Frequently Asked Questions

General

  • Mountain Lake Park sits in a scenic, semi-rural part of Warwick—nestled amid forested hills and near Bellvale. It's conveniently within an easy drive from New York City yet feels tucked away. Whether you're planning a nature outing, a day trip from the city, or looking into nearby attractions like skiing at Mount Peter or hiking in Sterling Forest, it’s a great central hub in the Hudson Valley. For 54 years, the campus at Mountain Lake Park was the home of URJ Kutz Camp. Mountain Lake Park is now best known as the site where the movie Theater Camp was filmed, making it an iconic theater camp location!

  • We run 3- and 6-week sessions, as well as a 10-day program for Emerging Artists. More information can be found on our Dates + Rates page.

  • Campers at Ghostlight Theater Camp range in age from 9 to 17. Our youngest campers (9-11) have the option of taking part in our Emerging Artists Program, which is a shorter, 10-day program that introduces these young campers to their first away-from-home sleepover camping experience. Our 3- and 6-week sessions are open to all ages, 9-17.

  • Most of our campers come from various parts of New York, New Jersey, and New England, but we have had campers and staff come from all over the world! Details about transportation will be included in the handbook that you will receive prior to camp, and you can always contact us if you have questions about travel.

  • We accommodate up to 16 campers and three staff members in our cabins. We maintain a counselor-to-camper ratio of 1:5 in most cabins and an overall staff-to-camper ratio of 1:2.

  • Campers are grouped according to their age range for cabin placement. Campers select a cabin that affirms their gender identity.

    We offer the following cabin options: 

    • Cabins for girls, regardless of sex assigned at birth, and non-binary and Trans* campers who feel safe in this space. 

    • Cabins for boys, regardless of sex assigned at birth, and non-binary and Trans* campers who feel safe in this space. 

    • Emerging Artists are housed in all-gender cabins with their age groups. 

  • Meals are a special time where we all come together from our various corners of camp and slow down to commune with each other. Coming from classes, rehearsals, and pool time means it is important that the quality, healthfulness, and variety of food we serve supports the growth of our campers in their time at camp.

    All meals include a rotating main course along with a breakfast or salad bar, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. We accommodate all allergens and are 100% nut-free. The dining pavilion is open throughout the day for cold juice and fresh fruit snacks for that mid-rehearsal boost.

  • We work with a camp medication company to fill regular prescriptions. The prescription can include all the necessary doses depending on your child’s session length. If your camper will be traveling with an inhaler, EpiPen, or other medication or device that our partner company is unable to send, please note this on their medical form. Our nurses will assist with these needed items and can administer all medications on site.

  • Ghostlight Theater Camp will always make sure your camper gets the appropriate medical attention they need. Families will be kept in the loop and contacted whenever your camper needs to spend a night in our health center or make a visit to the ER or a doctor. We know this can be a very helpless feeling for families, and we will keep you informed every step of the way, guaranteed.

  • St. Anthony Community Hospital is a 10-minute drive from Ghostlight Theater Camp and provides general medical and surgical services. We are a 35-minute drive from Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, NY, providing specialized treatment and surgical care should the unlikely need ever arise.

  • We follow a detailed prevention plan that is designed to address ticks, mosquitoes, and poison ivy. We work directly with a third party, certified in tick control, that comes to camp for short- and long-term tick prevention solutions.

  • We understand that lice is a problem that just happens from time to time. We want to make sure that our campers feel no shame or embarrassment from having lice or any other medical issue while with us. With that said, we go to great lengths to ensure that our campers are free of lice. When our campers arrive, they will be given a medical and lice check before checking into their cabins for the first time. These checks are conducted by our registered nurses.

  • Ghostlight is thrilled to be located at Mountain Lake Park in the town of Warwick, NY. Some of the lakefront areas are open to the public for hiking and fishing from during specific daytime hours. The pickleball courts and pool area are membership-only. In the evening and overnight, the campus is closed to everyone except Ghostlight staff and campers.

  • Ghostlight takes security very seriously. When there are non-Ghostlight members using some of the campus facilities, such as the pool or pickleball courts, there are always staff from Mountain Lake Park present to support. The Mountain Lake Park campus has security measures in place, such as 24/7 camera coverage, secure gates, and a regular patrol from local law enforcement, that will support our work keeping the campus safe.

Health and Safety

  • Camp is an investment in your camper’s growth and a wonderful opportunity for them to disconnect from their usual routine and settle into a different kind of rhythm. We encourage communication via letters to and from home while your camper is at camp. Consistent with recommendations from leaders in the camping industry, we discourage phone calls to campers. Allowing your camper to be fully invested in and enjoy their experience at Ghostlight without the distraction of phone calls from home is also a great way to foster independence! Camp directors are available to speak with you as often as you need. Should you need to speak with your camper, please reach out to Alexa to discuss.

  • Camp directors are available to speak any time all year round. During the summer, camp directors will always answer your call, and we’re always happy to chat. As part of our constant communication with families, we will send a daily email recapping everything from the day before along with what’s in store for the day ahead. You can also check out our portal for blog posts and photos of camp every day!

  • No; we are a device-free camp. That means we don’t allow campers to have any devices with cellular or Wi-Fi capabilities on them during camp. If such devices are brought or sent to camp, they will be kept in a safe and secure place until departure day. Campers are allowed to bring a digital or disposable camera for photos, as well as devices that music can be loaded onto for listening on your camper’s time away.

Communication at Camp

If you have any additional questions that we did not cover on this page, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We are happy to make sure all of your questions get answered. When your camper is at Ghostlight, we want them to have the best experience possible and you, their parent, to have all the information they need. Contact us today and learn more about the amazing experience your child can have.