Future Campers
Get Ready for the BEST SUMMER EVER!
10/10 Reviews
Summers of Fun!
Days of Camp
Salt and Pepper Shakers
What Our Families Say About Camp!
"My son loves everything about Fairview Lake. He is always so happy when he comes home, and full of stories!"
Julia Kilpatrick
Traditional Camp
"My son has consistently had a great summer experience at Fairview Lake, and always asks to go back for longer the next summer!"
Elizabeth Colley
Traditional Camp
"Our kids come home every year more confident, with new friends and memories. It is such a special community and we look forward to their adventures every summer!"
Noreen Gillespie Connolly
Specialty Camp
"My daughter had an amazing time. She enjoyed the instructors and fell in love with her beautiful horse. Now I have to find extra money for lessons!!😩😩😁
But 10/10. Thank you"
Florence Wilson
Ranch Camp
"My child had a wonderful experience and created memories that she will be talking about for years to come!"
Peter Man
Traditional Camp
"My kiddo loves ranch camp so much! It has been a wonderful opportunity for my child to be around horses, and they have really thrived under the guidance of the counselors. Highly recommend!"
Karina Glaser
Ranch Camp
"ETC was my first experience for a sleep away camp. There are activities throughout the day. From hiking, canoeing, ax throwing and making new friends from literally all over the world."
Nicole Neal
Adventure Trips
The 660-Acre Memory Maker!
Fairview Lake YMCA Camps in Stillwater, NJ offers five unique overnight camp experiences, giving kids and teens the chance to grow, explore, and thrive in the great outdoors. Now celebrating our 110th summer, we invite campers to choose from Traditional Camp, Ranch Camp, Adventure Trips for Challenge, Specialty Camps, and our Counselor in Training (CIT) Program—each designed to spark discovery, build lifelong friendships, and live out the YMCA’s core values. Whether you're looking to unplug and connect through campfire traditions or challenge yourself on a backcountry trail, Fairview Lake YMCA Camps is where unforgettable summer memories are made.
Traditional
Our Traditional Sleepaway Camps offer campers a chance to unplug, connect with new friends, and take part in time-honored camp traditions that create memories—and friendships—that last a lifetime.
Ranch Camp
At Ranch Camp, campers saddle up for daily horseback rides, build confidence through hands-on barn time, and live out big adventures with a “work hard, play hard” spirit.
Specialty Camps
Specialty Camps at Fairview Lake give campers the chance to focus on what they love—like science, sailing, or fun at the farm—while exploring new skills, making friends, and enjoying all the adventure camp has to offer.
Adventure Trips
The Adventure Trips for Challenge program takes campers beyond Fairview Lake on unforgettable journeys—backpacking, canoeing, and exploring wild places—while building leadership, resilience, and friendships that go the distance.
Counselor In Training
Our Counselor in Training Program empowers teens to grow as leaders, role models, and team players—blending hands-on experience with classic camp fun and lifelong friendships.
Select an option below:
- Where You'll Stay
- Meals, Snacks & Camp Must Haves!
- Keeping Healthy and Safe at Camp
- Staying Connected
Where You'll Stay
Cabins at Fairview Lake
Traditional and Specialty Camps
For campers enrolled in our Traditional or Specialty program, you'll stay in one of our 26 traditional cabins! These cabins sleep eight campers and two counselors in bunk beds. Each cabin has its own bathroom, with sinks, a shower and toilets. The cabins have electricity, with a large central fan to keep things cool.
Our cabins are divided into three units, Laurel Ridge, Lakeside and Birch.
Ranch Camp
Our Girls Ranch Campers will stay in the Wickapeck Lodge - a converted farm house with a cozy living room! The rooms are laid out like our traditional cabins, with bunk beds and bathrooms. The Lodge also has a large fire ring located behind the cabin - perfect for a fun campfire in the evening.
During co-ed weeks, we will also use cabins in our traditional units.
C.I.T. & Adventure Trips
Our Counselor in Training and Adventure Trips programs live in our seasonal cabins. These breezy cabins are screened, with four sets of bunk beds each. These cabins do not have electricity.
The CITs live in the Warriors Unit, which has a central bath house and a fire circle.
