This page features an abundance of Liberty Lake approved youth development tips, articles, advice, games and other resources! We strongly encourage all Team Members to utilize these tools!

Camp Games

Liberty Lake Games Manual - Developed in the summer of 2011 and will continually be updated!

Camp Games.org  - This website has tons of awesome camp games. Select your age group and number of campers, and choose from the games that meet your criteria!

Games from Wilderdom - Their MEGA-List of 2000+ group games

Games from CampLeadership.org - Videos of camp counselors facilitating camp favorite games.

Games from The Ultimate Camp Resource - Nearly 600 age-appropriate, camp-tested classic games.

Rules for Camp Games - Eight Rules to Live By for Games at Camp, from the Ultimate Camp Resource. Most important & Number 1 - participate with your campers!

 Skills & Knowledge

"In the Trenches" - An online curriculum from Bob Ditter featuring pages & pages of articles from one of the premier minds in the camping industry. Be sure to check out the Seven Skills of Highly Effective Counselors.

"Successful Counseling - Camp Counselor Tips" - A terrific article by Dr. Randall Grayson about behavior management and developing your own approach.

Developmental Characteristics of Children - A concise and insightful one page handout that overviews common characteristics of children at different developmental stages.

American Camp Association Professional Development Center - an ACA-developed learning community that will help you assemble the knowledge, skills, and abilities to propel your work and your career.

Camping Magazine - A digital archive of the premier camping publication in the country!

And Even More Resources ...

Unplug at Camp! - A detailed look into why children go online, why children go to summer camp, the social skills they learn while doing each, and the benefits to unplugging at summer camp.  This paper is the basis for the Unplug At Camp movement.

The Intentional Camp with Michael Brandwein - a collection of wonderful training resources from youth development extraordinaire Michael Brandwein. His intentional camp approach is one of the guiding philosophies of Liberty Lake.

P21 - The Partnership for 21st Century Skills - Learn more about the worldwide educational movement that is re-shaping the way we think about learning and teaching. The P21 skills are the foundation for our 5 Points of Youth Development philosophy. 
 

"Be at Your Best to Do Your Best: Self-Care Strategies for Camp Counselors" - Long days in the heat & managing children's behavior can make for a long summer. This article contains useful techniques to make sure that you stay on your "A" game this summer.

Describing Camp On Your Resume - A very helpful article to help you summarize your position at camp on your resume. As a Liberty Lake Team Member, you have transferrable skills that will benefit you in future endeavors. This article can help you along the way!

 Subscribe to the "Camp Hacker" newsletter, from Walking Maverick. Click here to join their mailing list and receive bi-monthly newsletters in your email inbox that are loaded with current information & trends in the world of professional camping.

Do you have suggestions for additional tools?

Email them to us, team@libertylakedaycamp.com

Thank you for interest in becoming a member of the Liberty Lake Team! Please see the list of available positions for the summer of 2012 below. You can review the descriptions of each position, as well as the pay rate and other important information by clicking here. 

To be considered for a position on the Liberty Lake Team for 2012, you must complete our online application. Upon submission of your application, allow up to 4 weeks for us to review your profile. Those candidates selected for an interview will be notified via telephone. No phone calls, please.

Available Positions for 2012 (Updated 2/15/12)

Counselor (entering 11th and 12th grade students)

Group Leader

Specialist

Lifeguard

Division Leader

• Your child will be part of a warm and nurturing environment, led by teachers and child care professionals.

• Your child will be CHOOSING most of their schedule, thus ensuring their own fun and happiness each day.

Taking care of other people's children is a tremendous responsibility that we take very seriously. At Liberty Lake, we only hire highly energetic and motivated individuals who are truly interested in making a positive impact on the lives of children.

Skills & Qualities of LLDC Team Members

• A Serious Work Ethic-An unwavering commitment to providing the best summer possible for Liberty Lake campers.
  
• Teamwork-Socially able to work with and support others, while accepting ongoing feedback and evaluation from supervisors.
  
• Intelligence-Able to solve problems and make sound decisions.
  
• Empathy-Able to see situations from a camper's point of view.
  
• Adaptability-Ability to think quickly on your feet and improvise when necessary.
  
• Positive Disposition-An optimistic, upbeat outlook with lots of energy and spunk!
  
• Experience with Young People-Preferred, but not required.

What will YOU get from the Liberty Lake Experience?

• Leadership Training-Take your college management class textbooks and throw them out the window, because this is the real deal. Getting a group of children to listen, respect, trust and believe in you truly requires a unique skill set. At Liberty Lake, we conduct intensive orientations prior to the beginning of Camp and provide ongoing training and feedback throughout the summer.
  
