Our Progressive Program
Overview
A Summer of Choice
Choice is the key to ensuring a fantastic summer at Black Bear Lake! Campers design their own unique schedule each week from a wide variety of electives that includes everything from professionally coached sports to creative expression through crafts, dance, and performing arts. We offer it all, in a unique, flexible program that instills a spirit of adventure and promotes teamwork, friendship, and a sense of community. We believe these are the true treasures of the summer camp experience.
Nursery-Kindergarten
Nursery-Kindergarten
Junior Cubs & Cubs
Our goal at Black Bear Lake is to ensure a positive and successful first camp experience for our youngest campers. We want them to develop a love of camp right from the start. All our Jr. Cubs & Cubs are under the careful supervision of a mature staff that is cognizant of the social, physical, and emotional needs of young children. For our Junior Cubs (3-year-olds) and Cubs (4 to 5-year-olds), we prioritize providing a healthy adjustment to camp with programs specifically tailored to their needs. Cubs participate in a wide array of both indoor and outdoor activities using our kid-sized equipment and playing fields! Each day is packed with carefully designed activities with space for quiet story time, a rest period, and snacks.
We have carefully created a unique and specialized program that ensures our youngest campers have a perfect blend of care and adventure. Our staff are keenly aware of campers’ needs and energy levels. Their nurturing and hand holding along with loads of fun keep the biggest smiles on little faces! Our Jr Cubs & Cub program and facilities are largely set apart from the faster pace of our main camp. Our specifically designed facilities allow these campers to experience most activities on a smaller scale to meet their needs.
Parent communication is a priority to us and we stay in touch with camp families in many different ways throughout the summer: daily photos are on the website, “Ask Me About” stickers, swim certificates go home each time a child passes a swim level, weekly newsletters that are emailed home every Friday afternoon and phone calls from our Leadership Staff before the season even begins and multiple times throughout the summer. We always return all calls and messages the same day.
Jr. Cubs & Cubs participate in everything that makes summers at Black Bear Lake truly special and memorable.
Grades 1-2
Grades 1-2
Lower Camp
These campers get to experience the responsibility of making a schedule through our choice elective program. They get to choose four electives each week, meeting other Lower Campers with similar interests. Outside of the electives, campers have daily swim lessons in our heated pools and other activities that are designed specifically for their age group! Each group of campers is supervised by three experienced staff members who guide the campers throughout their day.
Grades 3-4
Grades 3-4
Junior Camp
When campers move into Junior Camp, the available activities and the accompanying responsibilities grow with them! Campers get to choose four electives for the week and meet other Junior Campers with similar interests. Throughout their day, they’ll go between group activities and electives—learning how to deal with transitions and new friendships. 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.
Grades 5-6
Grades 5-6
Senior Camp
As campers progress through our program their responsibilities grow as does their choice of electives. Senior Campers get to choose five electives for the week, designing their schedule. Throughout their day, they’ll have group activities and electives—continuing to learn how to deal with transitions and new friendships. Plus, Senior Campers get a daily free swim in our heated pools!
Grades 7-8
Grades 7-8
Upper Camp
One of the older groups at camp, our 7th and 8th graders are now ready to create their summer schedule and make friends while achieving personal goals in areas that interest them. They enjoy the full benefits of our choice elective program, with five elective periods available for them to fill. Upper Campers also have a one-day trip included in their program. Surrounded by peers their age and handled without kid gloves, this group of campers begins to experience life as young adults.
Grades 9-10
Grades 9-10
Staff Training Enrichment Program (STEP)
Here, we aim to provide teens with the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills to become confident leaders. STEP is designed for older campers who want to use their camp experience to grow socially and emotionally at camp and beyond. During the program, campers have the opportunity to learn about leadership styles, communication techniques, qualities of compassion, self-awareness, integrity, and hard work while also developing confidence and life-long friendships.
However, the summer isn’t all about learning and responsibility—there are plenty of fun times to be had! STEP Campers have a weekly day trip to places like Pt. Pleasant Beach, Top Golf, and Medieval Times, plus enjoy one overnight trip. It’s always our goal to strike the right balance between responsibility and recreation.
