Jeff Lake campers are grouped in units by age and gender, moving with “bunkmates” through a developmentally appropriate program that is well-balanced and designed to let kids discover who they really are! As campers transition from Freshman Camp to Junior Camp to Senior Camp (from Pre-K through to eighth grade), they have the opportunity to personalize their schedules through Hobby Hour. As our day campers get older, the opportunity for them to try new activities builds character and allows them to learn valuable life lessons along the way!

The Jeff Lake Program cultivates self-esteem, instills a spirit of adventure, and promotes teamwork, friendship, and a sense of community. We believe these are the TRUE treasures of the summer camp experience! Every day we strive to help each camper feel like a valuable part of the Jeff Lake Tradition!

Freshman Campus (prek-K) is built around our Freshman Clubhouse, an air-conditioned multipurpose facility. With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking beautiful Jefferson Lake, Freshman Clubhouse is the perfect setting for day camp activities such as junior yoga and music as well as self-directed creative play! Developmentally appropriate sports fields surround the Clubhouse along with playground facilities set-aside specifically for our freshman campers!

We take special care to guarantee that our smallest campers feel safe and secure. We believe that little people can do bigger things! From our renowned swim program to our broad range of daily activities, our littlest Jeff Lakers learn how wonderful it is to say, “Yes!” to new experiences in a nurturing environment!

Parents love that they can expect communication from Jeff Lake on a daily basis. Our Division Heads and Assistant Division Heads will ensure that you stay up-to-date on your Pre-K or Kindergartner’s camp life. We are always just a phone call away, and welcome the chance to speak with you about how your camper is progressing!

First and second graders move on to new experiences in Junior Camp. Juniors expand their experience and enthusiasm on the lake to include fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Our inflatable lake playground offers unparalleled fun! Creative Arts engages campers’ ever-growing interests with exposure to the pottery wheels, a variety of crafts, and dance and theater classes. Gymnastics remains a well-loved camp activity, with an emphasis that shifts to skill development. Our highly regarded day camp sports program hits a home run by focusing on campers’ developmental needs with increased skill building and coaching, as well as free play.

In addition to our broad range of instructional and recreational periods, 1st and 2nd graders are introduced to Hobby Hour, their first opportunity to select a day camp activity of their choice! This encourages decision-making while exploring new interests. Junior Camp is buzzing with spirit as campers excitedly prepare for Color War, Olympics, the Gym and Dance Show, lacrosse, girls’ Junior Sing, inter-group play and much more! Junior camp is a great place to use teamwork and to cheer on your camp friends during endless summer fun!

Grade 3-5

The Jeff Lake experience grows with your camper’s readiness for the challenge. Our four pillars of Spirit, Sportsmanship, Family and Tradition are woven through the curriculum whether you are on the lake, in our dance or arts pavilion or on the sports field.

Our Lake experience kicks into high adventure with our lake playground and water trampolines. Having mastered kayaking and canoeing, our 3rd-5th graders test their balance with our Lake Boarding program and begin instruction in small craft sailing. Instruction in rod and reel fishing leaves each Jeff Lake ready for any catch and release experience. At Jeff Lake, our campers are lake savvy!

Fish League and Watermelon League give our 3rd-5th graders an opportunity to meet campers outside of their specific group and expand friendships. These sports leagues support appropriate competition and foster sportsmanship. Our Senior Tennis Tournament draws a large crowd of supportive friends and staff.

The Dance and Gymnastics Shows as well as our camp Musical Reviews and Plays, support campers with interest in the Performing Arts. Airbandz song competition for of our boys and Senior Sing for our girls remain a popular tradition.

It is our tradition at Jeff Lake that our 3-5th grade campers have access to every opportunity Jeff Lake has to offer with the addition of Hobby Hour that satisfy individual interests. Our campers are never surprised to find that their typical schedule is hijacked and a special activity that involves the Division put in its place. We keep our scheduling fresh and current.

To complement the traditional camp curriculum our 3-5th graders experience:

• Hydro tubing on Lake Hopatcong
• Trip to Tomahawk Lake – our local Water Park
• Ice Skating at Aspen Arena for 3rd-5th grade girls
• Patriots Team Baseball Clinic for 3rd grade boys
• Late Night at camp

Grade 6-9 

Our Senior Program for campers in sixth through eighth grade is bursting with new choices and the opportunity for self-discovery! In addition to the regular day camp program, Senior Campers can experience:

• Inflatable Lake Playground
• Sailing
• Stand Up Paddle Boards
• Senior Camp Special Events
• League Play
• More Out of Camp Trips
• Optional Weekend Trip to Hershey Park for 7th-8th graders
• Middle School Boot Camp (mini Color War)
• Middle School Late Night at Camp

Our T.A.R.G.E.T. (Teamwork, Acceptance, Respect, Goals, Energy and Togetherness) program encourages our oldest day campers to work together in team-building activities, breaking down social barriers and enhancing problem-solving skills.

In our middle school program, we put a huge emphasis on having our pre-teen campers feel their age. The program grows with them, and they always feel like they have new opportunities for self and peer-exploration. Senior campers cheer loud, play hard and savor their time with friends! You are guaranteed to feel like family at Jeff Lake Senior Camp!

Tenth Grade

At Jeff Lake Day Camp, being in high school doesn’t mean a camper’s days here have to end. Tenth graders make some of their best camp memories in the Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program.

CITs learn how to work with children and staff in a closely supervised environment. Each day they divide their time between a field assignment, free choice and scheduled CIT activities organized by the CIT Director.

The summer isn’t all about learning and responsibility, though; there are plenty of fun times to be had! CITs go on seven out-of-camp day trips, including rushing water slides at Mountain Creek, relaxing in the sun at the Jersey Shore, zipping around the roller coasters at Dorney Park, and the highly anticipated annual Mystery Bus Trip!

The CIT program at Jeff Lake helps teenagers adjust and strike the proper balance between responsibility and recreation. The spirit, tradition, friendships and teamwork that are part of our leadership development program help teens gain the confidence to become participants in camp life — not just spectators.

Nonstop Fun!

Jeff Lake Day Camp is nonstop fun! Our goal is to expose each camper to all the activities our summer day camp has to offer. Our program director designs a nine-period day that includes individual and team sports, swim instruction and recreation, arts and crafts, and specialty activities such as Cooking and Project Adventure. Junior and senior campers have the opportunity to pursue individual interests during Hobby Hour, allowing them to personalize their own schedule.

At Jeff Lake Day Camp, the possibilities are endless. Your camper will go catch their first fish, paint their first picture, score their first goal in a soccer tournament, bake and eat a personal pizza, take a leap down the zipline, learn to dive into the pool, hit a softball, leap into the air on the water trampoline… and then come back for more the next day!

Full refund through February 1st.