Spring Lake At-A-Glance
Spring Lake Day Camp, an American Camping Association (ACA) accredited camp in Ringwood, New Jersey, was founded in 1989 and has been family owned and operated by the Kessler family since its opening. Mitchell and Michelle Kessler are proud owners of this beautiful 30 acre campus which is surrounded by the majestic Ramapo Mountains. Our location off Skyline Drive on the border of Bergen and Passaic counties provides easy access off I-287 which enables SLDC to pick up children from most areas in Bergen, Passaic, Morris, and Essex Counties, as well as parts of Hudson County. It is also a quick and direct ride across the George Washington Bridge from many neighborhoods in New York City.
Our Full Day option is for campers entering kindergarten through 10th grade. Full Day camp hours are Monday through Friday, with campers arriving to camp at approximately 9:00 am and departing promptly at 4:00 pm. The Mini Day option is available only for campers entering nursery or pre-kindergarten and is subject to availability, location, and transportation. Mini Day camp hours are Monday through Friday, arriving at approximately 9:00 am and departing promptly at 1:20 pm.
Philosophy
Sportsmanship Leadership Determination Cooperation
Spring Lake Day Camp is proud to be an American Camp Association accredited camp, the “best evidence of a camp’s commitment to a standard of care with prudence.” It is our mission to enhance self-confidence in our campers, develop their leadership and communication skills and provide a beneficial and positive summer experience. Children need to be exposed to an outdoor learning environment which includes any healthy risk-taking adventure that only a real camp can provide. We believe that it is the camp experience that can still create the emotional IQ and necessary skills for the 21st century. We are committed to the genuine care of our campers, fostering sportsmanship, leadership, determination and cooperation in a supportive and encouraging environment. Our numerous age appropriate activities and special events make each summer unique, fun and memorable. Within our highly instructional well-rounded programs in the many sports, arts, aquatics and adventure areas, we offer healthy competition and positive reinforcement giving each camper a strong sense of personal growth.
SLDC staff members are mature, professional and dedicated individuals who make a difference in the lives of each and every one of our campers. A complete background check is done on all of our staff members to ensure the safety and well being of our campers. The integrity, honesty and commitment of our staff is what makes SLDC successful. As mentors, our counselors, specialists, lifeguards and administrators lead our campers by positive example. Spring Lake Day Camp understands the importance of nurturing and fostering our campers’ recreational, developmental and social abilities. By encouraging them to face new challenges within a safe and family oriented environment, we create individuals with a strong sense of resilience and positive self-esteem. We are thankful and privileged to be able to enrich the lives of so many children each and every summer. At SLDC, we believe that our campers will live up to what we believe of them… they are our future!
Facility
Our magnificent 30 acre campus includes a 40,000 square foot heated pool complex, offering 5 pools with ability appropriate depths, 25 meters in length and several water slides. Our private 5 acre spring fed lake is used for boating and fishing with a 500 foot zip line over the length of the lake. Our grounds offer over 35 activities — manicured baseball, softball, football, soccer, and lacrosse fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, 2 floor hockey rinks, 7 Ga-Ga pits, a motorized Go Kart track, climbing towers, several high and low ropes elements and zip lines through the trees and over the lake, beach volleyball, indoor dance studio, modern gymnastics pavilion, complete fitness and training center, various visual arts pavilions (arts and crafts, fine arts, jewelry design, sewing, ceramics), cooking for all levels, coding and robotics center, martial arts, discovery science, nature, archery, music, drama, and so much more.
At SLDC we’ve got it covered! Many of our specialty areas are either covered or indoors and air-conditioned. Our buildings, athletic fields, shaded areas, lake and large pool complex allow for schedules to be easily modified for rainy days or very hot days. Campers can enjoy a full day of camp rain or shine!
Spring Lake Day Camp is also the perfect choice for corporate, school and family special events. We are a beautiful location offering friendly service and staff, event planning expertise and outstanding catering. For more information, go to fountainspringscountryclub.com or call our camp office to discuss details.
