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Comments
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10/20/19 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
My child loved being involved with shows. Specialist was caring and made activity fun and enjoyable. The attention to detail was evident on the youtube videos, especially the mermaid costumes! Loved MS drama, arts and crafts and specialty activities too. The pool parties were also a favorite. Facilities need to be improved and upgraded. More variety with food choices as well. My child is looking forward to going back and she made wonderful friends.
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*
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3/31/18 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
Camper for 7 yrs, staff for 3. Staff is very well trained. Activities getting worse over last few years, due to organization failure (too much change in too little time with little regard for staff). Facilities in need of TLC. Overall great community and incredible experience. This camp is a major part of my personal identity, and I owe this place a lot.
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2/12/16 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
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*
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10/27/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Staff: Well trained, many legacies, most are returning campers. Professional administrative staff. Facilities: Rustic cabins set in the woods surrounding a large lake, surrounded by the beautiful hills of the Hudson Highlands. Thousands of acres. Incredible setting - beautiful waterfront areas and hikes, and athletic facilities. NOT a glamorous experience - it is rustic, comfortable enough, and kids love it. Activities: Diverse, from the traditional arts n crafts to hiking and overnights and ropes courses and camp games and athletics. Personal Attention: Enough to make kids feel safe, and to allow independent thinking. Monetary Value: A non-profit, so nobody's pockets are being lined. It's not about the food. To respond to the "weight loss" comments - when you have to take a short hike uphill to your bunk perched in the woods, you burn calories. A camp with a 100+ year legacy, for a reason.
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9/29/13 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Too many counselors are just on power-trips or are just there to hang-out with their own friends. Campers are allowed almost no freedom. Even teens have to comply with forced participation rules and aren't allowed to choose almost any of their own activites. On Teeside if a 19 yr. old counselor wants to MAKE a 15 yr. old play Duck Duck Goose, they HAVE to or suffer the consequences which can range from having to sit on a rock during Rest Hour to being docked from Open Curfew.
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*
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8/10/13 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
This is an outstanding camp. My children had fun and made friends. The staff was very diligent about addressing my specific concerns. A+.
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*
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7/15/13 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
first of all, I am just curious why all of the negative comments are poorly written and contain a ton of misspellings? this is such a nurturing environment with great staff members and awesome alumni support...I loved it and my kids love it...food? who cares? they all eat...do we go to camp for the food? or for the friends and people...
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4/4/13 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
The kids have a great time if they are ready for camp. The staff are well managed by Sheryl and her staff. The facilities need purging, but the executive director has been unable to raise any money so nothing has been improved in years . Many of the bunks on Teenside are a disgrace
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*
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5/31/11 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
SLC makes a huge effort to create a positive life-altering experience in the lives of over 600 children every single year. As a camper for 7 years and a staff member for about the same, I grew up here. Yes, it is rustic. Yes, it is in the middle of the woods which have animals. No, it's not a luxury camp with horses. But, SLC gave me a stable secure home with positive experiences and friends in the darkest times of my life.Without it, I'd be completely lost and I know that had to do with what worked and what truly mattered. My counselors weren't babysitters, they were mentors and friends. I lost weight because I was active, not because I didn't eat enough. SLC is the place to send your child if you want to give them the ability to be independent, a chance for personal growth, and skill building. It's a place where you come back because you genuinely do feel loved and valued.
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*
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5/31/11 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Surprise Lake Camp is the absolute finest in Jewish camping. The site is stunning- a pristine lake surrounded by beautiful mountains. The counselors are fantastic- very selective screening process for hiring and lots of training before the kids even arrive. Safety is the #1 priority. But what the kids will remember are the life-long friendships that they make. The food is even really good- and camp food rarely is! Campers and staff return year after year because it is an amazing place!
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5/31/11 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
SLC has been providing enriching experiences for close to 110 years... No fancy cabins, motorboats or horses can even come close to the memories that our campers take home with them.
The staff of SLC care about your kids. Your children will be safe, they will be cared for, and they will be listened to. Campers walk away from a summer knowing that they are special and that people care about them and respect them.
