More Than Just Fun at Camp Gan Israel

Camp Gan Israel isn’t just a camp where busy parents can send their kids for the summer.

It’s the type of camp that hopes to teach campers about Judaism and at the same time provide as much fun as possible.

Though the camp is tailored toward Jewish families, Rabbi Shmaya Friedman said they would never turn anyone away because of their faith.

“We wouldn’t turn away anyone, but it’s really not common,” Friedman said.

Like any regular summer camp, Camp Gan Israel offers arts and crafts, music and outside games. The only difference is that here, there is a Jewish theme behind everything.

“We’re really geared toward Jewish families that are looking for their children to have a more wholesome Jewish experience during the summer,” Friedman said.

For example, if it’s arts and crafts time, the kids might decorate a menorah said Friedman, who is also camp director.

Friedman said that he hopes the camp provides children with “the feel of Judaism that they may not necessarily be getting through the year at a public school.”

The camp also hopes to teach children about Israel. To do so, they have five counselors-in-training that have come from Israel for the summer to work with the kids.

Many of the campers enjoy the Jewish culture the camp offers them.

“It’s really, really fun and it’s basically only for Jewish kids and there aren’t that many which is really special,” said Sophie Smith, 11, one of the campers.

Simon Bruklich has been attending the camp for six years. The 11-year-old enjoys it very much and hopes to return next year.

“I love it,” Bruklich said, “especially all of the field trips we take.”

Most campers said their favorite part is all the trips they get to go on.

“I want them to grow in their knowledge of Judaism in any capacity and to grow as a human being as well,” Friedman said.