Parent Page
Safety/Security
We take the safety, security, health and well-being of your child very
seriously. We are located at the end of a one-mile road. We are, and
always have been, safe and secure. We have a registered nurse on duty 24
hours a day in the event of a health issue and are 20 minutes from a
hospital in case of an emergency.
Food
The food we serve to our campers is not typical “camp food.” We contract
with Sodexho to deliver quality, variety (a 4-week rotation of lunches
and dinners) and nutrition. Our 2007 Campers and
parents will provide strong confirmation. We also grow our own
vegetables at our own Forest Lake Farm, providing fresh vegetables in
season. View a sample menu
Counselors
Of all the components of a summer camp, this is the key
ingredient. We have found, as is likely true for all camps, that the most
important aspect of a camper’s experience is the relationship with the
counselor. Second to this feature are the peer friendships.
The staff structure at Forest Lake resembles the hierarchy of
a school. There is the camp director (principal), assistant
directors (vice principals), head counselors (guidance
counselors), department heads (department chairs), specialists
(special subject teachers), general counselors (homeroom
teachers), nursing staff (school nurse), and maintenance staff
(custodial staff).
It is the general, cabin counselor who carries the day. The
friendship, support, and interest extended to the campers –
particularly the “new” campers, by the cabin counselor provides
the positive atmosphere in the cabin that makes all the
anticipated outcomes possible.
Prospective families inevitably ask, “Where do you get your
staff?” Forest Lake has over 80 employees about 60 of which work
directly with the campers. Due to college graduations, there is
usually some attrition among the staff. Those spaces are often
filled by former Forest Lakers who have reached the appropriate
age. When the camp does hire “outside the family”, there is an
application process, reference checks, personal interview, and
background check. As with a new camper prospect, it is vital
that there is a “good fit” between the staff member and the
camp.
There are a variety of “ratios” that pertain to supervision
of individuals and groups in different activities but the most
important ratio is in the cabin living facility. In EVERY cabin,
there are at least two senior level counselors. Since most of
the cabins at Forest Lake house 12 campers, the ratio is never
greater than six to one.
Perhaps the common thread that unites the Forest Lake staff
is the desire to “make a difference.”
Our Character
Forest Lake Camp is not for everybody. We are not a country club. We
have no swimming pool, no lounge chairs, no televisions, laptops, cell
phones, or iPods. We do not have individual bedrooms. Rather, we have
solid, beautiful log and fieldstone cabins with bunk beds and a
fireplace.
There is no maid service. Rather, our Campers make their own beds and
keep their own area and lockers neat.
In-Home Visit
While not absolutely required, we strongly encourage an in-home visit
with a prospective camp family. This gives us the opportunity to fully
answer any and all questions in detail, and allows us the chance to
assure ourselves that we will be able to meet the expectations of the
Camper and the parents. It will also allow us to act more quickly and
with more certainty when an Enrollment Application is received.
To Reserve a Space
It is important to reserve a space for your Camper as early as possible.
With around 70% of the previous summer’s eligible Campers returning each
year, and with most of our new Campers being referrals from current
camper or alumni families, we have only a limited number of openings for
new families.
References
Please examine our Reference
List which provides you
with the names and phone numbers of parents of some of our 2007 campers.
We welcome you to contact any of them to discuss their observations
about Forest Lake Camp
|