Children at camp learn to live with each other, learn to get along, and learn to work out problems in constructive, non-violent ways. Kids at camp don't sit in front of the TV and don't spend hours playing video games. They talk to each other, they play together, and they try new things together. Campers GROW at SLC, both as individuals as well as members of a larger community.
I experienced the magic that SLC has to offer, and it has kept me at camp summer after summer. I wouldn't want to spend my summer anywhere else and after one summer, your kids won't want to ei
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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SYSTEM: 10 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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SYSTEM: 14 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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SYSTEM: 3 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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7/13/10 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
This camp is nestled between Breakneck ridge and Mt. Beacon overlooking a large man-made lake... beautiful! And they know how to show the kids a wholesum good time.
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6/26/10 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
SLC IS AN AMAZING CAMP WE HAVE ALL DIFFERENT KIND OF FUN ACTIVATES.
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SYSTEM: 10 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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6/19/09 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
this will be my 7th year as a camper at slc. I LOVE IT. i made friends so fast and everyone there is so accepting! i honestly dont understand people saying there's a lack of food? there is not! theres pb&j, a vegetarian option, and a salad bar at every meal! the food is pretty good! there's only like one meal i dont like! all the food is kosher but still yummy. the friends i make there are my best friends, we make it a point to see each other every month even if we live in different states. i live 10 months waiting for these 2. my mom went to this camp and also worked there. i am continuing with that and made it into work program and plan on working there! so that bathrooms are the best, so what? camp isnt supposed to be all fancy because you should love it for the people there, not the things there!! i think everyone who considering this camp should go because i promise that you wont forget it!! -from one happy camper. <3
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12/28/08 |
5 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My 2 girls love SLC, and it has been a great experience for them. The friendships formed here have lasted throughout the year. The overall atmosphere of the camp really makes the kids feel like they are part of something unique and special, which they are. The facilities are "rustic," but they are improved a bit every year; at least our kids and their friends don't seem to mind. Overall, it has been great!
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11/15/08 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
As a staff member for three years now, I can see and understand why this camp has been around since 1902. Although it is a Jewish camp, it is not very religious (the food served out of the kitchens and the canteens are strictly kosher) and the camp does not discriminate for any reason - even non-Jews go to this camp!
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9/14/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
This Camp is friggin amazing, 09 Will be my 4th year there and I'll be goin into Teenside (Mayb Boulder Hill, depending if its boys or not), and its just crazy how cool this camp is, dont listen 2 tha people who put it down, tha only bad part about it is the food, and only sometimes is that bad, otherwise, its the best experience of my life, :)
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8/19/08 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
This was my daughter's first year. She loved it. She made a lot of friends and loved the activities. She went two sessions. After the first session all her friends went home and she wanted to go home but the camp was so great that after a while she made new friends and had a great time. She said that she would of regretted if she went home. A lot of people she knows go to camps that are like resorts and she was happy with this camp. The food was fine and she camp back looking fit, healthy and happy. She will be back next year for both sessions. I would recommend this camp for any child.
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7/23/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Surprise camp rox. I am going to my 3rd year at suprise lake. Go JW 14 '08! the food isn't gourmet- would you expect it to be? but there is enough food. the activities are great. You make lots of friends. The activities are really fun espesially color war.
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*
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6/22/08 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
I am a parent who has 3 years experience with SLC. My first suggestion to all the other parents considering the camp but concerned about some of the comments here is this: TAKE THE FAMILY & GO FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND!!! The camp has a 3-4 day inexpensive family camp on that weekend every year, and before I sent my child we went to that. (Your kid can stay in a bunk with your family or with other kids, their choice). By lunch on the first day, my son had dragged his sleeping bag to the campers bunk, and I saw him at parent-child softball, meals (good,plentiful, and salad bar at all meals too), and evening movies and kareoke (I was pretty scary, but some other Mom and her kids helped us out!)in the beautiful outdoor theatre overlooking that gorgeous lake and mountain. While he is not a fanatic SLC-er, he has had a good itme at camp,has gotten me to join a shul based on his very musical & spiritual experience of their Shabbat services, and last year was barmitsvah'd there. Rustic and good!
