I was a counselor during summer 2025.. unforgettable!! Intense, exciting, emotional.. this place has everything you could ever wish for if you are into arts mostly. Do not believe me? Come back with me in 2026 and find out!
I tried to apply for this camp for the 4th tier, since somebody else we know is going there...
I’ve been treated in such disrespect, that I would never send my child anywhere close to that environment.
I won’t go into details, but people I dealt with (Carson and Rose), talked to me with such an attitude… super passive aggressive!
Rose said to me: “I’m doing you a favor here”, instead of “sorry and thank you for your patience” for negligence and indifference.
I’ve never felt so discriminated and insulted before in my life by any organization (and I’m not a sensitive person).
Well, I see some people had pretty bad experiences here based on the feedbacks and I’m glad I realized it before sending my child there.
Good luck with your reputation with this kind of approach and attitude towards new potential camper families.
As a reminder, you’re not the only camp in this country (and neither one of the best).
Definitely the worst place to stay for kids! My daughter was a camper last session and she was doing horseback. She told me that one lady who is running this activity slap her 2 counsellors infront of other kids! It is unbelievable how they treat staff members. After this situation she was really scared and she didn’t want to do horseback anymore. Her behavior sets a bad example for other children and incite violance!
I just left as a camper. This camp is amazing, but has a really bad downside. the bunks are hornet infested, there is no 6 showers or 5 stalls. everything else is fine. pricey but worth it!!
This is an awesome place for artistic children from all over the world! My son has been attending this camp for many years, first as the camper and as the camp counselor now. He gained so many new skills and friends. It is a very pricey camp but they offer scholarships and discounts. If your child likes performing arts or music then he or she will be very happy there. It is an amazing place!
We've only had positive experiences at French Woods. Our two kids attended three years in-person and one virtually during the pandemic. Returning to French Woods after pandemic lockdowns was one the best things that could have happened to our kids. They love this camp despite the hard work, dedicating about 5 hours daily to their music (or acting, singing, dancing, and other performing arts for other kids). Music kids learn from and perform with visiting professionals and get to play in full orchestras, in the pit for productions, and in other bands. But learning is somehow enjoyable, not stressful. End-of-camp performances at French Woods are phenomenal, despite having just three weeks to prepare. All camp staff and counselors have been kind and supportive to us, and our kids have developed true friendships that endure outside camp.
I went to this camp for 4 years during a very formative part of my life, and went for one year after Covid. French Woods is a beautiful place, with a supportive staff and friendly campers. They put on extremely high quality shows that are fun to be a part of, and have played a role in some of the greatest theater-making experiences I’ve ever had. The counselors are another highlight, because they treat the campers like friends, while still putting their foot down than they need to. The staff was never condescending to me, quite the opposite. I have always count it to be a very open and welcoming place that is supportive of mine and others’ ambitions and thoughts. They take camper’s words into account, and work to give every camper an amazing experience. I would recommend the camp to anybody who has a child that is at least a little bit interested in the performing arts!
My daughter went to FW twice and loved it. She is going back this summer. FW offers a great variety of activities and is a great place to find friends.
My teenaged son, an instrumentalist, attended FW in 2021, 2022 and we're excited to be making plans for him to return in 2023. FW is truly a transformational experience. My son's musicianship and skill level with his instruments always takes a massive leap every summer after FW. My kid arrives at camp a little uncertain, a little apprehensive, a little anxious ... and at the end, we pick up a confident performer who has grown through the experience of orchestra, small group ensembles, solos, a symphonic band, and even the frenzy of the pit for some of the theatrical shows.
The summer of 2021 marked the return to sleep-away camps after Covid, and we were so very grateful and understanding for all the strict protocols and safety measures that FW put in place. Unfortunately, this meant outside visitors couldn't attend performances and shows in 2021, but we were grateful that they streamed them over Zoom so we could watch from home. The summer of 2022 allowed for some careful loosening of restrictions, so this was our first time, as parents, actually visiting the camp, eating the amazing food in the dining hall, checking out the cabins, and finally getting to see the performances live. I appreciate how hard the staff worked to make camp safe.
The camp is beautiful, the dining hall and the facilities are great. So many opportunities for music all day, and then whatever else my son feels like doing -- cooling off at the waterfront, learning some card tricks from "Magic Larry," working out at the 'Mo, learning some new recipes in the test kitchen, or just relaxing with friends and making something weird and tie-dyed in the craft lodge.
My kid talks about camp, the friends, the funny things that happened, and especially the people (Ron is a legend! Brian is the king!) non-stop for the whole year, anticipating when he can finally return.
We are eternally grateful for the FW experience!
