When Liberty Lake Day Camp opened its gates 25 years ago, founder Andy Pritikin had a simple vision: Create a place where children could experience the freedom, confidence, and connection he believed every young person deserves. What began as a modest idea on 60 shady acres in Northern Burlington County has grown into one of South Jersey’s most respected youth development programs — not just for its activities — but for its culture.

Today, Liberty Lake Day Camp is well known for its leadership philosophies, safety practices, and strict commitment to being “outdoors and unplugged.” As the camp marks its 25th anniversary, this significant milestone is shaped by their renewed commitment to youth development, resilience, and their far-reaching community of tens of thousands of alumni and current Liberty Lakers.

A Camp Built on Values, Not Just Activities

Liberty Lake has become an internationally recognized summer camp in no small part because of Andy Pritikin’s many years working in youth programming and advocacy for camp safety and best practices at the state, national, and international level. His service within the summer camp industry includes his roles as President of the American Camp Association NY/NJ, Chair of the largest professional development camp conference in the world (and bringing it to South Jersey), and host of his popular podcast – all of which shape the best practices, training, and safety standards used across the camp profession.

At Liberty Lake Day Camp, these same best practices and standards are woven into daily camp life. From morning assemblies to small group activities, the camp is structured around its 5-Star Points:
Independence, Integrity, Aspiration, Teamwork, and Friendship,
a framework designed to support character growth just as much as recreational fun.

“It’s not about keeping kids busy,” Andy says. “It’s about helping them discover the best versions of themselves.”

Safety as a Culture, and a Requirement

For many parents, researching summer camps starts with one question: How safe is it?

Liberty Lake’s approach to safety is both comprehensive and transparent. The camp’s
Dedication to Safety guide
outlines everything from lifeguard certifications to supervision ratios to emergency readiness. State requirements serve as a baseline, not a finish line. The pools and waterfront are staffed with more certified lifeguards than required, and multiple layers of staff training are completed well before campers arrive on opening day.

“It’s one thing to say that safety matters,” Andy explains. “It’s another to walk the talk, and build a staff culture around it.”

Inclusion That Runs Deeper Than Buzzwords

Years before inclusion became a common societal catchphrase, Liberty Lake Day Camp was already inviting over 100 campers with diverse additional needs into their camp community each summer, while training all staff in behavior coaching, neurodiversity support, and conflict mediation. Their goal is simple: create an environment where every child feels accepted.

For many families with children who need extra support, Liberty Lake Day Camp is the first place where their child feels fully understood, supported, and socially connected. Learn more about their
inclusion program.

A Leadership Legacy Continues: The Return of Justin

As Liberty Lake Day Camp celebrates its 25th anniversary, it’s also welcoming a new chapter in leadership with the return of Andy’s son, Justin Pritikin, whose history with the camp is as old as the camp itself. Justin began his Liberty Lake journey as a 2-year-old camper and grew up deeply embedded in camp life — helping stuff envelopes, giving tours at open houses, and writing/facilitating staff training. His connection to camp is documented in his
official bio.

His childhood took an unexpected turn when he began an extended battle with leukemia at age 12. The experience would later inspire his TED Talk on resilience and finding joy during adversity, shaping the unique perspective he brings into his work today.

At Villanova University, Justin served as a student manager for Hall of Fame basketball coach Jay Wright, learning valuable lessons in leadership, organization, and team dynamics. He also led the world’s largest Special Olympics fundraiser — virtually in 2020 and then in-person in 2021 — gaining meaningful experience in large-scale community engagement.

Justin began his professional career in the corporate sector, joining lululemon as a sales associate during his final semester of college, and quickly moved into an executive position at the company’s U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles. Though he excelled in the role, he realized that his heart remained in youth development, and his skillset best utilized at summer camp.

He returned east to become a Director at Everwood Day Camp, Liberty Lake’s sister camp in Massachusetts, and became a sought-after staff trainer, speaking at conferences and working with camp leadership across North America. His role at Liberty Lake Day Camp places him alongside the camp’s experienced leadership team, continuing a family legacy built on resilience, empathy, and a commitment to helping young people thrive.

A Staff Culture Rooted in Purpose

While most employers have been complaining about the difficulties in hiring seasonal staff since the pandemic, Liberty Lake Day Camp has built a stable, dedicated, mission-driven staff community. More than half the summer staff attended as campers, and almost all of the adults work in the education, recreation, or youth mental health fields. Their collective experience forms the backbone of Liberty Lake’s culture.

Visitors quickly notice the positive energy and cohesion amongst the staff — whether during assemblies, special events, or moments between activity periods. The staff feels and functions like a community with a shared sense of purpose.

25 Years Later, the Heart of Camp Hasn’t Changed

As Liberty Lake Day Camp marks a quarter century, some alumni campers are now camper parents, introducing their own kids to the same lake, fields, and traditions that they enjoyed and now cherish. Alumni often describe camp as the place

where they found their voice, made some of their closest friends, and learned their earliest lessons in independence.

Families exploring whether Liberty Lake Day Camp is the right fit can find answers to common questions — fromschedules and transportation to program details — in the camp’s parent resource hub.

“Kids still need a safe place to connect, explore, and grow,” Andy says. “The world around them may change, but camp remains a constant.”

With Andy and Justin leading side-by-side, Liberty Lake Day Camp begins its next chapter grounded in its founding values and strengthened by a new generation of leadership ready to guide the summers ahead.