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Welcome!

Welcome to Camp Gan Israel at The Shul, part of the largest and fastest growing network

of Jewish day camps in the world. Our camp enjoys a well-earned reputation as a

trendsetter with innovative ideas, creative programs and new activities being introduced

continuously. Many a child has been known to wait all year to come back to Gan Israel!

From our Mini Gan to our Older Division Program, campers will enjoy a wide range of age

appropriate, exciting activities and field trips, in a warm and vivacious atmosphere.

Dates and Times:

Camp begins on Monday, June 27th, and runs through Thursday, August 11th.

Camp Gan Israel - Ages 2 -12

Monday - Thursday 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Friday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Contacts:

Director

Rabbi Shaykee Farkash - (718)964-8130 or camp@theshul.org

Assistant Director

Adina Shmotkin - (786)368-4886 or adinalipskar@gmail.com

Accounts Payable:

Geri Kelly - (305)868-1411 ext.341 or geri@theshul.org

Communication:

Please share your feedback, comments and suggestions regarding any aspect of the

camp’s program with us. Your input allows us to constantly improve and upgrade our

program, and we value it greatly. The directors meet weekly with each counselor to

discuss the status of every child. To see your child in action and updated schedules and

special events, check out our facebook page at www.facebook.com/theshulcamp.

Pictures and news will be updated every day.

Safety

Safety and security are our number one concerns. Counselors to camper ratios are

structured to maintain the highest levels of supervision. Staff members go through

extensive training including CPR and first aid.

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Special Conditions and Medication

If a child has any special needs, allergies or conditions, please bring them to our attention.

It will allow us to address the needs properly and eliminate unnecessary difficulties.

All medication to be administered during camp hours must be clearly marked with

camper’s name and be provided in its original container. A separate note containing

dosage instruction and parent’s signature must be sent as well. If you would like to discuss

your child’s health situation, please call the camp office.

Children’s Belongings

Children are given a set place to keep their belongings during the day. Please mark all

swim gear, accessories, etc. with a permanent marker to avoid loss.

Cell phones, Ipods & electronic games may not be brought to camp. They are easily lost

or damaged and they distract children from participating in camp activities and following

counselor direction.

There is a special Lost & Found box for lost articles, which is kept in the Camp Office.

Please alert us if your child has lost an item. The camp is not responsible for items lost

during camp, but we will do our best to locate them.

Drop off and Dismissal

Camp begins every day at 9:00 am.

Beginning Tuesday, June 28th from 8:50 am to 9:10 am counselors will be waiting in the garage

next to the elevator to escort your child to their bunkroom. In order for this process to run as

smoothly as possible, we are asking the parents not to get out of the car and allow the

counselor to get your child from the car. In addition, please refrain from using your cellular

phone in the garage during carpool. If you choose to park and walk your child to his/her

classroom, you MUST park in a parking space. Cars parked along the walls of the garage or in

the handicapped spaces (without a handicapped parking permit) will be ticketed or towed.

If there is no space in the garage, you must use the metered parking lot on the south side of

the building. The parking on the north side of the building will be locked in the mornings to

ensure the safety of our campers. Campers arriving after 9:10 am must be accompanied by

an adult into camp. No camper may be dropped off at camp before 8:50 am.

There will be no carpool lane in the afternoon. Dismissal for all campers will be in The Shul

Social Hall from 3:15 pm - 3:30 pm. All campers must be picked up by 3:30 pm. On Friday

dismissal begins at 1:45 pm. The parking lot on the north side of the building will be open for

parking in the afternoon.

We understand that there may be an emergency occasion where you may not be on time to

pick up your children. Please make sure to call a director to let us know of the situation. There

will be a $1 charge per minute for late pickup.

If your child’s end of day arrangement is different from the usual, you must contact the

Director. This includes changes in car-pool arrangements, play dates, etc.

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Programming: An Overview

Camp Gan Israel aims to expose the children to the widest array of activities, trips, and

educational programs. The daily schedule includes a mixture of sports, swimming, field

trips, educational activities and crafts. A week generally includes one full day trip (such as

museums, amusement park, etc.), one half day trip (such as bowling, boating etc.), three

swim days, and Friday specialties.

