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About Camp Shalom
How many years has your camp been in operation?
What is your camp’s philosophy or mission statement?
Are you a religious camp?
How does your camp communicate with families during the summer?
Is there anything in place to help families with specific financial needs?
Are there a nurse and doctor at the camp?
Where can I see pictures of my child during the summer?
Camp Life
Can campers receive mail at camp?
Is there a phone for campers to use?
Where do campers sleep?
Are campers allowed to have food at camp?
How often will my camper go swimming?
What should my camper pack for camp?
How much interaction is there among the units?
Are there a lot of bugs?
Camp Staff
Who is the camp director and what is his or her background?
What is the staff-to-camper ratio?
How much time do your staff spend in training? What are their qualifications?
Activities and Programming
What kind of activities do you have at Shalom?
What kind of programming does your camp offer?
How many years has your camp been in operation?
Camp Shalom was founded in 1948 on the site on which it stands today.
What is your camp’s philosophy or mission statement?
Please click here.
Are you a religious camp?
Camp Shalom is a pluralist Zionist camp, meaning we welcome Jewish campers from all religious backgrounds and traditions. We are strictly Kosher and feature informal Jewish and Zionist content in our programming. Camp Shalom encourages campers to connect with their Jewish roots and explore facets of our shared culture they may not have otherwise experienced.
How does your camp communicate with families during the summer?
Should you have any questions or concerns during the summer, we welcome you to call the office at camp at any time. Be assured that
Adam or your child’s unit head will respond to your call promptly. Sorry, but we do not permit campers to make or receive phone calls while at camp.
Is there anything in place to help families with specific financial needs?
Camp Shalom has several full camperships available each summer for families in need. Please contact
Adam for further details.
Are there a nurse and doctor at the camp?
Camp Shalom has a fully equipped Wellness Centre, staffed by a registered nurse 24 hours a day. We also have a dedicated team of doctors who each spend a week at camp with their families, tending to the needs of our Shalom community.
Where can I see pictures of my child during the summer?
The Summer 2007 page of our website has a complete photo album that is updated throughout the summer.
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Can campers receive mail at camp?
Yes, please! Letters and packages are welcome at Camp Shalom (for staff, too!). Please do not send your campers any food by mail, as it will be confiscated by the office staff. For our summer mailing address, please see the Contact Us page.
Is there a phone for campers to use?
Campers at Camp Shalom are not permitted to make any outgoing phone calls. If you have an urgent message for your camper, it can be left with the camp office for delivery.
Do not send a cell phone with your child.
Where do campers sleep?
All campers sleep on bunk beds in cabins. A cabin will typically house between 8 and 12 campers. If you have any concerns about which bunk your camper will receive, please contact the camp office.
Are campers allowed to have food at camp?
Campers are not allowed to bring any food with them to camp. They will have an opportunity to purchase drinks and snacks from our tuck shop 3 times each week. In addition to limiting the chance of any uninvited “visitors” from the wilderness, this policy also helps us keep our camp kosher and absolutely peanut-free!
How often will my camper go swimming?
Every camper has one instructional swim period each day other than Saturday. There is a mandatory swim test to determine what the camper’s class placement will be. There is also a free swim every Shabbat and other special days.
What should my camper pack for camp?
All campers will have their laundry done once each week, so they should bring enough clothes to last at least one full week. A sample packing list can be found here. Over the course of the summer, there will be a variety of weather conditions, so campers should remember to pack clothes specifically for cold or rainy days in addition to the regular summer fare. Campers are also expected to bring nicer clothes for Shabbat and our Banquet on the last night of each session.
How much interaction is there among the units?
Camp Shalom prides itself on the all-encompassing feeling of Hargashat Bayit (“feeling of home”) that exists for all campers and staff. To accomplish this, many programs and activities are designed for unit-wide participation. Additionally, campers are free to spend time with friends and siblings in other units during their free time.
Are there a lot of bugs?
Like any summer camp, Shalom has its share of insects, but nothing a little bug repellent can’t fix!
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Who is the camp director and what is his or her background?
To learn all about our directors, click here.
What is the staff-to-camper ratio?
Camp Shalom is proud to have a camper-staff ratio of 3:1.
How much time do your staff spend in training? What are their qualifications?
Regardless of experience or position, all of our counsellors go through a strict course of screening during the hiring process. Camp Shalom looks for potential staff who have varied backgrounds working with children, as well as specific skills that are relatable to a camp setting, and a strong desire to explore their own Jewish identity. Our staff also participate in our pre-camp training, which includes sessions on basic first aid, camper care, bullying intervention and meeting with Jewish communal social workers.
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What kinds of activities do you have at Shalom?
Camp Shalom offers a wide variety of activities: Drama, Sports, Music, Arts & Crafts, Nature, Fitness, Archery, Waterski and much more. The summer is designed to allow each camper to sample up to 8 different specialty activities, in addition to sampling all that our waterfront has to offer. For more information, please click here.
What kind of programming does your camp offer?
Camp Shalom takes great pride in its innovative and educational programming. Every night, a fresh evening program is planned for each unit. Our programs vary widely, like casino nights, improv games, capture the flag, and game shows. We endeavour to integrate an informal education component where campers will learn about their Jewish heritage and Israel, sometimes without even knowing it! For more information about some of our special events, please click here.
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