CAMPS T THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS B2 [ Camps ] January 21, 2016

Campers learn life skills in their summers away

My aril n Lazar “How to plant a garden, light a one- Special to The CJN match fire, cook dinner over a campfire, and get along with other kids.” f you’re considering camp for your kids “I learned to live in a tent, share one plug but wonder if it will be a positive ex- among four people and fend off raccoons.” I perience or worth the substantial cost, “I learned to appreciate my mother’s look no further. cooking.” Below is a curated collection of direct “How to overcome little fears. My first quotes, answering the question ‘what life year I peed in my bed because it was skills did you learn at camp?’ raining and I was scared of the dark. That One camper said, “There are so many. didn’t happen again.” The ones that stand out for me are: be- “Little boys learn to shower properly and ing independent, having to advocate for general bathroom hygiene.” oneself, respecting others, co-operation, “Finding solutions.” making new friends and the importance “You learn to develop and maintain of trying new things.” deep bonds. I didn’t see my camp friends Another said, “you learn about having as often as I did my school friends, but we fun and losing inhibition, about unleash- marched at each other’s weddings and “Independence. Kids are valued for 10-year-old what that kid running around ing your imagination and creativity; about we’re still close today.” hilarity and behaviour that might not be like an idiot would do as an adult, but as camaraderie and building life-long friend- “Things get imprinted on you: certain tolerated in a classroom. They get to be you watch each other grow up and start ships through shared experiences; about moments, like the camp play. Even the themselves.” careers, it makes sense. That brilliant but new activities whether water sports, scout- buildings have huge meaning. Like re- “You develop people skills and learn to quirky kid who didn’t say much but when ing, arts and crafts and/or drama; about joy membering what you did in a particular solve problems. Throw 12 kids into a room he did it was relevant is a lawyer today. in simplicity; about nature; if it is a Jewish building. “ – try that with adults in a board room. You The guy who was always ready to dive into camp, about and .” “First kiss?” learn team work and independence. One the dirt works with his hands. The extro- Here are some other answers: “How great it feels to win an award.” counsellor is not always able to help the vert owns a video production company.” “Hospital corners.” ”Camp nurtures kids and fosters skills. I way a parent might.” It seems that whatever the experience “How to sweep a floor and use a dust- know professional potters and musicians “Looking back, I can see the seeds of kids have at camp, it becomes a memory pan.” who honed their talent at camp.” who people grew into. I didn’t know as a that lasts a lifetime. n

Summers Together... Memories Forever.

1-888-254-4274 | of [email protected] | www.campwalden.ca THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS T January 21, 2016 [ Camps ] B3

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SPONSOR CONTENT Camp Bilium builds Jewish leaders of the future

ince 1951, Camp Biluim Canada, other camps, however, is the hadrachah Canadian ’s Nation- (leadership) program, a facilitated ses- S al Leadership Institute, has wel- sion with a group of up to 12 peers and comed a new group of more than 100 two leaders, which takes place daily. sixteen year-olds from across Canada, the The program’s curriculum is specifically and Israel to their site each modelled to create a safe space in which year, for a truly transformative summer. campers can confront themselves and Camp Biluim is more than just your their fears, grow as individuals and as a typical . It is an immersive, group, and empower one another. leadership experience with a curriculum Combined with many other diverse built around providing campers with the leadership opportunities, the hadrachah confidence and skills to become lead- program is a unique and individualized ers within their respective communities, experience for every camper, and cre- while participating in active and fun rec- ates an extremely tight bond between reational activities and making friend- campers and staff members alike. As a ships that last a lifetime. Bilium’s Big Brother Big Sister program pairs campers with younger campers at Camp Kinneret. leadership camp, Biluim prides itself on The philosophy at Camp Biluim is that providing campers with additional daily everyone has the potential to become powers campers to strengthen their rela- docks, basketball courts, beach, and kilo- opportunities to get involved in camp a great leader, and that each and every tionship to Israel, and develop a stronger metres of beautiful trails through the for- life and to exercise their leadership skills. camper has something unique to bring to sense of their Jewish selves within a sup- est for both hiking and biking. Campers These include camper-run programs, the “chevrah” (society). Through a variety portive, safe, and nurturing environment. at Camp Biluim are encouraged to try as the Big Brother/Big Sister program, CIT of both staff and camper-led program- Situated on the shores of Lac Mercier in many activities as possible throughout “shadow a staff member” program, trip- ming, skill development, and hadrachah beautiful Mont Tremblant, , Camp the summer, including Red Cross certified per-in-training program, and many more. (leadership) sessions, Camp Biluim’s goal Biluim Canada makes up 28 acres of land swim instruction, fitness, tripping, biking, Some of these are required as part of the is to ensure that every camper who takes including a tent site, sports field, baseball yoga, glee club, radio show, archery, cook- program, and some are optional, based part in the six-week, overnight program, diamond, two rec halls, dining hall, yoga ing, music, boating, spoken word, land on camper interest. Camp Biluim Canada has the proper skills and feels empowered and dance studio, arts and crafts studio, and watersports, arts and crafts, nature, is happy to provide their campers with to become a leader. Along with extensive music room, recording studio, infirmary, and drama, to name a few. high school volunteer hours for their time leadership training, Camp Biluim also em- swimming docks, archery range, boating What truly sets Camp Biluim apart from spent on leadership initiatives at camp. n