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SYSTEM: 3 negative duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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3/6/08 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I went to this camp when I was 15 and then worked their the summer I was 17. My daughter and her friend went to a different camp and had a miserable time. So I suggested Surprise Lake for the next year. They went and loved it so much they went back again and this year my daughter is going back for her third time!
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1/21/08 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
I have experienced Surprise Lake both as a camper (for 4 years) and as a staff member (for 2 years and planning on returning this summer). To start off I would like to say that both as a camper and as a staff member I had a wonderful experience. I would like address some of the problems listed by people below. First off the food is with out a doubt not great, however it is nourishing and I have never in six years there felt I did not get enough to eat. I believe that if a child looses weight there it is because they are living a much more active lifestyle than they did at home. Surprise Lake is very activity oriented camp with campers swimming, hiking, and playing sports regularly. See continuation above.
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12/17/07 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
3 |
I had never attended SLC as a camper, however, I had worked there as a staff member in 2 previous consecutive years. I absolutely LOVED life as a staff member because they do treat the staff well with decent pay and time off compared to other camps, however, I don't think I would ever send kids of my own there. Just from seeing how things run from a staff member's point of view, I feel bad for the kids sometimes because there is a definite lack of activities to keep them engaged. It is many times up to the counselors to fill in a time slot with a random activity due to a mistake on the schedule. I notice that there are a lot of improvements that need to be made with the organization and how things are run. There needs to be specialists for EVERY single activity which they lack as of now, because whos to say that the counselors know how to play soccer or baseball? Also, the Jewish activities are a disgrace to the religion. A REAL rabbi is definitely needed.
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12/6/07 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
worst camp experience of my life!!!I hated the facilities. when i went to camp in the summer there were mice, snakes, and even snapping turtles. One time I remeber there was even a mouse in the fountain in the teenside cafe. The camp staff could really care less of what your feelings are and the office is very unorganized. I'm never evr going back in my entirre life. I felt like commiting sucide while at the camp since I was so misrable. Well it definitly was a huge SURPRISE when I got to the camp the first day. DONT GO TO THIS CAMP.
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11/26/07 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Please IGNORE any neagtive comments. the people who posted them are either obsevissive parents who have no idea how much fun camp is or kids who are ****es and brats. Im going back to camp for my 5th summer and would not give it up for anything. Yah maby the camp is dirty and isnt airconditioned but the people and environment make it worth it.U get over the dirt within a day and then its like "who cares every1 else is also dirty." there are some ****y ppl but ther are so many more nice people. The staff are AMAZING.they are all really nice and fun. The food has gotten better over the years (especally this year on teenside). People are complaining that there was not enought food, but there was always enough food for anyone who wanted. Parents are also complaing that there kids lost weight- did they every think that that was because all the meals are healthy (and still good) and ther are no tvs or cars so you run around all day having fun. I lost some weight by doing the activites
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11/16/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
MThis was the seventh year my children have attended SLC. They are very happy there. The food is good, healthy and very plentiful. The grounds are fabulous the staff has been there forever. My kids love it and look forward to the summers. It is everything that a Jewish summer camp should be. My children are returning for an eighth summer in 2008!
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10/25/07 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
it's kind of cheap compare to other camps, but you get what you paid for. My son and 3 of his friends went and lost a lot of weights. Might be a good idea if you want your kids to lose weight. Not enogh food, not enough the first serving, most of the time food ran out so there was no second serving. some kid lost as much as 15lbs a summer. Group punishment is enforced when only one kid misbehaved. Promises from administration was made but never fulfilled. I guess that's what you call "Surprise!" By the way, a lot of good reviews always folled by the bad one. something's fishy here.
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8/30/07 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
At first my mom had to push me to go to this camp. But when i cam home i said, "Mom i'm goin back". Surprise made me more less insecure and i made a lot of friends. The campers and counselors are very nice.
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8/13/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
ok this is like the best camp ever!!! try going to sterberg for 4 years - ehh noo! there are guys here and open curfew soooo many activities - much better food - the beds were iight but overall the ppl are soo nice and i had a blast soooo coming bak and screw u whoever thinks this camp sucks cuz it rox my sox n u have no life ajajaja!!!
