Every parent asks the same first question about sleepaway camp: will my child be safe? It is the right question to ask, and it deserves a real answer. At Long Lake Camp Adventures, safety is our top priority in everything we do, from who we hire to how our cabins are built. This guide walks you through sleepaway camp safety at our co-ed overnight camp in the Adirondacks, so you know exactly who will be looking after your child and how.

Sleepaway Camp Safety Starts With the Right People

The single biggest safety factor at any overnight camp is the number and quality of the adults on site. We run a small camp on purpose, with no more than 90 campers per session, and we staff it heavily. A typical session has about 40 adventure staff and 40 support staff for around 88 campers. That works out to nearly one adult for every camper.

• Cabin counselors: about one counselor for every four campers, living right in the cabins.
• Activities: every activity runs between one staff member for every four campers and one for every eight, depending on the activity.
• Unit leaders: three unit leaders whose only job is making sure their group of campers is happy, busy and getting everything they want from camp. Unit leaders also speak with parents regularly to give updates.
• Health care: three registered nurses on site all summer.

How We Hire and Train Our Staff

Every staff member goes through a rigorous interview process and FBI background checks before they are hired. Many of our counselors come to us through respected camp staffing agencies, and they join us from the United States, England, Scotland, Australia, Mexico, Spain, Denmark, New Zealand, Poland and beyond. Some of our best counselors are former campers who grew up at Long Lake and came back to lead the next generation.

Before a single camper arrives, all staff complete in-person training at camp. That training is led by Ryan K., our Head of Waterfront and Lead Trainer, and it covers supervision, activity safety, emergency procedures and how to support kids who are away from home for the first time. Each year a large share of our staff return, which means campers see familiar faces who already know how camp runs.

Our leadership team is on site all summer. Owners Lee and Cindy Farrelly lead a family-owned camp that has been running since 1969. Camp Director Ryan T. is a former camper who has been part of Long Lake for more than ten years, and Head Counselor Zach I. keeps every schedule running smoothly and every staff member supported.

Three Registered Nurses and a Doctor Down the Road

Our health center is staffed by three registered nurses, with private rooms for anyone who is feeling unwell and modern bathrooms and showers. Nurses can give prescription medications as well as an approved list of over-the-counter medicines, and campers visit the health center for daily medications and on-the-spot care.

• Our camp doctor lives on the same road as camp, has an office about five minutes away and sets time aside every day for campers and staff.
• The local ambulance is about five minutes from camp.
• Tupper Lake Health Center is about 20 minutes away, and Adirondack Medical Center is about 45 minutes away.

If your child ever needs to see the doctor, we call you and keep you informed about the visit and any treatment. If you have any medical questions before camp, call us at (914) 693-7111 and we will talk them through with you.

Inspected by the New York State Department of Health

Overnight camps in New York are regulated by the New York State Department of Health, which holds camps to some of the strictest standards in the country. Because we care for children, we are held to a higher standard than a hotel, restaurant or recreation facility. The health department visits us three times every summer, and we consistently score among the top camps in our area.

Safe, Modern Cabins

Our cabins look out over Long Lake and the Adirondack High Peaks, and they are built to New York’s highest safety standards. Each room has its own sprinkler system along with hard-wired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Counselors live in the cabins with campers, so there is always a trusted adult close by, day and night.

Safety Built Into Every Activity

Adventure and safety are not opposites. Every activity at camp has its own safety rules, gear and trained instructors:

• Waterfront: certified lifeguards are on duty whenever campers are on the water, and swim lessons run almost every day for every level of swimmer. Learn more about our waterfront program.
• Blacksmithing: campers learn fire and tool safety before they pick up a hammer, wear eye protection and gloves, and work one-on-one or in very small groups with professional blacksmiths.
• Automotive: proper protective gear, tool training and a mechanic beside every camper in the shop.
• Special events and trips: trained staff supervise every event, with first aid and CPR trained staff and registered nurses on camp.

Food Safety and Allergies

We do not use nuts or nut oils in any of our cooking, and peanut butter and jelly is served at its own separate station. Our chef personally meets every camper who needs extra attention with their meals, and we can accommodate almost any need, from gluten free to vegetarian and vegan. See more on our food at camp page.

A Small Camp Means No Child Gets Lost in the Crowd

With a maximum of 90 campers, our staff get to know every child: what they love, what they are nervous about and who they are friends with. That personal attention is one of the most important safety features any camp can offer, and it is a big part of why families from all over the country and around the world trust us with their kids.

Sleepaway Camp Safety FAQ

How many adults are at camp?

There is nearly one adult on staff for every camper, with about one cabin counselor for every four campers.

Are staff background checked?

Yes. Every staff member goes through interviews and FBI background checks, plus in-person training at camp before campers arrive.

What happens if my child gets sick?

Our three registered nurses care for campers in our health center, our camp doctor is about five minutes away, and we call you if your child needs to see the doctor.

Can camp handle food allergies?

Yes. We cook without nuts or nut oils, and our chef meets one-on-one with campers who have allergies or special diets.

Have more questions? Request a free Adventure Pack, check our FAQs or call us at (914) 693-7111.