Surprise Lake Camp

What Surprise Lake Camp does

Surprise Lake Camp is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Jewish sleepaway camp founded in 1902 and located on 460 wooded acres in Cold Spring, New York, approximately 60 miles from New York City. It serves Jewish children from kindergarten through 10th grade across two divisions — Mainside (grades 1-6) and Teenside (grades 7-10) — with session options ranging from a 5-day introductory "Get Your Feet Wet" program to a full 8-week summer, plus shorter Mini Camp, Session 1, and Session 2 tracks. The camp offers 50+ activities and electives, four full musical productions per summer, an organic farm program, kosher dining, and a 24/7 health center. Operational technology is limited and primarily third-party: CampInTouch for enrollment, the Campanion mobile app with Microsoft Azure facial recognition for parent communications and camper photo tagging, and FACTS for tuition-assistance processing.

The organization's revenue model is tuition-driven and tiered by grade and session length, with full-summer tuition ranging from $10,675 (grades 1-4) to $12,375 (grades 7-10), discounted for new families (5%) and siblings ($200-$400). A significant secondary revenue stream comes from charitable contributions through multiple fundraising vehicles including the Annual Drive, Capital Drive, endowment, 1902 Legacy Society planned giving, mezuzah fundraiser, and tribute gifts. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer, combining digital channels (website, blog, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok), an alumni-driven referral program (I.R.A.F.), free Rookie Day open houses, in-person tours, and partnerships with UJA-Federation of New York, the JCC Association, and the Foundation for Jewish Camp's One Happy Camper grant program. Tuition assistance, administered through FACTS, is a defining strategic commitment: SLC is noted as offering more financial aid than nearly any other Jewish camp in North America, broadening access across income levels.

Surprise Lake Camp serves over 475 campers each summer with approximately 270 seasonal staff, supported by a year-round professional team led by Executive Director Adam Bendeson (a third-generation SLC'er), Camp Director Sheryl Kirschenbaum, and a broader leadership group covering finance, marketing, development, family engagement, and Israel programming. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors comprising alumni and parents. It holds ACA accreditation and is a Core Partner of UJA-Federation of New York, maintaining an institutional position within the Jewish communal camping ecosystem that has persisted continuously since its founding.

Name

Surprise Lake Camp

Legal name

Surprise Lake Camp

Website

https://surpriselake.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1902

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Surprise Lake Camp is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Jewish sleepaway camp founded in 1902, serving over 475 children in grades K-10 annually on a 460-acre campus in Cold Spring, New York, with tuition-based enrollment, extensive tuition assistance, and year-round alumni and family programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Summer Camp Services

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO), Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA)

Keywords

• Summer camp programs
• Jewish sleepaway camp
• Overnight youth camp
• Camp tuition assistance
• Children's residential camp

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Summer Camp Tuition: The primary revenue stream is tuition fees charged per session or full summer. Families pay per camper per session. Tuition ranges from $500 (Get Your Feet Wet) to $12,375 (Full Summer, grades 7-10). Deposits are required to secure enrollment, with the balance payable via monthly installment plans or in full. Additional revenue comes from bus transportation fees, and donations through various fundraising vehicles including the Annual Drive, Capital Drive, mezuzah fundraiser, tribute gifts, endowment, and the 1902 Legacy Society planned giving program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Surprise Lake Camp operates a traditional Jewish sleepaway summer camp for children in grades K through 10 on a 460-acre wooded campus in Cold Spring, New York, with a private spring-fed lake. The program is organized into Mainside (grades 1-6) and Teenside (grades 7-10) divisions, offering more than 50 activities including sports, performing arts, outdoor adventure, theater, and organic farming. The camp provides multiple session lengths ranging from a 5-day introductory program to the full 8-week summer, plus year-round programming such as Family Camp Weekend and the Israel Trip.

Product overview

Surprise Lake Camp is a traditional Jewish sleepaway camp offering a unified summer camping experience for children grades K-10. The program is organized into two main divisions: Mainside (grades 1-6) and Teenside (grades 7-10), each with age-appropriate structures and increasing independence. The camp provides over 50 activities and electives including sports, arts, outdoor adventure, theater, and organic farming. Specialized programs include Mini Camp, Get Your Feet Wet, and Rookie Day for first-time campers, the Camper Leadership Program for teens, and a Summer Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program. Family Camp Weekend extends the community experience to families over Labor Day. The camp integrates technology platforms including Campanion for parent communication and photo sharing, CampInTouch for enrollment, and FACTS for tuition assistance processing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mainside Summer Camp Sleepaway summer camp program for campers completing grades 1-6, with structured activities and increasing choice as campers grow. Includes Mountainview (grades 1-4) with large shared cabins and Seniors (grades 5-6) with more independent living arrangements. Features separate cabins, dining, waterfront, and sports fields.
• Teenside Summer Camp Sleepaway summer camp program for campers completing grades 7-10, offering greater independence and responsibility with more self-directed free time. Features separate living areas, dining facilities, and programming that encourages autonomy and leadership development.
• Mini Camp Shorter 3-week session designed for first-time campers completing grades 1-4. The entire unit consists of first-time campers supported by specially trained counselors, allowing children to experience camp together while making friends for future years.
• Get Your Feet Wet 5-day mini-adventure for new campers in grades K-4, introducing children to sleepaway camp with supervised activities including hiking, Shabbat program, campfire, swimming, arts and crafts, drama, and boating. Staffed by hand-picked counselors with certified lifeguards and a nurse. Tuition credit applies toward future summers.
• Rookie Day Free one-day camp experience for grades K-5. Prospective campers participate in a typical day of activities while parents receive guided camp tours with Q&A. Includes lunch and check-in starting at 9:30 AM.
• Family Camp Weekend All-inclusive Labor Day Weekend getaway open to camper families, alumni, staff, and friends. Features activities for all ages including swimming, boating, climbing, crafts, sports, and special events like carnival, talent show, and campfire. Kosher dining with allergy accommodations available.
• Camper Leadership Program Leadership program for campers who have completed 10th grade, offering hands-on experience with responsibilities alongside peers and developing skills through planning and leading activities for younger campers. Includes professional development workshops on job applications, budgeting, and teamwork.
• Summer Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program Free ceremony held at camp surrounded by nature, in front of the entire camp congregation with family present. Designed for campers and staff without prior religious training. The Jewish Leadership team helps tailor each experience, with no formal preparation required, and includes a free kiddush celebration.
• Israel Trip 2027 Summer 2027 teen trip to Israel that inspires teen campers to embrace Israeli culture and SLC values through an immersive travel experience.