Lunch and Snacks

Please send lunches that are dairy/pareve and kosher. All dairy must be Cholov Yisroel. No

meat lunches. All packaged items must have a kosher symbol. Kosher symbols include:

Lunches should be enclosed in carefully marked lunch bags or boxes

CGI provides all snacks and a daily ‘Goodbye Freeze Pop’. A bagel lunch is provided on

Full Trip Days - Thursday, and a pizza lunch on Friday. CGI has a “NO SHARING FOOD”

policy. Camp Gan Israel is a Nut Free Enviroment. Please make sure your child’s lunch

follows these guidelines.

Camp Dress

We do many fun, yet messy activities in camp. Clothing should be comfortable and

appropriate for camp activities. Although we generally use washable supplies, some stains

may not be removable. Please bear this in mind when dressing your children for camp.

With Miami’s sun so hot, and lots of outdoor activities in store, all campers MUST apply

sunscreen every day. No flip-flops or open crocs please!

Camp t-shirts MUST be worn on all trip days (Tuesday and Thursday). Campers who come

to camp on a trip day without a camp T-shirts will be given a new one at the parents’

expense ($10).

Swimming

Camp Gan Israel swims on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and the CGI always uses

school busses for transporting campers.

On swimming days, campers must bring a bathing suit, towel and sunscreen in a tote or

plastic bag. All personal belongings should be marked with child’s name in permanent ink

or labels. Always send swim gear on swim days, regardless of weather.

Water Safety is a priority at CGI! Even with red-cross lifeguards on duty at all times, CGI

staff members are stationed around and in the pool to provide extra supervision. For a

greater measure of security, we also use the buddy system at the pool.

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Frequently Asked Questions…

How does my camper find a lost item? Please mark all belongings with your camper's name.

This is very important since shirts, backpacks, etc. are often identical and individual items are

difficult to identify without a label. Lost & Found items are available each day .

How do I arrange to pick up my camper during the camp day? If you have to pick up your

camper during the day, please notify a Director. Please note that no camper will be released

to ANYONE without permission.

What if my child does not want to participate in a particular activity? No camper will be

forced to participate in any activity. However, we do urge campers to try all activities and

take advantage of the complete program offered at Camp Gan Israel. If any child does not

want to participate, the parents and counselors must discuss a plan of action.

Can my camper bring a precious item to camp? We do not permit your camper to bring

jewelry, ipods, expensive toys, etc. to camp. Camp Gan Israel supplies everything campers

may need.

What does my camper need to bring each day? Campers only need a bathing suit and tow-

el each swim day, regardless of the weather. We supply all sports and safety equipment for

your child. Please apply sun screen at home. If you would like more applied during the day,

send in the sunscreen marked with your child's name. Please send your child bagged lunch

Monday - Wednesday. Lunch will be provided on Thursday and Friday. Snacks are provided

daily.

How often does my child drink water at camp each day? Water coolers are always available

for your children to drink. They will be instructed to drink often. You may want to send your

child with a water bottle each day. Bottles will be refilled as needed throughout the day.

How can I speak with my child's counselor? A call to the camp office will answer most

questions. Since counselors are constantly supervising groups and activities, messages will be

taken at the camp office. Please leave your name and evening phone number and the

counselor will return your call as soon as possible.

How can I speak with a Camp Director? The director is available to answer your questions

and discuss your concerns during the day at (305)804-2353 or at (786)368-4886. Please

understand that the directors may be out and about during the time of your call making sure

that everything is perfect for your children. If the director is unavailable at the time of your

call, please leave a message with both your daytime and evening phone numbers and your

call will be returned promptly.

When must campers wear a camp shirt? We require that all campers wear a Camp Gan

Israel shirt on trip days, as marked on schedule. While on field trips, camp shirts distinguish our

campers and staff from other visitors and we are instantly recognizable to each other.

Looking forward to celebrating this exciting and enriching summer

together with you at Camp Gan Israel at The Shul!

Camp Gan Israel at The Shul

9540 Collins Avenue - Surfside, FL