We wanted to reach out and just say how truly thankful we are for all that you and the entire staff do. We see the daily photos over the summer, feel the energy from the boys through the stories they tell all year round and hear about the magic between the arches. But you need to know that the magic of Green Lane continues off camp grounds. That is truly a testament to what you guys are doing.
Logan got together with 30 friends, boys and girls, partied all night and came back with no voice, a permanent smile and stood about three inches taller (which is a scary thought!) at the end of the night. Seeing Brian and virtually his entire cabin, Zach, Greenie, Ben, etc., in their element, playing at Mindy and Scott’s house as boys do, for an entire day, was an unbelievable experience for parents. They picked up right where they left off and tears were shed when the day was over. And, as soon as we got home, they sat down to watch the camp video and laugh even more! With the “thank you’s” still flowing from the boys, Melissa and I felt like we won as parents this weekend, but none of it would have been possible without what Green Lane has given to our family.
The relationships being built here may last a lifetime. Being in Florida, it is tough, because we don’t get to see everyone as often as we’d like. We don’t get to see them in a group like this at all, and it was everything we hoped for and then some. As parents, we were welcomed by the Green Lane extended family and felt like we had known each other forever, all because of that one common thread: we send our kids to camp together and know how important it is to them. There is truly something different and special about camp friends. The kids get it and so do the parents.
In short, mission accomplished. Thank you all. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and we hope to see you guys soon. We cannot wait for June!
All the best.
-The Weitzners
Thank you and your families from the bottom of my heart for everything for these past summers!!
Adam, I still can’t believe that the same child who sat in our living room with you years ago, uncertain if camp was for him, is the same child – now teenager – who has grown in so many ways at CGL, and loved every second of memories and friendships made to last a lifetime. CGL truly is so very special in so many ways. 💚🤍
This is not goodbye…just a note to say Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything!!!
With love and gratitude,
Karen
Now that the dust has settled a bit, my kids are back in school (can you believe that?!), and the trunks are unpacked, I just wanted to take a minute to thank you both for what was truly the best summer ever. I had a feeling Max would love being a camper, but I couldn’t imagine just how much.
Max’s counselors were amazing. They took such good care of her and she loved them so much. The upper staff crew was incredible. It makes me so happy to see so many special counselors taking care of my child and loving her the way they did for me many years ago.
The programming was unbelievable! I couldn’t believe how many special events/days there were on top of the usual, amazing day to day scheduled activities.
I’m so happy that Green Lane continues to be the most special place on Earth. Max discovered so many new things about herself- new interests, new talents, new confidence and new independence. She formed lifelong friendships with campers of all ages.
I’m forever grateful to you both for making her first summer as special as it was. If you ever need parents who speak to prospective new families, you can send them my way! I could go on and on about Green Lane and just how awesome it is.
So excited for Max’s sister and cousin to experience all of the joy next year by Max’s side.
Thank you again for everything!!
-Sam Bender
We can’t thank you enough for the most incredible 4th summer for our girl. Camp Green Lane is such a special, magical and beautiful community- we feel so lucky to be a part of it all-from the daily blogs, pictures and videos and even the mom chats- we are so grateful for life between the arches.
Deb Jacobs
The reason we chose Camp Green Lane for our daughter was because when we went there to tour the camp, we felt so welcomed and felt that the people there were so down-to-earth; this was so important to us. The children that attend Green Lane are “diehards” because it truly feels like a family. The size of the camp is great because it allows the children to get to know everyone. The older campers really look out for the younger ones. This was our daughter’s first summer, and she has definitely made lifelong friends and she had the most incredible experience. Additionally, the owners and staff couldn’t be more loving as they have truly created a safe and unbelievable “home away from home” for all of their campers.
—Deb and Randy Brenner
I was incredibly nervous to send our son to overnight camp for the summer a couple years ago. He seemed ready in ways and then other ways, he did not. He definitely made friends easily and seemed socially ready to take the leap. Suffice it to say, it was the best decision of our son’s life to sign him up for Camp Green Lane for 7 weeks! He will be heading back this summer for the 3rd summer in a row. He looks forward to the next summer the day he gets off the bus on the last day of camp. It is quite appropriate to say that he lives 10 months for 2 months out of the year. If you are considering sending your child away, Camp Green Lane is the place to be. It is not only where happiness counts, but where you can put your trust in the owners, counselors and staff for 7 weeks with no worries. You will not be disappointed!
