FAQ'S
HOW RELIGIOUS IS CAMP GAN ISRAEL?
HOW DO I ARRANGE TO PICK UP MY CHILD EARLY?
MY CHILD CAN’T SWIM, WILL S/HE BE SAFE?
WHAT IF MY CHILD DOES NOT WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN AN ACTIVITY?
WHAT IF MY CHILD DOESN’T SPEAK ENGLISH?
CAN MY CHILD CELEBRATE A BIRTHDAY IN CAMP?
CAN I STAY IN CAMP WITH MY CHILD?
WHAT SHOULD I SEND TO CAMP FOR MY CHILD?
WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD WEAR TO CAMP?
HOW RELIGIOUS IS CAMP GAN ISRAEL?
Camp Gan Israel is a totally non-judgemental environment made up of campers from all Jewish backgrounds. An individual's level of observance is not stressed. All children enjoy a shared Jewish spirit through songs, activities and projects.
HOW DO I ARRANGE TO PICK UP MY CHILD EARLY?
If you need to pick up your child from camp before dismissal, please contact us ASAP, preferably the day before, to find out where & what time to pick up your child as we are often away from the campsite enjoying trips and activities.
MY CHILD CAN’T SWIM, WILL S/HE BE SAFE?
At Gan Israel we take safety very seriously. Swimming activities are held at an indoor city pool and supervised by certified lifeguards. We rent out the entire pool so that while our campers are in the pool no public swimming is allowed. We then divide the camp group and have them swim half at a time. Camp Gan Israel staff remains with the children in and around the pool. Children who are not tall enough to stand in the water with their shoulders out of the water are required to wear a life jacket and remain in the shallow end, unless they can demonstrate to the lifeguards that they are strong swimmers. No swimmer is allowed into the deep end without being tested by a lifeguard. The lifeguards typically want to see the campers swim four times across the width of the pool, using strong overhand strokes, without resting or touching the bottom. The lifeguard’s decision is final. A note from a parent, swimming lessons or past performance will not be accepted as a replacement for this daily test. Please help us explain to your child that these safety rules are not negotiable.
WHAT IF MY CHILD DOES NOT WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN A PARTICULAR SPORT OR 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.
MY IMMIGRANT CHILD DOESN’T SPEAK ENGLISH YET, WILL HE BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE?
Although the staff communicates in English, most of them have an operational command of Hebrew. It is very likely that some of your child’s bunkmates are able to communicate in Hebrew and even translate when necessary. Many teachers agree that camp is a great opportunity for the children to ‘pick up’ conversational English before they begin the school year. Between the counsellors efforts and peer translations, children with no English skills have been able to understand what was going on and noticeably improve their English skills while having fun at Camp Gan Israel.
MY CHILD HAS A SUMMER BIRTHDAY , CAN S/HE CELEBRATE IT IN CAMP?
In Camp Gan Israel, we prefer to celebrate camper’s Jewish birthdays. If your child has a birthday during camp and would like to celebrate it with his/her bunk-mates, please contact us a few days in advance. (please note that Jewish birthdates can vary significantly from the secular dates – see here for details and a calendar converter)
THIS IS MY YOUNG CHILD’S FIRST YEAR IN CAMP, CAN I STAY WITH MY CHILD?
You know your child best and we trust that you feel your child is ready for a full day of programming away from home. Nevertheless many children do feel a bit anxious about being away from their parents for the first time. We have found that children have a much harder time adjusting and settling in to the new routine when their parents stay with them. What many parents have found works best is to come in with their child and help them to find their bunk room, counsellor and bunkmates - and then leave after letting them know that you are leaving them and will be picking them up after camp. If they are going to camp on the bus you can help them to their seat, let them understand who they can turn to for help (an older friend and/or the bus monitor) and let them know that you will pick them up when the bus returns at the end of the camp day. Your child may cry when you leave, but we have found that they soon stop crying as they get involved in the day’s activities. Rest assured that we will call you in the rare event that your child will not stop crying and is too distressed over your absence to participate in camp.
WHAT SHOULD I SEND TO CAMP FOR MY CHILD?
Please send the following items with your child to camp;
Food - Please send a lunch, drink and snack to camp. For Kosher and allergy reasons please do not send foods with meat or nuts. It is also useful for the children to have a re-closable water bottle that they can sip from throughout the day when we are on the bus etc.
Clothing - Please send your child with sunscreen and a sunhat as we will spend time outdoors enjoying Winnipeg's summer (weather permitting). We suggest that you put sunscreen on your child in the morning, and our staff will provide assistance (if needed) to reapply their sunscreen after swimming. Please ensure your child is dressed for the weather as we spend time outdoors each day.
Swimming - Swimming is one of the children’s best activities, and we go swimming on select days throughout the summer. Please send swimwear and a towel on the appropriate days so your child can fully participate in this fun activity.
Other - Children are encouraged to bring a coin for tzedokah each day to accustom them to this great mitzvah.
WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD WEAR TO CAMP?
Though we encourage the children to dress modestly, we do not have a dress code. When choosing appropriate clothing please keep in mind that the children will have an active day that could include playing outdoors, doing crafts, baking etc.
Camp will notify you of specific trip days when campers are required to wear a camp t-shirt. This mandatory safety policy allows the staff to easily locate and identify your child even in a crowd of other children.