LifeLong friendships from across the worLd Welcome to your best summer ever T THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS B6 [ Camps ] January 21, 2016

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SPONSOR CONTENT Camp Massad enters 70th season

here is significant “quantitative evi- live a Jewish life. dence that summers at Jewish camp Massad is based on a set five core values Tcreate adults who are committed to which are shared and lived year-round. the Jewish community and engaged in • Dati: Observing and celebrating Jewish practice” (see www.jewishcamp. and mitzvot org/research). Those who attended Jewish • Massoret Ve’Ruach: continuing and hon- camp were 30 per cent more likely to do- ouring the Massad traditions and its rich, nate to a Jewish charity, 37 per cent more distinct atmosphere likely to light Shabbat candles, 45 per cent • Tzionut: strengthening the love for and more likely to attend synagogue monthly commitment to Israel, and or more, and 55 per cent more likely to be the very emotionally attached to Israel. • Chevrut: fostering an environment Jeff Bicher, the director of Camp Mas- where lifelong friendships are nurtured, sad could not agree more. “It is clear that and creating a sense of family and unity our campers develop a connection to the within camp; community and to each other, like noth- my family, giving me the ultimate gift of The camp seeks to ensure that every • Hatzlacha Ve’Tzmicha: committing to ing else. Our tagline, Where Going to happiness and fulfilment. And my story camper enjoys a fun, safe, and nurtur- create quality programs that enrich and Camp Means Coming Home, just says it is not the only one like this.” Entering its ing summer through meaningful Jewish challenge participants to grow and excel, to all.” Which is why after a 10-year hiatus, 70th season, the camp is proud to be serv- experiences rooted in a Shabbat-observ- strive for success and flourish, appreciating Jeff went back to camp this past summer. ing another generation of Massadniks, in- ant and Zionist environment. Campers that we are creating tomorrow’s leaders. When asked how long this stint will be, his cluding grandchildren of its original coun- are embraced into the Massad family, all Bicher will be returning to Massad for face beamed. “I can’t imagine spending sellors and campers. the while being enveloped by its Ruach his 24th summer. He was first hired to my summers anywhere else. That magical Situated on Lac Quenouille 115 kilo- (spirit) and Massoret Massad (traditions). direct camp for the 1997 season, when place is responsible for so much. metres north of Montreal, Camp Massad Through quality programming, campers there were just 52 campers. Within four “I owe Camp Massad a debt of gratitude. was founded in 1947 to offer children an benefit from individualized attention and years, camp was at capacity. He attri- Not only did Massad expose my spiritual opportunity to enrich their knowledge of focused skill development, taking pride in butes the success back then, and the and spirited sides and enable me to form Jewish culture, and their fluency in the their accomplishments. In this inclusive current resurgence, to multiple factors, some great friendships, but Camp Mas- Hebrew language, while enjoying an in- community, campers and staff will form including great staff teams and superb sad brought me my wife, and as a result tegrated and extensive program. lifelong relationships and are inspired to volunteer leaders. n T THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS B8 [ Camps ] January 21, 2016

