At SLC, the fun never pauses.
– SLC Camper
Activities & Fun
Families often tell us they like how Surprise Lake Camp balances structure and choice, offering the best of both. Bond with your Unit and group in shared activities like Waterfront and Pool. Then follow your own interests, hone your skills, and/or try something totally new!
Campers get to pick a Speciality elective for 3 times/week and explore a variety of Choice options. As campers grow, their amount of Choice also grows. We’re always adding special experiences, too, such as Balloon Animal Making, Juggling, or Young Scientists. With so many options, campers will find lots to love!
Daily Schedule At-a-Glance
| Mainside (current 1st – 6th graders) | Teenside (current 7th-10th graders) | |
| 7:30am | Wake up, campers! | |
| 8am | Round-Up (songs & cheers) | Wake up, campers! |
| 8:15am | Breakfast | Breakfast |
| 9am | Clean Up | Clean Up |
| 9:30am | First Activity | First Activity |
| 10:40am | Second Activity | Second Activity |
| 11:50am | Third Activity | Third Activity |
| 1pm | Lunch | Lunch |
| 2:00 pm | Hafsakah/Rest Time | Hafsakah/Rest & Free Time |
| 2:50pm | First Afternoon Activity | First Afternoon Activity |
| 4:00pm | Snack | Snack |
| 4:10pm | Second Afternoon Activity | Second Afternoon Activity |
| 5:10pm | Third Afternoon Activity | Third Afternoon Activity |
| 6:15pm | Dinner | Dinner |
| 7:15pm | Evening Activity | Evening Activity |
| 8:15pm | Back Up to Cabins | Supervised Games & Free Time |
| 8:45pm | Lights Out (varies by age) | |
| 9:30 pm | Back Up to Cabins | |
| 10:00pm | Lights Out (varies by age) |
Summer 2024 Special Events
Explore Your Options
9-Square
Ever played 4-Square on a playground? Now make it bigger, and put it up in the air (like volleyball) for the awesome game of 9-Square. You can play with a big group or just a few friends. At SLC, we play it during activity periods and in free time.
Archery
Bullseye! Learn to use a bow and arrow. Archery combines strength and precision as you aim for your personal best.
Basketball
At SLC, basketball is more than just a game – it’s about fun, skill development, and teamwork. Our experienced coaches provide engaging instruction, and campers can enjoy casual pick-up games during hafsakah (rest hour) or challenge themselves in our progressive tournaments. We also participate in exciting intercamp tournaments, fostering friendly competition and a love for the game. Have a ball under the lights outside or in our modern Belle Abramson Gymnasium–which has a scoreboard, bleachers, lockers and showers.
Beach Volleyball
Perfect your spike, or learn the rules of the game, whatever your experience level, on our sandy court.
Camping Overnights
SLC is nestled within stunning state parkland, offering direct access to a vast network of scenic trails. Our experienced Teva (nature) guides are passionate about sharing their love of the outdoors with campers. They lead exciting overnights where campers can connect with nature, challenge themselves, and bond with their peers. Overnight camping trips (using SLC tents) create lasting memories. After all, everything tastes better when shared by a campfire.
Ceramics
Try your hand at ceramics, including learning to use a potter’s wheel. We’ll fire your pieces in SLC’s kilns, so you can take home your masterpieces. This activity is available to Teenside campers.
Climbing Tower
Take your strength and confidence to new heights! Learn to climb and belay on SLC’s 35-foot climbing tower.
Culinary
At SLC, our kitchen is a hub of creativity and deliciousness! Campers will learn to bake, decorate cookies, and even cook some of their favorite camp specialties. It’s a hands-on experience where they get to learn new skills, express their creativity, and of course, enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Dance
Learn modern dance, jazz, hip hop, and so much more. Build skills in choreography and have an opportunity to perform in camp, whatever your prior skills and experience.
Fitness
Pump it up! Whether you want to build strength for your coming sports season or learn proper technique, you can use SLC’s weight room and fitness gym for lifting and building muscle. This activity is available to Teenside campers.
Gaga
Israeli dodgeball is a camp favorite. Played in round courts, the rules are simple–but they keep you on your toes!
Hiking
SLC is nestled within stunning state parkland, offering direct access to a vast network of scenic trails. Our experienced Teva (nature) guides are passionate about sharing their love of the outdoors with campers. They lead exciting adventures and overnights where campers can connect with nature, challenge themselves, bond with their peers, and create lasting memories.
Hockey
On SLC’s street hockey rinks (on both Mainside and Teenside), you’ll learn stick-handling and teamwork.
In the Pool
Jump into our heated, modern swimming pool—or take a ride down the waterslide. Campers have free swim several times a week. Sometimes we turn on the lights for an evening pool party! An accessible pool lift means that everyone can enjoy a swim.
