The Willow Lake Difference

It is about 5 months until camp begins!! I am going to be covering lots of camps over the next few months. I know it is a hard decision especially when you are looking for your child who is ready to start day camp for their FIRST summer!  With so much literature, advertisements and videos it is no wonder the process is daunting and overwhelming. I am here to help. By now you should know I am going to give it  to you straight. Although my kids personally did not attend Willow Lake, I have SEVERAL friends who chose Willow Lake. I learned so much about this camp in the past few weeks, I felt it was important to get the word out and enlighten you with my findings!!

What separates Willow Lake?

Willow Lake is a family owned and run camp that has been around since 1980. It is set on the north shore of Lake Hopatcong on 35 SHADED acres. Even on the terribly hot days, it doesn’t feel so sweltering due the amount of shading on Willow Lake’s property.  One of the most important things that sets Willow apart is their staffing. One of the owners/directors personally  interviews, hires and places each and every employee into the right age group and activity. They also make sure they matche the counselors in a group where their personalities mesh so the strength of the counselors shine.  The owners know the key to having a strong, spirited, safe camp starts with the staffing. They knows what it takes to be a part of the Willow Lake Team. It is Willow’s mission for every staff member to feel as though they are part of a family and a community instead of a place of work.

Another stand out fact about Willow Lake is the communication! Isn’t communication key? I never understood the “24 hour rule” that some camps put in place. If I am calling camp about an issue I am experiencing, I expect a phone call back or at least an email shortly there after. Willow Lake gets a GOLD STAR in this arena! Communication for Willow is TOPS. Not only do they answer your call or email almost immediately, the issue at hand is dealt with in seconds. Maybe you aren’t that parent that has questions but likes to know what your kid is doing all day…Willow has a daily blog that literally starts at DAY 1! Here is an example:

Day 1, So Much Fun!!!

July 01, 2013

2013 Summer News

What a start to the summer!  It was raining at arrival, dismissal and most of the time in between.  That did not stop our campers and counselors from having a great day!

 We played welcome games, made monkey bread in cooking, signed up for hobbies and leagues (2nd grade and older), participated in yoga and gymnastics, played bingo, learned the cha-cha slide, made candles and more!!

 There were games being played on the bus, group names and cheers being made, lunch being called “delicious” and of course, an ice pop snack to end the day.  So much fun!!!

 We are expecting a rather rainy week.  We have lots of fun activities planned and fully expect that our program will keep the campers entertained and make Week 1 memorable!

 Tomorrow is Crazy Sock Day– which group will have the most camp spirit?!?  Wear your crazy socks to camp tomorrow!!!

They also post 250 pictures a day, institute pre camp phone calls, phone calls during camp season, and a weekly unique newsletter by each unit leader. How is that for communication?

The camp is broken down into 3 Programs:

LITTLE WILLOWS

Pre K & Kindergarten. The Little Willow programs and facilities are set apart from the faster pace of the main camp. Obviously this is brilliant because we all know the little ones do not have an energy level quite like a 2nd or 3rd grader. The program is uniquely designed with a balance of care and adventure. The Little Willows have their own pool with a slide and dedicated lifeguards that only work with them every  time they are at the pool to build a trusting relationship.

Willow really has some spectacular activities for the little ones!!  They have LEGOLAND!

Legoland is an entire period dedicated to BUILDING BIG LEGOS!! This was my son’s favorite activity when he was 5 and still loves building them today!

Willow has an activity called  “beach”. This period lets your little ones feel like they are actually away! For 30 minutes, your daughter or son can dig, build sand castles and stick their toes in the sand. I am sure this is one of their favorite periods!

Lastly, besides all of the regular activities such as swimming, basketball, baseball, soccer, dance, gymnastics, etc, the little ones have an indoor play area that is air-conditioned plus their changing area is also in an indoor air-conditioned room. There are also 4 zip lines so all age groups can use them!

As a parent, you have the choice to send a Pre-K child to a 3 or 4 day week if the thought of sending them 5 days seems overwhelming.  I would also like to note the ratio of child to counselor is really nice and small. Pre K is 15 campers to 4 counselors and K is 15 campers to 3 counselors. If those numbers are not satisfying I do not believe you will find another day camp with a better ratio!

 

MIDDLE CAMP

Moving on up to the 1st and 2nd graders. Willow prides itself on campers growing with the camp. As the children get older, the facilities and programs increase and expand. The courts and fields are bigger, the art projects are more elaborate and the skills of your children have developed allowing the instruction to intensify.

First graders are excited about the addition of activities and graduating to main camp! The swim program offers 4 heated pools (86 degrees everyday). There is small group instruction every morning and free swim every afternoon.

The second graders are pumped for their late night along with the PARENTS who can enjoy a late night at camp as well! How great is that? I heard a rumor the parents may even make s’mores!

The lake at Willow offers some pretty cool water activities! Paddle Boats, row boats, kayaks and a fishing program are a few of the fun water sports on the lake at Willow. They utilize a secluded cove on Lake Hopatcong which is a few hundred yards from camp. Here Willow has 3 Pontoon boats that the kids LOVE! They also have hydro tubing!!

 

SENIOR CAMP

For 3rd through 8th graders.

The 3rd graders are ready for their first overnight, optional sports leagues are introduced, new and exciting activities are introduced such as archery, batting cages, and dance, arts and sport clinics.

 

The 5th and 6th graders are given the freedom to create their own summer of fun by choosing activities they love most. They also have 4 day trips (at no extra charge) including Camelbeach, Dorney Park, NY Mets game, etc.

7th and 8th graders are stoked for 8 incredible day trips and 2 optional overnight trips that cost additional money so they can have that small sleep away experience.

9th and 10th graders, the oldest campers,  are given the opportunity to work hand in hand with different age groups  and assist in areas such as athletics, arts and outdoor adventure.

Sleep away is not for everyone and there are many kids who love camp but do not love being “away”.  The Senior Program offers those children an invaluable camp experience while having the ability to be home but remain a camper all the same.

One last thing I would like to touch on is Willow Lake’s “DREAM BIG” Program.

• D = Discovery
• R = Respect
• E = Exploration
• A = Appreciation
• M = Memories

• B = Benevolence
• I =  Integrity
• G = Generosity

It is Willow’s Lake mission to teach life skills and help each camper achieve their full potential. Their Dream Big program teaches a lesson each week (i.e first week = discovery). At the end of each week there is an all camp gathering where campers and staff share positive experiences from the week. It is nice for your child to come home on a Friday feeling self assured and excited to share what they learned at camp that week especially when it is a positive message.

Here is a quick peek into Willow Lake!

A camp filled with incredible staff, special events, attention to detail, parent communication and  what I love most – the feeling of fitting in and being part of something. It is the intimate, warm feeling that makes Willow Lake a camp to check out!

 

Willow Lake Day Camp.  200 State Route 181, Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849. 973.663.2732. [email protected]

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored.