International Campers

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Timber Lake West Camp provides a perfect setting for children from around the world. We provide an environment where the campers can immerse themselves in American culture and practice their English.

While the majority of our campers come from the eastern United States, children attend camp from such countries as China, Dominican Republic, France, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Russia and the UK, and everyone is welcome.

Timber Lake West also employs a very diverse staff consisting of camp counselors from all over the world who are fluent in many languages. The lessons learned at camp are priceless, and American children are eager to make new friends while learning about other nations.

Timber Lake West is a traditional, co-ed four-week summer camp. Located in New York’s Catskill Mountains, Timber Lake West is just over 2 hours northwest of New York City and 3 hours from Philadelphia. Set on a mountaintop, its 380 secluded acres features its own private spring-fed lake and an outstanding array of facilities.

At Timber Lake West, we foster the values of sharing, integrity, responsibility and respect in a friendly, safe and fun environment. Campers learn to value others by being valued themselves, leaving camp with memories that will last a lifetime. It is what Camp was always meant to be.

Camp is a classroom — teaching life lessons through art, music, sports, and a host of other activities. In fact, camp is comprised almost entirely of “teachable moments” — moments when children are actively engaged and using creativity and cognitive skills. Because of the “hands on” nature of camp, often even those children who struggle in traditional educational settings will excel.

Through the camp experience, campers develop the skills needed to become secure, contributing, successful adults. Although the desks may be absent, nature becomes the classroom. Camp remains one of the most powerful learning environments and is a critical part of educating the whole child.

At Timber Lake West, our commitment is to provide the highest level of service and excellence in the camping profession. Constantly innovating and moving forward, Timber Lake West’s facilities, program and staff development are second to none.

Our Mission is Simple: To teach children the skills of making and keeping friends, while building their self-esteem, self-confidence and resilience.

Activities: Each day the scheduled program is divided into 6 activity periods, which are made up of 2 athletic, 2 waterfront and 2 electives. Some activities include:

Bunks & Living: Campers live in modern, paneled cabins called bunks. Each bunk is equipped with full bathrooms and storage space for each camper’s belongings. Three to four counselors and eight to ten campers make up each bunk. The cabin or bunk is where campers learn to live together as a group, to share and to respect each other.We see bunk living as the core of the camp experience – central to our mission of teaching children the skills of making and keeping friends.

Staff/Supervision: The key to your child’s great summer camp experience has everything to do with the quality of the staff. At Timber Lake West, we adhere to a simple formula: we want the BEST staff, at the BEST pay, trained to do the BEST JOB. With a 1:2 staff to camper ratio, we work to ensure the best possible care, instruction and supervision for our campers.

Communication: Each camper will call home at the end of the first week. At the end of the second week, we have our visiting day. If international families do not attend, their child will be allowed to call home. Campers can receive emails from their parents (we print them out) and we are able to have campers write letters, which we can scan and email to the families (if necessary).

Transportation: Timber Lake West will assist you in arranging transportation for your child/children. Campers will fly into one of the New York area airports, where a member of our staff will be there to pick up your child/children. Typically, campers will arrive the same day camp starts for all campers. For departure, a member of our staff will escort your child/children to the airport. Additionally, we have numerous families who accompany their children to the US, and bring them to one of our bus location in the New Jersey or New York area.

Charges and Payment: Timber Lake West is an all inclusive camp. There are no extra fees associated with attending camp other than some travel money for your child. We accept all major credit cards (Visa & MasterCard)

View the latest dates and rates.

*Optional Health Insurance coverage is available.

ESL program: We recognize the importance of integrating your child/children into the English language. ALL campers will be housed so that they are with mostly English speaking campers.

Please contact Justin Mayer with any questions: justin@camptlc.com