In response to the growing hype around CGI Central’s inaugural Camp Training Conference, the three largest overnight camps in North America have enrolled their staff in Thursday’s program.
The conference, which was originally geared for day camp staff, will now service 200 staff members of CGI’s Detroit, Montreal, and Parksville.
Overnight staff will engage in three courses: Bullying Awareness, Abuse and Molestation Awareness and Prevention, and Positive Discipline.
Rabbi Shlomie Rabin, Director of CGI Central, told Collive that the inclusion of overnight camps is a “welcome development.”
“Our goal is to educate and train all camp staff and the participation of the ‘big three’ shows that our message is being recognized for its importance.”
Taking place tomorrow on Thursday, Tammuz 1 (June 21), the full day conference, which features a keynote address from well renowned Michael Brandwein, will be held in Beis Rivka Crown St for girls and Oholei Torah for boys. Over 40 camps have registered and more than 400 staff members are expected to participate.
The conference has been granted Educational Endorsement by the ACA, and also offers staff up to seven Continuing Education Credits (CEC’s).
To see the Schedule or for more information, please see the website.
June means a lot of things to a lot of people. To some it marks the end of a school year and the official beginning of summer. For summer camp parents, it means it’s time to start thinking about packing. For first time parents, the task can seem absolutely overwhelming. How much sunscreen and shampoo do I pack? Do they really need shinguards? How many t-shirts are enough? For seasoned camp parents, packing is a science based on experience. The art is in packing just enough but not too much or too little…and knowing which items the children have sneaked into their bags to take out and which ones to let go. Packing properly takes time…and patience.
CGI provides a rather comprehensive packing lists. These should not be disregarded. They’re compiled by professionals with years of camping experience who have excellent knowledge of what children’s bags need to contain in order for them to arrive prepared for a successful summer at camp. Also keep in mind when packing that living space is somewhat limited at camp. Your child will not have his or her own room at summer camp. He or she will live together with several other campers as well as a couple of counselors. This means that there is not a whole lot of room for “extras” and labeling clothes is important as mix-ups are otherwise bound to happen. If laundry is your primary concern, rest assured that camp laundry is done at least once per week. Your child’s counselors and other camp staff will see to it that your child has clean clothes.
Summer camp values also often downplay appearance. The emphasis of summer camp is on fun, friendship, and safety. Before the end of the summer, your child will likely get wet, slimed, painted, generally messy, and a host of other cool things that tend to make children laugh and adults cringe. So keep the really good stuff at home and send clothes that neither you nor they will miss too much if they have to be “retired” at the end of the summer.
It’s important for both new and seasoned camp parents to pay as much attention to the items your child’s camp asks not to bring as those items it asks to bring. There is a reason your camp requests that certain items not be brought onto campus, whether it’s to help facilitate a specific environment, protect those with allergies, or to avoid other issues not conducive to the spirit of summer camp. Packing “do not bring” items risks them being lost or confiscated until the end of the summer. This ultimately causes undo stress on your children. Alleviating stress that results from the idea of having to leave a beloved item such as a cell phone or notepad at home is typically accomplished by reiterating to children about what they will have at camp as opposed to what they won’t.
By following your camp’s advice and being proactive rather than reactive, packing for camp can be a fun countdown to camp rather than a reactive chore.
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.
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
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”.
