Programs & Facilities

Main Programs

Campers belong to units based on age:

• Carmel: (co-ed, pre-K and our youngest 1st graders)
• Galil: (co-ed, grade 1)
• Negev: (boys & girls separate, grade 2)
• Aravah: (boys & girls separate, grade 3)
• Golan: (boys & girls separate, grade 4)
• Kinnerit: (boys & girls separate, grade 5)
• Kfar: (boys & girls separate, grades 6 and 7)
• Kehilla: (boys & girls separate, grades K-5)
• Kibbutz: (boys & girls separate, grades 8 & 9 separate)
• Kehilla Kibbutz: (boys & girls separate, grades 6-9)

Carmel: (co-ed, pre-K and our youngest 1st graders)

Camper/staff ratio: 5/1 plus

Our youngest campers are exposed to almost all the activities that camp has to offer. Their day includes arts & crafts, boating, dance, gymnastics, music, nature, sports, street hockey, tarboot (Jewish culture), basketball, drama, games, soccer, t-ball, and jewelry making. Activities are either brought to the Unit or require very little walking. Although the day is structured, our campers have unstructured play at the Carmel playground, and realizing the children's age and energy level, we also include a rest period to allow our little ones to re-group and slow down the day.

Galil: (co-ed, grade 1)

Camper/staff ratio: 5/1 plus

The Galil campers' experience is similar to Carmel's (without the rest period), and includes all the same activities as Carmel, but we now add the ropes & challenge course as well as photography. For the first time we encourage our Galil campers to make their own choices (Chugim) from suggested activities, which gives campers an opportunity to learn and participate in activities that interest them the most.

Negev: (boys & girls separate, grade 2)

Camper/staff ratio: 10/1 plus

Our Negev boys and girls have a full weekly program. Two additional activities, fishing and ceramics, become available to children in this age group. Four times a week we encourage our Negev campers to choose from the varied activities that may be of interest to them (Chugim-choices).

This begins a very special time for our boys and girls at camp. It is the first time they will be part of the Maccabiah once a week. Maccabiah is a summer long, lightly competitive activity which includes athletic and non-athletic challenges. Its' primary purpose is to build self-esteem, as each camper earns points for their team. It is of major importance that each camper experiences success in some area, and that they feel good about themselves!

Aravah: (boys & girls separate, grade 3)

Camper/staff ratio: 10/1 plus

We keep our Aravah boys and girls active during the summer with all our regular camp activities, but we add archery as well as funyaking, paddle boating and surf biking.

Six times each week our Aravah children will be encouraged to choose activities (Chugim) that they find particularly interesting or exciting.

The Maccabiah challenge continues twice a week and plays a special role for these boys and girls, building friendship, teamwork and self-esteem.

Golan: (boys & girls separate, grade 4)

Camper/staff ratio: 10/1 plus

Our Golan children participate in many varied activities throughout their weeks at camp. For the first time our campers will be exposed to wrestling in addition to all the regular camp activities. They will have one Overnight (optional) in addition to the Family Night.

The Maccabiah challenge continues and our Golan campers' participation is increased to two or three times a week, allowing the boys and girls to promote friendships, self-esteem, and team cooperation.

Kinnerit: (boys & girls separate, grade 5)

Camper/staff ratio: 10/1

Our Kinneret children participate in many varied activities throughout their weeks at camp. For the first time our campers will be exposed to wrestling in addition to all the regular camp activities. They will have two Overnights (optional) in addition to the Family Night.

The Maccabiah challenge continues and our Kinneret campers' participation is increased to two or three times a week, allowing the boys and girls to promote friendships, self-esteem, and team cooperation.

Kfar: (boys & girls separate, grades 6 and 7)

Camper/staff ration: 10/1

Although Kfar campers participate in all camp activities, much of their day is spent participating in those activities that are of special interest to them. Kfar campers have 8-10 weekly activity choices (Chugim). Maccabiah increases to 3 or 4 times each week and most campers tell us it's the highlight of their summer. From talent shows to soccer matches, to tug-of-wars, Maccabiah encompasses a wide range of activities that culminate in a final Song Fest and Skit, which campers remember for the rest of their lives!

Kehilla: (boys & girls separate, grades K-5)

Camper/staff ratio: 5/1 - 10/1

Our Kehilla campers participate in all age appropriate camp activities (see above) within the framework of traditional Judaism. In addition to a regularly scheduled period of daily services and Torah study, Kehilla emphasizes experiences that foster the observance of mitzvot, and is an excellent option for more Orthodox children who ordinarily attend religious day school.

Kibbutz: (boys & girls separate, grades 8 & 9 separate)

Camper/staff ratio: 15/1

Our Kibbutz campers are able to participate in all camp activities, including Maccabiah, within the framework of this unique program. They also have the opportunity to sleep over several nights a week, help cook their own meals and handle work assignments. They may also participate in social service projects, as well as recreational and cultural activities. Evening activities, in or out of camp, are planned during Overnight stays. Informal learning about Israel comes naturally because of the Kibbutz Grossman lifestyle.

Kehilla Kibbutz: (boys & girls separate, grades 6-9)

Camper/staff ratio: 10/1 - 15/1

The Kehilla Kibbutz program mirrors the regular Kibbutz program with several overnights and is offered to the older campers within the traditional framework of the Kehilla program.

C. I. T.: (boys & girls, grade 10)

Camper/staff ratio: 20/1

Our Counselor-in-Training program prepares high school students for junior counselor positions. C.I.T.s take part in their own camp recreational and non-recreational activities, skill sessions, and discussion groups. After discussion with the C.I.T. Director, they are assigned to supervised work with a group of campers or at a particular specialty activity. The C.I.T.s have several Overnights planned together with evening activities, and are able to fulfill social service work commitments for school. The big highlight of their summer is leadership in Maccabiah.