After "Get Your Feet Wet," I saw my child in a completely different way: much more capable, adventurous and open to new things.
– SLC Parent
First-Time Campers
SLC offers lots of ways for first-time campers to join in and feel at home! Families, we’re always glad to chat with you by video, phone, or in-person about camp, your child, your priorities, and any questions you have about our approach, tuition assistance, and more. Options include:
Tours & Home Visits
Choose Your Ideal Session
Our regular 4- and 8-week sessions are designed to give each camper ample opportunity to bond and grow. Yet sometimes a shorter session is just right for a younger first-time camper.
Regular Sessions: 4- and 8-weeks
For current 1st – 11th graders • June-August
Dive in! Give your child all that Surprise Lake Camp offers in our regular sessions. In 4 or 8 weeks, your child can fully settle into camp life—and make deep friendships that enrich your child’s sense of community all year. As wonderful as shorter introductory sessions are, sometimes they end too quickly, just as your child is feeling fully comfortable.
Staff are fully trained in how to support both first-time and long-time campers, integrating everyone fully into the unit, group and bunk from the first moments of camp.
2021 Mini-Camp II A: 2 Weeks
For current 1st-4th graders • Tuesday, July 27 – Sunday, August 8
In this shorter session, counselors specially trained to support younger first-timers help campers have a fantastic introduction to sleepaway camp. Because the entire unit is Mini-Campers, everyone goes through this new adventure together while making friendships they can continue in future years. Mini-Campers get to try activities throughout camp, and share in two Shabbat experiences.
2021 Mini-Camp II: 2 Weeks
For current 1st-4th graders • Sunday, August 8 – Sunday, August 22
First-timers current 1st-4th graders: get ready for a special experience all your own. In this short session, counselors specially trained to support first-timers help campers have a fantastic introduction to sleepaway camp. Because the entire unit is Mini-Campers, everyone goes through this new adventure together while making friendships they can continue in future years. Mini-Campers get to try activities throughout camp, and share in two Shabbat experiences.
Get Your Feet Wet: 5 days
For current K-4th graders • August 25 – 29, 2021
Wrap up your current K-4th grader’s summer with Get Your Feet Wet. This mini-adventure helps your child dip their toe into the magic of sleepaway camp. Campers will experience a hike, a Shabbat program, a campfire and s’mores, daily swims in our lake or pool, an ice cream sundae party, singing, ballfield activities, boating, arts & crafts, drama, and much more! The 5-day program ends with a special Show/Graduation & BBQ lunch for families.
Get Your Feet Wet is staffed by dedicated volunteer alumni and hand-picked summer staff members who bring with them electric energy! Aquatics are supervised by certified lifeguards and a nurse is present at all times. Spirit, caring, and outstanding supervision are guaranteed.
Questions about Get Your Feet Wet? Email us or call 845-265-3616.
1f your child loves SLC, then Get Your Feet Wet can be effectively free: Families who take part in Get Your Feet Wet and then register their camper(s) for the following summer will receive their entire Get Your Feet Wet tuition as a credit toward the following summer.
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.
Experienced, Caring Leadership
Enroll your camper with confidence. You can trust the leadership of Surprise Lake Camp to make sure your child is safe, well cared for, and having a successful first summer here. We’re always glad to talk with parents, too.
