Accredited
by the American Camp Association for over 50 years
The American Camp Association has a standardized accreditation
program requiring camps to satisfy over 300 different health,
safety, staffing and program requirements. Skylake is also a
founding member of the Western Association of Independent Camps.
Don’t even consider a camp that is not accredited.
The Tradition of
Skylake Magic
Skylake
looks and feels exactly as you envision summer camp. Kids have
the opportunity to become part of a three-generation camp
tradition of "Skylake Magic." Our summer camp provides kids a
"sense of family and place," where campers build lifelong
friendships and look forward to returning to year after year.
Skylake is a traditional camp with emphasis on an outdoor group
living experience, where kids thrive while building self-worth,
confidence, and individual growth. Our camp counselors strive to
create an atmosphere where boys and girls ages 7-15 feel safe as
they experience life without mom and dad.
Location,
Location, Location
Skylake offers a dream location in the mountains, on a lake,
with the grandeur of Yosemite at its back door. Getting to camp
is easy. Skylake is located in Wishon, California, almost equal
distance between Los Angeles and San Francisco in the Sierra
National Forest. We offer charter bus service from both northern
and southern California and provide complimentary pick up at the
Fresno Yosemite International Airport.
Quality Staff starts at the
top
The Director, Jeff Portnoy, has been the owner and director of
Skylake for 17 consecutive summers. Skylake hires only
university students or college grads, and requires that they
arrive in camp with certifications in First Aid, CPR, and
Lifeguarding. All staff participates in an onsite, one week long
intensive staff training program. The hiring process includes
obtaining full criminal and driving record background checks.
Every year a large number of former campers return to be on
staff at the camp they love.
1 counselor for every 3
campers
The staff to camper ratio is one of the most reliable indicators
of the care and supervision that will be provided to your child.
Skylake normally has 70 camp counselors and
counselor/administrators for 210 campers. There are an
additional 25 employees filling cook, kitchen, housekeeper, and
nurse positions.
Kids choose what they want
to do each day
Skylake provides open enrollment for all of our scheduled
activities, special events and for out of camp excursions. Many
camps require their campers to go from one activity to another
as a group, much like a school class moving together though its
lessons. Skylake's program flexibility allows campers to try all
kinds of new activities and to sign up for activities with
friends from other cabins. See a
typical day at Skylake
Skylake provides
opportunities that interest every camper
The lake offers the ski boats, canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and
swimming events. The land activities include horses, tennis,
basketball, and volleyball courts. Art, drama, ceramics are
available for those not looking for high intensity activities.
In addition to the traditional camp activities, Skylake always
strives to find the strengths of its counselors and have them
present their special skills in activities such as yoga, ballet,
Frisbee golf, etc. The list of activities is endless, such as
nine square, yo-yo’s, diabolo’s, and jump rope that at camp take
on a new and different feel. Campers are never, ever, bored at
Skylake. Learn more about
activities
Kids love Skylake
food
We truly believe that Skylake provides the best summer camp food
in America. We cook from scratch, emphasizing fresh organic
fruits and vegetables at every meal. 100% of our meat products
are delivered fresh from the best meat market in Fresno. We
cater to all tastes from fresh pasta with no sauce for the
youngster to a grilled portabella instead of cheeseburger for
our vegetarian campers and staff. Fun and creative desserts are
served at every dinner. Every parent wonders if their child will
get enough to eat at summer camp. Our policy is always "all you
can eat" and our variety of foods at every meal means no child
leaves our dining room hungry. Learn more about Skylake food.
Do the kids come
back?
The big question is: “Do the kids come back?” Camper return rate
is the most telling of all qualities. Skylake has an incredibly
high return rate, averaging over 65% in all of camp. In some of
the older girl cabin groups we exceed 80% of the girls returning
and provide a window of time where only returning campers can
enroll to guarantee them space in camp. Skylake is a summer camp
kids never outgrow.
"The magic is in
the profound and real experiences and friendships that we
create and share in common with our fellow Skylakers that
stick with us for the rest of our lives. Combine a beautiful
place with great people and wonderful experiences and that
'something Skylake extra' and you have magic." – Dan
Braun, Camper 1973-1982, Staff 1983-1991
" Skylake Magic is the feeling of
waking up in the morning and going to bed at night knowing
that you wouldn't rather be anywhere else than 37976 Road
222. Skylake Magic is what gets you through the long winter
days in between summers, and keeps you looking forward to
Shasta Call, moonlight over Skylake, and even the swim trail
every single day. Every summer I attended Skylake was a
unique one, yet they all blend together into one of the
happiest memories I have ever had." –Sarah
Zimmerman Camper 2000-2005, Staff 2007-2008
Skylake Yosemite Camp is a traditional California children’s camp located almost equal distance between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The camp is located in the Sierra National Forest on Bass Lake.
