Melissa Donovan 
Orlando mom Rachel Schwartz said her sons had no interest in remembering her phone number until they attended Highlander Summer, Lake Highland Preparatory School’s summer camp, and wanted to schedule playdates with their new friends.
Schwartz’s sons do not attend Lake Highland during the school year, so she said she was initially nervous about signing them up for summer camp there. Now going into their fifth year at Highlander Summer, her two boys look forward to taking advantage of every opportunity at camp, forming connections with the counselors and making new friends.
“Because they [don’t go to Lake Highland], they don’t know many kids at camp. A few of their friends have done Lake Highland camps with them here and there, but not every week. I always wonder if they’ll be nervous, but they hop in my car each morning, wanting to be one of the first ones at camp, jump out of my car every day before the counselors can even say ‘Hi,’ run as fast as they can into the building, and never look back. This is because of the amazing environment of camaraderie [the] team has built,” Schwartz wrote in an email to the Highlander Summer team after her sons attended their 2025 camps.
Highlander Summer offers programs for students entering preschool to 12th grade. The programming is not exclusive to Lake Highland students. Over the eight-week run from June 1 to July 24, campers have the opportunity to explore their interests while parents have the peace of mind knowing their little one is in a safe place.
Kids who are looking to develop their creative side with options like 2D art or baking can attend Specialty Camps that foster an environment to go from novice to confident. For the young leaders of tomorrow, their STEM and Tech Camps allow those who treasure innovation to explore the worlds of science, entrepreneurship, digital design and more.
To avoid the summer slump, Highlander Summer’s Academic Camps bring the campers back into the classroom to “supercharge their learning for the upcoming year,” where they can practice core subject matter. While keeping campers’ minds sharp, Highlander Summer also offers Sports Camps to help develop athletes’ skills and teach sportsmanship on the field and court. Lastly, for the authentic summer camp experience, their Day Camps for kindergarten through sixth grade and Tiny Tartans camp for PreK offer all the classic activities like capture the flag, arts and crafts, and scavenger hunts.
Seven years into being a Highlander Summer Camp parent and five years into working there, Kristin Zeh, who is a Physical Education teacher and sports coach at Lake Highland, gets to see firsthand how fellow campers discover new interests, create bonds, and enjoy themselves, just as her son has.
“In my family, we’re really into the athletic side of things, but I love that my kid is exposed to all of the arts and the different specialty camps there, because those are things that we typically don’t do with him, and he has just thrived in those areas as well,” Zeh said. “That’s what I see for other kids, it’s like a one-stop shop. Someone might have a kid that’s really into sports, and their other kid who’s really into cooking or arts, or wants to learn more about how to start a store. I mean, there really is something for everybody.”
The Highlander Summer camps are brought to life through the efforts of its staff. As a combination of role models for campers to look up to, the staff consists of Lake Highland teachers, college students and over 70 volunteers.
Schwartz said she has noticed the profound impact the staff at the camp has had on her boys,
“They would come home and just say this person’s name and that person’s name. I assume that they were talking about kids and friends, but they were really talking about the counselors. I’m like, ‘Oh, is that your new friend?’ And they were like, ‘No, that’s my counselor.’ So they truly love the counselors there,” Schwartz said.
Along with building connections and learning new skills, teachers and staff acknowledge how important communication and safety are for parents when choosing a camp for their child. From lifeguards on duty poolside to being greeted and escorted by security staff to clear communication with parents, Highlander Summer is a spot where parents can be assured their child is in good hands.
“Something that sets this camp above any camp my child has been to is that they’re constantly communicating. You know their daily schedule. You know what they’re going to do throughout the day. It’s very seamless,” Zeh said. “It is a big campus. But again, the whole safety factor of being greeted by a security officer, as well as all of our counselors who are present and willing to help upon arrival and dismissal. I think the biggest piece is just the communication. As a parent, before your child arrives at their camp, you already know what to expect.”
Now gearing up for a few weeks at Highlander Summer, Schwartz said she is glad her sons get to enjoy summer camp just like her and her husband did growing up.
“My husband and I grew up in New Jersey, and I feel like summer camps are such a big thing there. We tried a bunch of different camps in this area, and I would say Lake Highland is definitely the best one that we’ve been to,” Schwartz said. “I think camp is so important for them to just have fun and be kids over the summer.”
For more information on programs and to register, visit the Highlander Summer website.
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