FAQs

Anything we missed? Let us know by emailing us at fun@blackbearlake.com!

Is Black Bear Lake accredited by The American Camp Association?

Absolutely!  Black Bear Lake is one of approximately 2,500 camps nationwide accredited by the American Camp Association. The rigorous standards for accreditation exceed those required by the Monmouth County Health Department and NJ Department of Health.  The ACA collaborates with experts from The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth service agencies to assure that current practices at your child’s camp reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation. Camps and ACA form a partnership that promotes growth and fun in an environment committed to safety.  ACA Accreditation is the best evidence parents have of a camp’s commitment to a safe and nurturing environment for their children. ACA Accreditation means that your child’s camp cares enough to undergo regular reviews of its operation. Accreditation involves evaluation in the categories of food service, transportation, health care, management, staffing, and programming.

When is the Camp Season?

When is the Camp Season – Black Bear Lake’s 2024 camp season June 24th – August 16th 

What are the summer hours?

The buses arrive at camp between 8:45 and 9:00 am and depart promptly at 4 pm. Before Care and After Care are available at an additional charge, allowing campers to extend their camp day from 7 am to 6 pm. On the last day of camp After Care ends at 5pm.

What are your minimum requirements for camp registration?

A camper’s session can range anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks. Our minimum requirement is 4 weeks. Weeks do not need to be consecutive.

Check out our Dates & Rates page for full details.

Can I change the weeks my camper attends?

Yes, you can change the weeks any time before or DURING the summer. There are no fees or charges to change the weeks before or during the summer.

What is the age range of your campers?

Our youngest campers are 3 years old and entering Nursery (they MUST be potty trained); our oldest campers are entering 10th grade

Is transportation Included in camp tuition?

Our Hub pick-up and drop-off system makes getting to and from camp efficient and cost effective! Hub is the most popular transportation option among our Black Bear Lake families. Based on camp families’ locations, we’ve designated numerous shopping centers, schools, and residential development “hubs.” These designated drop-off and pick-up spots are strategically located—it’s very likely there’s a Hub stop near you! Hub is INCLUDED in your camper’s tuition. With the exception of our farthest areas, buses generally pick up between 8-8:30 am and arrive at camp at 8:45 am. Buses depart from camp around 4 pm; drop-off times range between 4:10-4:45 pm. “Parent Drive” is another popular transportation option among our Black Bear Lake Families. Drop-off your camper between 8:45 am and 9:00 am; pickup is between 3:45 pm and 4:00 pm. Parent Drive is INCLUDED in your tuition.

Door-to-door transportation is offered on an EXTREMELY LIMITED BASIS (and not in all areas) for an additional fee

How short is the bus ride?

With the exception of our farthest areas, buses generally pick up between 8-8:30 am and arrive at camp by 8:45 am. Buses depart from camp by 4 pm; drop-off times range between 4:15-5:00 pm. The maximum length of a camper’s ride in most areas is 45 minutes. All of our buses are air-conditioned

Are the camp buses air conditioned?

YES, all BBL buses are fully air conditioned for a cool ride to and from camp.

Do you offer Before & After Care?

YES! Our Before Care and After Care start at 7:00 am and end at 6:00 pm. On the last day of camp After Care will end at 5pm.

There is an additional charge for Before Care and/or After Care

Does your camp have a nurse?

Yes, we have 3 Registered Nurses working daily!

How many staff are in the group?

Each group is supervised by one Group Leader (college age or older) and up to two Counselors (high school juniors or seniors), depending on the age and size of the camper group.

Who teaches the activities?

Activities are led by qualified adults who have teaching and/or professional experience. In fact, most of our Activity Specialists are certified teachers and coaches.

How many campers will be in my child's group?

The typical group consists of 10-17 campers of the same gender and age.

How many electives do campers participate in each day

Of their 9 periods during the day, Lower Camp and Junior Camp have 4 elective periods. Senior Camp and Upper Camp have 5 elective periods. Our Jr. Cubs and Cubs follow a set schedule which rotates every week so campers are exposed to EVERYTHING at Black Bear Lake. Our STEP Division (9th and 10th graders) have a schedule and program that is one of the most unique in all of day camp!

