"Liberty Lake Jams Vol. 1"

By Andy Pritikin, Director/Owner of Liberty Lake Day Camp,  as published in Curious Parents, The Princeton Packet, Messenger Press, and Register News (2007).

While child obesity has been the national kid-concern of choice for the past few years, recent research on the lack of adult “friendships” and the sad trend towards social isolation has given youth development experts serious cause for concern. Childhood is when we learn the skills of making and keeping friends, and our net result, adulthood, is not showing dividends. The data and its conclusions come from two renowned, identical studies- done 20 years apart.

American adults are far more socially isolated today than they were two decades ago. From 1985 to 2004, the number of people saying they have no one with whom they discuss important matters nearly tripled. 23% of Americans now report they have no confidants, family or non-family. Another 20 percent say they have just one confidant. That’s 43% of Americans who have either no close friends or just one, a percentage that has doubled in the past 20 years, and half do not have any confidants who aren’t family. The average size of Americans’ social networks decreased by a third between ‘85 and ‘04, from 3 to 2, basically meaning the loss of one close friend. We have gone from a quarter of the American population feeling isolated to almost half of the adult population. Think about that for a second. Almost half the people you know have at most one person they feel they can talk to about what is most important to them.  20-30 year olds may have hundreds of friends on MySpace or Facebook and e-mail/text 25 people a day, but most of these communications are not with “close friends” that they would confide in. They also are most likely not neighbors, people “from town”, or co-members of local/voluntary organizations- these are the types of relationships that have decreased the most amongst middle and upper-middle class suburban adults.

What are parents doing at home to help the next generation of adults? Generally, not enough. Increased responsibilities, working more to make ends meet, and long commutes leave many parents too exhausted or busy to seek social or family connections. Families eat together less, and watch TV more. Parents check their Email more and talk to/play with their kids less. Typical neighbors have cordial “waving” relationships, with no true connections or close friendships. Automatic garage doors open up, cars sneak in, and the door closes behind. Kids spend summer days in central air, insulated from the outside- but generally, nobody is playing outside in the streets or yards anyway. Besides the occasional “playdate”, kids swim in their own backyard pools, play video games, watch TV, Instant message/text message, and other relatively solitary activities.

Kids come home from school with hours of homework, then have music lessons, karate, gymnastics, sports practice or games- where is the time to hang out with friends or even family? As we’re seeing, society is making it more challenging for our kids to become the kind of well-adjusted adults we strive for them to be. Camp can be a summertime oasis, providing a safe environment for children to relax and play without the pressures they have during the school year. Camp creates a temporary community each summer in which Campers are programmed to participate in all kinds of activities with all kinds of kids, with a staff of positive role models monitoring the “friendship making” process. Good Camps teach children important life skills, including communication and social skills like the art of making and keeping friends. These skills will help them in childhood, adulthood, the workplace and beyond. Contact the American Camp Association to find an accredited Camp near you!

Other Published Articles By Andy Pritkin-

The Lasting Positive Impact of Summer Camp

Our Kids Need Camp!

Why Camp?

Let The Children Play!

How to Choose a Summer Camp

Economic Spotlight on Childcare 

Interview with Andy Pritikin from "SNJ Business People"

CALL TO SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY ~ 609.499.7820

By Andy Pritikin, Director/Owner of Liberty Lake Day Camp, as published in The Tri-Town News, Moorestown Sun, Haddonfield Sun, The Princeton Packet, Messenger Press, Register News and others (2006).

We love our kids. We give them everything we can, determined to give them a better life than the one we had. Our homes are places of love and support, as well as state-of-the-art media centers with big screen TVs, high speed internet, vast libraries of entertainment, and more toys than a child could ever need. But for over 10 million children every Summer, the best thing that their parents do for them is to actually get them OUT of the house, away from their cushy suburban lives of luxury with their parents watching their every move, and into some real-life excitement at Summer Camp! While this liberating freedom may seem daunting (mostly to parents), the facts show that today’s children truly need Camp.

