Long Lake Camp Adventures unique method of allowing campers to design their own schedules only works because we have the very best campers and staff plus an extra layer of help called Unit Leaders.
At Long Lake Camp Adventures, Unit Leaders are the backbone of daily camp life. While our counselors teach activities, Unit Leaders focus on the humans doing them. Their entire job is to make sure every camper is safe, supported, connected, and truly getting what they came to camp for.
Each Unit Leader is responsible for a small group of campers of similar age. They do not teach activities — instead, they spend their time checking in, observing, listening, guiding, and advocating for campers throughout the day. They eat with them, live nearby, attend activities, help with schedules, and are the first to notice when something feels off or when something is going great.
What Unit Leaders Mean to Campers
For campers, Unit Leaders are the adults who:
• Help them navigate friendships and social dynamics
• Make sure they’re eating well, sleeping enough, and staying hydrated
• Encourage them to try new things — or change course when something isn’t clicking
• Step in early if homesickness, frustration, or conflict pops up
• Make sure each camper is actually doing the activities they care about
Campers create their own schedules twice daily, just a few hours at a time. Unit Leaders help guide that process, making sure no camper gets stuck, overwhelmed, or left behind. If a camper wants to change plans on a whim, Unit Leaders help make that happen.
To campers, Unit Leaders are part mentor, part advocate, part older sibling, part safety net — someone they can go to about anything.
What Unit Leaders Mean to Parents
For parents, Unit Leaders are your direct connection to camp and your child’s day-to-day experience.
Within 48 hours of your camper arriving, their Unit Leader will call home to:
• Let you know your camper arrived safely
• Share how they’re settling in
• Explain what the next few days will look like
• Review how and when you’ll stay in touch moving forward
Throughout the session, Unit Leaders provide:
• Weekly parent updates
• Camper call days so families stay connected
• Clear communication about how your child is doing socially, emotionally, and physically
And if something ever comes up — big or small — you will hear from us.
A True Partnership With Parents
We don’t pretend to know your child better than you do — because we don’t. You’ve had a lifetime with them. You know their tendencies, how they react under stress, what comforts them, what motivates them, and what doesn’t work.
If your camper is struggling in any way, one of the first things we do is call you. We pick your brain, listen to your insight, and work together to decide the best course of action. Then we combine your lifetime of knowledge about your child with our 50+ years of camp experience to support them through whatever they’re facing.
That partnership — parent insight plus camp expertise — is often the difference between a camper simply getting through camp and a camper truly thriving here.
Unit Leaders are also available 24/7. If you ever get that parent feeling of “I need to know what my baby is doing right now”, you can reach us. You are never out of the loop.
Why Unit Leaders Matter
Unit Leaders ensure that camp isn’t just fun — it’s meaningful. They help campers build confidence, independence, friendships, and resilience while making sure parents feel informed, heard, and trusted every step of the way.
They are the glue that holds the Long Lake experience together — for campers and families.
Call us at 914-693-7111 to find out how our Unit Leaders can help your family have the best summer ever!
