Many of the questions below are also address in our 2008 Parent Handbook
What is kupah?
What is the Shabbat experience at Na’aleh?
Will my child learn Hebrew?
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 Na’aleh 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 how we incorporate 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. Kupah funds are also 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 Na’aleh?
Shabbat is a true celebration of Jewish life at Camp Na’aleh. 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. Campers ease into the next day with special Shabbat activities. Shabbat ends with a Havdalah service under the stars, and later that night, the weekly bonfire (medura). Back to Top
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. Back to Top
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. Back to Top
Camp Naaleh uses the services of Bunk1.com to handle email to campers. Your email will be brought to your child along with regular mail, so be sure to place your child’s full name in the subject line. Please remember that these emails are printed daily in the camp’s office, and therefore are not private. To start communicating with your children by email, please click the button below. Back to Top
What are the cabins (tzrifim) like?
Our cabins are modern but rustic. All have electricity, and each cabin has its own bathroom. Each camper has a cubby for his or her belongings and can use his or her trunk to store anything else. Counselors sleep in the cabin with campers, most likely in a separate room within the cabin. Back to Top
Is there a time I can visit my child during the summer?
At Na’aleh, the day between the first and second session, when first session campers leave and second session campers arrive is also our visitor day. This is an ideal opportunity for families to see our beautiful site, meet the staff, and spend time with your children. Our families are invited to bring a picnic lunch (please, kosher only, since campers may invite friends or campers whose parents were unable to make it to “blanket hop”). If you intend to bring any pets, they must be leashed and cleaned up after. Back to Top
How does Camp Na’aleh group campers?
Campers are always grouped by grade, not by age. For example, if your child is completing 5th grade in June, he or she will be in Chotrim/Chotrot with the other campers of the same grade. You can the list of camper groups by grade here. Back to Top
Can I view photos of my child online during the summer?
Camp Naaleh uses Bunk1.com for granting access to photos of your children throughout the summer while protecting their privacy. We cannot guarantee that your child will appear everyday, but we do our best to photograph each and every camper often. To access photos, just click the button link here. Back to Top
My child has a Bar/Bat mitzvah in the fall. Can he or she practice at camp?
Yes! We are happy to provide your child with supervised time each week to review his or her material. Please be sure that your camper brings his or her practice material to camp. Please discuss this service prior to the summer with our registrar
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 during their stay at Na’aleh. Campers look forward to receiving packages from home so we encourage you to be creative with what you send. We strongly discourage sending food packages to camp. However, if you do, note that any food sent must be kosher and peanut free. In line with our communal values, all food is shared with 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 Na’aleh 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.
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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 the local hospital. If your child is not feeling well at camp, please know that he or she will be receiving 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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Na’aleh 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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In light rain, we often continue with our normal program. In heavy rain, our creative staff puts its rain plan into effect. Our new site provides ample indoor space for conducting activities on rainy days.
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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 or her full name. We recommend applying “iron-on” laundry tags with the camper’s name (which you can order here
) or writing in permanent marker (we like Sharpies). Campers should also have a large and labeled laundry bag.
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Most of our staff is college-aged or older. Our youngest counselors are recent high school graduates. In fact, many Na’aleh counselors were campers at Na’aleh or one of our Habonim Dror sister camps and have spent significant time in Israel. Many are also the graduates of the Habonim Dror Workshop program 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 (friends) in Israel. All of our counselors undergo an intensive application process and are personally interviewed. There is a mandatory 10-day training period immediately orientation prior to camp.
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