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

The saying goes: "IQ is what gets you through school, EQ is what gets you through life". Watching the recent fight between pro basketball players and sports fans was a sad display of how easily adults with low EQ can be emotionally hijacked to the point of violence. Studies show that EQ (empathy, managing emotions, handling relationships, self-motivation, self-awareness,) is three times more the predictor of success than IQ. Leadership (self-confidence, team skills, social awareness) accounts for 90% emotional intelligence. The various group settings and activities of camp provide a virtual classroom for this kind of social development, teaching children and young adults the important skills of making friends and maintaining relationships.

EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION & ENRICHMENT

While more and more advanced countries have gone to a model of year-round education, many American families continue to keep their children at home all Summer, allowing their minds and bodies to go on a two-month hiatus. Today’s Camps offer a wonderful mix of experiential education: Athletics, Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Boating, Fishing, Hiking, Science, Nature and more. While some stay-at-home Moms take on the challenge of entertaining their children themselves, “Camp Mom” rarely can compare programmatically or socially to a real Camp experience. Camp is a magical place for doing things that you could never do at home- Rock Climbing, Horseback Riding, Rocketry, Gymnastics, Ceramics, Theater Productions, to go along with Camp “standards” like Color War, Campouts, Jello Wrestling, Water Slides, and Simon Sez with 300 kids!

HEALTH AND FITNESS

Remember back before the days of “playdates” when we used to play outside all day- in streets, parks and neighbor’s backyards without a care? Today, even in the safest suburban developments, most parents can’t feel comfortable unless their children are within total view. Technological advances coupled with media-enhanced fears for safety have influenced us in raising the most out-of-shape, sedentary generation of children ever. The Federal Centers for Disease Control estimates that 16 percent of people ages 6 to 19 are obese, compared with 4.4 percent 40 years ago. A Department of Education study declared 40% of California middle school children unfit and 25% overweight. Today’s parents are busy, don't have time to cook, and many stop at fast food restaurants several times each week.  According to the Federal Department of Health and Human Services, by the time our kids are adults, obesity will most likely become this nation's No. 1 killer, and will surpass tobacco use as the leading cause of preventable death. Yikes!

Currently, New Jersey schools are mandated (but not enforced) to give all students 150 minutes of health, physical education and safety per week- and it rarely happens. My daughter’s “blue ribbon” elementary school gives children phys. ed. for two weeks every two months- on rotation with music, art and computers- and only 10 minutes per day of recess after lunch. After school there is homework, plus countless obligations which leave little time for the physical activity necessary for a healthy child. The programs and inherent set up of Camp require the kind of outdoor physical activity that children used to get on a regular basis.

MEDIA-FREE!

Children spend more time watching television than any other activity except sleep. In addition, TV has dramatically decreased the amount of time that families spend talking with each other. 40% of American families watch TV while eating dinner, and on average, American parents spend only 38.5 minutes per week in meaningful conversation with their children, compared to the three to four hours daily that many children spend in front of a TV or computer screen.

And what are our kids watching? The war in Iraq, violent cartoons, and Disney Channel shows which focus on teenage dating? Who are their role models? Eminem, Paris Hilton and 50-Cent? Good Camps and good Camp directors create controlled, ideal communities with an alternative, more traditional vision of what it means to grow up. A camp can control its value system, maintaining a magical environment that can inspire children to imagine anything is possible, and that their potential is limitless!

                 RESEARCH CONFIRMS

Philliber Research Associates, a nationally reknown firm specializing in the evaluation of youth development, health, and education programs recently completed a three-year study which confirms that Camps build skills necessary to prepare children to become successful adults. Parents, campers, and camp staff independently reported growth in areas such as self-confidence, independence, making friends, exploring and learning new activities, and spirituality. Camp provides growth experiences for youth that benefit them through adulthood.

Campers Say

• Camp helped me make new friends. (96%)
• Camp helped me to get to know kids who are different from me. (93%)
• The people at camp helped me feel good about myself. (92%)
• At camp, I did things I was afraid to do at first. (74%)
  

 Parents Say

• My child gained self-confidence at camp. (70%)
• My child continues to participate in some of the new activities he or she learned at camp. (63%)
• My child remains in contact with friends made at camp. (69%)

For those who went to Camp as a child, these statistics come as no surprise. For generations, Camps have been creating experiences and memories that most of us can’t provide at home or in our neighborhoods. Camp is a step back in time, giving our children the opportunity to be happy, healthy kids in a warm, safe community of friends and role models. We all want the best for our children, and now more than ever, our kids need the Camp experience!

