Season 2019
Yana Panchishina: "This is an amazing camp! The children and the adults there are so nice. My son loves going there every summer. He makes new friends and catches up with old ones, eats great home-cooked meals, and enjoys the fresh air and a multitude of activities!"
Puglisi Wm: "Do I recommend Camp Leader? Absolutely, no questions asked. Camp Leader is nestled in the beautiful Catskill Mountains and surrounded by mountains and a stone throw away from the Scenic East Branch River. Within the grounds, you will find adequate lodging, a beautiful swimming pool, theater, outdoor stage, plenty of activities, and most importantly - a caring and loving staff. One thing worth noting: their food is top shelf, don't expect fast food or junk here, Camp Leader prides themselves on daily fresh-cooked meals that are healthy. Some people may say the buildings are not up to par or modernized, which is one thing I really seem to like, the buildings are old, which brings you back to a more simple time and place in life. The amount of work that the entire staff goes through is astonishing, and everyone works directly with each other and in the end, you have a well-oiled machine... Quite frankly, I can't see how anyone could write anything negative about this wonderful place, and if so, take it with a grain of salt to the source it is coming from. Camp Leader, without a doubt, is an excellent place, excellent facility, and caring people... I need to say no more..."
Galit Sidelev: "My child has been attending camp Leader three years in a row, and has already registered for summer 2020. The food is good, location is perfect, and the amount and variety of trips and other kid's entertainment are amazing. They even started an adult get-away program for some fall weekends. Definitely recommending!"
Nina Ros: "Good personnel, amazing activities for kids, very tasty food and nature around. All this you can only have in camp Leader!!!"
Julie Mirsky: "My son went to the camp Leader for the first time. He really enjoyed it: loved sports, activities and field trips. We already registered him for next summer. He is looking forward to it!"
Marina Porshneva: "My son had a great time at the camp. Already registered for the next summer. Good place and good staff".
Julie Gryzlova: "Nature, food, activities, old and new friends, great team of counselors. The time spent here will be unforgettable".
Dasha B: " The food in camp is amazing,! The mountains are beautiful!! I hope I come again next year. Staff members are so nice and funny they help all the time. There’s a big pool and you can go kayaking for a trip. The rooms are clean and there is a snack shop!! I loooove camp Leader".
Season 2018
Juliya Borovsky: "I picked up my daughter 1 week earlier, but she said she will go next year again!!! The food is healthy Russian! The teachers do not speak English! It is amazing - my daughter started to speak Russian in 2 days!!!! I was surprised!!!"
Lyudmila Galkina: "Absolutely Great Camp! Beautiful location and great service! My daughter comes here every year. A lot of Fun there and Good Discipline. We are very happy!!! Will come back next year again!!!!"
Bellium Bee: "I went to this camp last summer and plan on going again this summer. The people are wonderful, the staff was friendly, but I would DEFINITELY recommend learning the basics of Russian before coming. The food is very good; the staff switches the food out for a different item every day. Plus, I’m glad there is no Wi-Fi! It’s camp, what do you expect? I made a lot of amazing friends and lots of amazing memories. The wildlife and scenery are gorgeous, and we also got lucky with the weather. If you want to come but aren’t sure yet, give it a chance! This is by far the best (and only) camp I’ve gone to."
Blues Brothers: "Marvelous place, true fairy tale! Wonder where all the hobbits go...)) If your kid is happy - U need no other reasons. BTW, it was kinda awkward to read the reviews about lack of cookies and Wi-Fi. It's a summer camp, hello! There shouldn't be any, to my point of view. This addictive stuff is available at home, no need to travel that far..."
Season 2017
Julia Gergil: " Great camp. My son loves it!!! Will be back over and over again:)"
Season 2016
Julie Polskaya: "This was my first time going to a camp ever and it was pretty amazing, I'm going to come next year for sure"
Season 2015
Actual children testimonials (season 2015):
Actual parents testimonials (season 2015):
Aleksandra – mom of 7 year old Akhmed, New York:Cool Place! Lots of entertainment, hikes, games and sports. Special thanks to the camp staff. This is the friendliest team I ever met. In particular, a great honor and praise for Basil. He truly is a very kind-hearted person.
