About
Camp Seneca Lake is an overnight camp that serves youth and teens entering grades 3–12. The camp describes itself as a safe, compassionate community and a supportive and inclusive community where people of all backgrounds are welcome. Camp Seneca Lake welcomes those who are Jewish, not Jewish, and interfaith, and invites everyone to participate in Jewish rituals in the way that feels comfortable to them.
• Ages: 8–17 years old
In the summer of 1928, Aaron Rose brought 30 campers from Rochester, NY to a campground in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State, creating Camp Conesus. A new property was purchased in 1939 that became Camp Seneca Lake, and over 95 summers later, Camp Seneca Lake continues to provide a meaningful summer camp experience for youth and teens entering grades 3–12. Camp Seneca Lake is associated with the JCC of Greater Rochester as its winter location and builds Jewish community on the shores of Seneca Lake.
Each cabin at Camp Seneca Lake consists of 6–12 campers and is staffed by at least 2 college-aged counselors. Many counselors are former Camp Seneca Lake campers themselves and are trained and prepared to provide fun and memories to a new generation of campers. Camp Seneca Lake has highly trained staff, always has onsite camp mental health professionals available to meet with campers as the need arises, and hires extra staff with special training to help support campers with a wide range of Mental Emotional Social Spiritual Health (MESSH) concerns. Camp Seneca Lake supports campers with special needs in many ways during the summer.
Camp Seneca Lake states that all human beings are created B’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God, and affirms the right of all people, including gender nonconforming and transgender individuals, to be referred to by their name, gender, and pronouns in its programs. CSL’s mission is to provide a fun, adventurous program with immersive, experiential learning that builds Jewish identity, facilitates personal exploration, cultivates an appreciation of nature, and establishes the importance of Jewish community. According to its mission, camp life fosters a strong sense of responsibility, self-reliance, independence, and self-worth, and adventurous outdoor experiences create a connection and appreciation for the environment in the Finger Lakes region. The mission also states that CSL provides a space and community to build lifelong friendships and develop interpersonal relationship skills, and that intentional and meaningful programming establishes the importance of a Jewish identity and creates a deep connection to a tight knit community.
Parents describe Camp Seneca Lake as “a hugely important part of our children’s lives” and say it “offers children a place to feel a part of their community and not to be judged.” One parent shared that their son came home “so comfortable, so in love with the place, so excited, so happy” after only a week. Another parent noted that their son returned home “still singing fight songs at the top of his lungs, telling stories of his adventures, and staying physically active more than he used to,” and thanked the camp for offering him an opportunity to challenge himself and feel more confident about who he is and what he is capable of doing.
Last updated May 27, 2026.
• Ages: 8–17 years old
In the summer of 1928, Aaron Rose brought 30 campers from Rochester, NY to a campground in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State, creating Camp Conesus. A new property was purchased in 1939 that became Camp Seneca Lake, and over 95 summers later, Camp Seneca Lake continues to provide a meaningful summer camp experience for youth and teens entering grades 3–12. Camp Seneca Lake is associated with the JCC of Greater Rochester as its winter location and builds Jewish community on the shores of Seneca Lake.
Each cabin at Camp Seneca Lake consists of 6–12 campers and is staffed by at least 2 college-aged counselors. Many counselors are former Camp Seneca Lake campers themselves and are trained and prepared to provide fun and memories to a new generation of campers. Camp Seneca Lake has highly trained staff, always has onsite camp mental health professionals available to meet with campers as the need arises, and hires extra staff with special training to help support campers with a wide range of Mental Emotional Social Spiritual Health (MESSH) concerns. Camp Seneca Lake supports campers with special needs in many ways during the summer.
Camp Seneca Lake states that all human beings are created B’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God, and affirms the right of all people, including gender nonconforming and transgender individuals, to be referred to by their name, gender, and pronouns in its programs. CSL’s mission is to provide a fun, adventurous program with immersive, experiential learning that builds Jewish identity, facilitates personal exploration, cultivates an appreciation of nature, and establishes the importance of Jewish community. According to its mission, camp life fosters a strong sense of responsibility, self-reliance, independence, and self-worth, and adventurous outdoor experiences create a connection and appreciation for the environment in the Finger Lakes region. The mission also states that CSL provides a space and community to build lifelong friendships and develop interpersonal relationship skills, and that intentional and meaningful programming establishes the importance of a Jewish identity and creates a deep connection to a tight knit community.
Parents describe Camp Seneca Lake as “a hugely important part of our children’s lives” and say it “offers children a place to feel a part of their community and not to be judged.” One parent shared that their son came home “so comfortable, so in love with the place, so excited, so happy” after only a week. Another parent noted that their son returned home “still singing fight songs at the top of his lungs, telling stories of his adventures, and staying physically active more than he used to,” and thanked the camp for offering him an opportunity to challenge himself and feel more confident about who he is and what he is capable of doing.
Last updated May 27, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.