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7/4/07 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
The camp lived up to it's name: SURPRISE! Food wasn't enough, they never give enough for the fisrt helping, when you go back for more, no food left. My son and all 5 of his friends lost weighs. When one kid in the unit did something wrong, the whole unit got punished. When my younger son was there, his counselor confiscated his bunk's sunblock. (apparently he didn't bring enough for himself) When asked by other why he did it, he was liked:"I don't give a beep about the kids" Request was promised but never fulfilled, any complaints usually get brush off. The camp is cheaper compare to others, but trust me, it's a poorly run camp and I'm really sorry I sent my 2 kids there.
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6/8/07 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
This camp was an absolute nightmare for my daughter and they are lucky I didn't sue them. She got sick (a virus was going around)with 103 temperature while there and the infirmary and division counslors did not notify me for over 24 hours. My daughter was deprived clean underwear and bathing facilities for nearly 2 days while she was incredibly ill. I had to threaten to drive up there and bring the police before she received proper care. Also, phone calls were handled so poorly that sometimes camp staff took days to return calls and this is your only method of finding out how your child is doing, since campers cannot call or email and it can be a full week before you get a snail mail letter from them.
The assistant director did nothing about the problem, and the director never returned my calls. Do your children a favor and don't endanger them at Surprise Lake.
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6/4/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I've only gone to SLC for 5 days in my life and I know that it's the litterally BEST camp on the face of the earth. The food wasn't the best, but the activities, counselors, and events were awesome! Basically I LOVE SLC !!!!
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4/21/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
this is by far the most amazing place on earth.....ever i am going back for my 6th summer and it is such a thrill being there every summer i enjoy every momment i spend there with my firends its like a drug addict on a high and you just cant get enough that is is how you describe this camp A high!!!!
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3/14/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
THE ABSOLUTE BEST CAMP EVER!! its only about 3 months away now and i CANNOT wait.. summer 07's gonna be great! to come to SLC u can't be afraid of the outdoors... theres no indoor plumbing and some of the bunks have holes in the sides of the wood but everything is worth it and those thyings are NOT a reason to not go to SLC. The food is not soo bad, but if u don't wanna eat it... THATS WHAT PP&J IS FOR! Theres also vegetarian options and a complete salad bar. To end this of... SLC IS THE BEST!
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3/7/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
SLC '07 ONLY 3 MONTHS AWAY!!!! LET'S GO FOR ROUND 2!!! BEST CAMP IN THE WORLD....I CAN'T WAIT TO GO BACK. MISS YOU GUYS SOOOO MUCH!!!
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2/27/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
After spending 7 summers of my life there, i would love nothing more than to be a camper again. The "Lack of activities" is only a problem from some people who do not see hanging out with your friends and having cool, chill counslers as a fun time.
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2/26/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
OMG THIS IS THE BEST CAMP EVER! IT IS SOO COOL! IF YOUR THINKING ABOUT COMING I KNOW YOU'LL LOVE IT. I MADE A TON OF FRIENDS THERE. I STAY FOR 2 SESIONS BECAUSE ITS SO FUN AND MY FRIEND FROM HOME IS COMING BECAUSE SHE WAS LOOKING FOR A CAMP AND I SHOWED HER SLC. WHATS REALLY FUN IS THERES A ROOK CLIMING TOWER, ALSO FOR SENIORS THERES A SIP LINE, THERE SO MUCH FUN. ALSO THEY HAVE GAGA WHICH I LIKE ISRAELY DODGE BALL. ITS SO FUN. ON SHABAT YOU GET A FEW HOURS TO GO ALL AROUND CAMP AND DO WHAT EVER YOU WANT. THIS CAMP BRINGS IN THE JEWISH SPIRIT WHILE YOU HAVE FUN, IT'S GREAT. OH AND YOU CAN EVEN GET BATMITZVAD SO CHECK IT OUT IF YOU GO TO THE CAMP IM SURE YOU'LL HAVE A GOOD TIME. - A PROUD SURPRISE LAKE CAMPER
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2/22/07 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
the beds are uncomfortatle, the foods not the best, but not awful, som consulers made fun of me and my friend, the staff was terrible! the only good part about it was all the friends i made, haily, alex, daisy. but, i defenitly wouldn't go back.
