Surprise Lake Camp

Cold Spring, New York
Established: 1902
Camp Details

Surprise Lake Camp has a rich history of service to children and families in need. The camp was founded in 1902 to provide a summer vacation for Jewish boys from the tenements of Manhattan's Lower East Side, many of whom were immigrants. In its first season, it had six tents for twenty-five campers and five counselors.

Today, Surprise Lake Camp serves Jewish boys and girls from the Greater New York City area from seven to fifteen years of age. It fills to its capacity of nearly 1000 campers almost every year. Fees are set according to a sliding scale based on income and family size, with approximately 80 percent of the campers receiving reductions. The camp gives over $550,000 in total scholarships each season, making it one of the most generous Jewish scholarship camps in the country.