Chestnut Lake Camp Review

This summer camp is one of the best experiences a kid could have. The friends I made at Chestnut Lake are some of my best friends, and the counselors I've had are amazing, fun, and funny! The camp activities are incredible -- sports, lake, art -- there's something for everyone, and campers never, ever get bored during their stay. There is so much to do during the day, and every night there's a different activity to keep you laughing and having fun. I love the sports competitions too! It's great to play against our neighbor camps. And the Chestnut Lake tribal war within our own camp is something everyone looks forward to. And finally, the food is better than at home! I love Chestnut Lake, and anyone else who goes there will love it too.

I can't say enough good things about Chestnut Lake Camp. My daughter has gone the past 3 years and has absolutely loved it. Paul & Debbi (Camp Directors) are amazing. The camp facilities are first rate.
They have it all including a gorgeous lake front, pool, movie theater, art studios, gymnastics gym, video and recording studios. And they have the nicest counselors. If you're looking for a summer camp, make sure you look at Chestnut Lake.

This is an amazing camp! From beginning to end, I was impressed with everything about it. The directors are warm and wonderful and the counselors seem to know just the right things to say to connect with the kids. They really focused on keeping all kids engaged and feeling included. The facilities are up to date and clean. There is a wide variety of activities to choose from for each age group and there are lots of really cool evening events that bring together the entire camp. Communication from the camp is fantastic. From being provided with packing lists, to pictures posted to scheduled calls with the counselors, I really felt like I knew how my daughter was doing while she was there. I highly recommend this camp. My 8 year old daughter had a blast there for a 4 week session.

I cannot be more grateful for the experience provided for my daughter by Paul and Debbi. We had a lot of doubts last year as not only it was the first time our daughter ever left us but also she was not even 7 year old. Debbi patiently spent 40 minutes with us on a telecon answering all our questions. At the Parents' Orientation, Paul's humor relieved much of our anxiety. It turned out to be a real blast for our daughter and now she calls Chestnut Lake her second home and she is going back for longer session this year. (PS, I apparently have been resorting to "Then you cannot go to Chestnut Lake" as a super effective threat when she misbehaves... )
I also love the no electronic products policy as it provides the much needed opportunity for kids nowadays to rebond with nature and each other. We can also say that from our heart that Paul and Debbi care about the kids and experiences they provide instead of making a business. We are lucky to have chosen Chestnut Lake as the first sleep away camp experience for my daughter and many future ones.

It was my daughters first time at sleep away camp and she absolutely loved every minute at Chestnut Lake! Well run by Paul and Debbie, great counselors, amazing facilities, and lots of fun!

An amazing camp experience, just like mom had... only really new facilities, which is a huge plus! Brand new state of the art kitchen, art studio, theater, recording studio, fields, courts, pool - you name it. This is a fantastic all-around camp where my sports-obsessed kid actually became interested in TONS of different activities. Beautiful premises and truly caring staff.

We love CLC! All four of my boys have gone there and love it! It's a perfect mix of everything and they fit it all into a session camp. The Directors, Debbie and Paul are very responsive and work every year to make the next one better than the last.

Chestnut Lake Camp is my children's second home. The counselors, staff, facilities, and campers are second to none!! As a protective and involved parent, I have complete confidence that my treasures are safe , happy, and loved while at camp. My 3 children are already counting down the days until they can go back to CLC!! I truly cannot say enough about this wonderful camp!

We are thrilled to be sending our daughter back to Chestnut Lake Camp this year. More importantly, she can not wait to return. This is a wonderful all around camp. The directors are incredible - very warm and friendly and extremely responsive to parent concerns and to the needs of the kids. They really treat it as a home away from home and want everyone to feel that way. It is extremely reassuring as a parent. The camp is beautiful and the facilities are great. There is wide range of activities for both day and night. The camp has a very down-to-earth and fun vibe. The emphasis is on attitude over aptitude and sharing great fun times with friends. My daughter tried a whole host of new activities that she had not done before and perhaps thought she wouldn't. It made her feel so proud. The camp is very well run and organized and communication with parents is terrific. We would absolutely recommend this camp!!

My daughters love Chestnut Lake Camp. The facilities and the counselors are amazing. The variety of electives, events, sports, and programs is incredible. There is something for everyone at this summer camp and they are all about having fun, making friends, and creating a strong sense of community. My daughters especially love the CLC camp traditions and all the great friends they have made. Paul and Debbi Shorey make CLC a very special place where all the campers feel like it is their home away from home.

What a fantastic sleepaway camp in the Poconos! Highly professional directors, caring/patient staff, lovely camp grounds, good facilities, etc. Our two children have had amazing, outdoor, non-electronic, active summers at Chestnut Lake Camp. They returned home happy and healthy with a strong connection to the Camp and it's values-- and made new, life-long friends.

Wonderful experience for the kids who made new friends, took up new sports and sang, danced, and revelled in the experience. Terrific organisation with photos, videos and phone calls to follow along as the kids enjoyed the camp. Truly excellent facilities, modern and well-maintained.

Chestnut lake is a really nurturing, fun co-ed camp for kids. Paul and Debbie are amazing with the kids and the parents. It feels like a home away from home for my kids. This is their second summer and they cant wait to get back to Chestnut lake, their summer home!

i go here and i love it so much. the staff is great and so is the food. everyday is so much fun.

We go here annually as part of a church retreat. We love the expansive acreage. Although we don't get much time to do the other things there such as the lake, or climb the bridge, the grounds are terrific. The pool is gorgeous. The water pressure in the cabins are excellent. What I dislike totally is the quality of the toilet paper. It literally is half the width of regular tp, and extremely thin....it really is a joke, an embarrassment. I get the septic situation and perhaps the cost effectiveness but this is demeaning. The pillows are awful. The beds are ok, like a camp would have. The whole package overall is ok. Staff is attentive and friendly.