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2/17/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Surprise Lake Camp will change your life for the better. I'm convinced that anyone who gave SLC a bad rating on this site, wouldn't enjoy ANY camp. There is a reason it has been around for over 100 years, and the many famous/accomplished alumni are no coincidence either. You'll learn a lot from your experiences at SLC, make lifelong friends, and have ridiculous amounts of great stories that you'll love to re-tell. Having visited many other camps, I can honestly say that SLC has the most beautiful setting you could ever hope for. As far as the acitivites; there is definitely something for everyone, and lately is seems as though they are adding new activities every year. The food has gotten much better over the years, and after running around all day, you won't really care what you eat. Whenever I get together with my camp friends, a topic that always comes up is what we wouldn't give to go back and re-live our camper and counselor days. Attending SLC is a decision you won't regr
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2/10/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
This camp is not the most decorative camp but the lessons you learn there a priceless. The scenery is beautiful and the people you meet there are great. I've been going to camp for now my 6th yr and its been a great experience. You really develop as a person by going to this camp. There is always going to be people that you don't like but that can never take away from this once in a lifetime experience.
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1/9/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I've been goign to this camp for 8 consecutive years summer 2007 will be my 9th. this camp is amazing and has changed my life for the best. definetly recomend going and working or sending your kids here. no disapointments.
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1/6/07 |
5 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
I've been going to surprise lake camp for about 9 years and i think its a amazing camp, i think the friendships you make at the camp is unbelieable and lifetime. I am not returning this summer because teenside has way to much drama, and i just dont know if its worth it. But if you can deal with the drama on teenside, then its fine, but overall minus the drama surprise lake camp is proboly the best sleep away camp out there.
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1/2/07 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
As a staff person at the camp for 8 summers and then working at the camp as a "real" job, it truly was an integral part of my life. I met some of my best friends at camp and eventhough we are all now in the real world, not one phone call can go by without talking about something that happened at SLC. The facilities might need to be updated (and they are doing just that) and the fields might not always have a lot of grass, but the caring and nurturing atmosphere, the love that the people who work there have for everything that is SLC makes every summer one for the record books. SLC might not be the fanciest camp around, but the memories, the stories and the friendships make this place a true gem.
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12/26/06 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
i was a staff member last summer (go 06!) the campers are great, but unfortunately aside from a few key staff members, the heads are far out of touch, the camp is in need of major restoration and ken is just a horror of a director. Jordan is not as bad, though he does frequent the rumor mill and allow that to become truth, as his voice is the be all end all. You will notice a difference in atmosphere when the camp is being inspected by the state or when the UJA heads and the Investors come to visit. The campers are a delight and the only reason i wish to return. counselors are awesome, and some love it, (Most likely where campers themselves) and the others hate it, as per the facilities. more than likely they do not return. sexual activities happen frequently. very frequently, counselors for the most part try to let the kids get away witit, but jordan has a harsh one time your out policy for sneaking out at night, which is very different from competition, ie Monroe. Go Elsewhere.
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12/18/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I LOV SURPRISE LAKE!!! ITS GREAT!! IT IS SOO MUCH FUN. ITS NOT AS RELIGIOUS AS I WOULD HOPE, BUT IM A GEEKY JEW ANYWAY, HAHA. DEFENETLY LOOK INTO IT. IM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO UPSET THAT IM TOO OLD TO COME BACK AS A CAMPER. :-(
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12/14/06 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
i did not like this camp, there are not enough activities. all the kids do is play gaga all the time and swim twice a day, and eat. sometimes eating and food related activites are schedualed up to 6 times in a day (including meals).
