Roughing It Day Camp

Lafayette, United States

4.1

Closed now

10 reviews

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Telephone:
+1 925-283-3795
Website:
www.roughingit.com
Address:
954 Mountain View Dr, Lafayette, CA, 94549
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.3 miLafayette
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Bussiness info

Good for Kids
Yes

Today

Today 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Lafayette) 22:22 Tuesday, 27 May 2025

Business hours

Monday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Roughing It Day Camp is a traditional, all-​outdoors lakefront day camp, located in the San Francisco East Bay Area.

Roughing It is ideally located in Lafayette for the many outdoor adventures your child will enjoy. 900 acres in the beautiful Lafayette Reservoir recreation area — and nearby swimming and equestrian sites — offer a fun, educational environment where children learn, explore, grow and make many new friends. Activities include instruction in horseback riding, swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, boating, sports, crafts, hiking, environment education, outdoor adventure & more.

Exercise and fresh air are abundant!

Free transportation from home & 36 central locations in San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, Contra Costa County, and Tri Valley.

Free Extended Care.

History

Established in 1972.

Roughing It is a place where children and teens are encouraged to be themselves in a fun and nurturing atmosphere of discovery. Year round, Roughing It offers a variety of programs to provide quality educational and recreational outdoor experiences for children ages 4 — 16 years of age. A high percentage of summer campers return annually and many of our staff were former Roughing It campers.

Founded in 1972, Roughing It is owned and personally directed by Hobie and Ann Woods who have over 50 years of experience each in organized summer camps and youth leadership. Roughing It is a family tradition for the Woods and thousands of families in the Bay Area. Daughter Amy Woods is currently Assistant Director and has been a camp administrator at Roughing It for ten years; Katey Woods has been on staff and is currently a school counselor. The Woods work full time throughout the year at Roughing It and are available at all times to speak with camper families.

Meet the Business Owner

Ann and Hobie W.

Business Owner

Our career in summer camps began in 1965 when we both took positions as camp counselors. The experience turned out to be more than «just a summer job.» It developed into our life’s work when we started our own camp, Roughing It Day Camp, in 1972. We feel fortunate to work at our jobs as camp owners and directors full-​time throughout the year and to help children grow and develop through our unique camp experience.

Much has changed in the lives of children today, yet the important experiences that children need in order to develop the critical assets necessary to become successful adults remain the same:

*The need for positive, caring adult role models

*Opportunities to enjoy and appreciate the great outdoors

*Shared group experiences that create community

*Lifelong friendships

*Growing through new challenges

*Chances to take safe risks

Roughing It is proud to provide these important experiences to better prepare each of our campers for life in the new millennium.

Roughing It Day Camp also recommends

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review

Summer Camps

,

Day Camps

Ann and Hobie W. says,

«We incorporated the quality & expertise from operating Roughing It Day Camp for 37 years with the convenience of customizable one-​week sessions.»

Lafayette Reservoir

249

reviews

Parks

Ann and Hobie W. says,

«Roughing It Day Camp takes place at the Lafayette Reservoir, with access to 900 acres for exploring nature-​on foot and by boat!»

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10 reviews of Roughing It Day Camp

