Forest Lake Summer Camp for boys and girls

 

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

Most Recent Newsletter

Family Use of Camp

Required Camp Forms

Camper Email

2008 Photo Gallery

The Owl - 2008

Dear Gary and Staff:
I wanted to thank you and your entire staff for making ________' s first camp experience a complete sensation! He's been home for over two weeks and is still talking about the great time he had there. He is raving about Forest Lake Camp to all his friends, trying to get them to go next year. Three moms called me for the website already.
You clearly assembled a great group of counselors, CITs and staffers. The hiking, fishing and "just everything, mom!" was great. "Outstanding!" "Totally awesome!" (And on and on and on!). This might have been the best money we ever spent. It was a positive, productive, maturing adventure for him. He will be back with a vengeance next year and wants to stay longer.
And the food! Thank you, thank you, and thank you, to Jim Bo and his wonderful staff for a variety of delicious AND healthy food this summer. Almost every letter home was raving about the camp food! Honestly, have you ever heard of that before?
Thanks again and see you next year."
Mr. & Mrs. V. (August 8, 2007)


Dear Gary:
________had a wonderful experience at Forest Lake. She loved the food this summer. Thanks so much."
Mrs. S. (August 15, 2007)


"Dear Gary:
________told that the camp is amazing and that she will treasure her first camp experience for the rest of her life. I had tears in my eyes when I heard that."
Mrs. W. (August 16, 2007)


Gary:
Since arriving home they have not stopped talking about their experience. Thanks so much for yet another super camp. When do we start booking for next year?"
Mr. & Mrs. B. (August 19,2007)


Gary:
I was wondering if you would give me the full name and address of one of the counselors who was particularly nurturing and a real hero for my son_______. My husband and I want to write to him and tell him that we appreciate the positive impact he made. See you next year."
Mrs. M. (August 21, 2007)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forest Lake Camp  Box 67  Warrensburg, NY 12885   Phone: 518-623-4771  Fax: 518-623-4246

All material on this website is copyrighted Ó Forest Lake Camp 2003 - 2008

Home * About Us  * Location * Facilities * Our Directors * Our Counselors * Statement of Principles & Values *
Take A Video Tour * Boys Program * Girls Program * Camper Page * Recent Pictures * New Camp Q's & A's *
The Owl * Camp Map * Parent Page * Family Use of Camp * Alumni Page * Add/Update Your Listing * Alumni Directory
Newsletter * Dates & Fees * Enrollment Forms * Contact Us