  • They go to these electives every day – so if they start a project in Woodworking on Monday, they are finished with it by Friday.
  • Many of our campers choose at least 1 elective activity throughout the summer to get an in depth exposure – like learning a different pottery technique each week like wheel throwing, coiling and pinching.
  • Each week, campers may choose the same electives as the previous week, they may choose all sport electives, or all fine art electives, or any combination imaginable – it is up to you!
  • Electives are chosen by campers and their parents every Monday for the following week. Campers choose 8 elective options and rank them 1-8.
  • Top choices are received approximately 95% of the time.

Do we have swim instruction?

Yes! Swimming is at the core of the Black Bear Lake program.  Campers swim in one of our 3 heated pools for both instructional swim in the morning and “free” swim in the afternoon.  Campers entering Pre-Kindergarten to 4th grade are required to have Swim Instruction.  Campers are placed in small-sized swim groups based upon their individual ability.  Campers entering 5th grade and older may take it as an optional elective.

What is the lake used for?

The Lake is primarily for our fun Lake Water Park; boating in our kayaks, canoes, and pedal boats; and fishing for bass, sunnies, and catfish. In addition to our Lake Water Park, Fishing and Boating Specialists, there are several certified Red Cross lifeguards positioned around the lake, on the lake in a boat, and along the beach and dock at all times.

What will my child do on a rainy day at camp?

It never rains at Black Bear Lake…it’s only liquid sunshine!

Rain or shine, we have fun! During inclement weather, our indoor activities go on as usual – nothing is cancelled or postponed. For those with an outdoor activity, Black Bear Lake is equipped to supply comfortable shelter and exciting indoor activities better than any camp out there! We have over 20,000 square feet of indoor, air-conditioned space throughout our campus where we vary activities all day long – play Indoor Gaga, watch movies on our high-definition screens, and participate in wild and wacky division-wide competitions including Indoor Scavenger Hunts and a BBL Spelling Bee! In addition to all our air-conditioned buildings, on very hot days we have over 6,000 square feet of pool space and we extend our swim times for cool fun!

What are the requirements to participate in the BBL Camp Show?

Campers should attend Weeks 2 through 7. Please email fun@blackbearlake.com with any questions or concerns.

Is Lunch included in camp tuition?

We provide hot lunches every day. Other lunch options include assorted sandwiches, fresh fruit, yogurt, salad and pasta bars, beverages, desserts, and snacks!

Is peanut butter served at your facility?

We are a peanut-aware camp and offer soy butter as a substitute.

What are the lunch ingredients?

Pizza

Enriched flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), tomatoes (water, tomato paste), low moisture skim mozzarella cheese (cultured pasteurized part skim milk, salt, enzymes), water, palm oil, yeast, contains 2 or less of: vegetable oil (soybean and/or canola oil), sugar, salt, modified food starch, spice, maltodextrin, hydrolyzed soy and corn protein, carrot fiber, paprika, dried garlic, wheat starch, defatted soy flour, l-cysteine hydrochloride, ammonium sulfate, soy lecithin, natural flavor, ascorbic acid. Contains: wheat, milk, soy

Mac & Cheese

Homemade in our kitchen. Macaroni pasta: semolina (wheat), durum wheat flour, niacin, iron (ferrous sulfate), thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid, milk, white flour, cheddar cheese: pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes, annatto (color), natamycin (a natural mold inhibitor). Contains milk, wheat

Kosher Hot Dog or Hamburger

Hebrew National Hot Dogs: Beef, Water, Contains 2% or Less of Salt, Spice, Sodium, Lactate, Paprika, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Garlic Powder, Sodium Diacetate, Sodium Erythorbate, Flavoring. Sodium Nitrate. Driscoll Foods All Beef Burgers: Beef. Bella Vista Tomato Ketchup: Concentrated crushed Tomatoes, Corn Syrup, Vinegar, Salt, Onion, Natural Flavorings, Garlic. Admiration Deli Mustard: Distilled Vinegar, Mustard Seed, Mustard Bran, Salt, Turmeric, Spices. Dr. Praeger’s California Veggie Burger: Carrots, Onions, String Beans, Zucchini, Soybeans, Peas, Expeller Pressed Canola Oil, Spinach, Broccoli, Corn, Red Peppers, Potato Flakes, Arrowroot, Corn Meal, Corn Starch, Garlic, Salt, Parsley, Black Pepper.

