Ever wonder what we do at SLDC in the off season?

Our big event in October is our Fall Fest Open House for new campers and previous jr. campers which always draws a huge crowd. One cannot help but gaze at the fall foliage eye candy along with our beautiful flower beds which attract pretty monarch butterflies and the most interesting caterpillars.

But……not only are we already gearing up for our 30th Anniversary season and have been busy enrolling campers etc.,  SLDC finds many ways to give back to the community this time of year.

Living on the Upper West Side of Manhattan Mitch and I  are huge supporters of all the public schools in the area. We have partnered with PS 199 to help build the future one student/camper at a time. Their annual Walkathon is always a big hit and we are proud to help sponsor this event. It’s always great to reconnect with our camp community and staff at this event.

In addition to PS 199 we are have also partnered with The Brownstone School, PS 452 & PS 87 and help sponsor items at events such as the Thanksgiving Carnival at The Anderson School which takes place the eve before Thanksgiving…this year it will take place on Wednesday 11/22 in the school courtyard. We will once again sponsor the photo booth so be sure to stop by and strike an SLDC pose and catch an up close view of the Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons!

SLDC is also proud to help support our local schools near our camp such as the High Mountain & Colonial Road Schools in Franklin Lakes, the Coolidge School in Wyckoff, Barnert Temple Preschool also in Franklin Lakes, the Willard School in Ridgewood & Saddle River Day School in Saddle River just to name a few. We were also supporters of the Franklin Lakes Day as well as the Allendale Festival Day this year. We love seeing so many of our campers wherever we go! It’s always a pleasure to give back and support the community that supports us.

While we are in the spirit of giving we want to wish all of our camp families and amazing staff a happy and healthy Thanksgiving! Please take this time to enjoy family and friends and the simply gifts of everyday life.

Day camp can be an exciting time for both parents and children. You can watch your child grow, make new friends, and have exciting experiences. On the other hand, it can be quite overwhelming if you’re sending your child to a day camp for the first time. So many different questions can pop into your head. What kind of sunscreen should be used? Do I pack a change of clothes? The list goes on and on, but have no fear; we’re here to help.

One of the most important things that your child brings is sunscreen. Sunscreen will protect him or her from the harsh summer sun and save you the headache of having to treat sunburn. At day camp, children are running around, sweating, and possibly even swimming, so we suggest using a waterproof sunscreen. It is also important to keep in mind that children probably are not going to remember to reapply sunscreen throughout the day, so try using a high SPF.

The next item on our list is lunch. It may seem like a no-brainer that children need to eat lunch every day, but what kinds of food are best for them? Light foods that are full of protein will be the most beneficial. If your child is spending all day running around, he is going to be relying on the energy he gets from his lunch to keep him going. Try to stay away from packing sugary drinks and salty snacks; drinks with a lot of sugar, as well as snacks like potato chips, tend to dehydrate the body.

Dehydration brings us to our next item: water. Most day camps have access to a water source whether it be from a fountain or from a cooler. The problem is that they are usually located in one place, and children aren’t always going to want to run back to the hydration station every time they want a drink. Your child having his own water bottle resolves that problem because they can carry it with them to any section of the camp grounds.

Picking out the right clothing every morning is essential for having a successful day at camp. The standard camp dress is breathable, athletic clothing and sneakers. It’s important to remember that the weather won’t always be perfect, so be sure to check it every morning. This way, you’ll know if you need to pack a rain coat or a pair of boots. Supplying a change of clothing can also be beneficial. Children are messy, especially when they’re spending all day running around outside. It couldn’t hurt to supply an extra pair of sneakers or a backup shirt for your child.

Finally, it is important to check the day camp’s calendar for special events. Depending on the activity, you may have to pack extra items. Whether this means packing a bathing suit, a group snack, or a pair of hiking boots, you always want your child to be prepared.

DO YOU KNOW THERE ARE ONLY 138 DAYS TILL THE FIRST DAY OF CAMP?

Yes!!!! Summer is right around the corner and SLDC is thinking warm during these cold winter days.  We are so looking forward to Summer 2017 and have been super busy every day since camp ended in 2016 making SLDC’s programs and facilities better than ever! It takes 10 months of “getting ready” to have an awesome 8 weeks of summer! Our Junior Camp Boys bunk had a complete make-over and looks fabulous! The field house looks brighter with new lighting and new fans! We are busy putting together a Ninja Warrior course near our lower soccer field, new elements are being added to our Adventure Challenge course, and there’s more to come!

Spring Lake is so appreciative of our camp families’ support and loyalty. Our 29 years of success has been mainly due to our campers and parents “spreading the word”, talking to friends, family, schoolmates and neighbors. If you or someone you know is interested in SLDC for 2017, now is the time to come visit us and take a tour of our facilities. Many of our groups are already filling up so now is the time to register!

Upcoming Open House Dates:

Saturday February 25th – 10:00am – 1:00pm

Saturday March 4th 10:00am – 1:00pm

Sunday March 12th 10:00am – 1:00pm

Tours typically last about an hour and are by appointment only. Please call our office @973-831-9000 or simply email us at friends@sldc.com to schedule a tour. And please bring the kids! We love meeting our future SLDC campers and sharing our excitement and camp spirit with them!