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12/11/06 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
This is the best camp in the world. YOu have so much fun in this camp. You play lots of games. I even got a girlfriend
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12/6/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Surprise lake camp is the best thing that has ever happened to me and my best friends, Ive met the most amazing people I know in that camp, The services were so much fun every friday and saturday, and Im not even jewish. Ive been going to slc for 6 years, and I am going to stay there untill I am like 100, slc is my lifeeeeee, and its maazing, who ever left that comment below me, must have been a loser because its impossible to not have fun at slc unless your a loner and dont have friends.
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12/5/06 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
terrible. the staff are totally inexperienced, the admin. is very disoraganized, the food is terrbile and covered in grease. there are no good innovaive activities, the kids only have fun if theyre put in a bunk with their friends. religiously they have absolutly no idea what they are doing. its a disgrace to judaism
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12/4/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
SLC IS MY LIFEEEEEE! bascially its AMAZINGGGGGGGGG! im gonna be going bak to camp till im like 50 thats how much im in love with it! i dont care if the bunks are nice or how good the food is but wut keeps me coming bak our my amazing friends. I LOVE SURPRISE LAKE CAMPPP!
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11/30/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I attending Surprise Lake Camp as a camper for 4 years. Every year I would wish that I went earlier then the age of 11. When I became staff at Surprise Lake i never knew that I could love camp even more then i did the previous summers as a camper. As staff it has been nothing short of amazing. Each summer i go back it surprises me how many things i learn and how many new experiences i receive each second that i am there. The real surprise of surprise lake is that you never want to enter the real world you want to remain a camp person forever. I owe the person that i am today to slc and all of the staff members that i have interacted with. I love this place and am happy to call it my second home. I love making this place as amazing as i think it is to my campers. Each second that i am away from camp i miss it more and more... i love this place and am excited to spend my whole life in this community... :) jz
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11/28/06 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
Surprise Lake Camp has what I would call rustic charm. It connects the campers to nature in a way that is hard to experience at other camps where all the roads are paved and each bunk has air conditioning. The Camp must be doing something right because campers continue to come back year after year. I myself was a camper there for nine summers, and I even worked there for a few summers. I highly recommend SLC as it builds confidence in campers and allows them to form relationships that will last a lifetime.
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11/28/06 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
I've gone to surprise lake camp for the past 4 summers.i can honestly say that this camp has inspired me to be a better person, and has given me memories i will never forget. you truly learn a lot about yourself, about others, and nature among other things. i reccomend this camp to anyone, and the services are kept enjoyable for everyone involved without being tedious. many of my friends and favorite memories are of SLC.
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11/28/06 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
Surprise Lake Camp has been a part of our family for three generations. We would not consider sending our children anywhere else. The staff is caring and professional. The site is beautiful. Most importantly, their mission is to give children a safe place to experience nature and find their personal potential in a nurturing environment, based on tolerance and respect.
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11/28/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I HAVE BEEN GOING TO CAMP FOR 6 SUMMERS, AND EVERY YEAR IT GETS BETTER AND BETTER. I CANNOT THINK OF A BETTER PLACE TO SPEND MY SUMMERS. IM IN LOVEE WITH CAMP, AND IT IS ONE OF THE GREATEST PLACES I HAVE EVER BEEN. I WILL NEVER FORGET MY EXPERIENCES, COUNSELORS, AND FRIENDS I MADE THERE. SURPRISE LAKE IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. THE BEST CAMP IN THE ENTIRE WORLD. NO QUESTION.
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11/28/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
great place for children!!! activities are varied, staff are wonderful, very caring place, very beautiful place!!! Highly recommend for campers and for staff.
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11/28/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
this camp is amazing i went for 13 years and couldnt be happier. i have made my best friends and great memories there
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11/28/06 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
This is the best place in the whole world! The thing that is the best about this camp is without a doubt the PEOPLE! You will make the best friends of your life here! Don't coming looking for resort type facilities, but you will have the most amazing summer ever! Even though I can't be a camper anymore- a summer will never pass without at least a visit to SLC.
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11/28/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I went to SLC as both a camper and staff member since I was 10 years old. I loved every second of it. From the time camp ended every summer I would count down the days til the next summer would begin. There is nothing like the friends made at SLC, I have so many life long friends that I made over the years. Children at SLC also get to make friends from all over the coutry and the world! There are campers and staff from Florida, California, Israel, France, Russia, and Poland just to name a few! There is no better place than Surprise Lake, the generations of families that continue to send there children there is evidence of that.
