Lake Gloria
Opened in 1981, Lake Gloria is home to over 1,400 campers each summer. Campers ages 8 through 18 compete in sports, explore creation on wilderness trips, participate in challenging activities, and build relationships with one another. Counselors are Christian athletes who love kids and model Christ to them in everything they do.
Team Competition
The greatest rivalry in all of sports lives between the Romans and the Galatians. Every camper is a member of one of these teams and competes in daily athletic competitions within an age-based division. Our goal is to teach campers how to compete in a way that honors God through team sports like soccer, basketball, ultimate frisbee, and more!
Activities
During activity periods, campers strive to attain different levels of achievement and earn their “S”. Along the way counselors help campers develop life skills. Some of these skills, such as swimming, canoeing, and track events are developed and then put to use in the camp meets. Other skills such as perseverance, conquering fears, and encouraging others are developed and then applied throughout life.
Meets
The intense rivalry continues into six competitive meets that only happen at SB2W. Campers will strive to honor God with their very best. Events like the Track Meet, Heptathalon, Swim Meet and Tournament Night are some of the most intense and memorable days at camp, and provide big points for the Roman and Galatian teams. Meets are not only the culmination of competition at SB2W, but also allow campers to challenge themselves and put newly developed skills to the test.
Wilderness Trips
Overnight wilderness trips give campers the chance to connect with God in His beautiful creation. Whitewater rafting, caving, rock climbing and mountain biking are just a few of the trips offered at SB2W. Spending the day on an outdoor adventure and an overnight in a tent by the campfire provides an opportunity for campers to develop new skills and learn the basics of wilderness camping.
Counselors
Cabin counselors are the best part of camp. Each cabin of 10 campers has 2 college-aged counselors who coach, teach, lead and care for kids. These staffers are hand-picked, Christian athletes and leaders from universities across the nation.
Leadership
The Leadership team is a group of people who have been around camp for a while. Many have grown up as campers and have been counselors. They coach, care for and develop cabin counselors. The Leadership team also serves behind the scenes to make things like meets, trips, and Summer Life Nights happen well.
Kitchen Crew
The Kitchen Crew serves and cleans up after every meal. They also take care of a number of other details (behind the scenes) that make camp run. The Crew’s time at camp is marked by service and hard work. They are a great blessing to campers and staff.
Cooks
It takes a talented group of people to prepare three meals a day for more than 300 people, and our cooks do just that. Linda Biery serves as Lake Gloria’s Kitchen Supervisor, overseeing a passionate team of cooks who prepare energizing meals for everyone at SB2W.
Hugs and Health Staff
Doctors and nurses volunteer a week or two of their time to care for campers’ health needs. They distribute camper medication and are among the first to respond when campers have an injury or illness. Camp couldn’t operate without the generosity of these skilled medical professionals.
The A-Team
The A-Team serves as SB2W’s property and maintenance staff. These are the folks who build upon, care for and maintain the Lake Gloria grounds. Led by Jason Smith, A-Team members cut grass, manage facilities, repair equipment, and make sure campers get the most out of their time at Summer’s Best.
Office Staff
The Office Staff, led by Nancy Welch and Alyssa Foldesy, consists of a team of many volunteers throughout the summer. They handle thousands of details including registration, communicating with parents, the Camp Store, and sorting the voluminous amount of mail that arrives every day.
Our Founder
Our founder, Jim Welch, still lives and serves alongside us all summer. We benefit greatly from his sage wisdom and godly example. Praise God for his vision and more than 50 years of dedicated leadership to the ministry of Summer’s Best Two Weeks.
Get the Lay of the Land
SB2W Lake Gloria sits on a 140-acre site in the heart of the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. The property surrounds a beautiful 40-acre mountain lake and houses athletic fields and courts, high ropes activities, water sports, and numerous recreational activities and programs that target Campers ages 8-18. Our lakefront Water Park, waterslide, climbing tower, and zipline ensure that we’ve got enough adventure to last a lifetime.
– 2025 Tuition –
Summer One (9 days)
June 12 – June 20
$650 Per Camper
$675 if paid by credit card.
Two-Week Terms
First Term: June 22 – July 4
Second Term: July 6- July 18
Third Term: July 20 – Aug 1
Fourth Term: Aug 3 – Aug 15
$950 Per Camper
$975 if paid by credit card.
– 2025 Availability –
“Open” = camper spots are currently available
“Filling Fast” = camper spots could be filled in the next couple weeks
“Nearly Full” = very few spots left until wait list is started
“Wait list”= all camper spots are currently filled and new applicants are put onto a wait list.