No registration required
Place rating: 1
Concord, CA
The counselors are great. Young but great. Unfortunately everything else about this program is awful. The drivers are flat out Dangerous that I stopped asking for pickups, they come home saying stories that resemble bullying and name calling and quite honestly, it has made me think that just like there is an agency than regulates Preschools /​Childcare, there needs to be one that regulates Camps like this. I have a son and a daughter, both who attended Roughing It Day Camp and I would not return.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
The camp has two sessions that are 4 weeks long. One summer we sent our child for one session and the next summer we sent our child for two sessions. There are other week-​long camps for younger kids which are probably great, too, but I’m reviewing the long sessions.
Why I keep sending my kid:
* The 4 week sessions allow the kids to form deeper bonds. This is important toward an atmosphere that fosters mutual respect, inclusion and rising to the challenge of trying new things — the kids are surrounded by friends who are all trying new things.
* Thanks to this camp, my kid is a great swimmer now and has been developing her dressage skills.
* The camps are outdoors all day, which I think is great.
* My child loves the counselors.
* The bus ride is fun. They sing songs and play games. The ride is an extension of the camp experience. It’s a 45 minute ride from SF, but the kids are having a blast.
* Another highlight of the camp is the optional overnight campout.
Depending on what you’re looking for, there is one possible downside:
* They don’t do any sports such as soccer, basketball, tennis — no team sports.
Instead, the physical activity comes from swimming three days per week, horseback riding 2 days per week and games that involve running around everyday. They also do crafts and outdoor activities related to camping.
Everyday, my kid comes home exhausted and extremely happy with lots of excitement for the next day back at camp.
I recommend this camp enthusiastically!
Place rating: 5
Concord, CA
We sent our 1st grader to a 4-​week session this summer, and she had the time of her life. Some of the other camps in the area have similar activities, but what makes this place special are the traditions, songs, and wonderful outdoor setting at the reservoir. Also, the group environment is really conducive to building camaraderie and strong friendships.
Someone mentioned that the hours are only 9 – 3, but the Reservoir Club aftercare extended her day to 5:00 at no extra charge. Since transportation was provided (my daughter loved the song-​filled bus rides), she was taken care of from 8:30 — 5:30 every day so our work schedule was uninterrupted.
The cost is higher than other options, but when you see the camp in action, you’ll know why. In addition to the group counselors, there was a swim staff, reservoir staff, horse staff, etc. along with the various camp leaders and directors. Every one of them knew my daughter’s name, and there was no doubt she felt loved there.
In short, if you’re looking for the best place rather than the cheapest, you’re very likely to find what you’re looking for here. I only wish I had a place like this when I was growing up.
Place rating: 2
San Ramon, CA
The registration process is all online but good Lord they require a lot of information. If your child has ADD they require a Dr’s note, if you don’t want to medicate at the camp — I find the paper work excessive. It’s super expensive ($ 600+) so I registered for the sample day (one day instead of the whole week) for $ 60. We are trying out the camp to see if it’s worth the $$$.
Cons
— They don’t provide lunch (for that much $$?)
— The hours are 9 – 3 (technically that’s not a full day when your a working mom)
Pro
— Check in was quick. They show up and check everyone in between 8:45 — 9am.
— It’s outdoors and they let the kids choose the activity
— It appears friendly and loving
Would I pay crazy dollars to go here? No, but I have always wondered what it was like. It’s very similar to the Camp Potowatami at East Avenue, with a lake.
Place rating: 5
Lafayette, CA
I have been sending my 6 year old daughter to this camp for the past three years and she has had a wonderful time! The first year we sent her for one week and she had such a great time that we decided to send her for the 4 week session the last two years! It s a family owned camp with great counselors and lots of fun activities such as boating, swimming, fishing, crafts and much more! My daughter has met great friends at camp and loves sharing all of her experiences with her friends and family! Roughing It has been a wonderful experience that has exposed her to a variety of different activities and people in a safe environment allowing her to explore and grow as a person.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Roughing It has been an amazing experience for both of my children. My son will be going for his 5th year and my daughter her 4th this summer. My son started at 5 years old in the 4 week Day Camp. He is a slow to warm kind of kid and the staff were amazing at supporting and encouraging him. My daughter started in the Little Raccoons at 4 yrs old and quickly made new friends and was enthralled with the arts and crafts, signing and games. The wonderful activities at Roughing It make for a memorable summer from fishing and swimming to horse back riding but what means most to me as a parent is the confidence my children gain at camp. We live in SF and they take the bus to Lafayette which at first seemed so far to me but I was really impressed with the bus counselors and the fun songs they sing on the way to and from camp. Camp really starts at the bus stop and my kids love the ride! The counselors at Roughing it are truly wonderful. They are engaged and active and really seem to enjoy being with the kids. It also makes me feel better to know they are all life guard and CPR trained and really know about outdoor safety. Check out Roughing It at one of their Open House Events at the camp or other locations!
Place rating: 3
San Francisco, CA
my kid comes home tired every day, which is a good thing, but he according to him, «the counselors are so strict, it’s like being in school. » :\
Place rating: 5
Concord, CA
WOW! Last spring is the first I’d ever heard of Roughing it and I’m glad I did! Over the summer, my son was in the 2 week Little Raccoon session. We used the transportation from the Walnut Creek site which was convenient for all involved. My son had the best time and came home tired every day. Between swimming, fishing, rowing and checking out the nature, he always had some fun things to share with us. When his session was over, he begged us to go back for the next session. He just loved Roughing it! The camp counselors are very tuned into the needs of children and communicate with the parents via phone, email and us mail. At the end of the session, we received a report on how well he did fishing and swimming. Also, he was sent home with a leadership reward too. I have nothing but good things to say about this camp. We’ll definitely send him again next year!
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
What a terrific camp! My daughter absolutely loves this camp and there are so many wonderful things about it that it is hard to put them all down here. The counselors are terrific — so kind and caring and knowledgeable. The activities are stupendous ranging from sports to arts and crafts to fishing and camping skills. If there is something your child wants to do I bet you Roughing It has it or can figure out a way for your child to do it. The bus is the best thing ever and my daughter loves riding it. Basically this camp is awesome and it is worth every penny!!! We will definitely be signing up for this one again — just AWESOME!
Place rating: 5
San Ramon, CA
No better program. No better staff. No better experience for your child… no matter their age. I was fortunate enough to have been a camper at roughing it as a kid and am so excited to finally have a child old enough to experience the magic of this wonderful camp program. The quality of Roughing it’s programs and staff is unmatched anywhere!!! 40 summers in the business of making memories, makes a difference!