OMG I CANT EVEN TELL YOU HOW AMAZING THIS CAMP IS IVE BEEN FOR 2 YEARS

A camp like no other - We chose this camp after touring several in the area and it was a very easy choice for my boy/girl twins. They were instantly in love with the camp's whole vibe and environment and Paul and Debbie are the amazing directors responsible for both. The grounds are beautiful and really well equipped without being needlessly fancy. The camp has something for all kids from robotics and the radio station to traditional activities like sports and drama. What is so wonderful is that the camp is steeped in tradition even though it is only about 10 years old. They have infused the camp with strong values and without question my kids came home more independent, more mature, and looking forward to their next summer! They are already signed up for 2018.

My kids have spent six glorious summers at CLC and it truly is their happy place. A camp's atmosphere and values start at the top and we couldn't ask for better role models than Paul and Debbi Schorey. The sense of community, of teamwork and good sportsmanship, of trying things outside your comfort zone all start with them. The broad range of activities, the wonderful staff, chance to get to know international counselors and fellow campers all add to the wonderful experience that makes each summer "the best summer yet!" The leap in independence and confidence I've seen in my kids after each summer is amazing. I can't recommend Chestnut Lake Camp highly enough!

I sent all 3 of my girls here...and two are still attending. CLC is unlike many of the other camps as they have a diverse community and draw from all over the US, and not just the tri-state area. The staff and directors Paul and Debbi Schorey, are warm and welcoming. They are also easily accessible should you have any questions even when camp is in session. Having the option of two sessions really worked for our family. Sometimes they went 3, sometimes they went 6 - it just depended upon our plans for the summer. We love that last year for the first time, they extended camp to run for 7! This camp works for the sporty kid, the artsy kid or the kid that needs a little independence from being at home. Most importantly, I know that the friendships my girls have made at CLC, will last a lifetime.

Chestnut Lake proves to be the perfect camp for our daughter. The Directors genuinely care about each camper and provide a structured and nurturing environment. This allows each camper to flourish, become more independent (without their parents) and create lasting friendships. The Camp offers a wide range of activities which provide opportunities for campers to experience new things while also participating in activities that they love. We would recommend Chestnut Lake to anyone that is looking for a well rounded sleep away camp experience.

Awesome fun times for the kids. Clean, well maintained, excellent staff and directors

I would like to start off by saying that I was not a sleep away camp person. Had it not been for my husbands LOVE of his sleep away camp summers (and a lot of convincing) my kids would never have gone...I thought only people who don t like there kids send them away camp. I have been both humbled and thrilled that both my girls have had the opportunity and pleasure to join the Chestnut Lake family. My oldest now 11yrs begged to go for a full 7 weeks. We let her go 3weeks (her 1st summer) and then 4 weeks (her 2nd summer). My youngest 8yrs having done 3 weeks her 1st summer will do 4 weeks her 2nd summer. CLC is really wonderful. Debbie and Paul really care about each kid and run the Camp with both the eyes of a parent and educator. I feel so lucky that their CL family has become part of our family. Just a great safe place for my kids to learn and grow more independent. I can t thank them enough.
Jen and Jason Taylor

Last summer was my son s first year at CLC and he absolutely loved it. He was there for all 7 weeks (both sessions) and would have stayed even longer if he could!! He keeps asking me how many more days until he leaves again for camp! Paul and Debbi are wonderful as are all of the staff. The facilities are all updated and new and the camp itself is beautiful. my son made so many friends, too. He loves the lake as there are a ton of water activities. When I watched the video when we were first thinking of camp and I saw all of the amazing stuff, I thought no way could it be this great. But, after we toured it, I said it was even better and now after my son was there all last summer and after we were there on visiting day, I can say it is better than we could have ever hoped. If you are looking for a session camp to send your child for either one session or both (as in our son s case) look no further than CLC. It is just perfect! The nice thing about a session camp is you get to mix it up with more kids if you stay all summer for both sessions plus you get two color wars (lol) or you can go for one session and still have the same camp experience as a full 7 week camp, Whatever your child decides to do, it is great. But a session camp really is the best if both worlds! Greater flexibility! CLC-the best!

I love this camp and the experience is awesome. You try so many new things and make so many new friends. The counselors are awesome. Also MINSI MINSI MINSI!!!! Want to know what that is? Come to CLC!

My two sons thrive in the amazing camp environment created by Directors Paul and Debbi Schorey at Chestnut Lake Camp! They bring out the best in your child while offering them an amazing array of new experiences. Swinging through the air on the Flying Squirrel or bouncing high in the sky off the Blob into the lake are just two uniquely CLC activities that my boys love to do. Steeped in traditions, my boys became immersed in the CLC family from the moment they first arrived at camp. Six weeks of awesome activities that range from sports to drama and just about everything in between means there is something for everyone. And six weeks of socializing with their peers without electronics is priceless. I can t say enough good things about this camp!

Been camp doctor here for 10 years, my kids and I love it

The managment and staff are second to none! The atmosphere feels like home and one big family!

Chestnut lake camp has been a wonderful experience for my son . Every picture he is so happy . The camp staff are all so welcoming , it s like a family .

Our daughters had a blast and are returning. They have a well rounded roster of activities and great facilities.

This is an amazing camp experience! My children absolutely loved their time there. So much so, they will be going back in a few short weeks. Everything from the bunks to the activities and awesome staff. Paul and Debbi (The camp Directors) and counselors really make the children, and parents feel like they are part of an extended family. Its all about inclusiveness while exploring individual growth through new experiences. The time my children have had at Chestnut Lake is something they will take with them rest of their lives.