Elmira – mom of 12 year old Alina, New York:
I would like to thank all the staff of the Camp “Leader”. For the joy that you give to the children and care you exercise. Kids want to come back to you again, and this is the best indicator of the quality of the camp! And special thanks to the counsellors, watching our kids all the time, and gave them kindness and caring! See You next season!
Elena - mom of 9 year old Angelika, Massachusetts:
Our daughter had some great fun this summer in the Leader Camp!!! It was our first try and we sent her for the minimal stay of two weeks. When we came over to pick her up she declared that she wants to come next summer again but for at least 4 weeks! :-)))
For me, as a mother, it was important that kids were properly fed: good variety of dishes (that I usually make at home) and balanced as well. Also, there were classes of Russian that are of primary importance for our family, raising a bilingual kid in the US. And great selection of trips too!
The Leader Camp is definitely a keeper!
Testimonials of previous seasons:
Artem P., 14 years old, Philadelphia, PA.
Daniel A., 11 years old, Brooklyn, NY.
Katya A., 13 years old, Long Island, NY.
Daniel O., 14 years old, Brooklyn, NY
David D., 13 years old, Staten Island, NY
Rochelle T., 12 years old, Brooklyn, NY.
David G., 12 years old, Paramus, NJ
Denis S., 13 years old, Mahwah, NJ
Nina S., 8 years old, Pennsylvania.
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“I love this camp. They have a good food, have a great pool and great soccer field and volleyball court…You should go to this camp, if you want to have fun!” |
Kirill K., 9 years old, Palisades Park, NJ
Actual parents testimonials:
Oksana - mother of 14 years old boy, from Brooklyn, NY
“My son, Ilya , had attendant camp leader for 3 weeks. I noted that his Russian language improved, his communication with other Russian people has developed and more people understand him know. He has participated in sports such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, running, swimming, and ping-pond. Every week they have tournaments for sports. The camp also has plays where every child attends. The plays are set up for parents that are coming to visit their kids. My son was fed 4 times a day, breakfast, lunch, snack and, dinner. The food there is prepared by the own cooks and is very healthy .when my son returned he was fit and better the ever. Thank you camp leader for making my son more fit and healthier.”
Marina, mother of two boys - 8 and 13 years old, from Queens, NY
“I would recommend this camp to any parent. For my two boys it was their first time and they loved it. The camp's personnel are very professional with great organization skills. Great place to send your kids.”
Tatyana, mother of two kids – Tina, 14 and Anthony, 12 years old, from Brooklyn, NY
“1. Socially my son has become more interactive to other children. He gets along with kids his own age more. My daughter has become very responsible after attending camp leader. 2. My children tell me that at camp they were very well fed and enjoyed the sports that were offered. 3. After attending camp leader my children knew the Russian alphabet. My daughter has improved her reading skills in the Russian language. 4. My children have never been so interested in arts and crafts but i can see an improvement in their interest. “
Alla, mother of 10 years old boy, from Brooklyn, NY
'It is with pleasure that I may help introduce camp leader located in east branch, NY, 13756. as a parent who had my son, aged six-seven, attend camp last summer, and having had the privilege to work as an arts and crafts teacher, and liaison between parents and children in the preceding summers of 2006-2007, I know how much care and effort Vladimir and Ruslan put into this camp. My child improved his behavior, social skills, communication, and discipline. Camp leader has excellent sports programs: swimming, soccer, volleyball, basketball, ping-pong, track and field. Furthermore, natural science and hiking mountain trips, which are safety supervised, develop the educational interest. My son started to regularly do exercises when he came back from the camp. He was well and healthy fed by traditional Russia style. Moreover, his Russian language skills were improved dramatically and he regularly read Russian books. Always with children as his first priority, camp leader each year added activities, including art and craft, acting for concerts and plays, horseback riding. The experience of these children, from ages 5 through 15 were uniformly positive. Care and professionalism, and dedication to his campers, makes Vladimir Bratishov an exceptional teacher. For Russian children, especially, for those parents those yet unfamiliar with the services of the general community, this camp offers a necessary bridge for children, who often have educational disabilities and esl (/English as a second language) problems, who would not be otherwise served. I am happy to have worked there, and to have sent my child there for an enriching, rewarding summer.”