94
General Level Of Satisfaction	99	95

Ratings range from 60 to 100. Historical camp ratings. Email this page to a friend!

Respondent Comments

Camper's age? 14 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 1 The season this review relates to is: 2008 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 98 See respondent's scores!
We found out about this camp on the internet and had no recommendation from anyone. It seemed too good to be true! My son was extremely enthusiastic about making music and had no direct experience, formal training nor could he play an instrument. Ballibay helped him explore his passion and developed a technical understanding. Our worst fear was that he would be sidelined due to his inexperience. Instead, he was brought into the creative process and encouraged to succeed and find a way to express his need to make music. In the off season he worked very hard. He learned to play his instrument and can now be called a young musician. His confidence, work ethic and ability to work in groups have really blossomed. All this would not have been possible without the inspiration of camp management and a talented and dedicated staff. Together they have created a safe, supervised environment that looks and feels "bohemian" and yet has real structure and sets serious yet attainable goals. The food was good, the physical plant was clean and well maintained. We felt very confident about his well-being while at camp. We were able to communicate with our son regularly by email, and we were encouraged to visit he was there. We highly recommend the Ballibay experience - it was a life-changing experience for our son.

Camper's age? 15 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 9 The season this review relates to is: 2008 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 100 See respondent's scores!
I've went to this camp for years as a very young child. I loved it. I loved all the friends I could make in my cabin. I loved all the older people teaching me things. I love the family like environment. I stopped going for a few years, but now I'm going as a teen, and I still love it. Being able to learn intensively some days for basically anything I want. I can play guitar (or any other instrument) whenever I want. Some times I'll have a lesson and learn how to play an instrument I never learned before, and sometimes I can just relax and play guitar or something. I be in plays there and act as well. They have a swimming pool for when it gets to hot. There's nothing bad at Ballibay at all. It is probably my favorite place anywhere.

Camper's age? 14 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 2 The season this review relates to is: 2008 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 98 See respondent's scores!
One of the best camps I know of. A former camper myself (1979) I sent my daughter there with complete confidence. She has had 2 wonderful summers there and is looking forward to returning. Ballibay is her second home. I would (and do) highly recommend this camp.

Camper's age? 14 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 1 The season this review relates to is: 2008 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 94 See respondent's scores!
Ballibay is a great place for everyone wishing to be in their utopia. It is a place in which everyone is accepted and knows it. it is a place were you escape the real world. it is a place where you feel at home after a day. it is a place where you wait the WHOLE year to return for only a few weeks. it is a place that will change your life forever.

Camper's age? 13 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 3 The season this review relates to is: 2008 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 100 See respondent's scores!
you have no idea how much i love this camp

Camper's age? 15 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 3 The season this review relates to is: 2008 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 96 See respondent's scores!
Wonderful, non-competitive camp. Well run, with lots of activities.

Camper's age? 12 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 3 The season this review relates to is: 2008 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 99 See respondent's scores!
Chelsea had a great time at Ballibay and wants to go for 7 weeks next year. She is very excited and cant stop talking about camp! Thank you so much for all that you have done for Chelsea!

Camper's age? 19 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 7 The season this review relates to is: 2005 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 99 See respondent's scores!
Camp Ballibay is the best thing that ever happened to me. The car ride from Pennsylvania back to Chicago at the end of each summer was spent counting the days until I could return for another year of singing, dancing, art, friendship and pure happiness. The friends I made during my years at Ballibay are the best friends that I have, to this day. Staff members, whether they taught me for one summer or for all six, still feel like that perfect combination of mentor, friend, and inspiration. Summers without Ballibay now feel empty. This camp epitomizes my childhood and there is no place in the world I'd rather be than walking across the sprawling campus, a smile on my face and a good friend's hand in mine.

Camper's age? 13 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 1 The season this review relates to is: 2007 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 96 See respondent's scores!
My child had a FANTASTIC summer at CAMP BALLIBAY!!! she tells all her friends and family about it. I am glad that i have enrolled her into something so thrilling, that she really enjoyed. There is not one day were she won't call or e-mail one of her friends that she met from BALLIBAY. Sometimes she looks through her pictures she took there and cries because she wants to go. Maybe next summer depending on school i will allow her to ATTEND CAMP BALLIBAY again.

Camper's age? 7 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 1 The season this review relates to is: 2007 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 99 See respondent's scores!
My son went an entire month without a video game in his hand and LOVED it! He was in his first production, learned to dance, learned some karate, got hugged approximately 5 million times, and came home already talking about next year. Dottie, John, and Kristin have created something wonderful in the mountains above Scranton, and your child will love it.

