BMD Goes Rafting!!

By Yehuda “No ‘H'” Fenton

As the first marvelous half of the summer wound down, many of us assumed that the last few days would be quiet. Luckily, we’re in BMD! After an amazing grand trip, the bochurim were all astonished to discover White-Water rafting lay in their future.

Thursday morning began with shachris and than a mad rush to go. Grabbing a bathing suit and a change of clothing, the campers headed to a hurried breakfast and then straight to the busses.

A short while later, we arrived at the scenic Delaware river. After an elegant lunch on the picturesque river bank, we headed to the rafts. Once all of the bochurim boarded their watercrafts, we embarked on our journey. The fleet of rafts floated gently down the river, slowly increasing speed as we reached the rapids.

The tense moments were wonderfully contrasted with the serene calm of the glorious summer day. The symphony of quacking ducks, the pungent odor of the river, and a breathtaking blue sky all accompanied the bochurim’s gliding journey through the river. We finally ended the trip six miles later, trudging through the mud to reach shore, and walked to the vans to head back.

In short, the final trip for BMD was a phenomenal ending to a spectacular first month. We applaud all of the members of BMD for making this first month possible, and look with excited speculation to the next month in camp! (Thank you Shimon Gorkin; for your help and contributions.)

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BMD – Fire and Ice!!!

By Yehuda “No ‘H'” Fenton

This has been an incredible 24 hours here at BMD! Beginning right after breakfast, we rushed off to the buses for an amazing trip. Ahead of us lay skating, bonfires and a bivouac. Just further proof of how unmitigatedly awesome BMD is.

After an exciting bus ride, we arrived at an incredible ice-skating rink. We had just enough time to stop for lunch and then we hit the ice. Gliding along on professional figure skating skates, the bochurim careened around corners at breakneck speeds, skidding to a halt with perfect hockey stops. They skated to chassidishe music, some of the campers playing with a hockey puck, others merely weaving around the other skaters. It was a wonderful beginning to the bivouac.

We then headed over to the camp grounds. After Mincha, BMD was split into two camps and the collection of wood began. Traversing the forest, the campers returned with twigs, brush, and branches and piles of wood quickly accumulated. After the obligatory tree was brought to the campsite, construction of the bonfire began. Teams of staff worked tirelessly until both campsites had massive pyres built.

Before the fires could be lit, the bochurim were led to an exquisite barbeque, with hotdogs and chicken cutlets. After the meal was done, we all headed back to the campsite to daven maariv. Once we davened it was time to light the bonfires.

Although we can’t confirm whether or not the fires were lit with a single match or not, we can guarantee that within minutes two enormous conflagrations lit the night sky. With the roaring fires ablaze (and all the campers at a safe distance) everyone sat back to roast marshmallows, sing niggunim, and listen to stories of the Baal Shem Tov late into the night.

The next morning we awoke to mikva in a nearby river, an inspiring shachris under the open sky, and a lavish breakfast to rejuvenate from the trip. After breakfast, it was time to head back, ready for more phenomenal times at BMD.

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BMD BBQ in the New Grounds!

By Yehuda “No ‘H'” Fenton

It’s been a truly fantastic week for BMD. We had an inspiring learning class from R’ Baras, a crazy Judgement Night, and an amazing time at Skate Estate. But that’s not all.

BMD finally got to experience their first trip through the Rebbe’s forest and into the new grounds. To the backdrop of a magnificent landscape the Bochurim played baseball, football, and volleyball. With plenty of space, beautiful scenery, and fully developed sports fields, the campers have given this wonderful addition to camp a big thumbs up.

That, however, is far from all. As the games wound down, the campers all headed to the gazebo for refreshingly ice-cold drinks to quench their thirst after a solid hour of game-play. Then, they all sat down to a fully-loaded barbeque. Freshly grilled hot dogs and steaming burgers were brought out. Afterwards, crispy French fries were served as a delicious finish to supper.

As clean up began, a game of camper vs staff baseball game started. Instantly, all the campers were in the field, ready to field the staffs batting lineup. It was an easy 3 outs, staff only getting one man on base. When the campers got a chance at bat they swiftly took control of the game, ending off 3-0.

Head Counselor Shimon Gorkin takes a swing

With that final game, the evening ended. Everyone was very tired, but all can say, staff and camper alike, that it was a delightful experience.

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BMD Kicks Off With Nightime Bowling!

By Yehuda “No ‘H'” Fenton

It’s 9:25 pm, and the Bochurim of B.M.D. are winding down. After the first hectic day of camp everyone is ready to go to sleep. The loud speaker keeps the bochurim informed as to how long they have until lights out, the counselors get ready for bed, and it is unanimously decided that it is highly unlikely that all 65 campers can take a shower within five minutes.
Suddenly a voice can be heard over the loudspeaker, testifying to the fact that we have all had an amazing first day. And to end off the amazing day, Head Counselors Shimon Gorkin and Shmulik Moskowitz say, there will be…wait for it…BOWLING!!!!

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Everyone’s out of bed! Sweatshirts are grabbed, flashlights pulled out, shoes jammed on, and we’re off to the buses! We get to the bowling alley ready for the amazing night that is to come!

Every Bochur chooses the ball of his choice and the games begin! Sixteen lanes, 96 bowlers and one awesome time! Strikes, spares, and the occasional gutter ball punctuate the evening. One camper even beat the odds by winning an iPod at the arcade game!

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(Editor. The highest score is still a matter of great contention and can only be truly resolved once tapes of the night are examined.)

It was an incredible night and a truly wonderful beginning to camp at Machneh Gan Yisroel B.M.D.!

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CGI Parksville Announces BMD Staff of 5770

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The Bar Mitzvah Division, the oldest division at Gan Yisroel New York, is a small and warm program specially designed for 12-13 year old Bochurim. With a curriculum created and designed by noted Mechanchim worldwide, learning is packed with fun and excitement. The Bochurim enjoy a 1-on-1 chavrusa with talented and Chassidishe staff, introducing them to a world of in-depth Chassidus they’ve never seen. With hours of amazing fun, daily sports and activities, unmatched outings, along with the most caring and energetic staff the boys enjoy the summer of a lifetime.

Director – Yossi Goldberg CH, New York

Director – Raphi Steiner Toronto, Canada

Staff – Leible Ferris Berkley, California

Yosef Junik London, England

Shlomy Katz Monsey, New York

Levi Kirszenberg Brooklyn, New York

Nochum Labkovsky Kfar Chabad, Israel

Duby Lisker CH, New York

Yaakov Perman Santiago, Chile

Yitzchok Pewzner CH, New York

Abby Raskin CH, New York

Special tutors are hired to help the boys prepare for their upcoming Bar Mitzvahs.

This year the camp has announced the opening of numerous brand new beautiful playing fields on their recently purchased land.

Published: June 06 2010