Hope Haven Adult Home in Virginia Beach, VA

Pros

• The camp is a blessing and has a lasting positive impact.
• The counselors are amazing.
• The staff are friendly and welcoming.
• The program is fun, with campers wishing they could stay longer.
• The food is great and meals are enjoyable.
• The camp teaches valuable skills like swimming, horseback riding, and arts and crafts.
• The campers form lasting friendships and meet many new friends.
• The counselors help campers grow in faith and knowledge of God.
• The program is a meaningful ministry.
• The experiences create cherished memories.

Cons

• The reviewer describes the camp's rules as severely strict, recounting an incident where sitting on a friend's bunk led to being accused of being lesbian, and noting that phones and cameras were banned, making them feel unsafe and trapped.
• One reviewer simply called the experience "Actually horrible."
• A camper claims a counselor cursed them out and that everything about the staff felt nasty.
• A visitor recalls a rude, nasty phone call from the Head Administrator when requesting a letter explaining why a relative wouldn't be accepted, and says they would not recommend staying there.
• A camper alleges a counselor told a 13-year-old girl that God wanted her to be harassed, which damaged their faith.
• A former camper was kicked out for fighting, leaving a negative, lasting impression.

Review

Hope Haven is best suited for families pursuing a faith-forward, mentorship-rich experience for youth, where character formation and gospel-centered programming are central. The program is built around worship, community, and wholesome activities that foster lasting friendships and a sense of belonging. The setting is consistently described as beautiful and well maintained, with campers engaging in swimming, horseback riding, crafts, and organized chapel experiences. For families who value a long-standing ministry and want a structured, faith-driven environment in which faith and daily life are braided together, Hope Haven delivers tangible, memorable benefits that several generations have relied on.

That said, some families will want to consider alternatives. Those seeking a more secular experience, greater autonomy, or a camp with consistently flexible daily rules may find the environment too prescriptive. A few reviews recount experiences where strict boundaries and policing of social interaction created friction, and a minority describe uneven treatment from staff or administrative communication that feels brusque or opaque. If transparency in governance, predictable staff conduct, and a more permissive social climate are essential, these are legitimate reasons to look elsewhere. In short, families who prioritize maximum personal freedom or non-religious programming should compare options carefully.

The strongest pros are precisely what make Hope Haven compelling to a large segment of families: a long-standing, mission-driven culture; dedicated counselors who, in many cases, earn praise for kindness, mentoring, and the ability to connect faith learning to everyday challenges; and a robust set of activities that produce genuine memories and skill-building. Several accounts highlight counselors who go above and beyond, turning chapel lessons into practical guidance and helping campers navigate peer situations with care. The facility itself is frequently described as welcoming and uplifting, with a sense of community that endures beyond a single session. When the doctrinal emphasis and relational tone align with a family's values, the program's positives can substantially outweigh the drawbacks.

Yet the notable cons cannot be ignored. Several elements recur: a tightly regulated environment that can feel constraining, limits on personal devices, and a few emotionally charged episodes where staff conduct or messaging left some families shaken. One camper's frustration with a counselor's response to harassment or concern illustrates how a single interaction can momentarily destabilize trust in the program. Other reviews reference a head administrator's telephone demeanor and inflexible communication, suggesting that administrative friction can color the overall experience. These factors don't erase the good, but they do shift the risk calculus for families weighing safety, consistency, and tonal leadership.

For those who need alternatives, a few clear paths exist. Consider secular youth camps or faith-based programs with a governance model and training pipeline that emphasize uniform staff development, trauma-informed approaches, and more transparent decision-making. Day camps, community-based programs, or facilities with stronger emphasis on inclusivity and autonomy could better serve families seeking less hierarchical structures or more varied belief environments. In addition, prospective families should verify current policies on conduct, conflict resolution, and how concerns are escalated, since administrative posture can strongly affect satisfaction.

The bottom line is practical and actionable: Hope Haven offers a compelling, purpose-driven option for families who prize faith-based formation and a tight-knit, mission-oriented community. It is less well-suited for families prioritizing secular programming, flexible social norms, or consistently polished, uniform administrative experiences. If this choice is on the table, approach it with a plan: arrange a visit, speak with current and former staff and campers, ask about counselor training and disciplinary consistency, and request a detailed explanation of how sensitive issues are handled. For families who align with the ministry's ethos and value the continuity of a well-loved, traditional program, Hope Haven can be a transformative and enduring source of growth and connection. For others, explore options that offer a more secular or contemporary climate with equally strong safety and quality assurances.

Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, this area offers a variety of amenities and services for seniors. With multiple healthcare options within a few miles, including CHKD Health Center and Sentara Medical Group, residents can access quality medical care easily. Additionally, there are numerous pharmacies nearby such as Walgreens and CVS, ensuring convenient access to medications. For spiritual needs, St Luke's Catholic Church is close by for worship. Dining options range from casual eateries like Chick-Fil-A to upscale restaurants like Coopers Hawk Virginia. Enjoy leisure time at the nearby parks such as Red Wing Park or Mount Trashmore Park for outdoor activities. Overall, this area provides a combination of healthcare facilities, dining options, and recreational opportunities ideal for senior living.

Physicians

• CHKD Health Center at Landstown (2 miles)
• Mancoll Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery and The Fountain Skincare & MedSpa (2.6 miles)
• Children's Hospital Of The King's Daughter's (2.7 miles)
• Sentara Medical Group (3.3 miles)
• General Booth Pediatrics (3.6 miles)
• Coastal Vision (3.6 miles)
• Coastal Family Practice (3.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (3.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (3.7 miles)
• Walgreens (4 miles)
• Walgreens (4.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Luke's Catholic Church (2.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Jose Tequilas (3.6 miles)
• The Egg Bistro (3.8 miles)
• Felynn Oriental Restaurant (4.3 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (5 miles)
• Coopers Hawk Virginia (5.1 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (5.3 miles)
• Hooters (5.3 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (4 miles)
• Kahiau's Bakery & Cafe (6.1 miles)
• Fetch Coffee at Dogs Little Acre (6.3 miles)
• Starbucks (6.7 miles)
• Starbucks (7 miles)
• Rick's Cafe (7.6 miles)
• Starbucks (7.7 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Lynnhaven 18 (5 miles)
• Regal Entertainment Group (7.4 miles)

Parks

• Red Wing Park (5.8 miles)
• Mount Trashmore Park (6.6 miles)
• Kings Grant Park (8.3 miles)
• Chesapeake City Park (8.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Sentara Health Care (6.1 miles)
• Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters (8.2 miles)