Camper's age? 17 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 2 The season this review relates to is: 2005 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 99 See respondent's scores!
I attended Ballibay for my first year in 2005. Within the five weeks that I was at camp, I changed immensely. I became incredibly self-confident and simply proud to be me. I made friends with whom I still talk as though it's been mere days since we've seen each other. The experiences I had at Ballibay helped me grow more than anything else in my life. The only negative part of my experience is that I found it so late and could only attend for two seasons. I think one memory that I have really sums Ballibay up for me: I was walking out of the cabin area, looking at everything around me -- the trees, the sky, the people, the life, and the energy -- and I remember thinking, "I can't think of anywhere else in the world I'd rather be right now."

Camper's age? 16 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 3 The season this review relates to is: 2007 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 96 See respondent's scores!
camp ballibay was an amazing part of my summer. I will never forget how much fun I really had there. I was soo sad when it was the last day. I recommend you going if you love theater, performing, dancing, art, or rock n roll (that was always a fun one). At camp you make soo many friends. My first year of ballibay I made a friend in 10 minutes since the camp started and I got there. thats how quick you make friends. If you go you will seriously have an awesome time. good atmosphere, great food, great people, everything is just GREAT!

Camper's age? 21 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 2 The season this review relates to is: 2003 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 98 See respondent's scores!
I was a staff member at Ballibay and, having worked at quite a few camps through the years, I am still impressed by the programs and activities available to the campers. Much of this is due to the broad range of experience that the staff brings to the table. On top of the theatrical, musical, artistic and technical expertise, the campers benefit from a variety of hobbies that the staff shares. I would encourage every family to consider Ballibay. If your child has any artistic interest in anything from rock n' roll to classical music, radio, film, theatre, writing, dancing, photography, painting or ceramics (to name a few)...this is the place to be! Definitely give Ballibay a try this summer!!

Camper's age? 15 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 4 The season this review relates to is: 2007 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 97 See respondent's scores!
I have to say, that Ballibay was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Everyone is really great, and they treat each other like family. I would recommend this camp to anyone with an interest in the Arts or even just in having a fantastic summer!

Camper's age? 10 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 3 The season this review relates to is: 2006 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 95 See respondent's scores!

Camper's age? 14 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 2 The season this review relates to is: 2007 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 98 See respondent's scores!
very good im definetly satisfied! its a really good place, where you can learn or improve many of the arts, and a place you can really express yourself

Camper's age? 15 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 4 The season this review relates to is: 2002 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 96 See respondent's scores!
Ballibay is an awesome place. I would recommend it to anyone!

Camper's age? 16 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 4 The season this review relates to is: 2006 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 99 See respondent's scores!
At Camp Ballibay, my daughter gained life-long friends, skills, and confidence. She learned new activities such as playing the bass guitar and technical theatre. In addition to learning new things, she also received much practice and experience in familiar areas such as dancing, acting, and musical theatre. The bond formed at camp is still present today. Now that she is appraoching graduation, her closest and dearest friends are the friends she met at Camp Ballibay, even though they all live states appart. The memories made at Camp Ballibay are a long-lasting, positive experiences for any child.

Camper's age? 13 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 1 The season this review relates to is: 2007 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 96 See respondent's scores!
my daughter came back SOO happy from ballibay i would send her anywhere that makes her happy she talks about ballibay every single day. she really loves it she even keeps in contact and has reunions with her camp friends ballibay is her summer

Camper's age? 19 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 6 The season this review relates to is: 2005 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 98 See respondent's scores!
The greatest camp experience of my life! Ballibay has become a second home to me. A bit pricey, but if you can afford it, it's worth every penny. It is structured differently than your typical camp, as it isn't focused around sports but performing arts, and you are allowed to make your own schedule. There are so many different areas to participate in such as theater, voice, dance, instrumental, rock and roll, radio, pretty much any kind of art you can think of, costumes, technical theater, the list seems to go on and on. Even if there is some aspect of performing and visual arts that you are interested in and isn't offered (which is very unlikely), they will do the best to accommodate your interests. You can try a bit of everything or focus on one specific area you want, the options are numerous. The staff is made up of skilled people in their specific area of interest, and have always been kind and helpful. It's a great atmosphere to try something new because it isn't competitive and stressful - the camp is all about the journey, not just about the end product, and they send off a message that really anything is possible. I still keep in touch with the friends I've made and try to see them as often as possible, they really have become family to me, even though I haven't attended in a few years because of my age. Please take the time looking into this camp if you want a fun filled, unique summer experience that you won't ever forget.

