Today we’d like to introduce you to Sunni Markowitz.
Sunni, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have been working with kids for 25+ years. Throughout my career, I have been a teacher, educational researcher, a special needs advocate (working with traumatic brain injured students) and a private student advocate. However, since I was ten years old, I wanted to own and run my own summer camp. Summer camp meant so much to me as a young girl. I absolutely loved it and think it played a big part in who I am today. It taught me to be independent, a problem solver, a good time manager and how to make friends. Like so many women, I stopped working to take time to raise my children (I have 3), and I went back to my summer camp when the owner passed away.
Seeing people I had not spoken to in 20 years and being able to completely be myself and pick up where we left off relit that flame. I KNEW that I had to run my own camp. I started Camp Lantern Creek for Girls in 2011 and we have been growing ever since. We started with 20 girls a session and only offering two sessions, to now registering 80 campers a session with three sessions total. I build everything that I do and provide for the girls around the mission of empowering girls and young women at CLC, from the daily schedule, team culture and through the way we teach activities. I have found my calling and a way I can influence girls to help make the world a better place…I love what I do!
Has it been a smooth road?
It was a very rocky road! I started with a work partner, but that did not work out. I learned a lot from that experience and how to advocate for myself, believe in myself and stay focused on my goal. I didn’t know a lot about running my own business, but I surrounded myself with people who helped teach me. One of my greatest assets is that I know what I don’t know! In addition, managing young staff comes with challenges and then Hurricane Harvey really affected my bottom line… not because we had any damage or flooding, but because so many around us did. We also rent out camp for retreats during the rest of the year, but unfortunately, businesses in the Houston area were not investing in utilizing the campsite. That was the most challenging year that I’ve had to get through. However, I think we are in recovery now and I feel good about that. Working with young staff and trying to mentor them through the application, interview and hiring process can be tricky, but we teach as we go and we get a lot in return for it. My biggest surprise is how much I enjoy mentoring the staff. I have maintained friendships with many counselors that haven’t worked for me in years. We truly are a camp family through the good and bad.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Camp Lantern Creek is an all-girls camp that empowers girls and young women to be the best version of themselves. Gaining independence, life skills, learning new things, finding their voice and making lifelong friendships. Everything we do is based on that mission! Our activities include: canoeing, swimming, art, doll-making, theater, dance, singing, archery, but some things that make us different are two classes in particular: a technical theater class, where girls learn how they can be a part of the theater without being on stage and a class called Rosie’s that teaches campers how to change a tire on a truck, work with power tools, build a fire, develop STEM skills and more. We also have an inspired four-year leadership program that begins with rising 9th graders. It promotes reasonable risks and helps highschoolers to develop strong leadership skills that will last a lifetime.
We also offer unique team building experiences for schools, companies, and groups with the woodworking class as well as an on-site challenge course. We’re located in 100 beautiful acres in the Piney Woods of Texas, outside of Montgomery, Texas. Camp Lantern Creek is known for our inspiring environment that is filled with uplifting quotes, murals of our summer camp themes and our colorful dining hall. I think we have created a safe place for girls and groups to take risks and challenge themselves in an environment that is safe, both physically and emotionally.
What are your plans for the future? What are you looking forward to or planning for – any big changes?
Every year I try to add something new to camp whether it’s a new activity or a structure on site. We have built a culture of tradition, but that includes positive changes as a part of our growth! This summer, we focused on expanding our STEM opportunities for campers as well as a class based on our theme: “I AM ENOUGH.”
Pricing:
- Session Two (June 30-July 12)- Two week session: $2400
- Session Three (July 14-July 21)- One Week Session: $1400
Contact Info:
- Address: 4045 N Farm to Market 1486
Montgomery, TX 77356 - Website: camplanterncreek.com
- Phone: 936-597-8225
- Email: Sunni@camplanterncreek.com
- Instagram: @camplanterncreek
- Facebook: @LanternCreek
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/CampLanternCreek
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
