Campers, parents, friends, family - Shalom! It's so great to be addressing you once again as Camp Shalom's Program Director!

I can't begin to express how excited I am for Summer 2010 at Camp Shalom! At this point, I won't reveal too much about the exciting programs we've got in store for this summer - but I will say that they are going to bring our camping experience to a whole new level!

Our drive to provide each and every camper with the best possible camping experience is stronger than ever, and I'm confidant that our new programs, activities and events will make this summer one of the most memorable in the eyes of our campers.

We've got a great staff team this year who come with some new specialties - that are nothing short of spectacular - and we're excited to put these to use in our everyday activities and programming, giving our campers opportunity to explore a multitude of exciting new experiences. Our unique camping philosophy of individualized programming and scheduling allows each camper to pursue his/her own interests within a structured program that is developed specifically to bring about the best possible camping experience.

In the coming weeks, we'll be updating our website with more details including our Head Staff team for 2010, and a calendar of upcoming events.

For now, if you have any questions or have any questions about our camping experience, our activities and/or programs, please feel free to get in touch with me, or our director, Adam.

I look forward to meeting you all!

    Daniel Sourani
    Program Director
                                           

Dear Parents

I'm excited to let you know that registration for the upcoming summer has officially opened! For full Summer 2010 details, click here, or visit the Summer 2010 Info page on the left navigation pane on any window.

All camper forms went out in the mail this week, and if you have not already received it, it should be there within a day or two.  Registration was held back a little bit this year as we studied how the proposed Ontario Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) will affect camp fees for the upcoming summer.  While the HST has not been made official by the provincial government yet, the speculation is that this will take effect on July 1, 2010.

For now, there will be no effect on our current camp fees, as we will still charge 5% GST and 3% PST  same as years past).  However, once the HST is enacted by the province, we will be forced to charge the full 8% PST on camp fees.  As we get closer to the summer, we will continue to consult with the Ontario Camps Association and the Provincial Government to determine what effect (if any) the HST will have and we will keep you informed to the best of our ability.

I look forward to welcoming you back to Camp Shalom!

Adam

Please note that the Lost & Found items will be available at 788 Marlee Avenue, Suite 313 during the following times:

Monday, August 24 - 9am-5pm
Tuesday, August 25 - 9am-5pm
Wednesday, August 26 - 9am-5pm
Thursday, August 27 - 9am-5pm
Friday, August 28 - 9am-1pm

After these dates, all remaining items will be donated to local Jewish organizations.  If you discover items accidentally brought home that belong to others, please be sure to return them to our office.

Thank you.

Dear Parents

It's hard to believe, we are already coming up on the last day of camp!  For the campers' return to Toronto on Thursday, August 13, you will find the details below.

Bus
WHERE:  Bathurst Jewish Community Centre (4600 Bathurst Street)
WHEN:  Can-Ar Buses will depart camp at 10am and arrive in Toronto around 12pm.

Bags
WHERE:  Bathurst Jewish Community Centre (4600 Bathurst Street)
WHEN:  The camper bags will be delivered by Canada Cartage and will arrive no later than 11:30am.

There will be Cartage staff to unload the truck upon its arrival.  Every bag will have a Camp Shalom tag on it.  The colours of these tags are based on the units at camp (Seniors-Red, Uppers-Yellow, Lowers-Blue, Junior/Roots-Green).  If you require help lifting your camper's bags into your car, there will be Camp Shalom staff arriving on the buses with the campers.

Thank you very much for your co-operation.

Parents, Family, Friends - Shalom!

As most of you can tell by the exciting pictures posted, our second session has had some awesome programs happen this past week! Here's a quick snapshot of what's been happening here at Camp Shalom, with a bit of what's yet to come!

Just yesterday, our campers were taken Around the World! Each cabin was assigned a country which determined their costumes to last night's special dinner! When campers arrived in the Chadar (dining hall) they found three buffet stations with food from three different countries - Italy, China and U.S.A.!

After trying some fine international cuisine, campers visited different stations where they learned about cultures and customs from all over the globe. Of course, we couldn't pass up another opportunity to have everyone taste some more international cuisine so campers got a chance to bake their own Indian na'an bread at our India station, and taste some homemade guacamole when visiting Mexico!

Whether it was taking part in a soccer scrimmage in Italy, swinging from the vines of the Costa Rican rainforest or even drumming some tribal beats in South Africa, everyone was sure to learn something new while having a blast!

