If you like starting your summer mornings with a bus ride filled with singalongs and Disney trivia, ending in cheers upon arrival, then you’re a Jeff Lake camper. Set along the cove of Lake Jefferson in Stanhope, Jeff Lake Day Camp feels like a summer home to many families in the region. The excitement starts early in the day when kids board the bus, and by the time they arrive at camp, the energy is already high.

“My favorite part of Jeff Lake is that in a world that’s constantly changing, the same traditions and amazing friendships are always waiting for them at camp,” says Emily Kagan, a third-generation owner and director of the camp.

A Second Home

The four pillars of Jeff Lake Day Camp—family, spirit, tradition, and sportsmanship—guide everything the camp does. The story is rooted in family: Kagan’s great grandparents originally purchased the land with plans for a bungalow community. When her grandparents, Ira and Linda Fish, took over the 350-acre property, Ira envisioned something different. A lifelong camper, he opened Jeff Lake Day Camp in 1958 with just 12 campers. Today, that number has grown to several hundred each day, while still holding onto the same core values.

Although the camp is located in Sussex County, it has deep ties to the Short Hills and Millburn communities. Families from the area have been sending their children for decades, and Kagan herself grew up in Short Hills, where she has lived for more than 30 years.

Jeff Lake Day Camp is also proudly screen-free—something campers quickly embrace. Phones stay in backpacks and lockers, allowing kids to fully engage with the day. “We all need a break to be present, and the kids are really happy to unplug,” Kagan says. “Part of that is because we keep them so engaged and having fun.”

Adventure and Creativity

The camp offers something for everyone. The youngest attendees, preschoolers (age 4) through kindergarteners, join Freshman Campus, where a staff trained in early childhood education focuses on skill-building through age-appropriate activities. The programs continue through 10th grade, followed by a Counselor-in-Training Program. Many staff members are former campers themselves, adding to the sense of continuity.

Across camp, activities are designed so kids can succeed at every level. Younger campers play basketball on courts sized just for them, while older campers use courts that match their abilities. Every child learns to swim in one of five heated indoor pools, each designed for different comfort levels. Swimming often leads to lake time, which remains a highlight of the day. “Our lake is the heartbeat of our camp,” Kagan says. “Boating, fishing, and the inflatable obstacle course are always exciting for the kids.”

The Project Adventure Course encourages participation over competition. Campers can challenge themselves on high and low ropes courses or work their way up to the zipline. The Ninja Warrior Course is another favorite, drawing plenty of excitement.

Creativity also has a strong presence at camp. “My favorite activity at camp is Sundance, an outdoor arts and crafts program,” Kagan says. “Projects are done around a campfire, and kids experience that sense of flow. It’s the most Zen area of camp.”

Campers are furthermore introduced to experiences they might not otherwise try. The Nature Center, home to gardens and animals, sits alongside a wide range of offerings including science, dance, yoga, mini golf, pickleball, archery, and a full drama program. The goal is to give children variety while building confidence and independence. “Campers get a taste of everything,” Kagan says. “They can go from the soccer field to the pottery wheel to the lake.”

Traditions That Last

Traditions are at the heart of the Jeff Lake Day Camp experience and are often what campers remember most. Friday’s Wigwam brings the entire camp together for singing, laughter, and a sense of community. At the end of the season, Color War divides campers into Blue and White teams for friendly competition, with the winning team earning the honor of displaying their banner in the cafeteria. “It’s a great experience for our kids to compete and to learn about teamwork,” Kagan says. “They learn sportsmanship and how to win and lose with integrity.”

By the end of the day, when the buses return to Short Hills around 5 p.m., campers are eager to share their stories—only to do it all again the next morning.

“My grandfather used to say that little kids can do big things, and that’s what Jeff Lake is about,” Kagan says. That philosophy has carried through generations. Many former campers who started at age 4 now send their own children to Jeff Lake Day Camp.

The camp’s four co-directors have each been part of the community for more than 20 years, reinforcing a deep sense of continuity. For Kagan and her family, the camp is more than a business. Her parents, co-owners Dan and Jane Kagan—longtime Short Hills residents—remain connected to camp families throughout the year. In the offseason, the camp operates out of its office in downtown Millburn. “Jeff Lake has been part of the Short Hills and Millburn community for close to 70 years,” Kagan says, “and we plan to be part of it for the next 70.”

D.W. Hirsch is a feature writer based in Union. She is the author of the memoir “Star Trek, Mom and Las Vegas: A Grand Adventure” and the haiku collection “Haiku In The Life Of You.”

Photograph courtesy of Jeff Lake Day Camp