Religious camp at Seagate Elementary offers students activities and lessons centered around Jewish faith

NAPLES, FL — You’ve sent Johnny away to baseball camp, space camp and math camp. Why not add a religious camp to the list?

How about a camp centered around pride in the Jewish faith?

More pictures in the Extended Article! (by Jennifer Whitney)

Camp Gan Israel, a camp centered around pride in the Jewish faith, is under way at Seagate Elementary. Beginning at the end of June, the month-long camp seeks to provide fun activities laced with Jewish pride for campers.

Rabbi Fishel Zaklos and his wife Ettie Zaklos are the drive behind the camp.

“The camp is designed to give the children a really good time with a Jewish atmosphere, Ettie Zaklos, the camp director, said. “We instill pride in being Jewish with an upbeat environment.”

Kids between 4 and 13 years are leaving the Xbox for a day of physical, interactive fun. Every morning, campers start the day with exercises, songs and Torah verses. Camp activities include gymnastics, swimming, tae kwon do, sports and trips. Each Friday, the children participate in a Shabbat party to observe the sabbath. Activities, such as baking traditional Challah bread, a kosher carnival, and a mock Jewish wedding, give campers an insightful, hands-on understanding, bringing them closer to their faith. Each week, there is a different theme with associated lessons for campers. From learning to love their fellow man to caring for the planet, campers are receiving a wide array of life lessons, organizers said.

“There are about 1,000 camps nationally and internationally. Every camp is run independently but we are able to hire experienced camp counselors to achieve professionalism and safety,” Fishel Zaklos said. “Yet there is a personal touch, it’s a very exciting environment and atmosphere. We try to get the parents involved, too, and make it a fun family experience.”

Many counselors with the Camp Gan Israel program travel the nation participating in camps.

Eity Matusof, 17, has been with the program since she was about 12 years old. While she makes her home in Brooklyn, N.Y., she has worked at camps in Boston and New Mexico. Matusof said that most counselors often stay next door to the rabbi of the camp.

“Its always been a great experience for me. People learn from each other,” Eity said. “I learn from them (the children) and they learn from me. I know that I’m making a difference in their lives. I really enjoy it,”

From what started out four years ago with 11 children has grown into a camp with 75 children. According to Rabbi Zaklos, there has been a great response from parents and the community. Donations from the Jewish Federation, the Chabad Jewish Center of Naples and tuition from campers help keep the camp running.

“I like the swimming and just everything,” said Saffron Buxton, 6. “This will be my fourth year, I’m going to come back until I have to stop.”

“Its very fun,” said Ethan Zaleznik, 4.

Recently, the campers had a special treat. Joshua Alpert has a unique career. He dons a cowboy hat and guitar and morphs into “Mr. Shabbos.” Alpert traveled to Naples from New York to share his show with the campers.

“The goal is to educate and inspire the world, especially families, about the joys of being Jewish,” said Alpert.

Traveling with his brother and wife, “Mr. Shabbos” sings about the sabbath, the Torah and God’s relationship with the Jewish people. He takes classic children songs and entwines them with Judaic and Torah messages to create a fun and familiar learning atmosphere. Performing in a mix of musical genres, he plays numerous instruments including the banjo, guitar, bagpipes and the tin whistle. Children are encouraged to dance and join him on stage to sing along.

Alpert has been doing the gigs for three years. His new album “The Mr. Shabbos Show” is a mix of bluegrass, country, Irish and Jewish folk tunes.

“I liked going up on stage, I liked the music,” said Harper Pertchik, 6. “Its very fun here. My mom said I could come back next year if I want to.”