FAQs

Where is Camp Laurelwood Located?

Camp Laurelwood is located on 140 acres in the middle of North Madison Ct. located off of Exit 61 on I-95. Camp Laurelwood is easily accessible from New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Hartford and New Haven areas.

What are the bunks like?

Campers entering second through seventh grades live in newly updated bunks. Our cabins are rustic, and include solid wooden bunk beds with guard rails and new mattresses for campers and counselors. Ample storage unit cubbies are provided. All Cabins have indoor toilets and sinks, and the newly renovated shower houses are cleaned on a daily basis.

Campers entering 8th and 9th grades live on another side of camp ("The Plex") with larger cabins featuring indoor bathrooms, sinks and showers.

When is laundry service provided?

Campers attending 3, 4 or 7 week sessions have weekly laundry service, which is sent out as a bunk. Two week mini-campers will have laundry service once during their session. As laundry returns to each bunk, campers are responsible for sorting, folding and storage.

My child has food allergies, can you accommodate them?

Laurelwood chefs work hard to accommodate various dietary needs including lactose free, gluten free and vegetarian diets. Laurelwood is nut aware. You will have the opportunity to speak with our chefs to make sure your child’s dietary needs are met. If the camp cannot meet the dietary needs of your child a full refund will be made.

(Click Here For a Sample Week's Menu)

Who are your staff? Where do they come from?

More than half of Camp Laurelwood’s staff are former campers. All of the staff are thoroughly screened and come to us with extensive backgrounds in summer camping and/or working with children. All specialty staff members are professionals in their areas of expertise and maintain the appropriate certifications and training required. Although the majority of our counselors and specialists are American, many of our staff hail from England, Australia and Israel as well.

Is everyone Jewish at Camp Laurelwood?

Although most Laurelwood campers and staff are Jewish, we always welcome campers and staff of all backgrounds - and they participate and enjoy all activities as well. We hope everyone leaves with a stronger sense of Jewish community and peoplehood. Our diverse and strong Jewish camp environment embraces everyone. We hope to continue building Jewish leaders and strengthening Jewish identities.

Does Laurelwood celebrate summer birthdays?

Camp birthdays are always special at Laurelwood. The camp provides signs, decorations and a home made cake for each birthday child. Each birthday child is honored at dinner with all campers singing Happy Birthday! Additional Pizza or Ice Cream parties can be arranged for the Birthday camper and their bunk through the Camp Laurelwood application.

Is there a visiting day? Can I just drop in and say hello anytime?

During each camping season there is one visiting day for campers who spend the full summer at camp. Dates and hours are posted in the manual. We strongly discourage families from dropping in and saying hello. For many campers a surprise visit can not only disrupt their experience at camp but also their bunk mates. We work very hard to make sure that all campers assimilate as quickly as possibly and enjoy their daily routine. Parents are welcome to call the office and check in on their campers during office hours.

What if I need to reach Camp Laurelwood after regular office hours?

The camp office is open Monday-Friday, 9am-9pm, Saturdays 9:30am -9pm and Sundays 9:30am - 9:00pm. After hours the phone is checked on a regular basis. Please leave a message and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. The camp can be contacted at (203) 421-3736, fax (203) 421-3570 or via email at info@camplaurelwood.org . It is our goal to make sure calls are returned in a timely manner.

How is safety and security addressed?

Camper safety is our foremost concern. Camp Laurelwood is licensed and overseen by the State of Connecticut and American Camping Association. All camp activities are staffed and operated by properly trained and licensed staff to assure safety in all camp areas.

Camp Laurelwood has a long-standing and close working relationship with the town police department who patrol the camp site throughout the week. Camp also consults with CT State Police, FBI, and homeland security, who each provide training to our staff on how to deal with minor and major situations as well as security issues.

All campers from Day Camp through seventh grade are accompanied by staff at all times. Older campers have the opportunity to report to activities without staff, but are checked in and accounted for at each location.

Close camper supervision sets Camp Laurelwood apart. Campers will never be left alone in their bunks. Following evening activities, a counselor remains in the bunk to supervise campers. At curfew all staff return and sleep in the cabin.

All staff is trained to be extremely vigilant throughout each day including reporting any suspicious persons or activities to the camp office. All visitors and deliveries must check in at the camp office to receive permission to enter.