Camper's age? 17 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 2 The season this review relates to is: 2007 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 96 See respondent's scores!
In 2006, I was a first year camper, coming to a place that I had never been, full of people that I had never met. having never been to sleepaway camp before, I was thrilled to discover the warm and accepting nature of Camp Ballibay. Not only was the program diverse and satesfying, but there were so many options that I couldn't choose just one thing to do. But when I think about Camp Ballibay, what I can recall most of all is the sense of community, and a culture of kindess and friendship. One "Balliyear" wasn't enough for me, I returned as a couselor in training in the 2007 season, to try to give back a little to the place that made me so happy. -chris (camper, counselor in training)

Camper's age? 13 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 3 The season this review relates to is: 2006 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 100 See respondent's scores!
I love Ballibay with every piece of my being. Summer 2008 will be my third fabulous summer there and I absolutely cannot wait. The faculty are more like friends who happen to teach you things. The food is fabulous and ranges from salad bar, which is open lunch and dinner, to pasta, lasagna, sandwiches, mashed potatoes, AMAZING COOKIES, everything. There are so many possibilities at Ballibay, and not only with the food; if you are even the tiniest bit artsy you will find something to do here. There's video, working backstage, costume, acting, drawing, painting, writing, ANYTHING you want to do you can do at Ballibay. Not only are the activities incredible but the people are too. People come from Michigan, California, Venezuela, France, just to go to Ballibay. It is, quite honestly, incredible. Yes, it's kind of pricey, but I promise it's not just the shows your kid is in or the paintings they bring home but the MEMORIES they have and the love they can cherish. This, however, is not a camp for kids who want to do sports all day, etc. While sports are offered, they are not the main focus of the camp. The structure of Ballibay is kind of complex: it's not structured, but it is. Like, breakfast, lunch and dinner are always at the same specific times, there's a schedule (ie: Saturday is DJ Dance, Sunday is Movie Night, Monday is The Tempest, etc.) It's a beautiful, beautiful, gorgeous, beautiful camp that no one has ever heard of because it's in the middle of nowhere. (Camptown, PA.) I honestly love Ballibay with ll my heart.

Camper's age? 15 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 6 The season this review relates to is: 2006 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 98 See respondent's scores!
Ballibay changed my life. I attended Ballibay for six summers over seven years. It truly is my second home. If you are a person who loves theatres and making new friends that last forever then this is the camp for you. It has everything in the performing and visual arts and as a camper you can do all of it or pick and choose certain things, there is no limit to what you can do. The camp has a theatre production every night run by the campers. Not only are campers actors but also costumers, lighting, sound, video, and audio. There are amazing dance classes and personal voice lessons. The art barn contains all types or art drawing, painting, pottery, photography, print making, knitting, bead making, jewlery making and if the art barn dosent have it but oyu can think it up then they will find a way to get it. There are instument lessons both classical and rock. If you like sports there is a great sports field with golf, soccer and volleyball, there is a pool and swimming lessons availabe, 2 tennis courts with basketball nets, and horse back riding!The cabins are great with decent showers and bathrooms and the food is suprisingly good (much better then normal camp food). But best of all the people are amazing! I have made friends there that will last me my entire life. This truly is an amazing camp with not only a beautiful setting but a beautiful message...anything is possible.

Camper's age? 15 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 3 The season this review relates to is: 2006 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 97 See respondent's scores!
A great place to grow in the arts in a wonderful family-like atmosphere.

Camper's age? 13 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 1 The season this review relates to is: 2007 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 96 See respondent's scores!
The best place for kids interested in theatre! Very qualified directors/teachers plus hands-on experience make Ballibay the perfect place for any youngster who wants to hone their on-stage skills while having fun on stage.

Camper's age? 21 How many seasons has your child attended this camp? 6 The season this review relates to is: 2007 Would you recommend this camp to others? Yes	Overall Respondent Score: 98 See respondent's scores!
I started camp ballibay as a camper in 1999. I continued as a camper for 4 years, then returned years later as a counselor. Ballibay has a huge array of activities for campers to participate in and the counselors and administration take a personal interest in each camper and want to know who's interested in what and try to excite them in new activities. The best part about ballibay is that if a camper wants to be in a show, play an instrument, have an art lesson, they are welcomed with open arms, regardless of ability. There are no stars at ballibay. Ever kid has a chance and can participate in whatever they want. Counselors are students or teachers of their specific field, so they have a lot of knowledge to share.

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