Other Published Articles By Andy Pritkin-

The Lasting Positive Impact of Summer Camp

Friendships: Get Them While You Can At Camp! 

Why Camp? 

Let The Children Play!

How to Choose a Summer Camp 

Economic Spotlight on Childcare 

Interview with Andy Pritikin from "SNJ Business People"

CALL TO SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY ~ 609.499.7820

By Andy Pritikin, Director/Owner of Liberty Lake Day Camp, as published in The Princeton Packet, Messenger Press, Register News and others (2004).

This summer over 10 million children will attend over 12,000 camps.  At the same time, many more millions of children will be spending their summers “hanging out” around the house, the local pool, etc, oblivious to the amazing experience they could be having at camp.  There are all kinds of camps available for all kinds of children, at all kinds of prices (be sure to look for the ACA American Camping Association accreditation logo when looking for a quality camp).  But when I try to explain to non-camp parents the tremendous positive impact that camps make on children, I’m often met with blank stares or silence on the other end of the phone.  While most camps will give you personal references from people you may or may not know, I would like to share a couple of success stories from some former campers that you might know of:

Academy Award Winner Denzel Washington, as quoted from his press bio: "A native of Mt. Vernon, NY, Washington had his career sights set on medicine when he attended Fordham University.  But during a stint as a summer camp counselor he appeared in one of the theater productions; he was bitten by the acting bug and returned to Fordham that year seeking to become an actor.

What actually happened was that Denzel’s campers and fellow counselors convinced him to participate in a silly role in the camp musical.  Being away from home, and amongst a new group of supportive peers gave Denzel the courage and temporary confidence to try an exciting new experience that changed the course of his life- and has enriched all of ours! Every summer, campers are taken out of their comfort zone (read: off the couch in front of the TV), enabling them to try activities like boating, fishing, archery, mountain boarding, acting in the camp musical, and numerous other options that you can’t get at home!

Disney and ABC President and CEO, Michael Eisner has just released a book entitled Camp, in which he explains how he learned much of his leadership and drive… at Summer Camp!  The following testimonial is paraphrased from a speech he recently gave at the ACA-Tri-State Camp Conference in New York City.

“I loved camp- as a camper, and later as a counselor. Every moment, every year, every ball game, canoe trip, wilderness experience and just being a team player- and I’ve long been fascinated by why this is. After all, camp takes children and separates them from their families, from their televisions, telephones, VCR’s, PlayStations and computers for weeks at a time to take them to what? To live ten to a cabin without air conditioning or their Mom’s cooking/bed making/driving/one-day laundry service… unable to watch TV, sleep ‘til noon or visit a mall? And, yes, they love it! When it’s over, they don’t want to leave, and, when they grow up, they want to go back. The fact is, today’s children have amazing toys and gadgets at their command that allow them to experience everything but the REAL THING. I have nothing against most of these toys. (Disney) makes a lot of them. But, at the end of the day, reality is what kids prefer. Camp puts them in a world of their own creation. What could be more exciting? What could be more empowering? No video game can compare.”

It’s true.  Camps build their own safe community each summer, and recreate it again, year after year.  Every day at every camp, children are presented with more variables than any computer programmer could ever put into a video game.  Campers are empowered to make snap decisions that directly impact them- without Mom or Dad’s safety net.  This is one of the main reasons that kids love camp– because they get to feel like grown-ups.  Camp empowers kids, and gives them a sense of respect that they equate to the “grown-up” world.

It’s an interesting paradox that as adults we yearn for our youth, while our children starve for the freedom of adulthood.  But is it mostly lip-service?  At home, kids may SAY they want to be grown-ups, but they’re more than willing to have someone else get them ready in the morning, make their beds, serve them meals, and get them from place to place on time!  At camp however, these responsibilities rest in the hands of the campers, where all of a sudden, their choices actually have immediate implications!  To quote Eisner, “(Campers) get to be little grown-ups- and, in the process, they actually do some growing up.”