As always, the fun doesn't stop there! We still have a ton of amazing programs lined up for our campers! Without saying too much, there are a few days of special programming coming up in the next few days - but I'll let Lauren, our Special Events Coordinator share the details in the coming days!

Stay tuned - more updates to come!

Cheers,

Daniel Sourani
Program Director

Lauren here with a Camp Shalom Special Events Update!!

This past week has been filled with special days!  Thursday was Yom Israel, a day in which the camp was transformed into Israel.  Campers spent the day traveling around Israel, making pitas in the Negev, hearing famous stories in Jerusalem, making candles in Tzfat, training for the Israeli army in Tze’elim, snorkelling in Eilat and more!  The day concluded with an incredible production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.  Campers participated by creating the sets, acting in the scenes, singing during the musical interludes, and dancing in the big finale. 

Maccabiah, our two day colour-war competition, wrapped up last night.  This year’s theme was “Mac to the Future!”   The event began after a time machine from the future crash landed at Camp Shalom.  The vehicle belonged to Doc, a scientist who had collected four historical figures throughout his travels, Urg the caveman, Cleopatra, Sir Lancelot, and Alexander the Great.  After some repairs, Doc was able to restart the time machine but was still lacking the very rare and very precise combination of fuel needed for time travel; Ruach (spirit), Participation, and Sportsmanship.  Only one character would be able to generate enough fuel to start the time machine and accompany Doc on his adventures.  The camp was divided into four teams and competed in special events to earn their spot in the time machine and go with Doc back to the future!

Even with a week left to our first session, we have some more exciting special events on the agenda, including Coffee House (our annual talent show), and more!

Stay tuned for more updates!

Lauren Silver
Special Events Coordinator

Dear Parents

 

We’re enjoying our final week of the first session and it is already time to remind you of the details for Sunday, July 26, our Visitors’ Day and final day of the first session.  Please find the section below that applies to your camper and read the details carefully.  If you have any questions, you can reach us by phone or e-mail any time this week.

 

For First Session Campers who will be travelling home by bus:

The camp bus will depart camp at 9:00am.  Campers will arrive at the Bathurst Jewish Community Centre (BJCC) at 4600 Bathurst Street around 11:00am.  There will be Camp Shalom staff on the bus and they will make sure all campers are picked up before departing the parking lot.

 

For First Session Campers who will be picked up at camp:

When you arrive at the camp parking lot, Camp Shalom staff will direct you where to park.  Families will be allowed into camp at 11:00am.  Once you enter the camp, you will have an opportunity to meet the counsellors in your camper’s cabin.  At 12:00pm, we will all gather at the flagpole for Mifkad and to say goodbye.  Families should not be leaving before this point in the schedule.  At 12:30, there will be staff available to help load your camper’s bags into your car.  At this point, you are welcome to spend the afternoon with us at camp, or depart with your campers.  If you are spending the day at camp, please see the next section for additional details about the at-camp programme.

 

For Full Summer (6 week) Campers who will have visitors at camp:

When you arrive at the camp parking lot, Camp Shalom staff will direct you where to park.  Visitors’ Day begins at 11:00am, at which point the gates are opened to let you in.  From 11:00am-12:00pm, you will have the opportunity to see your camper’s cabin and meet their counsellors.  At 12:00pm, we will all gather at the flagpole for Mifkad and to say goodbye to the First Session campers.  Following this presentation, families are welcome to join us for a complimentary BBQ lunch courtesy of Camp Shalom and Taam Tov Catering.  If you wish to augment our lunch with your own snacks, please keep in mind that Camp Shalom is a strictly kosher and nut-free environment.  This includes peanuts and all types of tree nuts, as well as any package labelled “may contain traces of nuts”.  If you are unsure if something is nut-free, we recommend you leave it at home.

 

Families who wish to take their camper out of camp for the afternoon may do so at any time after this point.  Please make sure to sign your camper out at the office.  There will be times set up throughout the afternoon to visit the medical staff and your camper’s Unit Head.  The Tuck Shop will also be open in the afternoon.  All Full Summer campers must be back in camp no later than 5pm, at which point our Visitors’ Day comes to an end. 

 

** PLEASE NOTE:  DUE TO HEALTH CONCERNS THIS SUMMER, PLEASE LEAVE ANY FAMILY MEMBERS AT HOME IF THEY HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH, OR ARE SHOWING SYMPTOMS OF, THE H1N1 INFLUENZA VIRUS OR OTHER ILI (Influenza-like illnesses)

 

For Full Summer (6 week) Campers who will not have visitors at camp:

Please make sure to inform the camp if you have made arrangements for another friend or family member to spend the day with your camper.  Alternately, if your camper will not have any visitors at camp, please let us know and we will arrange for Camp Shalom staff to create special activities for them.

