Game Camp Nation Review
Game Camp Nation Mahwah Reviews

Mahwah, NJ - Reviews

# 1:

“My son, Rob, had to absolutely convince me about Game Camp Nation the very first time it came up as an option during the summer. He was passionate enough and got me to read their online information. Once I realized that Game Camp Nation was instructional, I was paying attention. The days are designed to include labs, which are like active learning sessions with tutorials. Here, campers work on their practical knowledge and programming skills. Also, separate sessions or tournaments are a part of the well-coordinated day, where the campers actually practice strategy at gaming sessions with other campers.

Five years later, my son is more vested than ever in Game Camp Nation. He's learned much about video game design, not to mention Construct 2 and Python languages. Every time he's been at camp, Rob returns home and proudly shows off great samples of his work and programs. This has been a valuable experience for Rob as he's had great exposure to video game design and has made lifelong friends.”

-Judi N.

# 2:

“My son Seth, who is now 13, has been going to Game Camp Nation for the past two summers in the Meadowlands location. He has been staying there for both weeks and staying overnight as well. He loves the camp very much.

As a parent you want your child to be happy and passionate and Game Camp Nation does both. The concept is very different than a so-called (regular camp), and for parents of children whose likes and minds are different, finding this camp was a perfect fit. He fits in with the kids, and the counselors are great and have the same passion. I love to see that my child’s security is a concern and a standard procedure there at camp. I hope more parents find what I have when I was researching camps and give the Game Camp Nation team a chance to care for and advance their child’s summer experience as I did with my son. I wish Game Camp Nation all the best.”

-Scott E.

# 3:

“When my son told me he wanted to go to ‘video game camp’ I said ‘no way’. I will not have my son locked inside during the summer playing video games. I had heard good things about the camp and we gave it a try a couple of summers ago. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I picked him up as his hair was wet (they had just been swimming) and he told me about the great basketball game they had earlier. On top of that, he told me that he is programming his own video game and he wants to come back every year. That’s all I needed. He loves the counselors and cannot wait to go each year.”

-Michael G.

# 4:

“Our son has been attending Game Camp Nation for five years—two summers of day camp and then three overnight, which he loves even more. In his fourth and fifth years, he started attending two weeks in Philadelphia before the two weeks at our local New Jersey location.

Game Camp Nation has given our son an opportunity to grow in an environment where he feels comfortable being himself and doing what he loves. He has made lasting friendships, been hosted for weekends at two friends’ houses between camp sessions, and kept in touch with kids and counselors during the year. At home, he can often be found skyping or gaming with camp friends—sometimes even with Phil the director, who is a consummate professional: conscientious, approachable, responsive, and responsible. We know our son, now 16, is always in good hands at Game Camp Nation.

We highly recommend Game Camp Nation. It has been a great experience for our son.”

-Joshua F.

# 5:

“My son had been wanting to go to Game Camp Nation for a couple of years now. My son has ADHD and has had some difficulty at other camps. I was a bit reluctant and wasn't sure how it would work out. I called and spoke to Philip several times, who quelled my concerns and made me feel secure and comfortable. He assured me that my son would be learning as well as having fun, experiencing the social component he really needed, and would be disciplined accordingly if any problems occurred. I really felt like this was going to be a great experience for us.

I have never seen my son happier as when I dropped him off with his suitcase. I received a call from my son that evening and he was SO happy! He was having a great time! Over the course of the week, a couple of minor incidents occurred, but the team at Game Camp Nation handled it beautifully. The counselors were great and they handled any issues with patience and respect. We even decided to go back for another week, as I knew my son was in the best of hands. They really helped instill confidence, respect, and discipline in the kids. My son's behavior and self-esteem were elevated to a point where he felt good about himself and the experience at Game Camp Nation. He felt very happy to be a part of their camp team and is looking forward to next year.”

-Monica S.

# 6:

“When I first saw the flyer for Game Camp Nation I thought it might be something my son RJ would enjoy. As a parent I liked the idea of taking my son beyond playing video games to learning how to design them. Wow! I never dreamed what an impact the experience would have on him. From the first day he was made to feel very much a part of the group. The first year we signed up for only one week as a day camper since we live within driving distance. RJ was so excited about the experience that he asked if he could do two weeks and stay overnight. That is what we have done ever since! He has even attended in other locations. Since starting Game Camp Nation, RJ makes his summer plans around his weeks at camp. He has formed lasting friendships with the other campers and keeps in touch with them year round. The campers are well supervised at all times. The camp counselors are top notch! They make each camper feel welcome and appreciated. The best part of all - they are learning to code and design computer programs. Imagine having fun and learning at the same time. How many kids do you know who volunteer to take a class for two weeks during their summer vacation? The education garnered at Game Camp Nation has carried through to school. RJ is at the top of his computer classes and has decided to pursue a carrier in engineering. Thank you to everyone at Game Camp Nation. It was the best decision we ever made!”

Keitha P.

