Operating continuously since 1916, Raquette Lake Camps is a traditional sleep-away camp located in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. The separate Boys Camp & Girls Camp are family-owned/operated and offers campers a nurturing environment and the finest in programs and facilities. Our campers range in age from 6 - 15 years old and attend camp for a nearly 7-week session.
Location & Atmosphere
Raquette Lake Camps are separate boys and girls camps located on opposite sides of stunning Raquette Lake, one of the Adirondack Fulton chain of lakes. Both camps are nestled against the shores, meaning that the lake is never out of view, never far away. Our remoteness provides a peaceful backdrop for campers and counselors to relax, play and get away from the hectic fast-paced world.
From the moment you arrive you will realize that we mean it when we say that you are part of the family. Yes, you'll work hard, but just remember, the job we are asking you to do is play with kids. Be their big brother or big sister, and become a part of their lives.
Many of our counselors return, sometimes even after being away for a summer or two, because from the moment you arrive we strive to treat our staff fairly and embrace them as if they've been with us for years. We encourage you to participate and have just as much of an awesome summer experience as the campers.
We work in teams so you are never isolated, and we are open to all good ideas and suggestions that might make for a more rewarding camp experience.
Lot's of camps talk about fostering a family atmosphere but we mean it! Our counselors have a habit of getting together and traveling together after camp. We have many counselors who decided to become roommates or get full-time jobs together. In fact, we have had several couples in the last few years who met at camp and later got (or are getting) married.
Why work here
Staff members at Raquette Lake Camps don’t entertain campers, we engage them. And to make sure that happens, we are looking for counselors who are prepared to be the best big brothers and big sisters they can be. Through your passion and personality, campers will learn more about themselves and their potential.
Raquette counselors get the chance to develop deep bonds with their campers, spending seven weeks in the same bunk with the same kids and staff...while many also work at a favorite activity area where they can share their skills with all our campers. These program activity areas are manned by both professional instructors and dedicated counselors, who challenge campers to learn new skills and improve old ones, all while having so much fun they never want to leave.
At Raquette, we believe that when kids just play that's how they make friends, exercise, build community, and have fun. And play at Raquette means a blend of guided instruction, learning, practice and doing. Our setting is non-competitive, but we challenge our campers every day to try something new, do something better than they did yesterday, and have fun while doing it.
Most importantly though, friends are the reason campers (and many of our staff) return year after year. A child will only love camp and have fun if he or she has a friend to enjoy it with. Having friends and big brothers/big sisters to lean on makes trying new or scary things easier. That's why we take counselor orientation seriously, teaching counselors how to foster those friendships, all while helping campers be the best they can be.
That's why in many ways, we measure our success by the personal connections our campers take home with them far more than any trophies or awards. And that all starts with great counselors. Are you one?