Month: May 2012 – י׳ בסיון ה׳תשע״ב

This summer, you may be wondering what he should bring for his stay away from home. He’ll likely want to bring all the comforts from home (Wii, Nintendo DS, cell phone, etc.) So here are some ideas the camp recommends

Clothing that can be layered

Replace a cold-weather jacket with T-shirts, flannels, and light sweatshirts that will allow your child to shed or add layers depending on the weather. Old clothes are often recommended, and all items should be marked with your child’s name.

A variety of shoes

Appropriate footwear is a must. Pack everything from hiking boots to water shoes, depending on the activities your child will participate in.

Swimsuit

For those hot summer days when your child will need to jump in the lake or pool to cool off, a swimsuit and any swimming safety equipment (depending on age/skill level) are key.

Flashlight and extra batteries

Make sure your child is never searching for the outhouse in the dark by packing a flashlight and an extra set of batteries.

Small first-aid kit

Band-Aids and Ace bandages are important to have on hand for common cuts, scrapes, and blisters. Also, be sure to pack a full supply of any medication your child may need for the summer — and inform the camp of any special instructions.

Toiletries

Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo, and other necessities for proper hygiene should be packed together in a waterproof bag. Camp showers are not always located directly in the cabin or bunk, so packing them in one bag will help your camper stay organized when it’s time to wash up.

Mosquito repellent

This is especially important . Spray or roll on.

Trip bag

This is handy for hiking trips or if your camper acquires craft projects and gifts from camp that may not fit in her initial luggage.

Camera

Depending on your camper’s age, you may want to include a cheap $30 digital camera to capture the fun memories. And since it’s inexpensive, there’s no major loss if it gets broken, lost, or stolen. As a general rule, don’t bring anything you cannot afford to lose.

A way to stay in touch

Avoid homesickness by giving your child an easy way to stay connected. Pack self-addressed, stamped envelopes.

Spending money

The camp director recommends that cash monies should be kept in the canteen, and when your child will need money for any extra expenses, including off-site trips, snacks, and souvenirs, it can be withdrawn from his canteen account. It is not recommended for any camper to be walking around with more than $2-$3 at any time.

Towels

Include at least two towels, one for bathing and one for swimming, so your child will always have a dry towel to use.

And finally

If you cannot afford to lose it, don’t bring it to camp.

For the first time in their nearly 60 year history and due to popular demand, Camp Gan Yisroel – Parksville, NY will be offering a day camp option for 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders that are spending the summer in the “country”.

In an exclusive interview with camp director Rabbi Yossie Futerfas, SHMAIS.com was told that “the day campers will enjoy a fun filled camp experience of Davening, learning, swimming, sports, trips and many other bunk activities.”

“Devoted and dedicated Chassidishe counselors will instill the boys with the Gan Yisroel spirit” Rabbi Futerfas said.

Space is limited.

For more information call the Gan Yisroel offices @ 845-292-9307.

Source: Shmais.com

A Shliach and educator will conduct shiurim for staff members at Camp Gan Israel of Parksville, NY; Children who signed up before Shavuos will be included in the calendar.

“A Yeshiva from within, a camp from the outside.”

Those were the words of the Rebbe when he founded Camp Gan Israel, and this remains the driving philosophy at the camp in Parksville, NY, the trailblazer Chabad summer camp that spawned hundreds more around the globe.

Indeed, since the camp hung out it’s shingle 56 years ago, it has established itself as a Chassidishe camp true to the Rebbe’s directives for a Jewish camp.

Today, the camp at Kiryat Gan Yisroel continues to provide a “fun-filled camping experience set in an authentic, deeply Chassidishe environment,” says Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, Executive Director of the camp.

“Every child has a different skill set,” says Rabbi Yossi Futerfas, director of the camp. “Because every child is so unique, this year, as in the past, we’re placing emphasis on diversifying our curriculum by totally rethinking our sports and physical activities to ensure that every child has a fair shot.”

Already, Head Counselors Rabbi Nachman Dov Vichnin, Nochum Schapiro, Levi Shemtov and Avremi Wolff are putting their heads together to find more ways to engage every child at every demographic.

Learning directors Rabbi Sholom Baras, Shazi Perman and Menachem Altein are keeping pace with the new developments by ensuring that the camp’s exciting sports and physical activities are set in a distinctly Jewish and Chassidishe environment with a rigorous Torah learning schedule, giving campers the best of all worlds.

For 12-13 year-old boys, Camp Gan Israel has created an exciting program to cultivate this important demographic. This year, the camp’s popular Bar Mitzvah Division (BMD) has already drawn a record number of enrollments and will soon reach full capacity.

BMD heads Shimon Gorkin and Shmulik Moskowitz are already hard at work with a fully redesigned program for this years’ summer experience.

With the campers’ needs provided for, Rabbi Shemtov has also raised the bar for staff as well. This year, educator Rabbi Zalman Kaplan will conduct daily shiurim for learning teachers and counselors.

Rabbi Kaplan is the Director of Adult Education at the Montreal Torah Center – Chabad in Montreal and is on the faculty of Beth Rivkah Academy and Chaya Mushka Seminary there.

In this manner, says Rabbi Shemtov, “the staff will maintain a healthy balance by continuing Yeshiva and setting a standard for campers to follow by embodying the Chassidishe values and practices of a Tomim.”

Last year, the camp’s innovative ‘A Year with the Rebbe Calendar’ initiative was launched to a positive reception. Campers completed various tasks, or excelled in davening and learning and were rewarded for their achievements with an array of stunning pictures of the Rebbe.

Head Counselor Nachman Dov Vichnin has confirmed that this program is currently on the launching pad and will feature a redesigned program and all-new pictures of the Rebbe.

“After last year’s success, we’re very excited with the possibilities of this initiative and we’re looking forward to another great year at Gan Yisroel,” says Rabbi Vichnin.

Every boy who’s registers before Shavuos, will have his name appear on the calendar on his birthday. To register your son, visit CampGanIsrael.Com