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11/28/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
surprise lake is a great camp where the people help the camp come to life...a majority of the activities a original and exciting...they have many creative activities that make the summer what it is...but what really makes this camp what it is, is the people...the people are amazing fun loving, caring people and that makes everyones stay sooo enjoyable.
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11/28/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I've been to many camps in my life, day camps and over-night camps. I was a camper and counselor in both and I can honestly say this is the best camp I have ever been too. I have awesome memories with this camp that will last me a life time. My father went here and my child will go here. Thanks for the chance to say that. Josh
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11/27/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I never went to SLC as a camper, but began working there as an 18 year-old. It's now 13 years later, and I still can't bring myself to break away from what has become my 2nd home. During my 1st summer, I got just a tiny glimpse of the magic & history that make up this special place. In subsequent years I have grown to love camp not only because of what it did for me, but what it has done for generations of children. The staff of SLC care about your kids. They will be safe, they will be cared for, and they will be listened to. Campers learn to live with each other, learn to get along, and learn to work out their problems in constructive, non-violent ways. Kids at camp don't sit in front of the TV & don't spend hours playing video games. They talk to each other, play together, and try new things together. Campers GROW at SLC...both as individuals & as members of a larger community. SLC has been providing enriching experiences for over 100 years-I wouldn't want to spend my summer anywher
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11/8/06 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
the food is inedible, NO DECENT activities, The counselors ore inexperienced, my child as well as 5 others we know who attended complained about doing the same thing everyday. the worst. also one of the kids who eats anything , lost 8 lbs, they all complained ablot lack of things to do, and boredom, the camp has literally no facilities,there is a lake , thats pretty much it, an oh yea, a "Ga-Ga" box which consists of a ball and a wood box to try and hit other kids in. thats it. The kids are much of the time running wild. good luck.the camp is not a good value at all if you consider the lack of everything except sleeping quarters, which are on the low end as well, but it is camp. there is canteen only twice or three times a week so the kids cannot starve to death. The letters we received home were disturbing.
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11/1/06 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
i made good friends there and i'm hoping to be on teenside this year (1 month less-grr...) well ill reserve...anyway its a lot of fun-except I.S., but diving docks was fun. i can't wait until summer 2007 to be back in SLC! :D
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SYSTEM: 3 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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9/1/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I have been going to SLC for 6 summers and i was staff this past year i have made friends that will last me a life time and memories that i will have forever it is just the greatest place ever!
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7/28/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
This camp has been a wonderful part of my childrens lives for 7 years. The staff is loving and caring. My children have lifelong friends from Europe to Florida.There camp experience has been the most rewarding and memberable time.They go to the website and count the days until camp starts.We love SURPRISE LAKE CAMP>
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SYSTEM: 3 negative duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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6/15/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
surprise lake camp is literally the best place on earth. for six years now it has been my second home, and i have honestly made the best friends there that i will ever make. i count down the days until camp comes around, and so does everyone else who attends slc. as of now, there are 13 days left. I CANNOT WAITTTTTTTTTT.
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6/15/06 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
I love this camp it is AWESOME!!! I HAVE BEEN A CAMPER FOR YEARS AND IT IS OF THE BOMB MY FAVORITE ACTIVITE IS ROCK CLIMBING
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6/15/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
THIS WILL BE MY 8TH SUMMER AT SURPRISE LAKE CAMP AND IM SAYING IF YOUR THINKING ABOUT GOING CAMP IS A AMAZING PLACE AND I MET ALL MY BEST FRIENDS THERE AND MY FRIENDS ARE AMAZING AND I LOVE EVERY ONE OF THEM INCLUDING MY COUSIN WHO IM SO CLOSE WITH SINCE WE WENT TOGETHER :)
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6/8/06 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
how can you say surprise lake is a bad sleepaway camp? this summer will be my forth summer there and first as staff and i love it! i've made some of my best friends there and have continued to keep in touch with them. the place is amazing!
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