Hoagie Day

Boars Head Turkey, Boars Head Roast Beef, Genoa Salami, American Cheese, Provolone Cheese

Ian’s Famous Chicken Patty

Ingredients Coming Soon

Baked Ziti

Ingredients Coming Soon

Chicken Tenders

Harvest land Chicken Tenders: Chicken Breast Tenderloins, Water, Rice Starch, Sea Salt. BREADED WITH: Corn Flake Crumb (Yellow Corn Meal, Sugar, Salt), Salt, Soy Bean Oil, Corn Starch, Spices and Spice Extractives (Including Extractives Of Paprika), Rice Flour, Tapioca dextrin. PREDUSTED AND BATTERED WITH: Rice Flour, Water, Corn Starch, Salt, Spices and Spice Extractives (Including Extractive Of Paprika And Extractive Of Turmeric), Garlic Powder, Onion Powder. Tyson Chicken Tenders: CONTAINING: Up to 12% of a solution of water, salt, sodium phosphates and modified food starch. BREADED WITH: Bleached wheat flour, salt, yellow corn flower, dextrose, leavening (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate), garlic powder, spice. BATTERED WITH: Water, wheat flower, salt, leavening (sodium bicarbonate, sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium aluminum phosphate, Monocalcium phosphate), disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate. PREDUSTED WITH: Wheat flour, wheat gluten, salt. Breading set in vegetable oil. CONTAINS: WHEAT.

French Toast Sticks or Eggo Waffles

French Toast: Bread (Enriched flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, water, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, high fructose corn syrup, yeast, soybean oil, wheat gluten, corn flour, salt, calcium sulfate dough conditioners [sodium stearoyl lactylate, calcium peroxide, ascorbic acid, enzyme (enzyme)], calcium propionate (as a preservative), yeast nutrients [Monocalcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, ammonium sulfate], cornstarch, glyceryl monooleate, colored with [turmeric and paprika oleoresins], polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80), water, enriched wheat flower (wheat flower, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), soybean oil, sugar, yellow corn flour, contains less than 2% of each of the following: carrageenan, dextrose, gum Arabic, leavening (baking soda, monocalcium phosphate), natural and artificial flavor, polysorbate 80, salt, soy flour, soy lecithin, yeast, CONTAINS: Wheat, Soy Eggo Waffles: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Vitamin B1 [Thiamin Mononitrate], Vitamin B2 [Riboflavin], Folic Acid), Water, Vegetable Oil (Soybean, Palm and/or Canola Oil), Eggs, Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Contains 2% or less of Sugar, Salt, Whey, Soy Lecithin, Beta-Carotene for color. VITAMINS AND MINERALS: Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Reduced Iron, Niacinamide, Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) Vitamin B12.

Chicken Nuggets

Water, salt, isolated soy protein with less than 2% lecithin, sodium phosphates, battered, breaded and predusted with: bleached enriched flour (niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, modified corn starch, salt, yellow corn flour, spices, leavening (sodium bicarbonate, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate), flavor (maltodextrin, autoplyzed yeast extract, hydrolyzed corn gluten), soybean oil, dried garlic, dried onion, coated with wheat flour. Contains: soy, wheat

