t's a big step to come to a new camp. It's an even bigger step to come to camp for the first time. So it helps to have a friend standing next to you, or swimming nearby, or cheering you on.

At Blue Rill we are often asked about our camp philosophy. Our reply: we put our emphasis on values, respect, fairness acceptance - and, above all, relationships. Summer is a time of unique growth and development for children. We feel the best way to make vacation time special is to leave behind the pressures to achieve that are often applied between September and June.

Our kids learn, advance and excel more often than you can imagine! When they excel, that's great. When they almost excel, that's great, too! No matter where they begin, they finish the summer in a better place. And no matter where they finish, they'll be right in there with friends.

At Blue Rill, we create a special "camper encouragement" team - a team of owners, directors, senior staff members, special instructors and counselors. They are so loyal, almost four of every five return for the succeeding season. Every morning, when the buses pull in, our staff can't wait to greet the kids!

Even the facilities themselves are "friendly," because we scale the size of everything to the ages of the camper.