Jewish Camps
Surprise Lake Camp
Approximate Start Date
Start: 17 Jun 2025
Approximate End Date
End: 25 Aug 2025
Camp Type
Jewish
Location
382 Lake Surprise Road, Cold Spring, New York 10516
Staff
Total: 250 (125 international staff) aged 19+
Campers
Total: 400 (co-ed camp)
Camp Overview
Surprise Lake Camp is a special place, a home away from home for generations of young people. We believe in the value of community and friendship. Our Jewish values and identity shape our days and our connection to nature. We’re dedicated to helping young people unplug, grow, and develop values, confidence, and skills to last a lifetime. And we are fortunate to share this extraordinary place with campers and staff alike. Although Surprise Lake Camp is a big place with over 475 campers and 270 staff, it still has a cozy feel to it. Nestled in the heart of the Hudson Highlands sixty miles from New York City (we are only 15 minutes from a 75-minute train ride into NYC!), we are surrounded by rugged mountains, wide-open fields, and our own private lake. If you enjoy hiking, sunsets, or seeing wildlife, you’ll love Surprise Lake Camp.
Do you have the skills they're looking for?
We asked the camp what positions they are looking to fill. Look out for the big thumbs up!
Are you looking to hire counsellors with Creative & Performing Arts skills?
Are you looking to hire General Counsellors?
Are you looking to hire counsellors with Outdoor Adventure and Nature skills?
Are you looking to hire Waterfront Staff and Lifeguards?
Counsellor Roles:
Here's a list of all the positions this camp commonly hires for!
Arts & Crafts
Canoeing
Climbing/Wall Tower
Cooking
Digital Photography
Gardening
High/Low Ropes Course
Hiking
Jewelry
Kayaking
Kiln or Wheel
Lifeguarding
Lighting and Sound
Orienteering
Outdoor Cooking
Overnight Camping
Painting
Photography
Rock Climbing
Rowing
Sailing
Sculpting
Set Construction
Sketching
Stage Management
Swimming
Tye Dying
Hmm... What's your role?
Staff Time Off
We provide more time off than most camps: one full day a week, some evenings off, and periods off during the day. We think it is very important to take care of yourself so that you can “recharge” and be at your best when you take care of the campers.
Staff Qualities
Being a staff member at Surprise Lake Camp is a big commitment. We expect our staff to give their all to make every camper’s experience as positive as it can be. We ask staff members to dedicate themselves to our Staff Standard of Excellence. The Staff Standard of Excellence is woven into the fabric of everything we do at Surprise Lake Camp. It is the code of principles by which we live. Every job at Surprise Lake is demanding. The counselors and specialists live, eat, sleep, and play with kids all day long for eight full weeks. The support staff help make the daily camp operation run smoothly. Everyone is expected to work hard, have a good attitude, and like and value children. We believe that the single most important ingredient at camp is the staff. And since we want the very best for our kids, we expect the very best from our staff.