Camp Activities

Aspiring artists, scientists, gymnasts, sports players, and performers will revel in the astonishing and appealing array of activities available. The unique charm of Camp Gan Israel lies in the blending of weekly staples with specialty activities. Swimming, Jewish learning, sports, and line-up are diversified with choirs, races, competitions, police and fire demonstrations, drama, ballet, carnivals, dress-up days, overnights, color war, hiking, bunk competition, Shabbat parties, challah baking, and so much more. Under the direction of our experienced crafts director, campers will explore the breadth of their creativity with Judaica projects they can bring home and share.

Camp Calendar Trips Aquatics Steam Athletics Electives Special events

Trips

As if the grounds of Camp Gan Israel are not enough, we also offer thrilling and interesting trips to various locales in the area. These once a week trips to theme parks, bowling, boating, museums, and more are the highlight of camp and are sure to feature strongly in “What I Did Over the Summer” essays when they return to school.

Past trips include

Kiddie Camp
Pump it Up
Alstede Farms
Tag Alongs
Randolph Gymnastics
Gardner Fields
Bowcraft

Older Divisions

Dorney Park
Funplex
Rebounderz
Florham Park Roller Rink
Lakeview Marina Speed Boating
Underground Mine Tour
Moster Mini Golf
Tomahawk Lake
Imagine That
Bridgewater Sports Arena
Liberty Science Center

Aquatics

Swimming and water activities take place every day except trip days and Jewish fast days and are an essential part of a CGI day. Water safety is our biggest priority, so we keep small ratios of lifegaurds to children, employ only highly trained and certified professionals, and ensure that many of our counselors are certified in CPR and first aid.
Aquatics is part free swim and part swimming instructions. In the free swim portion, campers are paired with a buddy system to maintain awareness and safety. There are 20 minute slots for swimming instruction which are given in small groups for added safety and individual attention. Campers will be sorted into beginner, intermediate, and advanced groups based on their skills and will be taught new techniques and skills to improve their swimming. Campers who enroll for 4 weeks or more will receive a certificate testifying to their newly learned prowess.

We are proud to partner with the SwimQuest facility at the Whippany JCC, whose stellar reputation for safety and excellence guarantees our campers a fun and safe experience. The boy’s division, including the VIP boys, will use the pool at the Rabbinical College of America campus which is supervised by certified lifeguards. The Kiddie Camp will stay on campus as well, enjoying the inflatable pools and slides, as well as other water activities.

S.T.E.A.M

Campers indulge their self-expression with our diversified and flourishing arts and science program. They are given many outlets in which to express their artistry and creativity and discover new paths and ideas. Our art director provides guidance for educational and Judaic creative projects, while our drama instructor encourages the children to bring their best selves to life. Their wonder and curiosity for G-d’s miraculous world is intrigued and developed with our science experiments and nature walks. Our weekly challah baking and other forays into the culinary arts give our campers valuable knowledge about kitchen safety, flavor pairings, and of course, a tasty treat to bring home and share.

Campers will create masterpieces in:

Culinary Arts
Challah Baking
Drama
Science
Nature
Arts and Crafts
Painting

Athletics

Our sports and athletics program allows campers of all ages to have fun and develop their skills in an age-appropriate manner. We have professional coaches and staff who assist the campers in each sport, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment. Whether a team game of soccer, kickball, baseball, or hockey, or individual instruction in tennis, volleyball, or gymnastics, we focus on good sportsmanship and increasing self-confidence. At Gan Israel, every camper is a MVP!

Electives

CGI campers love electives! They can make autonomous choices, explore new interests, and gain proficiency in their chosen activity. Campers can select a different elective three times over the summer and enjoy a range of activities.

2022 electives coming soon, see below for samples

Sample

Sample Weeks 1-2:

Ukulele (a 5 week program taught by The Modern Music Academy)
Lego Robotics (a STEAM program combining lego building with technology)
Tennis (skills and tricks by Randolph Tennis)
Magic (Magician Mike Capozzi teaches beginner tricks to stun their first audience)

Sample Weeks 3-5:

Ukulele (must continue from the previous session)
Kickz Soccer (a 3 or 5 week program to become a star soccer player with the KickzSoccer Club)
Drama (tap into their imginative side and let the theatre bring it to life! With Karen Cooper)
Mad Science (experiments for the brave and curious with Catherine Rosenthal)

Sample Weeks 6-7:

Chess (the age old game of ultimate strategy challenges and inspires the mind)
Kickz Soccer (accepting new members and granting previous members extra proficiency)
Basketball (dribble and dunk like a pro with Mrs. Robinson)
Delicious Delights (devise divine desserts that taste as good as they look)

Special Events

Can you guess the cost of a flamingo? How about a grand talent show? Want to go on a bean hunt? All this and far more await a lively bunch of ever-more-fun-wanting little boys and girls at Gan Israel. Our weekly program is enhanced with:

Water slides – Olympic type games – Overnights & Late Nights
Imaginarium – Foam Parties – Lego Robotics
Traveling shows – Fun Bus – Bunk competitions
Family BBQ – CGI International live rally
Petting Farms and much more!