# 7:

“Game Camp Nation was a great addition to my daughter’s summer activities. It's hard to find an exciting way to spend the day for your teenager. As a working mom I needed to find a camp that would work with my schedule. Game Camp Nation offered before and after hours availability for a nominal cost so it was perfect. She really enjoyed it and is looking forward to attending this summer.”

-Jo-Anne

# 8:

“My son loves gaming, not camping or horseback riding, so when we found Game Camp Nation it was perfect. He could game, meet kids his age who played video games, and it was a sleep away experience. My husband and I appreciate that the campers spend half the day creating games (learning useful skills!), even spend time swimming or playing basketball. My son keeps in touch with his camp friends over Skype during the year and plans his weeks at camp so they can be together. This year will be his 4th!”

-Jennifer K.

# 9:

“I have been bringing my son Hunter to Game Camp Nation for 5 years now. Every year my kids would attend day long summer camp for the whole summer at the Jewish Y in our area. Until the year when they sold the building and closed the “Y”. The kids always enjoyed the time out of the house and making new friends along with catching up with old friends. So I was at a loss. Until I stumbled across a “Video Game Camp” advertisement either sent to me or I found it on an internet search. I can’t remember. After looking at the locations and found that one of the spots where it was being hosted was just minutes from where I worked, I figured it would be good to at least get my kids out of the house to learn how to make video games instead of just sitting at home playing video games. So I asked Courtney and Hunter if they wanted to go. My daughter was at the age where she could go out on her own and hang out at the mall with her friends. However, Hunter jumped at the chance. So I enrolled him.

We showed up at the hotel where it was held at to check him in. I was expecting to see a bunch of “Xboxes” and “PlayStations” with kids just waiting in line to play or to play against each other. I was very surprise to see actual computer stations set up in a square configuration along the walls of the large conference / town hall room. Where every kid had their own computer station, large monitor, keyboard, controller and head phones.

Check in was done by 3 counselors (and the Director Phil (the owner of the camp)). They verified Hunter, checked to see if he needed any medications, made sure he had his health physical forms, and verified a good contact number for me and my wife (just in case).

I had signed up for early drop-off and late pick-up since my job is demanding and I do not always get out on time and I try to go in early. The only thing that was not included was lunch which was $10 a day. I found out you could pay per day or pay the full week up front and they took care of it. They asked Hunter which of the 3 choices he wanted for lunch and they ordered out for it. So after making sure he could contact me if needed, he was good to stay while I went to work.

Upon returning later that day I did not see him in the room where I checked him in. I asked the counselor if he went to the bathroom. They informed me that he was in the console room and used walkie-talkie radios to communicate to another counselor to escort him down and his dad was here to pick him up. They brought him down and logged him out, making sure that I did check him out. So off we went to my truck.

I asked him how his day was and if he enjoyed playing the video games. He said that he wanted to play longer but they spent an hour outside playing basketball and they did not finish the programming code. I asked him what he was talking about code. He said that they are learning about programming games on the computers and he needs his bathing suit for tomorrow. Again I asked him what he was taking about. Turns out Game Camp Nation was not just about playing games. They have physical activities like basketball, swimming and sport games, they do programming with different software, have online competitions with them being networked and they do play games.

Hunter has since been going back year after year meeting up with friends he has made. Along with bringing some friends with him to game camp. He has even gone for 2 weeks in a row some years.”

–Larry S.

# 10:

“Game Camp Nation. Yes, Game Camp Nation. My daughter always went to conventional camps. Crafts, sports, swimming, day trips, etc...

My son, Jonathan, needed more. He needed brain stimulation. He needed to be with children like him. He needed to have leaders that understood the brain functions of a child like Jonathan. Philip Luchon has the ability to put together a stimulating, safe, and fun program that provides children the need to fulfill their inner "game" needs. His camp introduces the participants to computer games and their functionality. There are friendly competitions and the comradery amongst the children by the end of the 1st week is special. The 2nd week, they have made friends that last all winter long.

Jonathan will be attending his 5th year and looks forward to the two weeks of camp starting in March. "Did you sign me up yet, Mom?"

-Barbara B.

# 11:

“I would recommend Game Camp Nation for all parents and children who are looking for a fun camp that is like an extended family. This is the camp! My son had never stayed at a sleep away camp before and Irwin is super nervous. However, Phil and his team were very patient and informative and made me feel at ease. Phil is super nice and very patient. Thank you Phil for everything.”

-Chalynda V.

# 12:

“When I first arrived at Game Camp Nation, I was nervous, I had never been to any kind of camp before, and was worried about making friends. But, once camp started, my fears were put to rest. Everyone at camp is so kind, and even though I was the only girl my age there, I was treated no differently than anyone else. I loved learning more about the process of making games, and actually getting a hand in doing it myself. All the counselors are so nice, and have so much knowledge to share. I'll never forget the time I've spent at camp, or the lifelong friends that I've made there.”

-Sarah O.