Dating and marriage a result of Jewish camp

Mn aaya Jaffe zon, engaging in loud and intense games of camp are on average 10 per cent more JNS.org colour war, and celebrating Jewish culture likely to marry within the Jewish faith with Hebrew plays and folk music campfire than their peers. A 2000-01 study found ighteen-year-old Bernie Kozlovksy sing-alongs. that number to be higher, with 78 per spent from sundown to sunrise on a No one is pushed to date at Jewish sum- cent of individuals who attended Jewish Eboat with 16-year-old Sonia Rosen- mer camp, explains Lauren Ben-Shoshan, summer camp in-married, as opposed to baum in the summer of 1972. who met her Israeli husband, Alon, as a 62 per cent of their non-camper peers. “We talked until dawn,” Kozlovksy recalls counsellor at a Union for What’s the secret sauce? Is it that ro- about that summer at a Jewish summer camp in 2004. The couple now lives in Is- mantic Shabbat at sunset by the lake camp. rael. or in the secluded woods? That’s Kozlovksy worked in the camp kitch- “Camp is a positive place for Jewish learn- part of it, but it is more likely a en. Rosenbaum was a camper. From that ing, physical activity, and connecting with result of the “intensity” of the summer forward, neither dated another the outdoors. No one wants campers to feel camp experience, Ben-Shoshan individual. Forty-three years later – includ- bad because they didn’t find their spouse believes. that could take several months in the ‘real ing 39 years of marriage, six children, and when they were 15, 19, or 22. But there is “You’re living with everyone. The world,’ you see within a week at camp.” seven grandchildren – Kozlovksy attributes a covert understanding that [marriage is] days last forever, but camp feels like it Jewish summer camp focuses heavily on his successfulInIn every relationshipevery to the spark person’sperson’s that a nice byproduct childhood, childhood,of Jewish summer camp, only lasts a minute. So even if camp is only community-building, notes Aaron Bogage, formed during his summertime experience. when it happens,” says Ben-Shoshan, who two months, these areMeetMeet two very intense && GreetGreet who attended UsUs the BBYO International therethere is is a a summer summer they theyis also a will Jewishwill educator. never never forget, forget, months,” she says. “You see theat thecampers CAMP Leadership EXPO Training Conference for sev- Not much has changed...... at the CAMP EXPO Today, the (camp) fire is still burning at It occurs more often than many realize. and counsellors in stressful situations, how eral summers and now works at the over- Jewishandand summer a a placecamp. place Dating where where and mar -it itAccording all all began. began. to Camp Works, a report released they interact withWhen:When: peers and Sunday, Sunday,with the Feb Feb kids, 23, 22, 12pm 12pmnight - - BBYO4pm 4pm Chapter Leadership Training riage are byproducts of summers spent in 2012 by the Foundation for Jewish Camp, the meals, how theywhere:where: interact Roywith Roy Thomson Thomson co-work -Hall HallConference. (booth (booth #13) #8) banging on the table during Birkat Hama- Jewish adults who attend Jewish overnight ers. It is all these RSVPthingsRSVP :that :www.ourkids.net/campexpo/register.php www.ourkids.net/campexpo/register.php happen in life, Continued on NEXT page 10.25”RaffleRaffle for for a a FREE FREE SUMMER SUMMERx 8 at at Crestwood!Crestwood! 15/16” tall SpringSpring OpenOpen HouseHouse atat Crestwood Crestwood Valley Valley Day Day Camp Camp ...... When:When: Sunday,Sunday, April April 27, 26, 1pm 1pm - - 3pm 3pm -W]SYVGLMPHGVE^]JSVWhere:Where: 411411 Lawrence Lawrence Avenue Avenue East, East, Toronto Toronto TIXWERHERMQEPW#RSVP:RSVP: www.crestwoodcamp.comwww.crestwoodcamp.com RaffleRaffle for for a a FREE FREE SUMMER SUMMER at at Crestwood!Crestwood!

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He says there are always “quite a few summer camps tend to share similar val- plaques with kissy faces on which people couples per session,” explaining that these ues. Through the camping experience, etch their name and the date of their first relationships form because everyone is they come to learn how they hope to cele- kiss. More than 3,000 couples have their “extremely open” with each other and brate Shabbat or even raise their children. plaques featured on “shidduch walls” at open to meeting new people. “My husband and I come at life from a Ramah camps around the country (Wis- “Everyone is genuinely excited to get similar place of what is important and what consin, the Berkshires, and California). to know the rest of the teens.…There is we want for our children in terms of Jew- At Ramah in the Poconos, a gazebo called a sense of community that comes from ish identity and connection to Israel,” says Gazebo Zugot (Hebrew for “matches”) cele- camp,” Bogage says. Silber. “And it’s fun. Camp is really fun and brates couples that met at camp. Ramah- One can start to pinpoint new couples, that playfulness, that energy or ruach (spir- marriages.org, a page on the Reshet Ramah according to Bogage, by looking at who sits it) is still there in our relationship today.” website, is dedicated to couples who met at where during meals and what campers do That’s exactly how it has gone for Mol- summer camp. during free time. Bogage has not met his lie Gansky, who met her boyfriend, Corey Last summer, Reshet Ramah launched significant other through camp, but his Bass, at Camp Ramah in ’s “RamahDate,” a new partnership with good friend met a girl last summer. They . She spent seven sum- the Jewish online dating giant JDate. are still together despite the physical dis- mers as a camper and five as a counsel- RamahDate members subscribe to JDate tance between them. lor. She knew her boyfriend since she was through a co-branded portal and receive Jen Silber, executive director of a Habonim young, but they only started dating as an identifying Ramah “badge” on their Dror camp, says there is a focus at camp on staffers. Now 23, she says she and Bass are online profile. Then, they can choose to building healthy peer relationships. on the same page about the role of Juda- either “meet” only other Ramah mem- “We want [campers] to learn about com- ism in their lives, which makes the rela- bers or search more broadly within JDate’s munication, how to express their needs in tionship stronger. Jen and Dan Silber met at Camp Moshava. 750,000 members worldwide. relationships, feel confident being them- But Gansky also describes the pressure at PHOTO Courtesy Silber family Aaron Bogage says the online portal selves and develop trust,” she says. camp to “hook up” or at minimum, have makes sense for keeping those camper Silber, who met her own husband as your first kiss. She had hers in 2006. ships starting as early as fourth or fifth connections going. a camper and then staffer, argues that “I had a boyfriend at camp for two years grade, with campers “coupling off” for “Campers create relationships and friendships and romantic relationships as a camper,” Gansky recalls. “Within my dates to the annual fireworks displays or bonds they will have for years,” he says. that people form at summer camp tend age group, there were at least seven or other events. In seventh or eighth grade, “Jewish camps can help kids marry Jewish to be “deeper” and more authentic than eight relationships each year. Those were the pressure grows, and by ninth or 10th when they grow up.” those forged at school or in other environ- the serious relationships, but there were grade, she says, “campers have a lot of “It’s possible to find happiness in so ments. Campers and counsellors feel ac- just hookups, too.” pressure to find someone, to be with many Jewish situations,” adds Lauren cepted for who they are, she says. As a counsellor, Gansky says she ob- someone at camp.” Ben-Shoshan. “Camp happens to be a very Likewise, people who attend Jewish served that campers engaged in relation- Camp Ramah walls are adorned with good one.” n T THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS B10 [ CAMPS ] JANUARY 21, 2016