Camp is a liberating experience.  While today’s children have wondrous toys, hundreds of TV channels, and video games that boggle the mind, these products have a much shorter play time than their manufacturers warranty.  Camp is real- a real-life, truly “magic kingdom”, untouched by time and commercialism,  that can inspire children to believe that anything is possible and that their potential is limitless.  And Camp Memories, if you ask anyone who has them, come with a lifetime warranty!

The inspirational actor Christopher Reeve told a group of camp professionals a few years ago how as a young teen he never thought he had the ability to swim to the bottom of the lake at his summer camp to retrieve the coin thrown in by a counselor (a rite of passage at his camp for the older campers).  After dozens of attempts over the course of a few years, he was finally able to hold his breath long enough to come up with the coin.  This was a life altering experience that proved to him that he had the inner fortitude to achieve the seemingly impossible.

Alas, it is not just campers whose lives change at camp-  In my 10 years as a camp director I’ve seen dozens of adults, both young and young at heart change the course of their lives based on an eight-week summer experience.  Just last summer, a college senior decided to put off law school in order to get a teaching degree and try a career working with children.  Working with children in a camp setting is not theoretical and boring “Management 101”- once again it’s real-life, sink or swim, and it’s a great barometer to see if you have what it takes! According to Eisner:  “The lessons I learned!  On canoe trips, we could never survive the first day if we didn’t practice teamwork, show initiative, handle adversity,listen well and, not least important, maintain a sense of humor.”  As adults, we know that these attributes don’t just apply to canoe trips.  They represent keys to success in one’s career and in life, and they won’t be learned while spending summers playing X-Box or PlayStation!

Camp transports kids to a place where everyone has the same stuff:  a T-shirt, pair of sneakers, bathing suit, and little else.  Camp takes kids away from many of the superficial things they value, to teach them the things of real value- adaptability, responsibility, and how to become a successful human being. Take a cue from the Head of Disney:  “I can hardly think of an aspect of my life that wasn’t positively affected by my camping experience…  What a gift camp gives to kids.”

Other Published Articles By Andy Pritkin-

Why Camp?

Our Kids Need Camp!

Let The Children Play!

Friendships: Get Them While You Can At Camp!

How to Choose a Summer Camp

Economic Spotlight on Childcare

Interview with Andy Pritikin from "SNJ Business People"

CALL TO SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY!  609. 499. 7820

By Andy Pritikin, Director/Owner of Liberty Lake Day Camp, as published in Curious Parents, Parent Guide of New Jersey, Parent Guide of New York, The Princeton Packet, Messenger Press, and Register News (2003).

Have you ever met anyone who has gone to summer Camp? Ever listen to them go on and on about that amazing counselor, or their close “Camp friends” that they still speak to years later? For those of you without this experience, it must sound quite strange- I mean, isn’t “Camp” just a bunch of kids and counselors running around playing games? Well, not quite. First of all, it has nothing to do with RV parks, or any movies made by Bill Murray or that Ernest guy. Talk to any camper, Camp parent, Camp director, etc.- and you’ll be told wonderful stories, filled with magical memories and positive life-altering experiences. But although we can describe the positive effects of Camp for hours, Camp is just one of those things in life, that unless you’ve been there- it’s hard to appreciate its amazing impact.

Like many first time campers, I was forced to go to Camp.  So while the majority of my friends went to the local “Rec.” program or the Jersey Shore, I was sent packing up to the Berkshires for what was to become two of the best summers of my life.  What I thought was a unique experience is actually enjoyed by over 10 million campers each summer at over 12,000 Camps (2400 of the finest accredited by the American Camping Association).  For these young people, Camp is not about tennis courts, pools, lakes, art projects, etc. - It’s about the relationships they make, while finding out who they really they are, in a supportive setting of…  Wait a second- We’re getting too intangible- Back to the nitty gritty!

Why Camp? 