• Friendships-And not just with the campers...Counselors establish lifelong friendships with one another each and every summer.
  
• Experience-If you've ever considering being a teacher or child-care professional, you'll find out if you have the patience, personality and skills for it.
  
• A Challenging and Rewarding Summer You'll Never Forget-People's lives change from their Camp Experience. There is nothing that is more rewarding than making a positive impact on the lives of young people. There's a reason that people come back to Camp summer after summer, and it's not for the money.
  

Team Testimonials

 "Dear Andy, I really enjoyed my job last summer - It changed my life.  I'm holding off law school and applying for a program my school has where you teach in inner city schools for 2 years and get your masters in education- I really want to do it!  So thanks for taking a chance on me, it was great!  I learned so much about myself.."  

-Girls Group Leader D.P.

  "Dear Andy, I want to thank you for an awesome summer.  My first job will always be remembered as a really great one.  I enjoyed every day at Liberty Lake.  Over the course of my Summer I made so many great relationships with the kids and Team.  I learned so many things about kids and enjoyed myself.  Working with so many different age groups brought me new clarity of the ages and type of children I plan on working with for the rest of my life.  Everybody that came to Liberty Lake had the best time- it made the Summer fly by.  Keep up the Amazing Camp you run..." 

-Girls Counselor G.W.

Extra Perks

 

• Awesome Catered lunches and snacks
• Extra pay for teaching activities, including Swim Instruction   
• Work extra weeks and earn extra pay!
• Lucrative weekend picnic work from Memorial Day through Labor Day
• Teacher Certification Bonus for Group Leaders
• Referral Bonuses- "Team Bounty"- receive cool LLDC gear
  
• Annual raises
• Resume' Building- Working at Camp has many "transferable skills" that will look great on your resume!
• All Team members receive three Team shirts.
• Children of Camp Team members may attend free of charge, with a reduced salary
• Plus- fun in the sun and memories that will last a lifetime!

 

Counselor- (entering 11th or 12th grade students) Counselors are the "big brothers and sisters" of their campers.  Each group of children has one or two counselors as well as the Group Leader.  Much of the summer's success lies with the relationship between counselors and campers.  For most campers, great counselors = great summers. Counselors assist specialists during elective activities, and provide motivation and emotional support to the campers throughout the day.  

Waterfront/Pool- (Red Cross lifeguard certification or "W.S.I." necessary) Lifeguards, Swim Instructors, Boating & Fishing.  

Leaders-in-Training (Entering 9th Grade):

  Read more »

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 the tabs below for more info on each program 

Liberty Lake’s Freedom of Choice Elective Program gives campers the opportunity to participate in activities that they like and choose themselves! Our innovative program consists of over 60 diverse and exciting activities, providing campers with an incredible amount of variety. Through our Freedom of Choice Program, campers are able to discover new interests, learn new skills, improve their talents, and have fun doing it!

Our Freedom of Choice Program is for Freshman (grades 1-2), Sophomore (grades 3-4), Junior (grades 5-6) and Senior (grades 7-9) campers. Campers entering Pre-K and Kindergarten are "Turtles" who follow a traditional Camp schedule in preparation for the Freedom of Choice Program as a Freshman. Click here to learn about our Turtles Program.

  Here's How it Works

■ Campers receive a listing of the exciting activities to choose from.

■ Families log into our online system to create a “Top 10” list of their preferred choices.

■ Each week, we create customized schedules for each camper, based on their Top 10 Elective Preferences. 

■ Each day, campers enjoy their weekly elective choices, as part of their daily schedule. Freshmen enjoy 3 periods of electives, Sophomores and Juniors have 4 elective periods and Seniors have 5!

■ Electives are 45 minutes per day, for five straight days.  

■ At any time, campers can update their "Top 10" Elective Preference List, allowing them to have a whole new schedule if they so choose.

■ In addition to electives, the daily schedule also includes: Free Swim in our two pools and spring-fed lake, Swim Instruction (for campers entering grade pre-k to 4),  Special Events and delicious hot & cold lunches, made on site by our catering company.

Elective Sheets

FRESHMAN

(entering grades 1-2)

 SOPHOMORE 

(entering grades 3-4)

JUNIOR 

(entering grades 5-6) 

SENIOR

(entering grades 7-9)

CALL TO SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY ~ 609.499.7820

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You guys are unbelievable! This is not just a day camp, it’s an EXPERIENCE. I highly recommend this camp to any parent that wants a quality camp experience. My favorite things: Liberty Lake exposes kids to experiences and activities that they wouldn’t ordinarily get elsewhere, in a safe environment; they get plenty of exercise and fresh air EVERY DAY; your child can develop a true love for swimming (my son used to be afraid) by given the swimming twice a day; and I love looking at the pictures on the internet and sharing them with relatives and friends. This camp is just unreal! From the parachute/skydiver to the fish in the lake, to the rock climbing wall, my son has been so happy. Thank you for this fabulous experience…it was well worth my money!

