Camp JRF

Summer 2008 Begins at Camp JRF

Isaac Saposnik — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:50:30 -0400

What a wonderful day we had today! The sun shone brightly, the blue of the sky was perfect, and the voices of our community rose together as we opened Summer 2008 on the Aaron and Marjorie Ziegelman Campus of Camp JRF. It was a pleasure to see the smiles as old friends reconnected and new friendships began to form. Campers from the United States and Israel joined us as we began another wonderful summer of Reconstructionist camping.

After moving into their cabins, campers had an opportunity to meet by eidot (units) before we came together as a camp to begin the summer with songs and funny skits from our staff. Dinner was pasta, garlic bread, and our famous Caesar salad – followed by ice cream for dessert. After a brief service, campers learned about the myriad of different options for breirot (electives) and chose which they would like to try for the first part of the session. Then it was off to the cabins to check-in with their counselors, get to know their bunkmates a bit better, and finally head to sleep after a long day of traveling. As I write, all is quiet as we dream about the excitement that is to come with our first full day of camp tomorrow.

We look forward to many wonderful, magical, engaging, and life-changing days ahead....

Experience Camp JRF Family Camp!

Lisa Tuttle — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:34:11 -0400

When: 5 pm on Wednesday, August 13 through Noon on Sunday, August 17
Where: Camp JRF, South Sterling, PA

Experience as a family the joy, fun and community of Reconstructionist camping this summer at Camp JRF Family Camp! There's something for everyone: Activities for adults, teens, children and families!

Download the Family Camp brochure and register now!

Participants in Family Camp will enjoy all of JRF’s camp facilities and staff, including professional Jewish educators, rabbis, musicians, art and sports instructors, counselors, and our fantastic food.

Space is limited! For more information contact
info@campjrf.org or call 1-877-226-7573.

Camp JRF Voted Among Top 10 Jewish Camps by Jewish Living Magazine

Lisa Tuttle — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:12:52 -0500

We are proud and delighted to report that Jewish Living magazine, in its January/February 2008 issue, cited Camp JRF: The Aaron and Marjorie Ziegelman Campus among its Top 10 Jewish overnight camps: "those that best combine a summer of fun with strong reinforcement of religious and cultural identity." The magazine compiled the list (reported in alphabetical order) after consulting with camp professionals as well as youth group, Hebrew school, and synagogue leaders, plus camp alumni.

Read the write-up on Camp JRF from Jewish Living and spread the word!

Camp JRF Scholarships Available

Lisa Tuttle — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:29:01 -0500

Camp JRF is still accepting applications for scholarships for Summer 2008. One special grant for campers is the Jessica Kaufman Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in Jessica’s memory by her father, Ben Kaufman. Jessica was a committed camper and nurturing counselor whose memory lives on at Camp JRF and whose scholarship enables campers the opportunity to experience the magic of Camp JRF.

Hold Your Next Shabbaton at Camp JRF!

Lisa Tuttle — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:43:23 -0500

With great excitement we are opening Camp JRF on the Aaron and Marjorie Ziegelman Campus for week-end Shabbatonim/retreats. The beautiful facility in the Poconos will now be available for rental for our JRF congregations, Boards, religious schools, JRF Regional programs, teens, and the like.

For more information, please contact the Camp JRF office at 877-CAMP JRF (877-226-7573).

Camp JRF Scholarships Available

Lisa Tuttle — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:27:03 -0500

Camp JRF reminds everyone that applications for scholarship funds must be in by December 31. It's important to go ahead and apply to camp and pay the deposits prior to the scholarship deadline; if an applicant does not receive the amount of funding needed or desired, the deposits can be fully refunded.

Please call (877) 226-7573 or e-mail info@campjrf.org.

Camp JRF Registration is Now Open

Lisa Tuttle — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:25:57 -0500

Make sure that your child has the summer of a lifetime at Camp JRF on the Aaron and Marjorie Ziegelman Campus in the Pocono Mountains. Register online at www.campjrf.org in the Parents section, or print the application and mail to our camp office.

