New projects at Sunrise’s Long Island and Pearl River camps are making a tremendous difference 

Deanna Slade is always as excited as our campers are for summer to begin. But this season, the Vice President of Camping and Related Services and the Director of Sunrise Day Camp–Long Island was extra excited to see campers’ reactions to three amazing new projects at the Long Island camp – The Randi and Clifford Lane Sunrise Stadium, The Laura Rosenberg Foundation Hangar and The Billie and George Ross Game Court. And in Pearl River, children jumped for joy after the official opening of that camp’s fantastic Billie and George Ross Playground, which the Rosses also funded.  

“Each project will have a great impact on the quality of our program and certainly beautifies our campgrounds,” said Deanna, continuing that the new hangar – “where our kids have their home bases, eat lunch and do a variety of activities throughout the day, is colorful, spacious and features two new private, all-gender bathrooms. It is a stunning centerpiece at camp!”  

The Laura Rosenberg Foundation regularly sponsors SunriseWALKS and created the STEAM Shack on Long Island and an outdoor STEAM area at Pearl River. “It is our pleasure to help make the campgrounds look beautiful and allow everyone to enjoy all the great things on the property,” said Michael Rosenberg.  

Randi and Clifford Lane have also completed several game-changing projects at Sunrise Day Camp–Long Island – including a massive update to their playground three years ago – and the new Randi and Clifford Lane Sunrise Stadium is no exception.  “The kids love kickball, but the space wasn’t ideal,” explained Deanna. “The renovations supported by the Lane family include a new fully turfed field and two shaded dugouts. It’s a camp favorite this year!” When the Lanes took on the nearby “Field of Dreams” project (adding turf to the existing JK Kids Shade structure), they had noticed the undeveloped field where the stadium now stands. “When Sunrise…was ready to dedicate resources to that piece of land we could not say no,” said Clifford Lane. “Aside from being next to the ‘Field of Dreams,’ it’s now an area that can be used for all ballfield activities. What campers don’t love that?”  

Long Island campers had always loved hanging out at the handball court. The new Billie and George Ross Game Court is now entirely shaded. One side is turfed to play a camp favorite – 9 Square – and the other side is designed for pickleball, hopscotch, shuffleboard, and any circle game you can imagine! “Kids are having a blast,” said Deanna. Pearl River campers are also loving the new Billie and George Ross Playground.  

“Sunrise Day Camp is at the top of the list of organizations that we are passionate about. The Playground at Pearl River and Game Court on Long Island are two exciting new projects for us,” said Billie and George Ross. “They have been incredibly well-received and if they can help make a day, or an hour, or even a half hour more pleasant – that’s wonderful!”  

The Long Island projects and so many more were generously and skillfully built by the Senter Group. “I’ve done all I can wherever I can,” said Stewart Senter, who owns the construction firm. “I think the facilities at Sunrise will be the envy of every camp in the U.S. It’s something I’m very proud to be a part of and I will continue to help wherever I can.”  

“As our camper enrollment continues to grow, having more play spaces makes a tremendous difference for our children,” said Beth Fetner, Sunrise Association’s Chief Development Officer.  While Sunrise doesn’t have an official “wish list,” Beth welcomes anyone interested in capital improvement projects to reach out to her.  

“We all do our part for these kids to have an amazing summer and without the incredible gifts and giving hearts of our donors, we wouldn’t be able to do our jobs well,” said Deanna. “Thank you for supporting Sunrise, supporting our kids and all of our programs!”