Cold Spring Summer Camps

Surprise Lake Camp's mission is to provide a high quality camping experience primarily for Jewish children which fosters their social, moral, cultural, physical and emotional education and development. This is achieved through wholesome recreation, Jewish ritual, environmental education, diverse program opportunities, responsible supervision and healthful surroundings. Surprise Lake Camp is committed to serving families regardless of ability to pay. Surprise Lake Camp boasts one of the most beautiful sites in the country, one of the most reputable programs, and a large, well-trained, caring staff. Many facilities, like our theater, are among the finest that you will find anywhere. But Surprise Lake Camp does not try to be like an exotic theme park, full of bright lights and glitter. We don't emphasize material things because we believe that the true magic of camping is rooted in intangibles like the beauty of nature, the guidance of a highly trained staff, and helping children to grow into well-rounded adults. Camp is a supportive, caring community with an upbeat Jewish flavor. We sing a lot and we cheer a lot, and we make the most of the unique opportunity camp affords to create a model of the world as it should be - joyous and at peace, achieving the human potential for successful group living. Only 60 miles north of downtown Manhattan, who would believe such an oasis could exist!

Guess what’s coming up as one of the first hits in an Internet search for ‘DNA’? Yep, it’s almost always one of the many products that make the programs of the DNA Learning Center famous around the world!

This summer, come to the world's most exciting DNA destination - Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory - for a week of science, laboratories and fun! The lab’s Dolan DNA Learning Center (DNALC) offers hands-on programs that will propel 5th-12th grade science enthusiasts several grade levels ahead of their peers across the United States.

In week-long camps real scientists and experienced instructors guide young science enthusiasts through the maze of discoveries that are the basis of today’s “Genomic Revolution.” Participants will perform sophisticated experiments using cutting-edge laboratory and computer equipment. Through fun-filled activities they will come to understand the basics of life, biotechnology, bioinformatics, and the breakthroughs that are changing biology and medicine right now.

Led by nobel laureate Dr. Jim Watson, co-discoverer of the Double Helix and chancellor of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the Dolan DNA Learning Center "invented" DNA camps in 1985. Since then over 6,000 students participated. The number of different camps grew from one to seven in order to offer appropriate camps to students age 9-17. According to a recent survey of past participants, our DNA summer camps boost interest in science and technology, confidence in school science classes, and are often instrumental in determining future career goals.