Young Judaea
CYJ Sprout Lake is a co-ed Jewish overnight camp for children in grades 2-8. Located in upstate New York’s beautiful Hudson River Valley, we offer an elective-based program featuring horse-back riding, basketball, cooking, soccer, ceramics, music, softball, swimming, street hockey, archery, nature, drama, field trips, tennis, video production, a climbing tower, a petting zoo, a high ropes course, and so much more.
We welcome campers from a wide spectrum of Jewish backgrounds in a shomer Shabbat, Kosher environment. Our programming aims to strengthen Jewish identity, foster a connection to Israel, create lasting friendships, encourage individual achievement, and heighten self-esteem and leadership skills.
History
Over 40 years ago, Young Judaea established a regional summer camp in Verbank NY, better known as, Camp Young Judaea Sprout Lake. Since that time we have grown from under 100 campers, to over 400 campers! We have 16 beautiful cabins and many state-of-the art facilities. The campers at Sprout Lake are entering 2nd grade through entering 8th grade and we offer many different types of sessions, ranging from 1 week, to 8 weeks.
CYJ Sprout Lake also offers options for campers not ready for overnight camps at our two day camps located in Brooklyn and Northern Westchester.
Young Judaea
Camp Young Judaea Sprout Lake is the summer expression of Young Judaea.
For over 100 years, Young Judaea has brought together thousands of Jewish youth from across the country and around the world, of every religious, cultural, and political persuasion, through a shared commitment to Jewish values and love of Israel.
Inclusion at Sprout Lake
We invite and welcome all campers, including those who may need extra support, into our camp environment. We strive to understand the needs of every camper and work hard to ensure that campers of varying abilities are given every opportunity to participate and thrive in an inclusive environment while promoting fun, learning, and new experiences. Each campers’ talents and qualities are contributing factors that help build a sense of community, equally valuing every camper, while still preserving the group cabin experience for all. Our goal at Sprout Lake is to support all campers to participate in activities to the best of their ability, participate in group setting, and develop strong peer-to-peer relations for a lifetime of friendship. We make an extra effort to teach our campers, through experience, what it means to be part of an inclusive Jewish community. The principle of kol yisrael arevim zeh lazeh (all of Israel is responsible for one another) guides us as we strive to include a place for each individual camper to succeed at camp. We believe that inclusion is good for everyone – kids with and without challenges, families, staff, and our entire community.