CATCH THE SPIRIT!

You are bound to find something that peaks your interest at Spring Lake Day Camp as we provide an array of activities. Whatever you are in to, Spring Lake Day Camp has something for you. Here are just some of our facilities and activities we offer.

Our Pool

We have a 40,000 square foot pool which is designed for all of our campers regardless of his or her swim level. We offer daily swim instruction in personalized groups based on the campers’ swimming ability. Our highly skilled Aquatics Directors and aquatic staff oversee all of our swim and boating programs. Spring Lake Day Camp prioritizes camper safety as supervision is always present and our low camper-instructor ratio ensures your child is in good care. We are an authorized provider for the American Red Cross, as we follow the American Camp Association and American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Safety Swim Program. Camper swim levels and skills assessment are based off this program.

Sports Venues

Spring Lake Day Camp has designated areas for sports including baseball fields, turf soccer, tennis courts, a golf zone, a gymnastic pavilion, and more. Every sport and activity has its own equipment to help with each camper’s learning and skill development along with their confidence. If a camper is in 3rd grade or higher, they have the option to choose the specific sports they want to focus on.

Arts and Adventure

With a fine arts pavilion, ceramic studio, amphitheater, dance studio, indoor sewing studio and more, your camper can find the perfect art activity for them. Is your child into the outdoors? Our eurobungy, wall climbing, zip lines, and ropes course will provide them with the thrill and excitement they are seeking. We also offer a challenge course, fitness studio, and go karts.

Call us today to sign up your child for summer fun or view our full list of activities and programs.

Not many parent’s realize the benefits that day camp can have on their children. Read on as Spring Lake presents the top benefits of day camp.

1. Learn Social Skills: While attending day camp kids are forced to step away from technology such as cell phones, computers and television; and instead they have to learn how to communicate, share, and work together with other campers.
2. Gain Independence: Summer day camp is an opportunity for kids to start gaining independence since they won’t have their parents or teachers guiding them through each decision they make. Even though at camp there is some structure, camps offer downtime where the kids choose activities they want to partake in or who they want to be friends with. By making some of their own decisions, kids will be able to blossom and find themselves.
3. Try New Things: When your child goes to summer camp they might be introduced to new activities that they wouldn’t otherwise be exposed to. This will allow children to explore what they like and do not like. If a child decides to try something new and they succeed at it, they may gain confidence in themselves and be open to try more activities that they haven’t done before such as archery, martial arts, hockey, and many others.
4. Physical Activity: Today, most kids spend their time inside on cell phones, computers, or watching television. At camp, kids will be constantly moving whether it’s running, jumping, swimming, or hiking. They will also be spending a great amount of time outside and this will allow them to connect with nature as well as other kids.

At Spring Lake Day Camp we believe that it is our mission to develop leadership and communication skills in our campers, enhance self-confidence, and expose the campers to an outdoor learning environment. We offer many activities such as sports, visual & performing arts, outdoor adventure and science & ecology. Here at Spring Lake Day Camp we are committed to providing a beneficial and positive summer camp experience for every child.

Our 2017 season is off to strong start with so many exciting plans in the works! It is hard to believe the leaves on our trees are starting to turn colors and that our Fall Fest Open House for prospective and new families is in a few weeks!

We are so excited to be starting our 29th season as the finest day camp in the world! We are proud to have been voted, “The Best of Bergen” for two years running by Bergen Health and Life’s Readers’ Choice Awards for 2015 and 2016! Our passion for giving our campers an amazing experience each and every day of the summer is what drives us to be so successful.  SLDC strives in providing a healthy and positive environment for your children!

Camper applications for 2017 are available on our website and many families are already taking advantage of our fabulous money-saving early enrollment incentives, so don’t miss out! Just take a look at our Dates, Rates and Registration section on our website for more information! Online enrollment is so quick and easy, starting with the click of your mouse on the home page where it says “Click Here to Register Online”!

SLDC is honored to be participating in Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, also known as Gold Ribbon Awareness. For every application that comes in during the month of September, we will be donating $10 to Tackle Kids Cancer. Tackle Kids Cancer was started by the Children’s Cancer Institute at Hackensack University Medical Center to raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer patients. One hundred percent of all donations made to Tackle Kids Cancer benefit all of the research, clinical care and support services needed to find a cure. We hope you will help support this worthwhile and important cause.

Our SLDC Fall Fest Open House is Sunday, October 16th from 12:00pm to 3:00pm and is always so much fun! The afternoon is filled with great activities including pumpkin painting, boating, a s’mores pit, bounce house, pony rides, zip lines, climbing wall – and so much more! And of course, tours are available as well! This is a great day for any parents who are thinking about joining our 2017 SLDC camp family for the first time! If interested in coming, just give us a call at 973-831-9000 to RSVP by October 10th!

Only 277 days until the first day of camp! We can’t wait and we hope you can’t either! Seeing is truly believing at SLDC!

Selecting a camp that is a fit for your child is not an easy task and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Here are some questions to ask to get you off on the right foot with selecting a camp for your child.