Israeli/Jewish Culture
The land of Israel is a special resource for Jewish culture and pride, and campers will feel a love of Israel throughout camp. A cohort of Israeli counselors and specialists, including some bunk counselors, lead songs and spirit days. Campers get to know them and their stories one-on-one, too. SLC also hosts an Israel Day for campers each summer, highlighted by a performance by the Israeli Scouts’ Friendship Caravan.
Music, Guitar & Drums
Sing. Play the drums. Play the guitar. Just let the music move you! At SLC, you can learn to read music, create a beat, and strum a chord. Camp provides guitars, an array of African drums, and music. No experience necessary; all levels welcome. Our music program is sponsored by singer-songwriter (and SLC alum) Neil Diamond.
On the Lake
SLC boasts a private, spring-fed lake. Campers use the stand-up paddleboards, or choose from our fleet of canoes, kayaks, corcls, rowboats, sailboats, aquacycles, and windsurfers. On hot days, campers can bounce and slide in from the water trampoline.
Organic Farm
At SLC, campers get to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty in our organic garden! They’ll learn about growing fresh, healthy food, and discover how sustainable practices like composting and water conservation help protect our planet. Plus, they’ll learn how these important ideas connect to Jewish values and traditions. Of course, the best part? Enjoying the delicious fruits (and vegetables!) of their labor!
Photography & Videography
Learn to use the technology of digital cameras, video cameras, and computer graphics. You will get to take pictures of all aspects of camp life, and then help put together the end-of-session slide show and video.
Pickleball
At SLC, our pickleball program caters to all skill levels, from beginners to more experienced players. Campers will learn the fundamentals, including scoring, serving, and the art of the dink, while also mastering strategies to avoid the kitchen. We hire a dedicated pickleball specialist each summer to provide expert instruction and ensure a fun and engaging experience for all.
Ropes Course & Zip Line
SLC offers both low and high ropes course, with individual challenges and teamwork opportunities. A highlight for many campers: whoosh through the trees on our own zip line!
See Nighttime Neon Ziplining Video (for Teens)
Soccer
Fields on both Mainside and Teenside mean that a soccer game is never far away. At SLC, our experienced soccer coaches guide campers in developing their skills through engaging drills and fun scrimmages. Daily hafsakah (rest hour) provides ample time for friendly games and friendly competition. We also participate in exciting intercamp tournaments, fostering teamwork and sportsmanship.
Softball
A game on the SLC diamond is always a home run in Mainside and Teenside games for all ages. Batter up in pickup games during hafsakah (rest hour), or get coaching and more intensive skill-building in the softball specialty elective. SLC also competes in intercamp tournaments, with home and away games.
Special Events
Enjoy a steady stream of special programs, including SLC’s very own Olympics, Carnival, Israel Day, parties, and celebrations. Special guests often come to camp for a performance or to lead a special activity.
Fun Fact: a young Neil Diamond was inspired to write songs after seeing Pete Seeger perform for campers in a special event at SLC!
Tennis
Have fun honing your game with our talented tennis specialists. Learn to serve, volley, forehand, backhand, and smash like the pros. Bring your racquet if you like, or use one of ours.
Teva/Nature
In Teva, campers connect with the natural world through hands-on experiences. They’ll learn valuable outdoor skills like using a compass, building a campfire, and identifying local plants. Campers will also have the opportunity to care for our animals, including reptiles and goats, and explore the wonders of our spring-fed lake, from observing its aquatic life to discovering the creatures that inhabit its shores.
Theatre
If you like to be on stage or behind the scenes, you’ll love theatre at SLC. Perform in a show, or work backstage on set design, lighting, and sound. We put on four full musicals each summer! Each session, Mainside and Teenside each rehearse, create, and present a show to the entire camp on the stage of the huge Eddie Cantor Theatre overlooking Surprise Lake.
Recent Mainside Shows:
Frozen (2024)
Disney Storybook (2024)
Winnie the Pooh (2023)
Annie (2023)
Recent Teenside Shows:
Shrek (2024)
Amy Gets Married at the End (2024)
Beetlejuice (2023)
Little Shop of Horrors (2023)
Tournaments & Away Games
Interested campers can join SLC’s sports teams and take part in tournaments and matches with other camps–some hosted at SLC and some away. These games give campers a chance to use the skills they’ve gained in practice with our coaches and specialists while having a great time bonding with their teammates.
Visual Arts
Select from a variety of projects & media. Explore sculpture, copper work, painting, drawing, jewelry, and much more in our studios.
Swim Instruction
SLC boasts both a private, spring-fed lake and a heated. lighted pool. At the beginning of each session, our lifeguards and swim specialists assess each camper’s swimming skills for placement into the most appropriate instructional level. Every camper gets weekly American Red Cross swim instruction – as well as plenty of free time to enjoy the water.