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Thank you for running the best camp we have ever seen. Your staff went above and beyond the ordinary to make our son and daughter feel welcome – and us, too! There was never a question that went unanswered or a concern that went without understanding and reassurance. Our kids learned social skills, sportsmanship, teamwork, patience and trust. From the division leaders to the group leaders and counselors, the instructors to the caterers, everyone was loving, patient and enthusiastic.

 

Mostly we want to thank you for providing an atmosphere where our kids felt safe and happy and free to be themselves. We are all looking forward to next summer. In the meanwhile, we will be spreading the word to everyone we know. There’s only one thing that would make next year better … Parents Week. Rock climbing, water trampoline – SPA! – Please? Please?

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Annie – I’m a big musical theater person and as soon as I found out the kids were doing Annie, I got out my CD and played it for Jack. He enjoyed their performance and we still listen to the CD and watch Annie on video. It’s definitely been an Annie summer as we are all still walking around singing “It’s a Hard Knock Life”! Jack will ask “where are the Liberty Lake Orphans now?” and say that he’s a “Liberty Lake Orphan.”

 

Cooking - Jack loved this activity. Kids take such great pleasure in making food. It makes them feel grown up doing things mom and dad do. I’d add more cooking for the cubs and even first graders next year.

 

Website - Jack isn’t good about giving us details about his day so when we went to the website photos area we got such a great feel for what was going on at the camp. Ed and I especially loved the “Ice Cream Bandit” (which I think went right over Jack’s head).

 

We know Jack had a wonderful time at camp because every day he’d come off the bus with a huge smile and then he would find a clipboard and a whistle and pretend to be a counselor. He also constantly wanted to go into the basement and play with our microphone/amp and guitar and sing “Liberty Lake”. You must get the song down on sheet music so that musical parents can play it at home.

 

Ed and I joke that Liberty Lake has set a bad precedent right before Kindergarten. He had so much fun boating, swimming and playing mini-golf all day in the fresh air, Kindergarten is going to pale in comparison! Thanks for providing Jack with an extremely fun and safe summer. 

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I want to express our appreciation for a summer camp experience that is second to none! Our daughter Katelyn was in the Junior Camp, Monmouth group this past summer and had an awesome experience!!

 

Katie had attended camp before at other “outdoor camps” and her experience at Liberty Lake was far superior. She wants to return next year and we will be sending her! The fact that she could choose her electives was definitely a plus; she really liked being in control of what activities she participated in each week. As far as keeping us informed- the Liberty News and Liberty Lake Photo Album accomplished that! At work, I often took a break just to visit the website and see what was going on!

 

It is difficult working full-time and knowing that your child needs to be cared for by someone other than family. It is sooo important for a parent to feel that their child will be happy, healthy, safe, and well cared for. Also, to have a feeling of trust and confidence that your child will be OK is very important. Liberty Lake helped my husband and I feel this way.

 

The facilities, the trips, the food, the lake, and most importantly the staff at Liberty Lake are outstanding! This summer Latoya, Kaitlyn, Shari, Steve, and Chantal were routine dinner conversation at our house. They were all outstanding staff members that our daughter praised. Being able to call from time to time or email you Andy & Jill, was also supportive and helpful! What other camp has a director answer the phone in the morning??? I know you weren’t always in the office………..Katie often mentioned that you were doing this and that during activities.

 

All of your original, creative ideas for activities were outstanding! Katie’s favorites were: the color war, water slides, sand castles, the staff beauty pageant, the HuckaPoo concert, the ugly shorts contest, and the chocolate pudding tug of war. All we can say is THANK YOU!!!! This summer was THE BEST experience we could have dreamed of! Can’t wait to come back next year!

 

From Campers

 

 I know for the next two days I’m going to think about how much I’m going to miss you all! You all helped me fit right in thank you so much! I know that after those two days pass I will keep a Big Place in my heart!!!!! The past two weeks gone pass so fast but it was all fun!!!! Ashley and Michelle showed me friendship! Kelly and Maya showed me fun!!!! Miranda and Linda showed me where stuff was!!!! And everyone I missed was everything!!!!!!!! Pooja showed me everything you can think of!!!! Anna showed me everything you can think of too!!!!! I will miss you!!!!!!!