—Joy and Joel Schneck
When we were touring camps we noticed that no camp we visited had anywhere close to the amount of “spirit” that Green Lane had. When we visited Green Lane, we met with one of the owners (Jay). We could immediately tell he bled “green and white.” He exuded passion and enthusiasm about his camp, in a way that no other person we met with at other camps did. We put “spirit” in quotes, because we really are not sure what it is, or how you actually put it into words, but it is something we—and our daughter—felt, as we toured Green Lane that day. Our daughter just recently completed her first, of what will most definitely be many, summers at Green Lane. We now know for sure that this “spirit” thing that we felt that day, but really couldn’t put our finger on, is a real thing. Our daughter has completely embraced it, and it will be with her for the rest of her life. We have embraced it also, even though we never went to Green Lane as campers. We chose Green Lane for this intangible “spirit” that will stay with her long after her camping days are through.
—Lisa and Stuart Mickelberg
Camp Green Lane just felt like home from the minute my boys got there. You can’t beat the atmosphere, the friendships, the complete dedication the staff and campers feel toward all things CGL. My husband and I (both from Long Island and lifelong campers–Timberlake and Echo) feel that Green Lane has the right kind of “summer camp magic” mixed with great activities, sports, arts, leagues, and of course, COLOR WAR!!! Steeped in traditions, lifelong friendships, greatest camp.
Jaime and Lonnie Green, Oceanside, NY
A few years ago, our older kids (twins, boy and girl) starting hinting that they were bored with day camp and wanted to try something overnight. It was then that we heard about Green Lane’s New Ventures program. Both of our kids immediately fell in love. We looked into a few other camps, just to cover our bases, but it soon became obvious that nothing could hold a candle to what they felt for Green Lane. Our twins just celebrated their fourth summer at camp and are counting the days until they can go back. We also sent our youngest for the first time this past summer, and she had an absolute blast. They’ve been home for weeks, but it is still common to hear one of them singing songs from Color War, FaceTime-ing with cabinmates, or even just telling their school friends how much fun they had. We cannot thank Green Lane enough for everything that it has done for our entire family.
—Alison and Ben Ostroff
We sent our daughter to overnight camp for the first time this summer, and that decision inevitably comes with a degree of anxiety and uncertainty for parents. However, from the moment she got on the bus to embark on her Camp Green Lane adventure, we knew she was having the greatest summer of her life and there was no reason to worry. We could feel it in her letters home and in every photo we saw of her—nothing but smiles and excitement, until finally, when the summer was about to end, it shifted to tears. The crying was understandable; she’d made friends with whom she will share a lifelong bond that no one else can touch, and it was hard to say goodbye to them. But once the tears dried, the countdown was on immediately for the start of next summer. We couldn’t ask for anything more from a summer camp than to know our daughter is having nonstop fun and growing as a person. Green Lane completely delivered on that.
—Robin and Eric Raskin
Friends often ask me what makes Camp Green Lane so special. And I’ll be honest; I often struggle to actually put it into words. Mostly because it’s just a feeling. On the surface, there are so many things that make CGL like all the other sleep-away camps out there. They all have the same activities, similar trips, some type of Color War. But there are two things that have always struck me as uniquely CGL, and they are the same things that I felt as a camper there myself and now as a parent of two current campers. The inter-generational relationships that my children have experienced have made their camp experience unique compared to all of their friends’ camps. It is very common at CGL for campers to be close to not only campers their own age, but younger and older campers, as well as upper staff. In the offseason, my own children often visit, text, and FaceTime with old counselors, past supervisors, or kids from younger bunks. The other unique part of CGL is its incredible alumni base. I think this speaks to what CGL is at its core: a place built on relationships. And while many campers are children of alumni, the new campers immediately feel the positive impact of that special bond that the alumni bring to CGL.
—Heidi Cohen