For more information, call the Camp JRF office at 877-CAMP-JRF (877-226-7573).

Camp JRF Wants YOU (or your children)!

Isaac Saposnik — Fri, 25 May 2007 16:02:46 -0400

Camp JRF Staff from Summer, 2006Camp JRF is looking for a few more staff members. If you know energetic, creative, talented, upbeat, responsible, and excited college students (or high school graduates), we would love to talk with them about spending the summer of a lifetime at Camp JRF. Download a staff application packet.

We are currently looking to fill the following positions:

Counselors live in cabins with the campers. They are involved in every aspect of camp, providing the best possible camping experience for their campers. As responsible, mature young adults, counselors serve as role models for the campers in how to lead a healthy, Reconstructionist life.

Lifeguards are responsible for the safety of all people at the pool and lake areas. They will also be expected to give instructional swim lessons. Qualified applicants will be mature and responsible. Proper certification is required; Water Safety Instructor certification is preferred.

Challenge Course Staff will assist the Challenge Course Director in running the Challenge Education program. Experience teaching and using a challenge course is preferred.

Staff are hired for the full summer (June 20 - August 14). Salary is competitive with other summer camps and travel reimbursement is available for staff who come to camp from a distance. This summer we will have staff from the United States, Israel, France, and Australia - encourage the college students in your community to join them!

Download a staff application packet for a staff application packet or contact us at info@campjrf.org to make a recommendation.

Camp JRF Needs Prayer Books

Rabbi Jeff Eisenstat — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 13:25:46 -0400

"House" of Prayer at Camp JRF: Built by the campers in Summer, 2006.What is a Jewish summer camp without any prayer books? What’s a summer camp with empty shelves in its library?

As part of the JRF “Book Shelf” program, we are inviting donors to provide one set of Kol Haneshamah (the Shabbat and daily prayer book) for a donation of $50. The set retails for $57 and JRF will cover shipping. For a minimum donation of $100, two or more sets will also include personalized dedication bookplates in memory of or in honor of a loved one or an occasion. Make your donation online. (When you donate online, make sure that you write “Camp JRF Book Shelf” in the “Designation” field.)

The siddurim dedicated through this appeal will permanently reside at Camp JRF. Your support will send a special message of caring and support from your family and your community—one the kids will note every week of camp as they begin prayers in the outdoor sanctuary that they built themselves.

Camp JRF began at a leased facility near Chicago four years ago and borrowed siddurim (prayer books) for the then one session of camp. This past year, after the purchase of the new 130-acre facility in the Poconos of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the camp again contacted a number of congregations and borrowed Kol Haneshamah, the Reconstructionist siddur for Shabbat. Two hundred and eighty campers and sixty-five staff attended the two sessions of Camp JRF last summer and used those books, which were again returned to their respective congregations. The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation (JRF) asks your help this year. Camp JRF needs a minimum of 250 sets of siddurim.

To learn more about The JRF “Book Shelf” Program, please call Barry Nove, Director of Development at 215-885-5601 x 19.

New Teen Program at Camp JRF

Isaac Saposnik — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 14:09:07 -0500

Camp JRF is pleased to announce the opening of a new session for Summer 2007!

Hadraha, our leadership training program, will be open to entering high school juniors and seniors. Taking place during the second session only (July 25 - August 12), this program will provide teens with the opportunity to explore the meaning of leadership, hone their skills, and begin to make the transition from camper to counselor. With a small group of participants and a highly experienced staff, Hadraha proves to be a defining experience for all.

Tuition for this program is equal to that of our other camp sessions: $2750. As always, our goal at Camp JRF is to do our best to ensure that no camper is turned away from camp for purely financial reasons. We therefore strive to make camp financially accessible to all camper families. For more information, please be in touch with us to request a scholarship form.

Registration is now available online at www.campjrf.org

For more information, please contact us at info@campjrf.org