Quantifiable outcome

• 124+ years of continuous operation as one of the nation's oldest Jewish camps
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UJA-Federation of New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1920Surprise Lake Camp is a Core Partner of UJA-Federation of New York. The Federation provides organizational support, funding, and strategic alignment. SLC's year-round office was historically housed at the 92nd Street Y.
• JCC Association of North AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1920SLC is a member of the network of camps within the JCC Association of North America, aligning it with the broader Jewish Community Center camping network and its resources, standards, and community.
• Federation of Jewish PhilanthropiesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1911Historical partner. SLC became one of the initial member agencies of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies in 1911. The relationship is noted as historical.
• FACTS Grant & Aid AssessmentcoreTechnology or IntegrationSLC partners with FACTS (a Nelnet company) to manage tuition assistance applications. Families create accounts on the FACTS platform to submit financial documentation for needs-based aid determination.
• Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFJC administers the One Happy Camper grant program, which provides first-time camper grants funded in partnership with local Jewish organizations (PJ Library, federations). SLC actively promotes this program to prospective families.
• American Camp Association (ACA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSLC is ACA-accredited, meaning it has met the safety and program standards set by the American Camp Association. The ACA logo appears on the website footer alongside JCCA and JCamp180 logos.
• Milstein Online Archives of the New York Jewish Community (YIVO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric photos and documents from SLC are preserved and made accessible through the Milstein Online Archives at YIVO. This preserves SLC's history and makes it available to researchers and alumni.
• Operation Summer Camp (U.S. Military Families)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrant program for children of active-duty or honorably discharged U.S. military personnel. Eligible campers must have completed grades 2-7 (8th grade considered). Parent must be Jewish and meet documentation requirements.
• CampanioncoreTechnology or IntegrationSLC uses the Campanion app for family communications, photo sharing, and e-letter delivery. The app uses Microsoft Azure facial recognition to automatically tag campers in photos, helping parents locate their children in camp photo archives.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Camp Ramah: National network of Jewish sleepaway camps (Ramah in the Berkshires, Ramah Nyack, Ramah Wisconsin, etc.) serving grades K-10 with Hebrew language, sports, arts, and Jewish identity programming. Most directly comparable peer to SLC in mission, programming mix, and Jewish-denominational breadth.
• Camp Pembroke: Jewish girls' sleepaway camp in Honesdale, PA, serving grades 2-10 with comparable activity breadth and similar longstanding heritage (founded 1927). Peer in Jewish overnight camp space though single-gender.
• Camp Tel Noar: Co-ed Jewish sleepaway camp in Stinson Lake, NH, serving grades 3-10 with comparable activity programming and Jewish identity focus. Peer in the Jewish overnight camp network targeting similar families.
• Camp Ramah in the Berkshires: Co-ed Jewish sleepaway camp in Wingdale, NY, serving grades 2-10 within the Camp Ramah network, geographically closest Ramah affiliate to SLC. Directly comparable peer in programming structure, Jewish denominational approach, and New York/New England feeder base.
• Camp JRF: Co-ed Jewish overnight camp in Honesdale, PA (Maslov Camp), serving grades 3-10 with a Reconstructionist-affiliated Jewish identity focus. Peer in Jewish overnight camp space with overlapping New York feeder market.
• Camp Marist: Co-ed sleepaway camp in Center Lovell, ME, serving grades 2-10 with a broad activity mix and comparable camper-to-staff ratios. Directly comparable peer in summer overnight camp operating model and competitive set for non-Jewish families considering Jewish camp.
• Camp Beber: Co-ed Jewish sleepaway camp in Stroudsburg, PA (Poconos), serving grades 2-10 with comparable sports, arts, and Jewish programming mix. Peer in the Jewish overnight camp competitive set serving similar tri-state families.
• Camp Towanda: Co-ed sleepaway camp in Honesdale, PA, serving grades K-11 with a similar multi-activity programming model (sports, arts, outdoor adventure) and New York metro feeder base. A peer in operating model and competitive geography, though non-denominational.
• Camp Wingate*Kirkland: Co-ed Jewish sleepaway camp in Honesdale, PA (Poconos), serving grades 2-10 with a comparable activity breadth (sports, arts, waterfront, adventure) and similar 80+ year history. Directly comparable peer sharing the same Jewish-denominational breadth and similar New York feeder market.
• Camp Avoda: Jewish boys' sleepaway camp in Lake Sebago, ME, serving grades 1-10 with sports, waterfront, and Jewish programming. Peer in mission (Jewish identity, overnight experience) and programming structure though single-gender.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/SurpriseLakePage
• Facebookfacebook.com/surpriselake
• Instagraminstagram.com/surpriselakecamp
• TikToktiktok.com/@surpriselakecamp
• Xx.com/surpriselake
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1243559

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Surprise Lake Camp