Tacos with the Fixins

Taco shells: limed whole grain corn, palm oil, salt, TBHQ (preservative). Taco sauce: tomato puree (water, tomato paste), water, contains less than 2% of: salt, modified corn starch, sugar, distilled vinegar, spice, citric acid, garlic powder, onion powder. Seasoning mix: salt, pepper, maltodextrin, spice, onion powder, corn starch, yellow corn flour. Contains less than 2% of: partially hydrogenated soybean oil, silicon dioxide (anticaking agent), sunflower and or cottonseed oil, natural flavor, ethoxquin (preservative). Ground beef, lettuce, tomato. Salsa: tomato Puree (Water, Tomato Paste, Tomato Juice), Diced Tomatoes, Rehydrated Onion, Onions, Rehydrated Green Bell Peppers, Distilled Vinegar. Contains less than 2% of: Salt, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Cilantro, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Citric Acid, Calcium Chloride, Natural Flavor. Chips: Corn, vegetable oil (corn, canola and/or sunflower oil), and Salt. Contains wheat

Grilled Cheese

Rockland Bakery Whole Grain Wheat Bread: Whole Wheat Bagel- High Gluten Wheat Flour, Water, Whole Wheat Flour, Sweetener [High Fructose Corn Syrup, Malt], Canola Oil, Calcium Propionate, Mono-Diglycerides, Yeast, Enzyme, Azodicarbonamide, Ascorbic Acid, L-Cysteine. Contains: Wheat. Bongards’ Creameries American Cheese: Cultured Milk And Skim Milk, Whey, Salt, Sodium Citrate, Modified Food Starch, Artificial Color [If Colored], Sodium Phosphate, Sorbic Acrib [Preservative] Lactic Acid, Enzymes, Soy Lecithin [Non-Sticking Agent].

Garlic Bread

Italian loaf bread, margarine, garlic. Homemade in our kitchen.

Chips

Corn, vegetable oil (contains one or more of the following: corn, cottonseed, sunflower, soybean, partially hydrogenated soybean oil or canola oil), salt.

Pasta Salad

Zerega Enriched Macaroni Pasta: Whole Duram Wheat Flour. Manufactured in a facility that uses eggs. Ken’s Zesty Italian Dressing: Soybean Oil, Vinegar, [Cider, Distilled], Water, Salt, Contains Less Than 2% of: Lemon Juice Concentrate, Garlic, Spices, Maltodextrin, Onion, Xanthan Gum, Carrots, Red Bell Pepper, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Yeast Extract, Natural Flavor, Calcium Disodium EDTA To Protect Flavor, Annatto, Paprika, Sunflower Oil, Caramel. Vegetables: Assorted. Fresh.

Chips & Salsa

Salsa: tomato Puree (Water, Tomato Paste, Tomato Juice), Diced Tomatoes, Rehydrated Onion, Onions, Rehydrated Green Bell Peppers, Distilled Vinegar. Contains less than 2% of: Salt, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Cilantro, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Citric Acid, Calcium Chloride, Natural Flavor. Chips: Corn, vegetable oil (corn, canola and/or sunflower oil), and Salt.

Potato Wedges

Potatoes brushed with olive oil, salt, pepper, montreal chicken seasoning: (garlic, salt, onion spices, parsley, red pepper, orange peel, paprika, green bell peppers, sulfating agents)

Hash Browns

Potatoes, Vegetable Oil Blend (Canola Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil), Natural Beef Flavor [Wheat and Milk], Citric Acid [Preservative], Dimethylpolysiloxane [Antifoaming Agent], Salt, Yellow Corn Flour, Dehydrated Potato, Dextrose, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate (to maintain color), Extractives of Black Pepper. *CONTAINS: Wheat and Milk (Natural Beef Flavor Contains Hydrolyzed Wheat and Hydrolyzed Milk as Starting Ingredients)

Tator Tots

Ingredients Coming Soon

Bagels

Gluten flour, water, yeast, salt and malt.

What are the ice cream ingredients?

What is the BBL Tax ID #?

Our Tax ID# is 26-1090385.

Are Summer Camp Expenses Tax Deductible?

Day Camp tuition may be eligible for Child Care/Dependent Care reimbursement through your employer OR as a straight deduction on your tax return. Most Black Bear Lake families take advantage of this cost savings.