FAQs
Camper FAQ
What is the food like?
Our food is delicious -- we've even had campers say they come to camp because of the food! Breakfast includes an assortment of cereal, milk (including lactose-free and soy alternatives), fresh fruit, oatmeal, and yogurt, in addition to the main course. Lunch and dinner vary each day, but always include a fresh salad. Meals are served family style and we always have a selection of vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, and gluten-free alternatives available. 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 served every Saturday night.
Will I get to see my friends in other shkavot (age groups)?
Absolutely! Galil creates an intimate community. All of our campers eat meals together, swim together in the afternoon, come together for morning flag raising and evening flag lowering, and many of our activities are camp wide.
Do I have to swim?
You'll want to! We have a beautiful, heated swimming pool. Every afternoon free swim is offered -- and on those hot summer days you'll want to cool down. All campers through Sayarim (6th grade) have mandatory instructional swim. You'll go home a better swimmer than before!
Are the madrichim (counselors) nice?
Yes! Almost all of our counselors grew up at Galil. They come back each summer to make sure that you have fun and love Galill just like they did.
What are the tzrifim (cabins) like?
Our cabins are modern, but rustic. All cabins 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. Counselors sleep in the cubby located in the center of each cabin to ensure maximum supervision. Campers are always grouped by grade. For example, if your child is completing 5th grade in June, s/he will be in Chotrim/Chotrot with the other campers of the same age. All the campers of the same age will be bunked together.
My birthday is in the summer. What happens at camp?
Lucky you! A Galil birthday celebration is something special and memorable. You'll have to come to find out why...
Can I bring my cell phone, Ipod, or video games?
We strongly discourage the use of hand-held electronics as camp is a time to get away from all that. That said, portable music devices are not prohibited if they are screen-free, kept in the bunks and used only during rest times and in bed. Cell phones are not allowed and will be taken from you if found, only to be returned at the end of the summer.
Do I get to go on any trips?
Yes! Each session you will get to go on a "kupa trip" which is a fun out-of-camp trip for the whole camp. It's always a surprise, but past years' trips have included Phillies games, amusement parks, and bowling. Also, each shikvah (age group) will go on an overnight tiyul (hike) once in the summer. It's a great way to bond as a group and to get some good outdoor experience.
Should I bring sports equipment with me to camp?
It's your decision. Anything you would ever need will be provided, but if you want to bring your own baseball mitt or yoga mat, that's fine. Just remember to label everything you bring!
Will I get to see my camp friends throughout the school year?
Of course! Camp Galil is not just a summer camp -- we run year-long fun, Jewish educational programming for our campers in the Philadelphia and New Jersey regions. Check out upcoming area (eizor) events on our calendar!
What do you do on rainy days?
In light rain we often continue with our regular programming. 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.
Parent FAQ
What is kupah?
Kupah literally translates from Hebrew to "cash register." In Habonim Dror we translate it as a "cooperative fund." Kupah is the way in which we insert elements of cooperative living into camp life. All age groups at camp have a pooled fund and the group decides as a democratic community how to use those funds. Through kupah campers learn about sharing, teamwork, compromise, democracy, budgeting, and more. Kupah funds are used as a central canteen from which campers can draw personal necessities such as toiletries, stationary, etc. The fund can also be used for special treats as decided by the campers.
What are the tzrifim (cabins) like? How are they chosen?
Our cabins are modern, but rustic. All cabins 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. Counselors sleep in the cubby located in the center of each cabin to ensure maximum supervision. Campers are always grouped by grade. For example, if your child is completing 5th grade in June, s/he will be in Chotrim/Chotrot with the other campers of the same grade. All the campers of the same grade will be bunked together.
Is there a time I can visit my child during the summer?
That depends! There is a Visitor's Day in July for campers who attend the full summer. It is the Sunday at the end of our First Session. Our Visitor's Day is a wonderful opportunity for families to meet the staff, to make 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 family. We invite our families to feel at ease and bring their children some things that remind them of home, but please no pets.
How old are the counselors?
Most of our staff is college-aged 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. Galil also has several summer shlichim (educational emissaries) from Israel to create a living link between campers in America and their chaverim (friends) in Israel. All of our counselors go through a serious application process and are personally interviewed. There is a mandatory ten day training orientation immediately prior to camp.
What do you do on rainy days?
In light rain we often continue with our regular programming. 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.
Can I e-mail my child?
YES! We have arranged CampInTouch to provide you the ability to send your child e-mails throughout the summer at a minimal cost. the e-mails will be delivered on all regular days with the mail. Please remember that the e-mails re printed daily in the camp's office and therefore are not private. If there is something that you want to ensure no one else sees, please send it via "snail mail."
Can I view photos of my child online during the summer?
YES! We post photos almost everyday to our CampInTouch site. This is a secure site so you will receive a password to access it. We cannot guarantee that your child will appear everyday, but we do our best to photograph each and every camper often.
Can I send my child packages during the summer?
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 do not allow packages with food items.
What happens if my child gets sick at camp?
Our infirmary is staffed 24-hours-a-day. We are within minutes of a physician's office and Doylestown Hospital. If your child is not feeling well at camp, please know that s/he 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, if your child has been placed on prescription medication, or if your child has been taken to an out-of-camp doctor, emergency room, or hospital.
How often will my child's laundry be done?
We use a commercial laundry service once a week that washes, dries, and folds the clothing. 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 s/he has a large, labeled laundry bag.
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. Before the traditional Shabbat dinner, one age group leads the camp in a Kabbalat Shabbat followed by Israeli singing and folkdancing. Optional services are available. On Saturday our campers enjoy a more relaxed experience in which they choose their activities -- anything from playing music and reading to discussing current events and participating in sports. Shabbat ends with a Havdalah service under the stars followed by musical, poetic, and comedic performances from our camper
What if my child does not speak Hebrew? Will s/he learn?
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.
My child has a Bar/Bat Mitzvah in the fall. Can s/he 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 -- Please email Jenn at jenn@campgalil.org to sign up as soon as possible.
What is the food like? Is Galil kosher?
Yes, we are a kosher camp. Our food is delicious -- we've even had campers say they come to camp because of the food! Breakfast includes an assortment of cereal, milk (including lactose-free and soy alternatives), fresh fruit, oatmeal, and yogurt, in addition to the main course. Lunch and dinner vary each day, but always include a fresh salad. Meals are served family style and we always have a selection of vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, and gluten-free alternatives available. 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 served every Saturday night.
What if my child has special dietary needs or food allergies?
We do our best 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 only kosher food.
What are Camp Galil's Gender Inclusive Policies?
Campers live with the gender with which they identify, and we welcome and celebrate campers for whom gender is not in a binary. We are committed to providing an inclusive experience for all campers. Please see here to find more about Camp Galil's Gender Inclusive Policies and Practices.
How old are the counselors?
Most of our staff is college-aged 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. Galil also has several summer shlichim (educational emissaries) from Israel to create a living link between campers in America and their chaverim (friends) in Israel. All of our counselors go through a serious application process and are personally interviewed. There is a mandatory ten day training orientation immediately prior to camp.