We tell a lot of people why we love camp and why we think you should send your daughter to Kiniya. We thought it would be even better to share some of what our current parents tell us about the Kiniya experience and what helped them choose Kiniya. All comments below came from real answers from real parents and have been anonymized for confidentiality. We swapped in our founder’s name – Helen Van Buren – when we needed to, as we think she would be might proud of what we are up to these days! Enjoy and as always, reach out directly if you’d like to chat!

I wanted to reach out to thank you for providing such a special summer for our Helen. To say “she loved it” would be the understatement of the year!

Helen was a little apprehensive about going, and her first letter told us of some homesickness. Soon, though, the letters started expressing what an incredible time she was having and the wonderful friends she had made.

When we picked Helen up, we spent the first two hours of our trip home talking about all the amazing things she had done without a single mention of “Can I have my phone?”

As a product of sleepaway camp when I was a child, I could not be happier that Helen had such a great experience and can’t wait for her to go back next year. Thank you for giving her the kind of summer I remember so fondly!

Helen had a terrific first session with all the girls and leadership in Lakeside Cabin, her leaders in her majors—gardening and golf (the latter definitely not her thing, but made thoroughly enjoyable by the staff)—and everywhere around camp. She’s already talking about how she wants to go through the Leadership Program when she’s older!

It’s nothing you haven’t heard before, but it’s a real blessing for our family, so thanks to all!

I just wanted to reach out to say we received the HAPPIEST letter from our sweet Helen today. I asked her to send me lots of facts, and from the sounds of it, she has tried every activity, loved every meal, and befriended every girl. My favorite line was: “Everyone here is friends, which is so cool!”

Just thought I would pass along some happy news and thank you and your team for this special 3 1/2 weeks!

Thank you to you, Helen’s Leaders, and the full Kiniya team for another fantastic summer camp experience. In her letters and on the car ride home after yesterday’s pickup, Helen radiated joy and happiness. You all invest an incredible amount into crafting an enriching and fun-filled few weeks, and it is so appreciated. Thank you for everything!

When Helen came back from her first summer at Kiniya, she joined us in the small community of Groton Long Point, along the Connecticut shoreline. We have all rented a house there every summer for a few years, a cottage located a block or two from the Long Island Sound. There is a small pier the kids in the neighborhood use to jump off, taking leaps of faith because the drop is a good 10 feet before arriving at the water.

Each summer, Helen would stare down the water, brow furrowed, and each time would firmly say, “Nope,” determining the jump was too far.

This past week, amidst a beautiful sunset, Helen took the leap, and letting out a “Whoop,” took the Sound by storm.

Walking back to the house, she turned to me and said, “You know, Dad, I think I can face just about anything. And I think it was Kiniya. If I think something is too hard or too scary, I just think of Kiniya.”

Helen and my whole family would like to extend our gratitude to you and your team for making a meaningful difference for many young women, particularly amidst this complex and difficult time. Thank you.

As Helen returns home from her first summer at Kiniya, we wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to you and your entire team for creating such a fun, meaningful, and memorable experience.

From everything she has shared (both in words and many, many songs!) and from the giant smile on her face, Helen’s month at camp was not only fun but was also an important step in her development toward independence and resilience. She tried new things, made lifelong friends, and really pushed herself physically, socially, and emotionally. It is already clear that Helen’s first camp experience (of many more to come!) has left a lasting mark in all the best ways.

We deeply appreciate the thoughtfulness and care that went into making Kiniya such a safe, joyful, and empowering environment through the structure and values you have so thoughtfully instilled in your staff and therefore in the campers.

In short, thank you for everything you do to create such a special place. Helen is already looking forward to next summer!

I must say we are completely floored by the girl we picked up from camp yesterday! Helen came home to us with a huge smile on her face, a feeling of independence, and joy at making new friends, memories, and trying new activities—including her least favorite sport, soccer. It was a tough start for Helen, and we worried that she was not settling in, but she certainly pushed through and is all the better for it. We are so grateful to you and your incredible team for cultivating such a rich, diverse, and warm experience for our daughter. Helen truly matured over these past few weeks and challenged herself in so many ways—importantly, in ways that we could have never manufactured for her at home.

Thank you for taking such good care of our girl!