Adventure Trip campers and staff live in the Delaware Unit, which has two firecircles, a central bathhouse, and a pavillion for rainy days. The Delaware Unit also has a large trip shed for all of our adventure gear!
Questions About Camp? Contact Us!
Meals, Snacks & Camp Must-Haves!
Camp Dining Hall and Camp Trading Post
Mealtime at Camp is More Than Just Food—It’s Family Time!
At camp, we gather in the Dining Hall three times a day to refuel, connect, and make memories. Breakfast kicks off with a hearty main course alongside a spread of cereals and a build-your-own yogurt bar—perfect for picky eaters and early risers alike! Lunch and dinner feature delicious main courses and a fresh salad bar with plenty of options to keep everyone happy and energized.
Vegetarian? No problem! We’ve got you covered. Have food allergies or specific dietary needs? Just let us know on the Dietary Form, and we’ll take it from there. Still have questions? Reach out to camp—we’re happy to help.
Best of all, campers share every meal with their cabin and counselors, turning each bite into a chance to bond, laugh, and live the camp values of caring and community.
Sweet Swag and Snacks at the Trading Post!
Our Trading Post is a camper favorite—part snack stop, part souvenir shop, and 100% camp magic! Campers typically visit twice a day. Their first visit is all about the free snack—no soda, candy, or ice cream here, just tasty, nourishing options to keep the fun going strong. On their second visit, campers can purchase a drink and a snack (just one of each), and browse cool camp gear like T-shirts, stuffed animals, and souvenirs to remember their best summer ever.
Families can add funds to their camper’s virtual wallet before camp begins, so there’s no need to send cash or worry about loose change. Just smiles, snacks, and maybe a new favorite hoodie.
Keeping Healthy & Safe at Camp
What families should know about health and safety at Fairview Lake YMCA Camps.
Health at Camp
Keeping our camper and staff healthy is a priority here at camp. From preventing communicable diseases to fixing cuts and scrapes, our policies and procedures are focused on the wellbeing of all.
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Healthcare Staff
Our team of health care professionals is on site 24 hours a day for the entire summer to make sure our campers and staff are healthy and well. The treatment room is centrally located in the main area of camp and is stocked with first aid and emergency medical equipment.
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Medications
If your child takes medication, our Camp Nurse will supervise the administration of all medications. Your family doctor must include specific instructions on the camper medication form.
Please do not pack any medications in camper bags.
To improve efficiency and ensure our nurses spend more time caring for campers, Fairview Lake YMCA Camps and Lake in the Woods YMCA Camps will require all medications to be pre-packaged by a licensed pharmacy for the Summer 2025 season. This change allows us to streamline medication administration and reduce time spent organizing medications, ensuring campers return to their activities more quickly.
What You Need to Do
- Complete your child’s health history form (online) and include all medications they will be taking at camp.
- Complete and have a physician sign their medication form and email it to camp at least four weeks before your child’s arrival.
- Arrange for your camper’s medications to be pre-packaged by a pharmacy of your choice. Make sure that your child’s physician has written a prescription for all medication they will be taking, including vitamins. This will allow the filling pharmacy to include it in the packaging.
- The packaging must meet the following requirements:
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Camper’s full name
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Medication names
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Dosages
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Dispense times
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Clearly sorted by day and time
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- On check-in day, families must bring their child’s pre-packaged medications to the nurses' station. Please bring enough medication for your child’s entire stay at camp.
Finding a Pharmacy
Many local or mail-order pharmacies provide pre-packaged medication services. We recommend contacting your pharmacy to inquire about this option. Please ensure you allow enough time for the pharmacy to prepare the medications before check-in day. Most pharmacies will package both prescribed and “over-the-counter” medications together, provided you have a prescription for all of the requested medications.
What Medications Need to be Packaged?
Any medications in pill form that your child will take at camp must be packaged. Packaging should be arranged so that each package contains the exact dosage and medications needed to be taken: ie all breakfast/morning medication should be packaged together.
Vitamins and supplements in pill form must also be included in the package. Please speak with your pharmacist to include these.
Medications that are not in pill form (ie liquids, inhalers, injectables, epi-pens) do not need to be packaged and should arrive at camp in their original packaging.
