Saturday, March 15, 2025
For half a century, Twin Oaks Day Camp has been a summer haven for generations of campers, who have created memories and friendships lasting a lifetime.
As the camp marks its 50th anniversary this summer, its leaders are reflecting on what makes Twin Oaks a special place, drawing families to return year after year.
Twin Oaks has been family owned and operated since 1975, although its history stretches back even further.
Hal Elman was a head counselor at the camp prior to 1975, and when the former owners were looking to sell the property, Elman and his college friend, Bernie Hoffman, along with their wives, Barbara Elman and Beverly Hoffman, decided to purchase it.
Since then, the camp has flourished into what it is today — a place where every camper and their family member feel like they’re part of an even bigger “family.” Based in Freeport, the camp serves many other communities, including Merrick, Bellmore, East Meadow, Wantagh, Seaford, Baldwin, Rockville Centre and beyond.
The Elmans’ daughter, Jenni Elman-Davis, now runs Twin Oaks, alongside assistant directors Carin Stone and Michele Colella, who have both worked at the camp for more than 25 years.
The camp is split into four divisions, with its youngest members taking part in the Barney Program for children between the ages of 20 and 30 months. Each camper is paired with a one-on-one supervisor, and they get to take part in a half-day program, filled with fun, adventure and socialization.
The Lower Camp is for three and four year olds and the Upper Camp enrolls children in kindergarten through third grade. Full day and mini day programs are available. The camp’s activity directors create an engaging and diversified experience for all campers, and each child has an opportunity to participate in sports, art-and-crafts, swimming and more.
The Gemini Program is for Twin Oaks’ oldest campers, for students entering fourth through ninth grades. Instead of attending the day camp, children in the program travel each day to a new location all over Long Island and New York City, going to everything from baseball games to amusement parks.
Enrollment is currently open for all programs for the upcoming camp season, which runs from June 30 to Aug. 22.
“We’re not the biggest or the fanciest,” Elman-Davis told the Herald, “but we have the most heart. We do a lot of fun, innovative programming. Our travel program for our teens is one of the best travel programs around.”
During each week of camp, Twin Oaks offers a special “theme” that children can take part in — whether it’s dressing up in red, white and blue for Independence Day celebrations, or a special activity day like relay races, a DJ Dance Party or Halloween in August.
Elman-Davis said the camp is special because it boasts multigenerational members. Many campers from the 70s and 80s now have children of their own, who are either campers or enrolled in Twin Oaks’ Day School, which opened in 1975. The students range from toddlers to pre-K.
“We have a very good relationship with the local elementary schools,” Elman-Davis said. “A lot of local elementary school teachers send their children to us because they feel that their students come to public school very well prepared.”
Hal Elman — affectionately known as “Papa Hal” — died last year, but Elman-Davis said her mom still checks in each day, even though she lives in Florida. Her mom still constantly runs into people, who simply remember her as “Barbara from Twin Oaks.”
Stone said the environment at Twin Oaks is incredible, and that there’s nothing Elman-Davis wouldn’t do for members, her staff or the families they serve.
“She is kind and loving and understanding,” Stone said. “She loves the children here, but she loves her staff too.”
Colella described Twin Oaks as “family, fun and flexible” — meaning that the directors really try to accommodate every family and their schedules in order to meet their needs.
“We’re a place that smiles,” Elman-Davis said. “The minute you walk through our gate, how could you not smile? You’re greeted by happiness. To get to see the world through the eyes of a child every day is the greatest gift that anyone could receive.”
For more information on Twin Oaks, at 458 Babylon Turnpike, visit TwinOaksDayCamp.com or call (516) 623-4550.
