Hello From Camp!

Can you believe we are only one month away from June?  We are beyond excited for Galil's 66th summer to begin!  However, before Opening Day we still have a few more important events for campers, new families, and friends of Galil.   

Our annual Spring Work Day, Open House, and New Family Orientation is only FIVE DAYS away!  This is a wonderful opportunity for returning families and alumni to help us prepare camp for the summer by planting the garden, painting, cleaning, and to help welcome our new families by sharing what you love about Galil.  Anyone who is considering camp for their own family in 2012 or 2013 is welcome to take a tour and meeting with our families and professional staff to ask questions.  If you would like to sign up for Work Day or the Open House, please contact Ilana Goldfus, Assistant Director at (609) 558-1395 or registrar@campgalil.org.  We hope to see you all at camp on Sunday, May 6th! 

Spring Open House and New Family Orientation 

Please join us on Sunday, May 6th 2pm to 4pm to learn more about Camp Galil!  This is a wonderful event for new families as well as those who are considering joining the Galil camping family in 2012 or 2013.  Your visit will begin with a guided tour of our campsite, followed by games for new campers (if your child likes sports, please be sure they wear sneakers!) and a question & answer session for parents with our professional staff.  You will also have the opportunity to connect with other campers, new families, and returning families who can share their own Galil experiences.  

Please register online here by Friday, May 4th or contact Ilana at registrar@campgalil.org or (609) 558-1395.  We hope to see you at camp on Sunday! 

Spring Work Day 

All members of the Galil community are invited to camp on Sunday, May 6th 11am to 3pm to help us ready and beautify Camp Galil for our 66th summer!  We will have projects for every volunteer regardless of size, strength, or skill level.  We will be preparing our garden, planting seeds, painting, cleaning, and welcoming our guests for the Spring Open House.  Please let Ilana know that you will be joining us. 

Camp Galil at Society Hill Synagogue 

Interested in learning more about Camp Galil?  Please join us at Society Hill Synagogue on Tuesday, May 8th 5:15pm-6:15pm to learn more!  Galil's professional staff and summer counselors will be presenting our traveling "Yom Israel" exhibit to the students plus tabling and speaking with parents. 

Spring Seminar 

Our annual weekend at camp!  Get excited for the upcoming summer and catch up with your camp friends during Spring Seminar Friday, May 18th to Sunday, May 20th.  Registration is available online here.   

**Please note: Spring Seminar is more of a reunion for returning campers than a "taste" of camp.  We do not recommend the program for new campers or families considering Galil for the future.  If you would like to further discuss, please contact Ilana Goldfus, Assistant Director at (609) 558-1395 or registrar@campgalil.org. 

Galil at Philadelphia's Yom Ha'atzmaut Celebration 

Celebrate Israel's 64th birthday with Camp Galil and the Philadelphia Federation on Sunday, May 20th.  We will have a table, fun activities for campers or all ages, and lots of spirit! 

Thanks to feedback from Galil parents last summer, we are switching to a new laundry service this summer: Westside Laundry.  Westside has been in the laundry business for six decades and we are thrilled to be partnering with them.  They wrote the note below to help our families ensure that every article of clothing down to the last sock returns with your child at the end of camp! 

In addition to their suggestions below, Galil has partnered with two companies that provide easy clothing label alternatives: 

Stuck on You: choose your color and design, then add your name to create personalized labels. 

Name Dropper: a self-inking stamp that is custom made with your camper's name.   

A note from our friends at Westside Laundry: 

If you have sent your son or daughter to camp you may have wondered, "Where does all their laundry disappear to during the summer?" Here at West Side Laundry we have 63 years of experience investigating that very question.  Below is a list of recommendations that we have gathered and found most helpful to both the novice and most experience camping parents.  After all, clothes aren't cheap, and doing a few simple things can help avoid those nasty losses we all dread.   

A.  Make certain that EVERY item of clothing is marked with your child's full name.  We cannot emphasize this enough.  Remember, there are bound to be other campers with names like Rachel or David so be certain you mark the full name of your child.   

B. be sure to use a permanent marker.  Black sharpie pens usually work best, in our opinion.  Labels that are sewn on are fantastic if you have the time.  Beware of the iron-on labels; those tend to fall off after several washes.  One important point, be sure not to mark dark clothing with a dark marker.  This may be common sense but we've seen more than our share of black pants marked with black ink than we'd like to mention.  For items like these we do encourage the sewn on labels.  Marking on the tag usually never fails but try to be clear (all you guys and gals with short last names don't know how good you have it). 