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I want to thank you and my sponsor for letting me come to Liberty Lakes Day Camp. I had the best time of my life. My favorite activity was ---- golf and hockey. The color war was awesome! I was one the red Jedi’s team and our team won! I also had my hair red. I’ll always remember the fun I had this summer.

 

 

From Team Members

 

 I want to thank you for an awesome summer. My first job will always be remembered as a really great one. I enjoyed every day at Liberty Lake. Over the course of my summer, I made so many great relationships with the kids (many wanted to know if I was going to be there next year, which I am not even sure of yet!). I learned so many things about kids and I enjoyed myself. Working with so many different ages and kids brought me new clarity of the ages and types of children I plan on working with for the rest of my life. Everything that you do at the Lake is so different than the camp that I went to when I was little, and to tell you the truth…more fun. Maybe it was the fact that I went to an all girl’s camp, but it seemed to be more than that. Everybody that came to Liberty Lake had the best time. Even though it made summer fly. Keep up the amazing camp you run.

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I just wanted to let you know how greatly thankful I am for getting the opportunity to work at such a wonderful camp. This past summer gave me memories that will last a lifetime and I have you to thank for that. Thank you!  ...At my interview, I was told that at Liberty Lake I could make a difference in a kid's life. I really didn't dwell too much on these words until something happened at camp that I did not expect. I fell in love with the children.  Liberty Lake is a really great camp and honestly, I know that I couldn't have picked a better summer job. So, if you would like me to come back next summer, most certainly will. While working at Liberty Lake, I discovered more about myself then I could have anywhere else. Liberty Lake is like a second home to me. Thanks again.

 

 * If you would like to speak with a personal reference, just let us know and we will be happy to put you in touch with a Liberty Lake family from your neighborhood with children in the same age range.

 CALL TO SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY ~ 609.499.7820  

  Read more »

Our dedication to being a full-service day Camp pays special attention to the hungry tummies of our growing campers! At Liberty Lake, campers are literally "catered to" throughout the day.

Liberty Lake is committed to a HEALTHY food program, including only whole wheat breads, no trans-fat, a fresh salad bar and fruit everyday. We are also a "PEANUT FREE ZONE" and use soy nut butter only!

Daily lunches are prepared on site by a professional catering company, and campers are provided with many delicious hot and cold choices. Campers make their lunch selection each morning with their counselors and when lunch time rolls around, their meal is brought to their table, as ordered, tasty and fresh! Campers are also allowed to get "seconds" if they so choose!

Additionally, bagels are available in the morning, fresh fruit is available all day, ice pops or ice cream is offered before dismissal and campers love getting Slushies for special occasions. And remember, all food and snacks are included in the Camp tuition!

Sample Lunch Menu

Monday - Chicken Day  ■ Nuggets/Fajitas/Grilled/Popcorn Chicken ■ French Fries ■ Tossed Salad  ■ Fresh Fruit  ■ Fresh Baked Cakes

Tuesday - Pizza Day  ■ Delicious Hot Personal Pizzas ■ Tossed Salad ■ Fresh Fruit ■ Cookies or Fresh Cakes

Wednesday - Where's The Beef? ■ Tacos/Meatball Subs/Sloppy Joes  ■ Potato Sticks ■ Tossed Salad  ■ Fresh Fruit  ■ Jell-O  

Thursday - Very Cheesy  ■ Grilled Cheese/Mac ’n’ Cheese/Baked Ziti  ■ Potato Chips ■ Tossed Salad  ■ Fresh Fruit  ■ Chocolate Pudding

Friday - BBQ Blitz  ■ Grilled Hamburgers & Cheeseburgers  ■ Kosher All-Beef Hotdogs ■ Potato & Pasta Salad  ■ Fresh Fruit  ■ Sliced Watermelon

  **Plus Special Menu Days-Breakfast for Lunch, Hero Day, Backwards Day & More!

Daily Lunch Items
   

■ Sandwich Bar - Marty's amazing tuna fish, turkey, ham, "soy nut butter" (peanut butter substitute) & jelly on a light wheat bread.

■ Salad Bar - Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, croutons and a wide variety of dressings.

■ Pasta Bar - Fresh ziti pasta with butter or tomato sauce.

■ Yogurt -All natural and delicious!

■ Cool and Refreshing Drinks - Lemonade, fruit punch and water.

Camp Snack Shack

For an additional cost, campers can purchase Gatorades, various juices & bottled water. The Camp Snack Shack is open from 9:30 to 3:30 each Camp day!

Dietary Accommodations

   It is our pleasure to make necessary accommodations for dietary issues such as food allergies, kosher menu, etc. Please call us to explain any dietary concern you may have and we'd be happy to discuss menu alternatives for your child.

     CALL TO SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY ~ 609.499.7820