Disappointed and Alarmed by Experience at BAM Camp
I rarely leave negative reviews, but as a parent, I feel a responsibility to share what happened at a Brains & Motion (BAM) camp in Saratoga, CA, so others can make informed decisions. My 8-year-old son attended BAM’s summer program expecting a fun, hands-on STEM experience. Instead, he and his friend had an upsetting experience that no child should face in an educational setting. Their classroom was led by high school students, not professional educators. During camp hours, the kids were: • Exposed to racial slurs, including the N-word used toward another child • Subjected to inappropriate language, including Chinese phrases that we discovered later included racial slurs • Played music with explicit, profane lyrics, including the F-word • Given very little hands-on instruction, despite the camp’s advertised focus When I raised these serious concerns with BAM leadership, their response was deeply disappointing. They denied or deflected key issues and chalked the incident up to “miscommunication.” No apology to families, no clear disciplinary action, no steps outlined to prevent this from happening again. The safety, supervision, and emotional well-being of our children were compromised. It’s not just about what happened — it’s about how BAM failed to take real responsibility when it was brought to their attention. If you’re a parent considering this camp, I urge you to ask hard questions about who is supervising, what’s being taught, and how issues are handled. Based on our experience, I cannot recommend BAM and will not be enrolling in any future programs.