Transportation
“Straight Run for Fun!” Door-to-door transportation* is provided using only Department of Transportation approved mini-buses. All of our mini-buses are driven by professional drivers provided by professional bus companies. They are each equipped with seat belts, a GPS tracking system, air conditioning and car seats (5-point harness seats) for all of our Pre-K aged campers. A van counselor supervises each bus and is trained to monitor and maintain our Van Safety Rules and Regulations for the benefit of each and every camper. The van counselor travels with a cell phone to maintain communication with camp parents and the SLDC office. Camp begins when your child is picked up in the morning and ends when your child arrives safely home. There are daily bus activities planned for the bus ride, as well as fun songs, games and van decorating that add to the summer camp experience!
*in most locations. Some exceptions apply.
Health & Safety
SLDC always considers its campers’ health and safety a priority. Our gate guard is posted at the entrance of our camp during camp hours. All visitors must sign in with our main office and receive a Visitor’s Pass before walking on the camp grounds. We have an open door visitation policy during the eight weeks of camp, but we ask that our office be called and given advance notice of the visiting date.
Spring Lake Day Camp is a proud member of the American Camping Association and adheres to the highest health and safety standards. It is the goal of the SLDC Health Office to ensure a happy and healthy summer season for all of our campers. Our modern on-site health facility is supervised by three or four registered nurses, who also chaperone many out of camp trips. Camper health/medical forms are reviewed prior to the start of camp by our nurses. It is essential for the health and welfare of our campers that all medically pertinent information be provided. Open communication between our nurses, administration and families is an important component of our campers’ having a successful summer experience, along with appropriate supervision throughout the day by our camp staff. Please see our Parent Handbook for more detailed information about our Medical Information and Policies.
Dining Facilities
Our renovated 10,000 square foot open air covered pavilion overlooks a magnificent 5-acre lake blanketed with beautiful pines. We offer a healthy main lunch entrée as well as side dishes and dessert to campers and staff. Our nutritious foods are prepared daily on-site and there are enough choices even for our pickiest eaters! Available options to the daily menu include bagels, quality turkey deli meat, tuna salad, yogurt, buttered and plain noodles, grilled cheese, soup, fresh fruit and an organic salad bar. Fridays is our traditional barbecue day, with several delicious choices from beef burgers and hot dogs (Kosher hot dogs) to veggie burgers and grilled chicken breast. Our camp mom is in the dining room to make sure all campers’ dietary needs are met. SLDC adheres to a “nut aware” policy, so no food is brought into camp during the summer camp season. We are happy to celebrate our summer birthdays with our own ice cream parties! Any dietary requirements and exceptions must be discussed with the administration and the camp nurse. Daily mid-morning and afternoon snacks round out the day for our campers so that they have the energy and satisfaction to get the most out of their busy day!
Senior Program for Grades 7 and 8
Whether our older campers have been with us since Junior Camp or are coming to us for the first time, we recognize that they want to have something “special” in their program. We have listened to what our incoming 7th and 8th grade campers want and have developed a program with them in mind. Our senior program includes:
- Four optional out-of-camp trips which will arrive back in camp in time for the afternoon buses.
- In-camp special events specifically geared toward them including co-ed activities and s’mores roasts.
- Visits to our Kindness Korner where our campers can “do good” for our community and earn community service hours while having fun at camp.
- Big Brother and Big Sister program (8th grade) which allows our oldest campers to spend time with our Junior Campers as role models and mentors.
- Additional activities and programming continue to be developed!
Our senior program gives our oldest campers something to look forward to and makes their last years as campers once that they will always remember.
International / National Campers
Spring Lake Day Camp welcomes families from across the United States and abroad to come and be a part of OUR summer family. We understand the needs and concerns of our national and international campers and know how important it is to make them feel right at home while they experience our American culture and lifestyles.
We bring campers together from all over the United States and the world, including Florida, California, Maryland, Virginia, the United Kingdom, China, Japan, Israel, France, Italy, and Spain. Many of these campers come back each summer, enjoying their “home away from home”, their SLDC friends, and two months of American-style living! We are proud that our campers can experience a diverse population, learning about and understanding different cultures. Our great number of swim, sports, arts and adventure related activities, our breathtaking landscape, and our mature, responsible and supportive staff all offer an incredible place to develop new skills, foster personal growth and create “forever” friendships.
Our SLDC office is open year round and we are always available to help our new families with any camp information and questions. Please see our Contact Us page if you would like to speak with us!
For use of the camp facility for private events, visit
