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Parents / Parent FAQ
What is Kupah?
What is the Shabbat experience at Galil?
Will my child learn Hebrew?
What is typical day like?
What is the food like?
Can I email my child?
What are the tzrifim (cabins) like?
Is there a time I can visit my child during the summer?
How does Camp Galil group campers?
Can I view photos of my child online during the summer?
My child has a Bar/Bat mitzvah in the fall. Can he/she practice at Camp?
Can I send my child packages during the summer?
What if my child has special dietary needs or food allergies?
What happens if my child gets sick at camp?
What about Lyme Disease?
What do you do on rainy days?
What do we do with laundry?
How old are the counselors?
What is Kupah?
Kupah, literally translated from Hebrew, means cash register, but in Habonim Dror we translate it as a “cooperative fund.” Kupah is a way in which we insert elements of cooperative living into camp life. All campers pool their funds and then decide as a democratic community how to use those funds. The idea of Kupah is one of the most important elements in the educational program and ideology of Habonim Dror. Through Kupah campers learn about sharing, teamwork, compromise, democracy, budgeting and more.
The recommended amount for Kupah is $15 per week of camp. Please remember that each person should contribute what they are able.
Kupah funds are used as a central canteen from which campers can draw small personal necessities such as toiletries, stationery, etc. The fund can also be used for special treats as decided by the campers.
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What is the Shabbat experience at Galil?
At Galil we offer a supportive Jewish cultural environment in which all our campers can thrive. Shabbat is a true celebration of Jewish life at Camp Galil. Each Friday afternoon, campers begin special preparations to greet Shabbat. Kabbalat Shabbat precedes a traditional Shabbat dinner, which is then followed by Israeli singing and folkdancing. Optional services are available. Shabbat is enhanced with special and creative services and activities. Shabbat ends with a Havdalah service under the stars, and later that night, the weekly campfire (medura).
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Will my child learn Hebrew?
Absolutely! Campers develop a love for the Hebrew language through our informal educational program. Hebrew language is integral to the daily camp routine and so becomes an important and natural part of each camper's life. Most campers are surprised at how many Hebrew words they know at the end of the summer.
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What is typical day like?
Days at Galil are action-packed from morning to night. Campers participate in fun, informal educational activities run by their madrichim (counselors), play sports, eat great food, and have lots of zany, crazy fun.
To get a better idea of a typical day at Galil, click here.
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What is the food like?
The food is actually quite good. We've even had campers say they come to camp because of the food! Meals are served family style with each day bringing something different. Breakfast is always great – with a special breakfast bar including an assortment of cereal, milk (including lactose-free and soy alternatives), fresh fruit, and yogurt in addition to the main course. The meal plans are varied, hearty, and well balanced. Lunch and dinner always include a fresh salad. A selection of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free alternatives are always available. The kitchen staff is very friendly and accommodating to all needs. All food served is kosher. Snacks are available throughout the day and there is often dessert served with lunch or dinner. Most campers' favorite is the ice cream sundae bar every Saturday night.
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Can I email my child?
YES! We have arranged Bunk1.com to provide you the ability to send your child emails throughout the summer at a minimal cost. The emails will be delivered on all regular day with the daily mail. Please remember that these emails are printed daily in the camp’s office, and therefore are NOT private.
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What are the tzrifim (cabins) like?
Our cabins are modern, but rustic. All have electricity, and bathrooms are either in the cabin (for our younger campers), or in a nearby bathhouse. Each camper gets a cubby for his or her belongings, and can use his or her trunk to store anything else.
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Counselors will sleep in the cabin with campers, most likely in a separate room within the cabin.
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Is there a time I can visit my child during the summer?
YES! There is a visiting day in July for children who attend first session or full season. It is always the 3rd Sunday of the summer. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to meet the staff, to meet new friends, and to spend time with your campers. Our families are invited to bring a picnic lunch (please only kosher and PEANUT-FREE food) to share with their child. We invite our families to feel at ease and bring their children some things that remind them of home, but please NO PETS.
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How does Camp Galil group campers?
Campers are always grouped by grade. For example, if your child is completing 5th grade in June, he/she will be in Chotrim/Chotrot with the other campers of the same grade.
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Can I view photos of my child online during the summer?
YES! We post photos almost everyday to our Bunk1 site. This is a secure site, you will receive a password to access the site. We cannot guarantee that your child will appear everyday, but we do our best to photograph each and every camper often
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My child has a Bar/Bat mitzvah in the fall. Can he/she practice at Camp?
YES! We are happy to provide your child with supervised time each week to review his/her material. Please be sure that your camper brings his/her practice material to camp. This service should be requested prior to the summer.
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Can I send my child packages during the summer?
YES! We encourage you to send your child games, books, and whatever else they might need throughout the summer. Campers look forward to receiving packages from home so we encourage you to be creative with what you send your child. We strongly discourage packages with food items at camp. However, any food that is sent to camp must be kosher, and must be peanut free. Additionally, according to our communal values, all food will be shared among the campers’ bunkmates – so please be sure to send enough.
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What if my child has special dietary needs or food allergies?
We do our best at Camp Galil to accommodate campers with special dietary needs or food allergies. Please contact us prior to camp if your child has serious food restrictions or allergies so we can prepare for their needs. We provide vegetarian options at every meal, and of course serve all kosher food.
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What happens if my child gets sick at camp?
Our infirmary is staffed 24-hours-a-day. We are within minutes of physician’s offices and Doylestown Hospital. If your child is not feeling well at camp, please know that he or she will be receiving comforting, excellent, professional care and attention.
We will notify you if your child has been in the infirmary for more than 24 hours, your child has been placed on prescription medication, or your child has been taken to an out-of-camp doctor, emergency room, or hospital.
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What about Lyme Disease?
Galil staff are all taught how to detect and identify symptoms of Lyme disease.
Staff and campers make periodic tick checks, especially after periods of outdoor activity. If a tick is discovered, campers are brought immediately to the Infirmary. The tick will be removed and the area of the bite will be monitored for Lyme Disease symptoms.
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What do you do on rainy days?
In light rain, we often continue with our normal program. In heavy rain, our creative tzevet (staff) puts their fun, rain-plan into effect. We are able to utilize all of the indoor spaces at camp during rain.
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What do we do with laundry?
We use a commercial laundry service once a week that washes, dries and folds. It is usually returned in two to three days. This service is not recommended for delicates, colors that have never been washed and may bleed, or very expensive items. Please be sure that your child’s clothing is labeled with his/her full name and that he/she has a large, labeled laundry bag.
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How old are the counselors?
Most of our staff is college-age or older. Our youngest counselors are recent high school graduates. The vast majority of Galil counselors were campers at Galil, and many of them have spent significant time in Israel. Many are the graduates of the Habonim Workshop in Israel and have participated in intensive leadership training programs. Additionally, summer shlichim (educational emissaries) from Israel create a living link between the campers in America and their "chaverim" in Israel.
All of our counselors go through a serious application process, and are personally interviewed. There is a mandatory 10 day training period immediately orientation prior to camp.
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