Because besides being premium childcare, Camp offers educational programs, health & fitness, and a place to develop social skills.  Many Camps offer just as many creative activities as athletic, keeping the brain and the body working at peak performance straight through the summer.  In today’s society, technological advances coupled with fears for safety have influenced us in raising the most out-of-shape, sedentary generation of children.  Playing in the streets/backyards with friends has been replaced with one-on-one PlayStation play-dates, or 3-hour instant messaging sessions.  The inherent set up of Camp requires interaction as well as activity (two swims per day at most Camps).  Groups of like-age children eat together, explore nature, function as teammates, and deal with the ins and outs of social relations- all under the supervision of trained Team, within the safe guidelines of some serious, (totally wacky at times) unadulterated FUN!

Why Camp?  

Because the average American child idolizes celebrities like Eminem and Britney Spears.  While they may be excellent musicians- they’re certainly not great role models.  Good Camps and good Camp directors create controlled, ideal communities with an alternative- more traditional- vision of what it means to grow up.  A Camp can control its value system, maintaining a magical environment that can inspire children to imagine anything is possible, and that their potential is limitless.  Many of my American Camping Association colleagues pride themselves in creating a Camp climate reinforcing  virtues and traits of which most parents strive for.  Personal responsibility, independence, self-confidence, respect, social ease, and cheerfulness are sought after by both fine colleges and future employers.   We are talking about the life skills needed to become a happy, successful adult. 

Why Camp? 

Because Camp teaches the important stuff that school does not.  While the average IQ is 24 points higher now than in 1918 (better nutrition, schools, smaller family size, etc.), kids are lonelier, more depressed, angry and unruly, nervous, prone to worry, impulsive and aggressive.  A recent study found that EQ- Emotional Intelligence (empathy, handling relationships, self-motivation, self-awareness, managing emotions) is three times more the predictor of success than IQ.  Leadership (self-confidence, team skills, social awareness) accounts for 90% emotional intelligence.  Ask any human resource person- without the ability to truly relate to others, you can throw the “Three R’s” out the window.  The various group settings and activities of Camp provide a virtual classroom for social development, teaching children and young adults the important skills of making and keeping friendships.

Why Camp? 

Because 70% of American families cannot recite the names of their connecting neighbors, 50% of marriages end up in divorce, 35% of school age children are being raised by single parents, the average American parents spend only 15 quality minutes with their children each day… I could go on, but you get the idea. Great Camps manage to create something many of today’s children have never known: a safe, richly personalized, stable community. Remember the theme song- “Sometimes you want to go, where everybody knows your name…”?  All humans desire a sense of belonging and worth. Camp gives children and Team Members constant opportunities to feel good about themselves, as a valued member of the bunk, group, team, or even the entire Camp!

Why Camp? 

Because life (especially childhood) is a series of new experiences with inherent risks. Camp provides a safe environment for children to attempt risks, fail, try again, and succeed!  I personally must have taken twenty (embarrassing) belly-flopping attempts before I stood up on water-skis at sleep away Camp.  I would never have accomplished it without the fanatical support of the counselors and campers on the back of the boat convincing me that I could succeed.   Why Camp?  Because Camp is vital to those who live it.  Just ask anyone who has been there- even someone who didn’t want to go, but was forced to- and be prepared for a very long, enthusiastic answer.

Other Published Articles By Andy Pritikin-

The Lasting Positive Impact of Summer Camp

Let The Children Play!

Our Kids Need Camp!

Friendships: Get Them While You Can At Camp!

How to Choose a Summer Camp

Economic Spotlight on Childcare

Interview With Andy Pritkin from "SNJ Business People"

Choosing Camp is a wonderful thing for you to do for your children. 
Check out this video, and hear from others you may know 

CALL TO SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY!  609. 499. 7820

CLICK HERE FOR SUMMER 2010 SPIRIT CALENDAR!
 
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Andy Pritikin - (Owner, Director, Day Camp Founder) Andy is the Professional Development Oversight Chair of the American Camp Association, serves on the NY/NJ Board of Directors, and was Chairman of the Tri-State Camp Conference for Youth Development, the largest annual gathering of Camp professionals in the world.  For the past 15 years, Andy has been on numerous ACA committees and has facilitated workshops at both regional and national conferences. Andy is the Founder and President of the New Jersey Camps Government Affairs Project, an organization created to protect the interests of all New Jersey Camps. At the local level, Andy is a Board Member of the Northern Burlington Regional Chamber of Commerce and is active with the Crafts Creek/Spring Hill Brook Watershed Association.

