Health, Wellness, and Food

The health, safety, and emotional well-being of our campers are the top priority of every Surprise Lake Camp staff member. We hire our staff carefully and train them extensively so that each camper will get attentive, caring, skilled support all summer long.

SLC Health Center

The SLC Health Center handles any physical issues and ailments. In addition to our staff of experienced nurses available 24/7, our camp doctor has regular office hours, and is on call the rest of the time. We have two health centers: a fully equipped facility on Mainside, plus a satellite health center on Teenside. If a camper needs to stay overnight, they do so on Mainside, where we have a 20-bed overnight facility. Whenever needed, we can take campers out of camp for x-rays, lab work, or other procedures. Our nursing staff can meet the needs of campers requiring daily monitoring or medications. Your camper enrollment application will prompt you to complete medical forms for your child and indicate how to arrange for your child’s medical needs to be handled at camp.

Camper Care Team

SLC’s summer Camper Care Team includes a variety of mental health professionals, school counselors and caring adults. Personable and experienced, these specialists help watch for and address any potential issues, from homesickness to social dynamics. Campers know them as friendly listeners who can help them think through challenges, while counselors turn to them for advice on supporting their campers. Each spring our Camper Care Team proactively reaches out to families who have noted concerns about their child’s social or emotional well-being on their camper forms. This information then becomes the driving factor in developing a personalized success plan for summer, tailored to their child’s unique needs. By providing support, guidance, and resources, the Camper Care Team helps our summer community to thrive.

Food: Healthy, Kosher, and Allergy-Sensitive

SLC food is delicious, healthy, and kid-friendly, with lots of choice. During breakfast there is a breakfast bar with fresh fruit, an assortment of yogurts, and other healthy options.  At every lunch and dinner we have salad bars full of fresh vegetables. Vegetarian options are always available. Themed dinners and barbeques add even more variety. For picky eaters, we have pasta and other simple choices available at most meals, in addition to fresh fruit available throughout the day. Our kitchen is Kosher, and we can accommodate most allergies and many special diets with advance notice. Please contact Sheryl, the Camp Director, if your child’s diet requires extra care.