my summer home
Written: Mar 07 '05 (Updated Mar 10 '05)
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Pros: The freedom to explore all kinds of arts with all kinds of people.
Cons: bug bites, not enough time to do everything
The Bottom Line: send your kids!
come work with us for the summer!
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| protheater's Full Review: Long Lake Camp |
I am stunned by the negative review of this camp. I just can't imagine they are talking about the same place I have spent the last 3 summers!
Long Lake Camp is the most amazing place I have ever worked with children. It is even amazing when compared with the "grown-up" jobs that make up the other 9 months of my year. It is a co-ed arts camp for 10-16 year olds. There are 3 3-week session that each end with a parents weekend where the kids get to show off all they have accomplished. Please check the comments on this review for updates on religion and special needs.
Marc Katz, the owner loves the kids, in fact he and his wife Susan have 3 of their own that all experience camp with them. Marc is always willing to spend money on my department to make it better, is always striving to keep up and improve the environment the children live in and always willing to listen to the professionals that work on his staff.
Yes, thats right, professionals! I have over 10 years experience in my field, and am about to spend my 4th summer sharing that experience with the campers at Long Lake Camp for the Arts. Sure some of the counselors are from overseas, but they get paid more than $400 and have normal days off. They spend the summer caring for and getting to know the children they work with. They are trained by experienced counselors when they first arrive for the summer. They are a living example of how large our world is and that there are interesting and artistic people living all over it!
And that is what is so great about this camp! The campers and the counselors are from everywhere and they all bring a unique talent and perspective to whatever they are teaching or learning. They all want to be at Long Lake, doing what they are doing. The kids choose what they want to learn and when, and they learn it at their own pace. It is truly creative environment from top to bottom.
As for what a child does all day if they don't want to participate... well that rarely happens! But when it does the Unit Leader is right there to figure out why they don't want to participate and to help them find a pastime that interests them. Special opportunities are created for the child with special interests. I pride myself on training my departments staff members to seek out the children that seem hesitant and include them in our activities. I know that other counselors and heads of departments share that commitment. I see individual kids getting opportunities for one on one learning in all sorts of areas.
As for the owner wanting to make money, sure, to support himself and his family and make improvements to the camp he loves so much. Every year a new building goes up, or a new activity or show is added to the schedule. All the counselors that work for Marc, some going into their 10th year this summer, strive to make the camp successful, so that we can keep providing the campers with the up to date programs they enjoy. We do that because Marc encourages us to use our talents and experience to make the campers happy, because HE likes to make people happy.
I am truly sorry that there are a few people out there that have had a bad experience. Its a shame, but not every place is good for everyone! I am sure there are summer jobs that would make me more money, but I schedule my entire year around this summer job and my time with these kids. I wouldn't miss it for anything!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): n/a
Type of Camp: Arts
Best Suited For: 13 to 17 years
Camper to Counselor Ratio: Wall-to-wall counselors
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Epinions.com ID:
protheater
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Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 0 members
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