Prior to starting Liberty Lake Day Camp, Andy worked for 10 years with two of the most successful day Camp and resident Camp organizations in the country. During the Camp off-season, Andy is busy hiring Team Members, managing the facility, writing and publishing articles on Camping and working with his ACA colleagues in furthering the Camp profession in the world of youth development.  Andy is an active supporter of Morry's Camp and SCOPE, two wonderful non-profit organizations which raise money to send inner-city youths to Camp each summer. Andy also recently started the Liberty Lake Foundation to do the same for local area children.  In the past few years, Andy has been the recipient of numerous awards from ACA-NJ, ACA-NY, and ACA-National.

With a Bachelor's Degree in Music and an Masters in Education, Andy began his professional career as a tenured Instrumental Music Teacher in the Wall Township and South Orange/Maplewood school districts. At the same time, Andy was a member of a successful rock band, performing hundreds of shows on stage, radio and national TV, as well as with a critically acclaimed NYC Jazz Group.  Andy loves playing basketball, playing music, and playing with the Liberty Lake Campers and Team!

Jill Pritikin - (Owner/Director) A former CPA with years of experience as a Human Resources Coordinator, Jill serves as a steady conduit of information and understanding for our Liberty Lake Camp Families, taking an interest in each family's unique set of circumstances and needs during the summer season. Jill is a strong advocate of healthy living through natural foods and exercise. Andy and Jill have two children who attend Liberty Lake and they are always quick to point out anything that needs their attention!

Joseph Craig  - (Administrative Director) Joe’s experience is vast and varied.  After working his way up the ladder as a Sales Coordinator at TastyKake, he partnered up with his wife Cheryl in a Fabric Representative Company, and continues to work as an area Realtor.  Joe has worked at Liberty Lake since 2005, starting originally as the Transportation Coordinator. As the Administrative Director, Joe is at the center of parent communications and customer service. Registrations, inquiries, database management and most financial questions come through Joe's Inbox from our Liberty Lake families all year round. Joe has six children and two granddaughters, sat on the Mansfield Township Board of Education, and volunteers for charities and public events whenever he can.

Brandi Carnivale-Anderson - (Director) The longest employee of "the Lake," Brandi is the personification of Camp.  Her engaging personality, positive attitude, leadership skills and dedication are legendary.  Brandi makes a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of campers and teammates each summer just by being herself.  Having held most every position at Liberty Lake, Brandi is currently Program Director- overseeing the "Freedom of Choice" Elective Program, our amazing daily "Spirit Events Calendar," and the CIT/LIT Leadership Programs.  She also helps make the Liberty Lake Foundation an important part of our local community.  Brandi met her husband while working at Liberty Lake, and were just married in September 2011... at Liberty Lake, of course!

Ellyn Kellerman-  (Special Projects Director) A former CPA and College Professor, Ellyn is also a lifelong Camp Person, having attended and worked Camps her entire life. After leading Teen Tours and directing a non-for profit Camp, Ellyn has become a valuable administrator at Liberty Lake. Ellyn oversees our successful Special Needs Program, collaborates with local schools and charity organizations, and helps craft many of the policies and systems that make Liberty Lake flow smoothly in the summer. Ellyn, her husband and their three adorable children reside in Moorestown.

Summer Leadership Team

Kevin Amey -  Senior Division Leader Kevin is a history teacher
at Howell Township Middle School North, enjoys coaching and refereeing Soccer, and spends as much time with his four children as he can. A kid at heart, Kevin's unique and dynamic personality adds a lot of flavor and excitement to the Leadership Team. As a former Camp Director himself, Kevin has a wealth of knowledge and experience, and helps make our unique Senior Camp Program efficient and FUN!  

Terance Auleta - In the past eight summers, Terance has risen through the ranks from Group Leader to Co-Division Leader of the Junior Division (entering 5th/6th grade). Terance's even-keeled persona and high standards have made a tremendous impact on Liberty Lake, and the campers and team members he's worked with over the years. Terance is a hard-working, problem-solving task-master who goes to great lengths to keep the Junior Division running smoothly.

