Camp New Hope

This is not your typical review.
I (we) have been bringing our 6^th or 7^th Graders here for 14 of the last 18 years, for our ‘end of year’ field trip. There is a huge field, just right for kickball, soccer, touch football, softball, volleyball (nets provided), Frisbee, water balloon fights, kite flying, and… well, just about anything else you can think of on a wide open, cleanly mowed field. Down the lane apiece, there is a pond, and a nice hike around it.
Next, there is a swimming pool. A nice one (shaped like a giant scallop, with the deep end by the hinge). They staff it with three lifeguards — one at the shallow end, two at the deep. Oh, and the lifeguards require the kids to ‘prove’ their swimming ability before allowing them in the deep area. Good call!
There is an area under the trees with swings, a slide, and a number of other goodies — all underlain with enormous amounts of mulch. Kids have to try pretty hard to get hurt there, if they fall.
Finally, there is a pavilion with perhaps a dozen or so picnic tables. At the far end is a small kitchen, with a sink, several refrigerators and a microwave. (This happens to be MY favorite space, since the weather under the roof is always AWESOME.)
The fine folks that run the camp usually show up within the first hour (or two) that you’re there. They’re really laid back, and always ask if there is anything that you need. They tend to come back before you leave, to hand you the billing for the day. They’re happy to take PO numbers… but we’ve been visiting for so many years now, that I really don’t remember what it was like the first year or two. It’s readily apparent that they expect you to come back year after year. Yeah, it’s THAT good.
We’ve already scheduled next year’s visit. Does that tell you how we feel about this place?