The Hoboken Girl Team 
This article is sponsored by Willow Lake Day Camp.
Winter is in full force here in Northern New Jersey: zipped coats, chilly mornings, packed schedules, and spring still feeling far away. But if you’re a New Jersey parent already dreaming of summer, you’re not alone — and camp sign-ups and seasons come quickly. Between juggling busy schedules and counting down the days until warmer weather returns, it’s only natural to start picturing sunshine-filled days, outdoor adventures, and those classic summer camp memories that kids (and parents) talk about for years.
The good news? That magic exists. Located at 200 State Route 181 in Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, Willow Lake Day Camp has been bringing summer magic to local families for more than 40 years. Trusted year after year, the camp focuses on what matters most to parents: communication, safety, and the assurance that every child is cared for throughout the day. Read on to learn more about what sets Willow Lake Day Camp apart from other New Jersey summer camps.
Why Families Choose Willow Lake
Parents today have no shortage of summer camp options in New Jersey. What truly sets Willow Lake apart is its attention to every detail and every camper, along with its excellent communication and a warm, caring atmosphere. With age-appropriate facilities and equipment and a dynamic program that grows with campers as they get older, every child is seen, supported, and valued. Nothing is treated as “minor,” whether it’s managing allergies and health concerns or sunscreen applications and daily check-ins.
“Families often say Willow Lake feels more like a sleepaway camp experience with the comfort of coming home every night,” according to its Director, Charles Maltzman.
Set on 35 acres along the north shore of Lake Hopatcong, Willow Lake is a family-owned and operated camp that has been welcoming campers ages 3-15 since 1980. Families come from across Hudson, Essex, Morris, and Union Counties, including many right here in Montclair and the surrounding area, and are drawn by the camp’s reputation for safety, variety, and care.
A Day at Willow Lake
At Willow Lake, the day doesn’t just start when campers arrive. It starts the moment kids get on the bus. Bus rides are fully programmed with games, trivia, and age-appropriate music playlists, setting the tone for a fun, engaging day. Upon arrival, campers are greeted by smiling counselors and brought to their designated arrival areas before jumping into a well-balanced schedule of Aquatics, Athletics, Arts, and Adventure.
Younger campers are exposed to a wide variety of activities, while campers entering 2nd grade and older begin to customize part of their day through elective choice, which builds their independence and confidence over time. The facilities are thoughtfully designed so even the youngest campers can hit a homer, zip line, climb, swim, and create art in spaces built just for them.
With four heated pools, campers receive daily small-group swim instruction from one of Willow Lake’s 40 certified lifeguards, followed by recreational swim time to cool off in the afternoon. It’s the kind of place where kids feel confident, cared for, and excited to come back each day- sign us up!
Across the property, campers get access to:
- 20 sports fields and courts
- 2 lakes for boating and fishing
- 15 dedicated art areas
- 6 zip lines and 3 adventure parks
- 2 cooking studios
- A full theater program featuring productions like Shrek, The Lion King, and Wicked
No two days feel the same, and every day is intentionally structured to balance fun, growth, and safety.
Keeping Campers Safe at Willow Lake
Safety is at the heart of everything Willow Lake Day Camp does. The camp employs over 150 teachers and nearly 200 high school and college-aged staff members, many of whom return year after year. Two full-time team members focus just on hiring and staffing, making sure every program has the best people in place. Each camper has 2 – 4 dedicated counselors, depending on age, so there is always a familiar face around and every activity is supervised by trained adults, coaches, or teachers.
Willow Lake’s 40-person Leadership Team includes educators, school counselors, and seven full-time registered nurses, overseeing two fully staffed on-site health centers. The owners and directors work year-round planning for camp and are on-site every single day throughout the summer, making sure everything runs smoothly and every camper feels supported.
Hands-on Leadership and Expert Directors at Willow Lake
For many families, Willow Lake represents important firsts. The first time sending a child to a non-local camp, the first time their kid rides the bus, and the first step toward independence. The directors take that responsibility seriously, creating a true partnership with parents built on trust and communication.
As parents themselves, the leadership team pays attention to both the obvious and the overlooked, from hydration and sunscreen to emotional support, confidence-building, and teaching the “soft skills” that screens can’t. Their philosophy centers on helping campers grow, try new things, build friendships, and gain skills that extend far beyond the summer months.
A great camp experience isn’t just about what happens during the day. It is also about peace of mind for parents. At Willow Lake, details like transportation, meals, and communication are thoughtfully planned to help ensure campers are safe, happy, and well cared for.
Transportation
The camp offers central-location bus pickups in many surrounding towns. Buses are seatbelt-equipped, inspected daily, and driven by professional, year-round drivers. Two Willow Lake counselors ride each bus to ensure both safety and fun, and fewer stops mean quicker, safer rides.
Food & Allergies
Campers receive a morning snack, a full hot lunch, and an afternoon ice pop each day. Willow Lake works with an experienced caterer who serves school districts and is fully equipped to handle allergies and special dietary needs like celiac, kosher, and more. All of the camp is nut and seed free. Lunch includes hot meals plus salad, pasta, bagel, and sandwich bars, fresh fruit, yogurt, and more, with staff seated alongside campers to ensure everyone is eating well.
Communication
“Clear, consistent communication is incredibly important to us,” says Charles Maltzman, Director at Willow Lake. “From prompt responses to calls and emails to weekly newsletters and daily access to more than 1,000 private photos, we want families to feel connected to their child’s camp experience every step of the way.” Willow Lake is widely praised for its customer service and transparent communication. Families receive prompt responses to calls and emails, weekly newsletters, and access to over 1,000 private photos posted daily, so parents can truly see their child’s camp experience unfold.
All Camp. All the Time.
Sure, it may be winter right now, but those warm lake days will be here before we know it. When they arrive, Willow Lake Day Camp is ready to deliver what they promise year after year: Best. Summer. Ever.
The best summer memories don’t happen by accident; they’re built with intention. From carefully planned activities to safe, caring staff, every detail is designed so campers can have fun, grow, and make memories that last a lifetime.
To learn more about dates, rates, and enrollment, visit Willow Lake Day Camp’s website. You can also follow along on Facebook and Instagram for a peek into daily camp life and upcoming summer fun. Because the best summer memories start now- even in the middle of winter.