Kathy Breen - Kathy has worked alongside her Camp partner Terance in the Junior Division for the last four summers. Her extensive skill set and experience make her an excellent Division Leader and an invaluable member of the LLDC Leadership Team. Kathy's work ethic and dedication, as well as her positive outlook and creativity, have greatly contributed to the success of the campers and team members in our Junior Division. Kathy has three children (one of which works at Liberty Lake himself!) and is a science teacher at Reynolds Middle School in Hamilton Township during the school year.

Justin Brown - In his 9th year as a Liberty Lake Team Member, Justin began working at Liberty Lake at the young age of 16. He has been a Junior Counselor, Group Leader, Division Leader and is now the Coordinator of our very successful CIT & LIT Teen Programs. Working with middle school age campers every summer and in graduate school at The College of New Jersey to become a school counselor, Justin has a wide range of experiences with teens.  After working with the CITs in 2009, Justin helped create the LIT Program in 2010, and is now the "Leadership Division Leader." He oversees more than one hundred 14 and 15 year olds in their pursuit to become Liberty Lake team members, successful leaders, and adults that contribute to society.

 Tracy Calabria - Tracy, our Elective Scheduling Coordinator, oversees the complex "Freedom of Choice" Elective Program during the summer months. Tracy is responsible for coordinating the scheduling of 60+ electives for all of our Campers and Team members each and every week of the summer. As you might imagine, this is quite the undertaking! With her patience, work ethic and positive demeanor, Tracy does an incredible job in meeting the challenges of her position. An East Windsor elementary school teacher in the off-season and mother of two young children, both of whom attend Liberty Lake themselves, we are most lucky to have Tracy on our Team! 

Casey Durr -  Our "Turtles" (pre-school) Division Leader is a dynamic second grade teacher in the North Hanover School District. She also has a master's degree in educational leadership and is a certified reading specialist. Casey is an inspirational leader and communicator, as well as a detail-oriented perfectionist. We are elated to have Casey with our littlest campers!

Alison Emery - For the past seven summers, Alison has worked as our Health Director, Head Nurse and Allergy Specialist.  Alison sees dozens of campers each day- mostly for ice packs and band aids. but she's always ready for emergencies as well.  Alison's nurturing way makes every camper feel safe when they enter and happy when they leave our Health Center. A mother of three Liberty Lakers and a school nurse in Florence Township Schools, Alison is perhaps the most passionate NY sports fan in South Jersey.

Cathi Fischer -  Cathi works side by side with our directors and division leaders to help campers, families, and team members work through and grow from challenging situations. Cathi has more than two decades of experience working with youth, families and camping organizations across the northeast. Her services have been sought out by camps coping with crisis situations, and she leads workshops each year that prepare camping industry team members working in three states to support children and families.  Cathi is a certified Family Therapist, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and is an exceptional resource for our LLDC families.

Sandy Schaefer - Sandy, our Transportation Coordinator, works for the Mount Laurel School District transportation department during the school year and is 100% dedicated to the Liberty Lake bus runs during the summer. Sandy helps create the bus routes, works as the liaison between the bus company and our families, and helps create the "Fun on the Bus" Program.  

Rafe Vecere - We are very fortunate to have a tremendous resource for both our Team and Camp families in Rafe. He plays a particularly important role in developing and implementing our CIT and LIT Teen Programs. He also provides extra support to Liberty Lake team members, campers and families. Rafe holds a Ph.D. in Psychology, has a masters degree in educational leadership and is a licensed marriage and family therapist. After years as a school counselor, Rafe currently is the Student Assistance Coordinator for the Burlington Township School District. Rafe has a wide range of experience and expertise in the counseling field, especially with children with special needs. Rafe's foremost specialty is in the field of psychotherapy with boys & men. He facilitates an annual Young Men's Conference for the Burlington Township School District, and this year Rafe is hosting it at Liberty Lake!

The Best and the Brightest! -  Every group is led by a "Group Leader" (older college students or young teachers), and assisted by one or more "Counselors" (entering 11th or 12th graders). Activity areas are led by "Specialists" (mostly teachers).  Turtle groups average 10-12 campers, the rest of the Camp averages 15 campers per group.

Click Here for info about our Summer Team

 CALL TO SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY ~ 609.499.7820 

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