C. Please don't hide the markings!  We'd prefer that hide-and-seek be left to the campers. Parents have contacted us in the past concerned that markings of their son's or daughter's clothing will ruin the clothes.  If you're concerned that an item of clothing may be ruined by labeling it then that item likely would be better off left at home.  So where do we recommend you mark your clothes? For shorts, pants, swimsuits, underwear, etc. the back of the waistband usually works well.  The neck tag is a good location to mark camper t-shirts, sweatshirts, and undershirts.  Socks mark well near the toe; and blankets, pillow cases, and sleeping bags can be marked around the hem. 

The exact science of missing laundry will remain an ongoing mystery.  Let's face it, how many mismatched socks do we have paired in our own homes that we blame on the washer that must have eaten the matching sock?  Even after 63 years in laundry business we're still hard at work trying to solve the mystery.  However, we can limit it with your help.  By following these three simple recommendations I can promise, you will be far less likely to ask, "Where does all the laundry disappear to during the summer?" 

It's that time again...Passover!  For those observing Passover, it might sound like a punishment to put away the cookies and cakes for the next eight days.  Fear not!  We searched high and low and found the best kosher for Passover desserts out there.  You may find yourself making these treats the other 51 weeks of the year, too!    

Chocolate Mousse   

Fudge Brownies   

Lemon Cheesecake     

Matzah S'mores - Our personal favorite because it reminds us of the overnight camping trips at Galil!  

Raspberry Coconut Macaroons  

Strawberry Bars    

Enjoy and let us know which recipe was your favorite.  Happy Passover, everyone!  

Happy almost Passover!  We wish everyone a wonderful, matzah-filled week with family and friends!  Once the holiday ends, we have lots of activities for the community including a special discussion about Israel's Memorial Day (Yom Hazikaron) by Galil's own Israeli ambassador, Oded.  Find out more and we hope to see you there! 

Final Registration Discount Deadline 

If you register before April 15th your family can save up to $100 per child on Summer 2012 tuition!  Registration is still open online here.  Don't forget about our amazing referral discounts! 

Eizor Shabbat Potluck in New Jersey 

You heard us right...we're having an eizor event in New Jersey on Friday, April 20th!  All campers are welcome and encouraged to bring a dairy dish to share. 

Bogrim Ken Event 

We are planning a special event for last summer's Bogrim (campers currently in 10th grade) at Ross's house on April 21st.  Please contact us at eizor@campgalil.org for the address or directions. 

Philadelphia's Annual Yom HaShoa Memorial Ceremony 

This is not a Galil event, but members of the Galil community will be present to join the Philadelphia Jewish community in remembering the atrocities of the Holocaust.  You are welcome to come also on Sunday, April 22nd. 

Community Israel Memorial Day Ceremony 

Galil will be joining the Philadelphia community on Tuesday, April 24th for a ceremony honoring those who have served Israel.  This is also not a Galil-specific activity, but we hope to see you there. 

Limmud Philly 

We encourage all of our families to check out Limmud Philly, a volunteer-led Jewish learningfest!  Representatives from Galil will be running activities for youth on Sunday, April 29th.  In addition, our professional staff and board members will be at Limmud Philly to tell you how you can experience "the spirit of kibbutz...close to home."  Stop by and say hello! 

A Discussion on Yom Hazikaron: The Ethos of Personal Sacrifice in Israel 

Please join the Galil community for a special dessert reception and discussion led by our Israel ambassador, Oded Marck, on Monday, April 30th.  Oded will be illustrating the dramatic changes in Israeli society and perceptions regarding war and sacrifice.  Due to the serious nature of the conversation, we would like to invite parents, alumni, campers, and friends high school aged and older. 

Spring Open House and New Camper Orientation 

Considering Camp Galil for your family in 2012 or 2013?  New to camp and want to see where your child will spend a few magical weeks this summer?  Please join us for our Spring Open House and New Camper Orientation on Sunday, May 6th!  Your visit will include a tour, games and ice breakers for campers, a question and answer session with our professional staff, and the opportunity to meet new and returning members of the Galil family.  Please contact Ilana at (609) 558-1395 or registrar@campgalil.org with questions.