Summer Day Camp or Overnight Camp?

While searching for the right fit for your child you need to know if you want to send them to a summer day camp or a sleep-away camp. If your child is ready for some independence and is ok with being away from home for a length of time, sleep-away camp might be an option for your child. However, it isn’t the right fit for everyone. Summer day camps allow your child to meet new people, make new friends, and have an awesome summer while staying at home.

What is the camp’s philosophy?

Looking at the camp’s philosophy is extremely important. Your child will be spending a great deal of time at camp so you want to make sure that the camp’s philosophy matches with your family’s philosophy.

What programs and activities does the camp offer?

Choosing the right summer camp for your child means that you need to do research into the programs and activities the camp offers. Choose a camp that aligns with your child’s passions and interests. This will make the summer more enjoyable for your child.

What kind of safety procedures are in place to offer the safest environment for children?

You want to choose a summer camp that has the safest environment possible for children. You may want to ask the camp director what kind of training the staff has in emergency situations. If your child has any food allergies, ask how the camp will ensure your child’s safety especially if they provide food.

Does the camp fit in your budget?

Sending your child to summer camp comes with a price tag. It’s important to know what your family budget is while narrowing down the best summer camps for your child. Start your research for summer camps early because some summer camps may provide a discount for registering early, payment plans, or discounts for enrolling more than one child.

Extra tip: Make sure you include your child when choosing the right summer camp for them.

Spring Lake Day Camp is a family owned and operated camp that offers activities for everyone: sports, visual and performing arts, outdoor adventure, and science/ecology. SLDC focuses on sportsmanship, leadership, determination, and cooperation; has an onsite health facility with registered nurses and a nut aware policy to ensure the safety of every camper.

Do you wonder what we do all winter at SLDC? Besides preparing 10 months for 2 months, we give lots of tours of our awesome facility on weekends, school holidays and weekdays. If you or a friend are interested in SLDC for 2016, now is a great time to visit us as our groups do start to fill quickly.

Upcoming Open House Dates:

Saturday, January 16th – 10:00am – 1:00pm

Monday, January 18th (MLK Day) – 10:00am – 3:00pm

Saturday, January 30th – 10:00am – 1:00pm

Tours typically last about an hour and are by appointment only. Please call our office @ 973-831-9000 or simply email us at friends@sldc.com to schedule your tour. Wondering if you should bring the kids on your tour? Absolutely! We will have a craft project and light refreshments so please bring the kiddos along. Do remember to dress warmly.

“Seeing Is Believing!”

Ever wonder what SLDC looks like covered in snow? It sure is pretty! Enjoy these photos taken last year during Snowmageddon 2015.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon!!

Remember….Stay Warm, Think Camp!!

Thanksgiving gives us the opportunity to take a step back from our busy lives, take a moment to express our gratitude to others and appreciate the simple things we so often take for granted.

There is no time more fitting than the Thanksgiving holiday to say thank you. We would like to extend our appreciation to our camp families & staff for your loyalty and support, and most of all for being an integral part of our camp family.

We are thankful and privileged to be able to enrich the lives of so many children each and every summer. We want to wish everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

We have been enjoying this mild Fall at SLDC and thought you might like to see just how beautiful camp is Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall!

We have been busy this Fall making improvements on the “campfront.” Our multipurpose sports pavilion is complete and something right out of Architectural Digest magazine, if we do say so ourselves. Thanks to our in-house architect Mitchell for designing this masterpiece.

Our amphitheater has a new stage which looks amazing.  Junior Ceramics has a whole new look and there’s more to come.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving to all!

Mitchell & Michelle and your entire SLDC family

Summer 2015 is now behind us, but what a great summer it was, filled with so many special friendships and unforgettable memories created by our campers AND our staff!  Our SLDC summer theme, The Power of Camp, carried us through the eight weeks with spirit, laughter, and camaraderie!  Color War was incredibly fun and exciting!  Our villains (Mitchell, Michelle, Arlene and Myron) had kidnapped Spirit the Hawk AND the mascots for Girls Camp and Boys Camp.  They were determined to ruin the end of our summer for everyone!  But alas, we all know that the bad guys never win!  Our Super Heroes (Boys Camp, Girls Camp and Junior Camp administrators) and Color War Captains of the White Marvels and Green Ninja Turtles saved the day with the help of every single one of our campers!

We hope that all of our campers and staff have wonderful thoughts and memories from Summer 2015, and are now on their way to having a successful school or work year!  We are already working hard to make Summer 2016 even better, with new bleachers, new bunks, additional bathrooms with healthy hand free systems, a new pavilion on the lower soccer and baseball fields, and so much more!

It’s never too early to think about camp!  Our online application, available on our website, is up and ready for our new and returning families to take advantage of our early bird incentives and traditional price freeze!  It’s quick and easy!

We surely welcome all of our new and prospective families to come and visit us at our upcoming open houses!  Our Fall Open House for prospective campers will take place on Sunday, October 18th from 12pm-3pm. Don’t forget to RSVP. Our 28^th summer season has begun!  We hope to hear from you soon!