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Lake Views Blog
What Happened When My Daughter Went to Sleepaway Camp for the 1st Time
March 17 / By SLCThis post by SLC alumna Nancy Johnson Horn, was originally posted on The Mama Maven blog. In 2019 I sent...
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Camp and Belonging
March 17 / By Bradley, Executive DirectorBy Jerry Meyer and Bradley Solmsen This piece was recently featured on eJewish Philanthropy’s website. As leaders of a Jewish...
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What a Surprise: Week of August 24
August 24 / By SLCThis week’s programming: Please note we have moved to a pre-registration system for all of our online programming. Below are...
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Explore Camp
Look around!
GET A TASTE OF CAMP
and meet some of the campers & staff who love it here.
What makes SLC
SUCH A SPECIAL PLACE:
Warmth, fun, community & natural beauty are just the start.
So many
Ways to Try Camp
Unplug. Connect. Grow.
Welcome to Surprise Lake Camp, where generations of campers ages 7-15 call home. SLC is one of the nation’s longest-running Jewish sleepaway camps—and the starting point for lifelong friendships, spectacular adventures, skills, confidence, and warm community. We can’t wait for you to join us!
SLC Stories
Oren
First Year Camper
Tell us a little about you. How old are you? Where are you from?
I am 11 years old, and I am from Manhattan
What number summer is this for you at SLC?
This is my first summer at Surprise Lake Camp.
What is your favorite Camp activity?
I like Arts & Crafts because I am very creative. I have been drawing since I was little.
What was it like to come to SLC for the first time?
It was a little bit nerve-racking but I made friends right away. Writing letters home made me feel better, too!
How do you show courage at Camp?
I try new foods. I am not one to try new things, but I have tried food here and liked it! My favorite meal is anything with onion rings.
What do you think of your SLC Community?
I have a lot of different friends and I am definitely going to keep in touch with my friends here.
Joyel
Four Year Camper
Tell us a little about you. How old are you? Where are you from?
I am 12 years old. I was born in China, but now I live in the Bronx.
What number summer is this for you at SLC?
This is my fourth summer at Camp.
What is your favorite Camp activity?
I like Arts & Crafts, Canteen and Swimming. It’s hard to choose just one.
How has SLC helped you grow?
I am more social here. I talk to people a lot more than I do at home. SLC helped me see that we are all from different lifestyles, and it helped me grow because even though we’re not the same, we get along.
When is a time that you showed courage at Camp?
On the climbing tower. Even though I didn’t make it to the top, my friends and Jared, the Head Counselor, cheered me on. They were proud of me for making it half way, so I was proud of me.
What do you think of your Camp community?
People at SLC treat me very good. I keep in touch with my friends all year round and I can’t wait for Bat Mizvah’s to see my friends during the year.
Maxine
Four Year Camper
Tell us a little about you. How old are you? Where are you from?
I am 12 years old. I am from Long Island
What number summer is this for you at SLC?
This is my fourth summer at Camp.
What is your favorite Camp activity?
I like swimming in the lake or playing nine-square.
How has SLC helped you grow?
SLC has taught me life skills. I’ve learned how to talk to all kinds of people. I am also learning how to be independent away from my family.
When is a time that you showed courage at Camp?
Before the summer begins, I get nervous about being homesick. But, when I am here I am happy. When I miss my family, I write them letters and think about fun things that we do together. I am distracted from getting homesick by helping other campers around me feel better.
If you could tell a first-time camper one thing, what would it be?
I would tell them they’re going to have so much fun. The staff here have always been supportive, and it’s okay to be sad in the beginning but they will definitely help you feel better.
Lara
Two Year Camper
Tell us a little about you. How old are you? Where are you from?
I am 10 years old. I am from New Jersey
What number summer is this for you at SLC?
This is my second summer at Camp.
What is your favorite Camp activity?
I like sports and swimming. I am very athletic at home, I like the competition so it’s fun to get better at Camp.
How has SLC helped you grow?
SLC has helped me grow by teaching me the five core values. We learn compassion, grit, empathy, gratitude and community. My friendships are growing. This is my home away from home so it’s very special to me.
When is a time that you showed courage at Camp?
I was nervous to celebrate my birthday away from my family, but Camp made my birthday so fun and I got to call my family! This year, Olympics was on my birthday so it was very fun.