Our health center keeps common medications in stock for our nurses to distribute as needed. Please indicate that your child can take these medications on their health history form. Do not package these medications with your child’s prescriptions.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we implement this process, which allows our nurses to focus more on camper care. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
International Campers: Please contact our office to discuss medication packaging options.
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Immunizations
All campers are required to submit a record of their immunizations prior to attending camp. Please upload a copy of their immunization record to their registration account.
Please contact our office if you are unable to provide a current immunization record.
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What if my child gets sick at camp?
Camp personnel will contact you or other designated emergency contact if your camper requires the services of a physician.
It is your responsibility to schedule an appointment and transport your child to a physician of your choice.
If a camper requires hospital emergency room treatment, camp personnel will attempt to contact you immediately. If we are unable to reach you, we will contact your designated emergency contact immediately. If your camper becomes sick during their stay, you will be contacted and updated.
Please select emergency contacts that will be willing and able to pick up your child or make medical decisions on your behalf.
Keeping Kids Safe
Learn more about our commitment to keeping kids safe from abuse.
Safety First, Splash Second!
At Fairview Lake YMCA Camps, water safety is our top priority. Every waterfront is supervised by certified American Red Cross Lifeguards, and we have a Water Safety Instructor on-site to ensure best practices are always in place. All campers complete a swim test and are placed in swim levels that match their ability, with swim lessons available to help them grow their skills.
Life jackets (PFDs) are required for all boating activities, and no one is allowed in the lake without a lifeguard present. Our in-house American Red Cross Instructors regularly train and update our lifeguards to keep everyone safe and confident in the water—because at camp, fun and safety always go hand in hand.
Staying Connected While Growing Independent
How we support campers (and families) through a screen-free summer!
A Screen-Free Summer, Fully Connected
We’re proudly unplugged at Fairview Lake. Without phones, tablets, or personal devices, campers are free to focus on real connections—with nature, their cabinmates, and themselves. This break from screens fosters creativity, mindfulness, and friendships that feel even more meaningful. And while they may miss their devices at first, campers quickly discover that the best kind of connection happens face-to-face, around a campfire, in a canoe, or during a silly cabin game.
Homesickness Happens—And That’s Okay
Feeling homesick is a natural part of growing up, especially during a camper’s first few nights away from home. At Fairview Lake YMCA Camps, we’re ready for it. Our staff are trained to support campers with empathy, encouragement, and plenty of fun distractions. Cabin counselors create a warm, welcoming space where every child feels included and valued. If a camper is having a tough time adjusting, we’ll partner with families to help them settle in and thrive. With a little time and a lot of care, most campers find their groove and grow in ways that surprise even them.
Old-School Letters with Big-Time Impact
There’s something special about getting a letter at camp—and we make sure every camper gets the chance to experience it. Families can send letters by mail or drop them off during check in to be delivered throughout their stay. Campers are encouraged to write back home, sharing stories, doodles, and updates on their favorite camp adventures. It’s a great way to stay in touch while giving campers a sense of independence and excitement.
Photos That Capture the Magic
Throughout each camp session, we share photos so families can follow the fun from home. Our team works hard to capture the heart of the experience—whether it’s cabin cheers, waterfront fun, or those quiet moments of reflection. While we can’t guarantee a snapshot of every camper every day, we do our best to show the joy, energy, and growth happening all over camp. These photos are shared in a secure online gallery for families to enjoy and cherish.
Family Handbook
The family handbook is a great resource for you to prepare for camp, and review policies and procedures! It is updated for each summer, so the current version may not reflect all of the changes made for the next summer.
Y For All
Financial Assistance
The YMCA provides financial assistance to those who may require help covering the costs of camp. Our Y for All Fund plays a crucial role in keeping the Y accessible for children, adults, and families who need support. By offering financial assistance, the Y ensures that all individuals and families can participate in Y programs and services, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Make Camp Possible
You can help make the magic of camp possible for every child by supporting our Annual Support Campaign. Your donation provides financial assistance to families in need, ensuring that every camper has the chance to learn, grow, and thrive at Fairview Lake YMCA Camps. Together, we can make sure no one is turned away due to the inability to pay—because camp is for everyone.