Camp Echo Lake is located in the Southern Adirondack Mountains, about 3 1/2 hours north of New York City.
Our campers come from all across the country and around the world, though the majority of our campers come from the Northeastern United States. In addition our foreign campers from 3 different countries (including Canada), we have campers hailing from all over the US, including California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, Louisiana and Texas.
Echo Lake runs one 51-day session for all of our campers, beginning and ending on the same day so that all campers get the same, full-season experience.
We provide luxury coaches from the New York Metropolitan area and Montreal, Canada. Campers traveling from outside those areas typically arrive by plane to the Albany Airport, which is only 60 minutes from camp.
Included in the Echo Lake tuition is canteen, linens and laundry, all day trips and bus transportation to and from camp. The only additional charges are to transport luggage to and from camp, and extended Senior Village trips (4 to 28 days in length).
Echo Lake is not a uniform camp. Everything that we do at camp is done with the intention of downplaying the importance on physical appearance, and increasing the importance of being comfortable in one’s own skin. We do not allow campers or staff to wear makeup, or use blow dryers or hair straighteners. No dressy clothes are needed, as campers and staff are encouraged to dress comfortably, with the ability to participate in all activities.
Echo Lake parents consistently express their appreciation to us about downplaying physical appearance because they have seen firsthand how it increases camper self-esteem.
Approximately 500 campers attend Echo Lake each summer. Campers entering grades 3-7 live in our Main Village, which is typically divided equally between Girls Main Village and Boys Main Village (150 campers each). Campers entering grades 8-10 live in our Senior Village (150 total), and campers (Leaders-In-Training) entering 11th grade (approx. 50) also live in our Main Village. Campers are grouped by grade, with each group typically ranging from 16-22 in size (8-11 campers per bunk).
The food at camp is both nutritious and delicious, and there is plenty of variety at each meal, giving campers and staff an ample amount of choices. We serve fresh fruit at all meals and snacks, and we have an extensive salad bar available at every lunch and dinner. We do not serve foods with any peanut or tree nut ingredients, and can accommodate a variety of other special dietary needs, such as gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free or egg-free.
When you call our office during the winter, the phone will be answered by either Tony Stein (Director), Laurie Rinke (Director), Kelly Wilkinson (Main Village Director).
We are always ready, willing and able to help you with any concerns that you may have. If we don’t have an immediate answer for you, we will put you in touch with the correct person, or get back to you as soon as we can with an answer.
During the summer, our phones are picked up by our very helpful seasonal office staff, led by Office Manager Julie Taubes. They will either help get you an answer or direct your call to the appropriate head staff member. Tony, Laurie and Brenda believe that they are partners with the parents in ensuring a successful camp experience for campers, and are always available to talk to parents.
Our air-conditioned Health Center is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with a board-certified physician, as well as a team of registered nurses. Most health-related issues can be handled by our Health Center staff; however, should additional services be required, Warrensburg Health Center is just down the street and Glens Falls Hospital is just 20 minutes away.
You will have the opportunity to schedule two phone calls with your child during the summer, and campers are required to write to parents three times a week. We encourage you to write letters to your child as well. Campers love receiving letters in the mail! You will also have the ability to e-mail your child (we print out emails daily and distribute them with the regular mail). However, campers are not allowed to send e-mails.
With the exception of birthday packages (which may not contain food items or bunk favors), we do not accept any packages at camp.
The only electronic device allowed at camp is a music-only iPod that does not have access to the internet.
We are here to help! Sometimes, a friendly voice from our office is helpful, or you might prefer the name and number of another parent of a child who has recently completed their first summer at Echo Lake. We can also provide names and numbers of other new or returning campers in your area so that your child can start to make a new camp friends before the summer begins.
In the spring, we host New Parent Night for first-time Echo Lake parents. It is a wonderful opportunity to help you prepare yourself and your child for their first summer at Echo Lake!
We also have a Big Brother/Big Sister program for new campers, and host a New Camper picnic in the spring, where new campers get to meet other new campers. All of these programs are designed to make the transition into Echo Lake and easy (and fun) one!
We would be happy to send you our brochure and DVD so that you can learn more about Camp Echo Lake. We also conduct personal tours on a daily basis over the summer while camp is in session. Our tours last for approximately 90 minutes, and are an ideal way for families to get a true sense of what Echo Lake is all about.
Another way for your family to visit camp is to sign up for S’more Camp, which will be held on Saturday, July 25th. S’more Camp is a hands-on experience for your entire family, open to new families with children entering grades 1-4.
We also encourage you to reach out to us via telephone at any time to answer any questions that you may have, or to make a personal connection with one of our staff members to learn more about our program and philosophies.