Our Vision

We aspire to strengthen the Israeli-American community by establishing an Israeli summer day camp in Hebrew for our children during the summer vacation.  This is our way of connecting the next generation to the Hebrew language, to the Land of Israel, and the Jewish world. Summer camp is a truly magical world, safe and secure, in which every camper has the full freedom and the right to be his or herself, to become emotionally involved, to take part in constructive, foundational activities, and to learn through experience and pure enjoyment.  We believe that this represents the most significant educational framework in creating social connections. Infinite magi-cal, empowering moments which campers will later in their lives pass on with joy and pride to the next generations.

The core principles in building our educational program are the staff of Hebrew-speaking counselors, most of whom come from Israel.  The official language of the camp is Hebrew, and the program focuses on strengthening the connection to Israel and the love of the land.

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Who's Behind Camp

Bereisheet Camp Kimama brings Kimama’s experience and professional skill in establishing and operating summer camp programs in Israel and around the world, along with Bereisheet’s experience in developing educational programs and events for the Israeli-American community of Bergen County.

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About Bereisheet

Bereisheet is a nonprofit organization established in 2011 and managed completely on a volunteer basis by a group of parents from the Israeli-American community in northern New Jersey.

Bereisheet endeavors to offer tools to assist in transforming each individual family’s desire to maintain the next generation’s connection to our Jewish and Israeli roots and to the Hebrew language, into a joint communal endeavor through various programs and activities for children, adults, and the entire family throughout the year,

Bereisheet is operated by an executive with each representative within the organization’s management leading a number of activities within the community. 

All of Bereisheet’s work is done on a fully volunteer basis.

For more information about Bereisheet click here

 

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Program & Activities

Campers will enjoy various activity areas on-site, including rope bridges, climbing wall, pool, archery range, arts and crafts spaces, open areas, lawn, nature spaces, sports fields, tennis courts, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and more. Additionally, a variety of enrichment activities will be offered in Hebrew including music, theater, dance, sports, Israeli culture, and additional activities to strengthen children’s Israeli identity. Pool activities will take place in small groups, under close supervision of counselors as well as constant monitoring by certified lifeguards. The camp will provide campers with towels. On rainy days, we are fully prepared with a program that can be enjoyed indoors.

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CITs 

(Counselor In Training)

Counselor in Training Course for campers aged 14-16.

At the end of our Counselor in Training course, we will provide participants with a Counselor in Training course certificate.  Course graduates who continue on and serve as counselors on a volunteer basis within the camp will receive a letter granting credit towards their community contribution activities.

Ages 15 will continue to the second year of the course, and from those who succeed and are suitable will be able to continue and volunteer and at the age of 16 will be able to interview to work at camp.

As part of this course, while at camp, participants will acquire a wealth of tools in the field of counseling skills:  guidance, public speaking, handling group challenges, team-building, and teamwork.  In addition, participants will develop leadership skills, gain experience developing interactive content, training, and motivating younger campers. 

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The course lasts four weeks, from July 1 to July 26 (Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).  Those who successfully complete the course will have the opportunity to volunteer at camp in August (and to accumulate credit towards their community contribution activities). 

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Course fee:  $1,600 * Course will only open with a minimum of 8 participants

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Food and Nutrition

All food served at camp is kosher and meets all required health standards. The camp’s menu balances campers’ desires for favorite dishes with parents’ reasonable nutritional expectations.

In other words: the menu is fun and healthy. Every day at camp, campers receive a mid-morning meal at 10:00 a.m. which includes fruits or snacks, and a hot, kosher lunch at 1:00 p.m. The counselor team constantly supervises the nutrition of the children, and if any child experiences a personal problem, whether of a medical nature or otherwise, we understand how to offer the ideal response. Please advise us in advance of any such situation in order that we can make arrangements in advance. Sample Menu

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Getting to Camp

Campers coming from New Jersey can arrive on their own between 8.45 am and 9.15 am, and parents are welcome to arrive with vehicles to drop off their children in the organized parking area.

Campers coming from New York City and Riverdale will arrive at the camp area in organized transportation that will pick up from pre-arranged pick-up sites near their homes in comfortable, air-conditioned buses. Activities will begin during the bus trip with songs and interactive games. Transportation is subject to additional payment. 

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Health. 

A clinic on-site at camp is fully equipped and staffed by a certified medical team (nurses) who are prepared to respond to any medical need. We take every precaution when it comes to adequate hydration, preventing excess exposure to the sun and to hygiene. Numerous drinking fountains with cold water are located around camp.

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Security & Safety 

During camp, clear, detailed, and recognized security procedures are followed. A significant portion of our staff training and preparation before the summer begins is dedicated to security procedures and the manner in which care must be taken in executing them.

Additionally, our counselors maintain constant vigilance to ensure that children drink as much water as necessary and avoiding unnecessary exposure to the sun during the hottest hours of the day. All camp activities are fully insured throughout the entire period that children are at camp.

 

Summer Bus Stops

Campers are bused from central locations in Manhattan to our beautiful campgrounds in Alpine, New Jersey. All stops are listed by area & don’t represent bus routes.  Routes and times will be finalized the week prior to your camper’s first day at camp.

Pickups may begin as early as 7:45 AM, and drop offs as early as 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Bus rides are approximately 1 hr for each route.  All stops may vary by one or two blocks or on another corner, depending on city traffic and one-way streets.  All stops and routes are subject to change based on enrollment.

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Changes & Cancellation Policy

• A minimum of 2 weeks registration is required; weeks don’t have to be consecutive. Changes can be made based on availability.

• Conversion of weeks to Kimama-Bereisheet Israel can be made at no additional cost until May 30th, 2024 (with a remaining minimum of 2 weeks in Bereisheet NJ).

• A $500 deposit per family is required to secure spots and early bird/discounted rates in our online registration system. Deposit will be charged immediately after completing registration; the remaining balance will be deducted monthly between January and May. Payment in full must be made before the start of camp

• Adding weeks during the summer is based on availability; Requests must be made by Thursday of the previous week (I.e 4 days before the session starts).

• Rates for additional weeks will be determined by the current price at the time of purchase.

• Full refund is offered for cancellations made before February 29, 2024.

• Changes made after February 29 can be eligible for a refund when cancelling 4 weeks before each session starts with keeping the 2 week minimum 

• All cancellations must be made in writing.

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