Our Progressive Program

Nursery-Kindergarten

Junior Cubs & Cubs

Junior Cubs (3 year olds) & Cubs (Entering Pre-k through Kindergarten in September)

Explore New Adventures!

Our emphasis at this age is to provide a healthy adjustment to Camp, with programs especially tailored to their needs. Cubs will participate in a wide array of both indoor and outdoor activities including boating, fishing, horseback riding, pottery, science and a variety of sports with kids-sized equipment and playing fields!

Develop Key Skills!

Each day is packed with carefully designed activities in our air-conditioned Cub Lair with interactive, hands-on activity stations designed for exploration and creative play. Plus, our Cub Enrichment Program includes science, math, creative and fine arts, dance, music, and self-expression through creativity and imagination. The daily schedule also includes a quiet story time, rest period and snacks in our air-conditioned Cub Cabin.

BBL provides a comprehensive and extensive program of learning and fun designed especially for your Cub!

Grades 1-2

Lower Camp

This is an exciting time for your young camper to explore all the “big kid” activities in an age-appropriate environment. Lower Campers, our LCs, choose 4 electives of their choice each week, meeting other LCs with similar interests. Lower Camp has daily swim instruction and free swim in our heated pools. LC activities are designed especially for their age group, while older campers are involved in completely different activities in other areas of the campus. Your Camper is never on their own. Each camper is escorted by our staff throughout the day. Our small groups are comprised of 3 experienced staff members each, and the division is overseen by two Division Leaders who are certified teachers during the school year.

Your camper is going to love Lower Camp!

Grades 3-4

Junior Camp

Junior Campers get to choose 4 electives of their choice for the week and meet other Junior Campers with similar interests. In addition, Junior Camp has daily swim instruction and free swim in our heated pools. Plus, everyday is a different fun and wacky Special Event that your camper will certainly enjoy! All of their activities are designed especially for their age group, while younger and older children are involved in completely different activities in other areas of the campus.

Junior Campers are placed in small groups with 2- 3 experienced staff members, and the division is overseen by two Division Leaders who are certified teachers during the school year.

Every day is an adventure in Junior Camp!

Grades 5-6

Senior Camp

Senior Campers get to choose 5 electives of their choice for the week and meet other Senior Campers with similar interests. In addition, Senior Camp has a daily free swim in our heated pools and enjoys a different fun and wacky Special Event everyday! All of their activities are designed especially for their age group, while younger and older children are involved in completely different activities in other areas of the campus.

Senior Campers are placed in small groups with experienced staff members, and the division is overseen by a Division Leader who is a certified teacher during the school year.

Go Senior Camp!

Grades 7-8

Upper Camp

Upper Campers get to choose 5 electives of their choice for the week and meet other Upper Campers with similar interests. In addition, Upper Camp has a daily free swim in our heated pools and enjoys a different fun and wacky Special Event everyday! All of their activities are designed especially for their age group, while younger children are involved in completely different activities in other areas of the campus.

Upper Campers are placed in small groups with experienced staff members, and the division is overseen by two Division Leaders who are certified teachers during the school year.

Upper Camp rocks!

Grades 9-10

STEP

S.T.E.P. (Staff Training Enrichment Program)

The goals of both the 9th and 10th grade STEP Program is to provide teens the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills to become confident and reliable leaders through goal setting, enrichment, and mentorship, while also providing them with opportunities to participate in the traditional and fun camp experience. With the these skills, campers will be able to apply their experiences to be not just leaders at camp, but leaders in life.

STEP is designed for older campers who want to use their camp experience to grow socially and emotionally at camp and beyond. The experiences gained through STEP may be used to move into staff positions at camp if the camper desires, or may move on with the intention to use the skills learned at camp elsewhere throughout their lives. During the course of the program, campers have the opportunity to learn about leadership styles, communication techniques, and have the opportunity to share and identify their own ideas and values. The goal of the program is to focus on the leadership qualities of compassion, self-awareness, integrity and hard work while also developing confidence and life-long friendships.

At utmost importance, STEP participants are still considered campers and therefore, receive all the benefits of an all-inclusive camp package. The summer isn’t all about learning and responsibility, though; there are plenty of fun times to be had! BBL’s 9th and 10th graders will continue to have one weekly day trip to places like Pt. Pleasant Beach, Amazing Escape, The Quarry Swim Club, plus enjoy a 3 Day/ 2 Night overnight trip to Club Getaway in Kent, Connecticut. STEP is a one-of-a-kind, transitional experience that cannot be found at any other day camp!

The STEP program at Black Bear Lake helps teenagers adjust and strike the proper balance between responsibility and recreation. The friendship, adventure, spirt AND teamwork that are part of our leadership development program help teens gain the confidence to become participants in camp life — not just spectators.