My son has been a camper at French Woods for the last four summers with a break in 2020 due to the closure of all NY sleep-away camps due to Covid. My son is an instrumental high school major living in NYC. His daily musical studies at French Woods has helped exponentially advance his skill, prepare him for college and given him performance experience he would never have anywhere else. He performed in the pit orchestra for many many Broadway level performances, jazz band, orchestra and rock shop.He performed side by side with the NY Pops! Staff and teachers at French Woods are extremely nurturing and take great care to mentor campers as much as possible. My son has developed friendships with other campers that I am sure he will cherish for years to come. The counselors are caring and watch-over campers as if they are their own children. The food is delicious and we have enjoyed getting to taste it when we go to visit. Ron has created a great nurturing summer sanctuary for children coming from all over the world to enjoy their summer.
French Woods has been my summer home for the past 9 years. I went for the very first time when I was 10 years old, and ever since then, it has been my absolute favorite place on the planet. Not only does this magical place give me the most joy every time I’m there, but it lets me do what I love and try new things! I’m an aspiring musical theatre performer, and French Woods has given me all of the necessary resources for this cutthroat business. I absolutely adore all of the directors, counselors, and staff at FWF, and I have truly never been immersed in such a supportive, loving, beautiful environment. Everybody at camp is family to me, and every time I leave for the fall I go back to counting down the days until I’m back at that barn on a hill. The bunks are gorgeous and new, and there’s a perfect balance of the counselor to camper ratio. Each experience at camp is completely personalized, and there is always somebody for everybody there- no body is alone at French Woods. The no-phone environment also promotes face-to-face connection after not having that for nearly two years, and this shows how much the camp cares about the well-being of its campers. I have, and always will value the magic this place has, and anyone would be so lucky to spend a summer at French Woods Festival.
Significantly worse in recent years. My kids used to love this camp but perhaps in trying to recover funds lost from Covid it’s been very crowded and understaffed the past two years. Protocols for illness and other safety rules they claimed to be following before the session weren’t actually followed. Kids had cell phones, kids had drugs, rules were being ignored consistently. Many of my friends’ kids left early and mine left after one session though planned to stay for two because she was very sick and the camp wasn’t being honest with me or treating her properly. Of course they will keep your money even if they aren’t following their promised protocols or enforcing safety rules.
Due to covid my child was not able to attend and she is now working towards college this year and our budget is very tight, Frenchwoods ONLY pushed to have her attend the camp instead of refunding our money because their only interest is keeping your money and not the best interest of the child.
Our 6th year and finally wanted to rate the camp. The first 4 years were very good, 4-5 star rating. The last two years have not been as good. Especially after covid the camp and staff have changed dramatically. Getting a role in a show for the campers is more about who they know than about actual talent. Very disappointed and will probably ask my daughter not to return.
I attended as a kid and my kids attended for 8 summers. Absolutely fantastic for a kid who is creative, independent and enjoys doing his or her own thing. The camp was a personality-forming experience for us all.
My son spent his 1st summer in 2017 at French woods. He went to camp unsure of how it would be, by the time the session was over and i went to pick him up he didn’t want to leave. The love and bond he built with staff and other kids from all over is amazing. He is so excited to return back this summer for his 2nd year . He’s already talking about what his majors are and how he can’t wait to see coach James
Love Camp it is truly my home away from home. Love coming back year after year to a staff that gets to know and love everybody!!! if your considering french woods, take the chance and come, get ready for the summer of your life !
This is a top notch sleep away camp. The facilities are excellent. The staff is wonderful and international. The camp is located in a remote area of New York state in the Catskills.
BEST CAMP EVER!!!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This camp is where I make all my memories. The staff are SO SO SO nice and everyone there is family
I attended this camp for one summer when I was 13, circa 1999. As I recall, there were a lot of options for activities, and you could be a true beginner in all activities with the exception of theater (those kids were super talented and there wasn't any room for "average" there). At the time, and most likely now, the place was filled with very wealthy, very entitled, and somewhat cliquish kids from the NYC metro area. Being from the "sticks" of eastern PA, it was my first exposure to this type of person but it served me well later in life when I worked/lived/studied in NYC. The staff was mostly foreign, many from Australia and New Zealand- an amazing bunch of people who I definitely looked up to. The theater program was exceptional and you had to be pretty talented to even get cast in a show. I mostly stuck to dance, arts/crafts and playing in the orchestra. I had a good enough time, but it wasn't so great that I chose to return. If I was more of a serious performer, I suppose this would have been a great fit for me. Another note which might be important to some parents: when kids broke the rules, there was little to no discipline handed down. Some of the kids became a bit out of hand knowing that it was impossible to get sent home. I assume this is to save parents the inconvenience of picking their kid up from camp early. Still, I was astonished at what some kids were able to get away with. I went to a different camp for the following summers, and French Woods was a lot more scandalous by comparison.
The best experience a kid could gain. My daughter's summers at this amazing camp has been more than rewarding. Friendships made and skills developed in the arts is beside none...
French woods festival of performing Arts is a great place for not only Professionals of all talents but for young and curious starters... its fun and this camp is a great place for meeting new friends to doing something never thought you could have done. This camp is motivating for many people.
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