The camp is named after the nearby Green Lake, which is actually a dried-up lakebed. The lakebed is used as a work site for the inmates, who are forced to dig holes as part of a "character-building" program. The camp also has a variety of other activities and programs, including education, counseling, and vocational training.
Camp Green Lake is a controversial facility, and it has been criticized for its harsh conditions and its use of corporal punishment. However, it is also credited with helping many juveniles to turn their lives around.