FAQs

CYJ Sprout Lake has an average of 200 kids each session, from grades 2nd – 8th grade. After 8th grade campers can attend Camp Tel Yehudah, Young Judaea’s teen camp for 9th-11th grade. If you live in Brooklyn or Northern Westchester we also have two Sprout day camps.

CYJ Sprout Lake is able to accommodate food allergies, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and lactose-intolerant diets. If your child requires other considerations, please let us know.

Homesickness is a common occurrence in the camping world, especially for first time campers. Usually, homesickness happens during the first few days, when the camper is working on adjusting into the camp life, and away from his/her parents for the first time. After the first few days, camp life feels completely normal, and the homesickness subsides. At Sprout Lake, we find that the best way to stop homesickness is to have a fully-packed schedule, full of activities and building connections with new friends, so that the campers are too busy having fun to think about home! Due to the efforts and abilities of our amazing staff members, who are trained in how to help homesick campers, we have never had to send a camper home due to missing home.

We have many different cabin configurations and sizes, so our cabins will accommodate up to 16 campers depending on it’s size and will be supervised by 3-4 staff members at an age appropriate ratio of campers: staff that exceeds industry standards. Every camper is assigned a set of cubbies for storing personal items. Each cabin will have its own bathroom, which features 2-3 sinks, 2-3 toilets and 2-3 showers. All top bunks are equipped with bed rails. Each cabin is equipped with a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. Bunk assignments are made on the basis of school grade, social and emotional maturity and mutual requests.

We continuously assess and improve our security measures. Our proactive approach, combined with layers of deterrence, well-trained staff, effective communication channels, and collaboration with law enforcement, ensures a safe environment for all. We ask that you refrain from disclosing our security practices publicly, as this could compromise camp safety. Your trust in us is invaluable, and we’re dedicated to upholding it. This email aims to inform and reassure, not to cause alarm.

Ensuring the safety and security of our campers has always been our foremost priority; this isn’t a recent consideration. Over the past decade, we’ve continuously enhanced our site, protocols, and procedures. We’re proud to work closely with a renowned security consultant year-round, who keeps a vigilant eye on global developments. Together, we assess trips, outings, and site enhancements to adapt to evolving security landscapes.

Here’s an overview of our comprehensive security measures:

Physical Enhancements: We’ve erected a new 6-foot fence along the entire property line on Route 82 to serve as a deterrent and minimize risks. Additionally, a reinforced front gate, manned by an armed guard 24/7, has been installed.

Professional Security Team: Our security team is comprised of off-duty police officers from surrounding towns.

Monitoring Infrastructure: A new security building at the gate provides access to over 150 on-site security cameras. Panic buttons are strategically located throughout the facility, and bulletproof windows have been installed in our bunks. All buildings feature locks and lockdown mechanisms.

Visitor Management: All visitors undergo approval and are required to wear a visitor’s badge for easy identification by staff and campers.

Staff Training: During staff orientation, significant time is dedicated to safety training and security protocols; including lockdown, active shooter, intruder, and fire drills, as well as procedures for recognizing and responding to child abuse.

Communication Systems: Effective communication is vital in emergencies. We’ve established a loudspeaker system and equipped staff members with walkie-talkies for in-camp communications. Our automated call system is operational should we need to notify families in case of evacuation.

Partnerships in Security: We maintain close partnerships with New York State Troopers, Homeland Security professionals, and the FBI to stay informed of potential threats.

Camp Young Judaea Sprout Lake provides laundry service to our campers twice a session. Our commercial laundry partner, Vails Gate Laundry, will pickup laundry bags from a designated place in Camp, wash, dry, fold and return the clean clothes and linens the next day.

Birthdays that occur during the Camp session will be celebrated. This observance is not only a treat for the camper but a lot of fun for everyone. Have you ever had a birthday party with 400 friends in attendance? However, please do not send food of any kind for your child’s birthday. He/she will receive a cake to share with his/her cabin on their special day.

At Sprout Lake, 85% of the campers attend just one session. 200 campers arrive on opening day of first session and a entirely different group of 200 campers arrive second session.