A little preparation goes a long way

MARILYN LAZAR a counsellor or parents of older campers SPECIAL TO THE CJN before deciding. Familiarity breeds comfort so visit the Every parent sending a child off to over- camp if possible or at least check out the night camp for the first time believes that website together. Arrange a pre-camp the camper will have a positive experi- get-together with other campers. Have ence. a sleepover at a friend’s or grandparents. Parents steel themselves, though, for Be casual in advance and nonplussed if it their child getting a little bout of home- doesn’t go well, but praise the victory. sickness. How can you best prepare your Sometimes the best of intentions pro- first-time camper for the new environ- duce undesired results. For example, ment, and perhaps just as importantly, telling a child how much you will miss how can you tweak your own behaviour them can create a negative expectation and response to mitigate their anxiety as and anxiety. Instead, focus on the much as possible? great opportunity that awaits There’s a lot you can do to set your kids and some favourite activ- up for success, and there are some com- ities that will be available, mon pitfalls to avoid. such as water skiing or Deciding on the length of time for their whatever their favour- first stay is important. One rule of thumb ite is. Share your own is to leave them wanting more and let positive experience them come home on a high. That being or that of someone said, it can take time to regain composure they know, such as an and sometimes that introductory period older cousin who they barely brings them out of their initial ad- look up to. or respond potential conflict and power struggles justment phase. You know your child, but Once they’re gone, in kind if with their peers who don’t have candy. take into account the culture of the camp the same rule applies. they write There are plenty of treats distributed at by speaking to the director and perhaps Don’t say you miss them that to you. camp every day. Focus on ques- Don’t hide a cell phone. Allow them to tions about activ- exist device-free for a short time. Let them ities, accomplishments spread their wings. and forming friendships. Adopt Obviously, there’s a lot you can’t prepare Basketball Camps a positive tone and provide news about for: specific situations, choices, personal- yourself. ities and group dynamics. That’s why it’s & Weekly Lessons Simple good parenting goes a long way. essential to promote self advocacy and re- For Boys and Girls Foster independence by involving them spectful communication skills. Try to instil in simple household chores and age-ap- the need for respecting general safety and Ages: 5-16 propriate decision-making. Transfer those especially water safety rules and skills. skills and have your child be an active The things you can do to benefit a child participant in shopping and packing for in a camp situation are really skills that camp. will benefit any individual in the long run. Begin teaching them to respect rules Being social yet independent, respectful by doing so yourself. Why cram their bag yet able to advocate for oneself are bal- Programs Offered with secret stashes of contraband candy? anced skills which will give a child a leg There are reasons for these rules ranging up in camp, in school, in a career and in March Break Camp Weekly Lessons from unwanted animals in the cabin to life. ■ ∙ Passover Camp ∙ D-League ∙ Summer Break Camp ∙ School Programs ∙ Winter Break Camp ∙ School P.A. Fun Days

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Where the Second Half is as Crazy as the First!

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SPIRIT THAT’S TOO BIG FOR THE INDOORS

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