Minnesota JCC Sabes Center Minneapolis Camp Olami

Name: Minnesota JCC Sabes Center Minneapolis Camp Olami
Address: 4330 Cedar Lk Rd S, Minneapolis, MN 55416, USA, Minneapolis, MN, US
Telephone: (952) 381-3421
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.5

4330 Cedar Lk Rd S, Minneapolis, MN 55416, USA

Overview

Category:Summer Camps

Location:Minneapolis, MN

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

Camp Olami is a summer day camp program hosted at the Minnesota JCC Sabes Center, a community center known for its amenities including indoor and outdoor pools. While some parents report positive experiences with counselors and general activities like crafts and exercises for 5-year-olds, there are significant concerns regarding the variety of daily activities, camp management's responsiveness, and safety protocols, particularly concerning communication during health crises and child privacy during changing.

Key Highlights

✓Operates out of a well-equipped Community Center with indoor and outdoor pools (implied use for camp activities based on facility description)
✓Some parents report a positive 'first time at camp' experience for 5-year-olds (Review 4)
✓Counselors generally described as 'nice' (Review 2, Review 4)
✓Offers general activities including 'crafts' and 'exercises' (Review 3, Review 4)
✓Staff are described as 'knowledgeable' (Review 3)

Standout Features

⭐Access to a Community Center with indoor and outdoor pools (implied from Review 1's description of the facility)
⭐Generally positive interactions with teen counselors (Review 2, Review 4)
⭐Structured daily activities including 'crafts' and 'exercises' (Review 3, Review 4)

Perfect For

Specifically mentioned for 5 and 5.5-year-olds (Review 2, Review 4)

Review 3 states the 'entire facility is geared towards kids of all ages' during the summer, implying broader appeal, but specific camp feedback is for younger elementary children

Ideal For

Parents seeking a summer camp for children around 5-6 years old within a community center setting that offers general activities and access to pool facilities

Families who prioritize access to diverse recreational amenities through the community center

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

→Inquire about the specific daily activity schedule and variety, especially for crafts, if your child thrives on diverse engagement (Review 2)
→Verify camp director presence and communication protocols, particularly for health and safety concerns, as unresponsiveness was a reported issue (Review 2)
→Discuss privacy policies for changing rooms or swim activities with camp staff directly if this is a concern for your child (Review 2)
→Compare the camp's pricing against other high-rated camps in the area, as it's reported as significantly more expensive (Review 2)

Things to Consider

⚠Craft activities were 'limited to the same simple rock painting each day' (Review 2)
⚠No apparent camp director on site at drop-off in the morning (Review 2)
⚠Camp director failed to respond to emails, even about serious issues like 'Covid after 24 campers/counselors tested positive' (Review 2)
⚠Parent reported a concern about daughter changing into her swimsuit in front of boys (unconfirmed by parent) (Review 2)
⚠Price is reported to be '50% higher than other high rated camps' (Review 2)
⚠A parent withdrew their child from prepaid sessions due to these issues (Review 2)

Price & Value

One parent reported the 'Price is 50% higher than other high rated camps,' leading to a perceived poor value given the issues encountered (Review 2). No other specific pricing mentioned.

♿Accessibility & Special Needs

•No specific accessibility accommodations mentioned in the reviews

🍎Food & Drink Policy

•Not mentioned in the reviews

🚗Parking Info

•Not mentioned in the reviews, but located in St Louis Park (Review 1) which typically offers more accessible parking than urban centers.

👥Crowd Levels

•Not mentioned for Camp Olami directly

🛡️Safety Features

•Reported lack of visible camp director on site at drop-off (Review 2)
•Camp director's failure to respond to emails, including those concerning '24 campers/counselors tested positive for Covid' (Review 2)
•Parent concern regarding a child changing into a swimsuit in front of the opposite gender (Review 2)
•Camp utilizes 'teen counselors' (Review 2), implying a particular supervision structure for young children

⏰When to Avoid

• If you require highly varied, sophisticated craft activities daily (Review 2)
• If responsive, proactive, and visible camp management for health and safety issues is a top priority (Review 2)
• If budget is a primary concern, as the camp is reported to be significantly more expensive than alternatives (Review 2)

Pricing/Package/Events

Recent Reviews

Jennifer Tarantino

a year ago

Hidden gem in St Louis Park! This beautiful Community Center features an amazing Health and Wellness Fitness Center with outstanding ammenities. There are both indoor and outdoor pools too- and sauna, steam and whirlpool in the locker rooms. If you are looking for a great place to workout- check it out!

L W

a year ago

Enrolled my 5.5-year-old upon recommendation of friends. Crafts limited to the same simple rock painting each day. My daughter said she changed into her swimsuit in front of boys--was not able to confirm since no apparent camp director on site at drop off in the morning to ask questions and camp director failed to respond to emails, even about Covid after 24 campers/counselors tested positive. Price is 50% higher than other high rated camps too. While the teen counselors seemed nice, I didn’t bother sending my kid back to prepaid sessions.

Larry Lange

6 years ago

Camp Olami is obviously closed this time of year due to 3 feet of snow but during the summer, this is a great place for kids. Crafts, exercises and knowledgeable staffers make it a daytime destination. The entire facility is geared towards kids of all ages.