Our daughter is growing so much through her camp experience!
– SLC Parent
As Your Camper Grows
As young people grow, Surprise Lake Camp grows with them. Our program—and our physical campus, with its two sides: Mainside (ages 7–12) and Teenside (ages 13–15)—are designed to help young people take the lead in their own growth. We cultivate children’s skills and confidence so that they can gain increasing independence, safely.
Our whole staff is dedicated to excellent camper care, supporting campers’ physical and mental well-being. Our leadership team, our well-trained counselors, and our on-site Health Center social workers and staff partner with families to ensure that each camper has a successful summer, making a positive transition at each stage of growth.
Here are some of the kinds of transitions we see every summer, and how we approach them:
From Sibling to Camper
Younger siblings may already feel that camp is a familiar place, but they make the transition to camper even more easily when they get an introduction to camp like every new camper. Consider registering this child for one of our two Rookie Days, where future campers can try camp for a day. The five-day Get Your Feet Wet program is another easy introduction to get comfortable for the following summer.
From Get Your Feet Wet to a Mini-Camp Session
Get Your Feet Wet campers have Surprise Lake Camp to themselves after the regular season campers have gone home. In a subsequent summer, these campers can register for a short Mini-Camp session or for a 4-week session, both of which happen during our regular summer season. Either one can, at first, feel like a leap, with so many more options and people around. Because our Mini-Campers unit contains all first-timers, though, SLC makes it easier for these new campers to experience SLC together.
From a First-Timer Program to a Regular 4-Week Session
The transition from one of our introductory programs—Get Your Feet Wet or Mini-Camp—into the regular pace of Mainside is one that we carefully manage. Having a session of nearly four weeks allows a camper enough time to get fully past any initial homesickness. If you receive a letter from your camper about homesickness, please don’t panic! Often, by the time that letter reaches your home, your child feels entirely differently.
From Mainside to Teenside
Mainside (ages 7-12) starts off with more structure, some choice, and lots of close supervision. Teenside (ages 13-15) has a vibe all its own. Our aim is for the campers to experience a greater sense of independence and responsibility. The teenagers have more choice and more free time, with supervision that encourages autonomy and leadership. To bridge the transition, Mainside campers gain more choice and independence as they grow into being the “Seniors” on their side of camp. They also get to know the Lower Teens by sharing some special activities, like an amusement park trip.
Into SLC’s Leadership Development Experience
Our oldest teens have an opportunity to apply for SLC’s leadership development experience, after they finish 10th grade. SLC’s Leadership Development Program combines the best parts of being a camper with some of the team-building, responsibilities, and benefits of being staff. Campers have weekly planning and daily coaching sessions, and work for part of each day with younger campers and on community service projects. For the rest, they enjoy all the fun of camp, with a special bonding focus.
Applicants must have finished 10th grade before the start of camp next summer. Admission is selective, requiring an interview in person or by video chat.
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.
