Camp Young Judaea Sprout Lake

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.

 

Over 40 years ago, the national Zionist youth movement of 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.

Sprout Lake’s approach to Judaism and Israel is what makes us unique. We offer a pluralistic Jewish community that celebrates the diversity of Jewish life around the world. We bring together campers and staff from every denomination, from “Just Jewish” to modern Orthodox. Our campers are immersed in a vibrant Jewish, Israel-centered environment where they learn to respect one another, celebrate each other’s strengths, offer encouragement, lend support and embrace tikun olan (social action). israel-map open-siddur Our program fosters strong connections with the land of Israel through extraordinarily fun programs featuring music, dance, arts, scout-craft and other cultural activities under the dynamic leadership of a large contingent of talented Israeli staff and dynamic educators. Israel is the heart and soul of CYJ Sprout Lake’s program. Creative energetic daily t’filot (services) and delicious kosher food are hallmarks of our trans-denominational Young Judaea community. A fun and relaxing Shabbat amidst the natural splendor of our camp is one of the highlights of each camper’s summer experience. We offer a rich combination of traditional summer camp electives, sports, aquatics and Israel cultural activities for all campers to enjoy.

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.


Ready for Camp?

If you need additional information please contact us at call us at 917-595-1500.