 

A reminder for all families sending bags home on the cartage truck:

The truck will arrive at the BJCC (4600 Bathurst Street) at 6:00pm on Sunday, July 26.  The truck will unload the bags and sort them according to the campers’ units.  Any bags left unclaimed by 7:00pm will be packed up and transported back to the Camp Shalom Toronto Office (788 Marlee Avenue), from where you will be able to pick them up during the week.

Dear Parents

At Camp Shalom, the safety and well-being of our campers and staff is a top priority.  In that respect, we are closely monitoring information about the H1N1 influenza virus from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) and our local health unit.  According to recent reports in various news outlets, there have been confirmed cases of this virus in the Simcoe-Muskoka area. 

We are happy to report that, up to this date, Camp Shalom has had no campers or staff diagnosed with this virus.

Camp Shalom continues to be vigilant in its policies and procedures regarding the spread of illness at camp, including:

·      Mandatory hand washing before all meals, after bathroom use, and after sneezing/coughing

·      Access to soap, warm water, and hand sanitizer throughout camp

·      All camp staff promoting cough and sneeze hygiene among staff and campers, i.e. sneezing into your elbow or a tissue

We will continue to monitor new developments from the MOHLTC and we will remain proactive by following the aforementioned recommendations.  We hope that parents can partner with us to help prevent and reduce future incidence of ILI (Influenza-like illnesses) by making their child practice effective hand-washing and cough/sneeze behaviours at home.  Should you have any further questions don’t hesitate to contact the camp office.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our children and our camp healthy.

 

Dear Parents

 

It’s hard to believe that the second session starts in less than two weeks!  Here is a quick note to remind you of some very important details.

 

A. Baggage

On Friday, July 24, a truck from Canada Cartage will be waiting from 8:00am to 10:30am at the back parking lot of the Bathurst Jewish Community Centre (4600 Bathurst Street).  The truck will be transporting your child’s duffel bags to camp.  If your child is an out-of-town camper, please bring the bags with you to the buses on July 27.

 

B. Bus to Camp

The camp buses will depart from the lower parking lot of the Bathurst Jewish Community Centre (4600 Bathurst Street) on Monday, July 27 at 8:00am sharp.  Please arrive between 7:00am and 7:30am to provide enough time to say goodbye to your campers.

 

Campers will be instructed to board the buses at 7:45am.  Campers are permitted to board any bus that has empty seats.  However, since we take a roll call on entry, they must remain on the bus.  Parents will not be permitted to board the bus, so please say your good-byes before the campers board the bus.

 

C. Camper Medical Forms

If you have not already completed and returned you camper medical forms (along with 2 pictures and a photocopy of the health card), please do so as soon as possible.  You can find a copy of the form online and it can be returned by fax (705-687-4972) or e-mail (info@camp-shalom.com).

 

All of this information and more can be found on our website, www.camp-shalom.com.   Be sure to keep checking your inbox for updates as we approach the beginning of another amazing session at Camp Shalom!

With just over a week since the start of our first session of summer 2009, camp is well under way! Our campers are keeping busy and having a blast with all the incredible programs that our staff have put on for them! For starters, we kicked the summer off with a camp-wide game of Capture the Flag and some wild fireworks to celebrate Canada Day.
Every night following, our campers have been participating in some great evening programs within their unit groups. To give you a glimpse of what I'm talking about, here are just a handful of these awesome programs:

• Murder Mystery - with staff in full fledged (and wacky!) costumes, a scene was performed of the crime being committed at the Royal Retro Estate. While everyone was a suspect, it was up to the campers and their detective skills to use clues, interviews and evidence to help them identify the perp.
  
  
• Mifkad Ha'aretz - campers participated in various challenging activities which recreated the struggles faced by the founders of the State of Israel.
  
  
• Pay it Forward - a stimulating Shabbat program which had campers put themselves in others' shoes.

What's even more exciting is that our staff have been working hard to keep these great programs coming for the duration of the summer! We still have heaps of surprises up our sleeves, with tons of programs and events that have never been seen at Camp Shalom! I'll be sure to update you as these events take place!

We're all looking forward to the upcoming weeks of unbelievable fun and excitement!

Wishing you the best from Camp Shalom,