Connecticut’s Camp Chomeish Gets New Grounds
Camp Chomeish of New England, now located in its very own home in Moodus, Connecticut, promises to continue its tradition of redefining overnight camp and making campers’ “dreams comes true.”
The camp is situated on a sprawling 21-acre resort in Moodus, Connecticut. The new picture-perfect campus is 2.5 hours from New York and boasts an Olympic-sized swimming pool, lodge-style air-conditioned cabins and facilities, and a private boating pond. The campus was open last year for only one month; this year, G-d willing, it will open for two whole months.
The first summer session is from June 24th to July 22nd and the second session is from July 22nd to August 19th.
Established in 1998 by Rabbi Sholom Ber and Chaya Stock, Camp Chomeish is an overnight summer camp for girls ages 8-14. Camp Chomeish is the only camp for girls that is privileged to carry the name for Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, of righteous memory, and strives to give the girls a chinuch and experience befitting the Rebbetzin’s children.
The head counselors for the upcoming summer of 5774-2014are: Chaya Baila Bunim from Chicago and Miriam Sobko from Canada and Israel, and Mushki Weinberger from Belgium.
The prevailing culture of the camp is one that is imbued with the spirit of Ahavas Yisroel. It nurtures a warm Chassidishe and friendly atmosphere—one where every camper knows that she is significant and is cared for by staff and fellow campers alike.
H.S. from Brooklyn had a wonderful time at camp last summer. “I really enjoy going to Camp Chomeish because they make you feel like you’re at home,” she says. “If you need something from the kitchen, you can always ask and get it.”
A hallmark to the camp is their emphasis on the ruchniyus, both curricular and extra-curricular. This includes an original and interactive learning curriculum, geared to stimulate campers’ interest, involvement and imagination. Many of the lessons are supported with “hands-on” projects and weekly game shows to enhance their knowledge, keeping the learning experience fun and enjoyable.
“The best part of camp is the learning classes,” remarks T.W. from Crown Heights. “Rabbi Stock makes them so interesting by showing us real things and demonstrating them for us.”
The camp boasts a Tzivos Hashem system where campers create personal goals for themselves and earn seforim of their choosing from the Seforim Catalogue for its year-end award ceremony.
This customized Tzivos Hashem program infuses the campers’ daily experience with its promotions and awards at the weekly “Tzivos Hashem Hour Rallies.” Other carefully crafted programs geared to develop talent and responsible leadership include: Achos Katanah, themed carnivals, bunk war competition, interactive game shows, drama and plays, visiting day expo, exhibitions, and choir, with new initiatives planned for the upcoming summer.
When, in 1999, the camp rented a facility in Ware, Massachusetts, for the entire summer, the then-lifeguard (Mrs. Motti Korf) received a wondrous bracha through the Igros Kodesh.
Vol. 19 pg. 122: (free translation) 6 Teves 5720
Concerning the camp, in my opinion, since in the past year they saw and it was proven the importance of the matter, and especially in… New England, it is understood that it worthwhile (to exert) diligence and effort to continue with the camp for girls, also for the coming year…
Since that summer of 1999, the camp has been wandering for almost 14 years. For some summers they were able to secure a facility for rent early in the springtime and some years only at the very last minute.
The current economic dynamics find many single parents holding more than one job and many homes with two parents working. The care and well being of the children is a primary concern: camping is no longer a luxury item, but a necessity. Camp Chomeish is truly a worthwhile investment, making a difference in the lives of so many children from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, as well from many other parts of New England, the United States, and even other countries.
Children come from neighborhoods where there is very little in the way of positive recreational programs for limited income families. Camp Chomeish’s policy has always been to provide without prejudice, some form of scholarship to those in need—with special thanks given bezras Hashem to the generosity of many individuals, including the kind benefactor Reb Sholom Ber Drizin, שי’.
This is emphasized by another answer received through the Igros Kodesh in 2005:
I had great pleasure when I read his letter about the summer camp for Jewish girls may they live, and for sure the greatness of this need not be explained to one as you, and as mentioned in many occasions we see in fact that in summer camps and in general in the time free from school, it is possible to achieve on the boys/girls much more than during the time of school, for then there are no conflicts from secular studies, they find themselves in the jurisdiction of the camp the entire day, and the influences of the parents, neighborhoods and environment do not interfere etc. May it be Hashem’s will that you succeed in the above mentioned, and cause an everlasting impression on the girls in the camp to be recognized for weeks and months afterwards… with an improvement in their health spiritually in addition to improvement physically.
Sign your daughter up today to enjoy a summer of unmatched inspiration and pure fun. Located in central Connecticut, campers enjoy many outings and field trips throughout the summer. Visit www.campchomeish.com or call 203 816-0770 for more information.
