CGI Parent Handbook
בּ"ה
Welcome
Dear parents, It is with great excitement that we approach summer at Camp Gan Israel, Jacksonville. We look forward to providing you and your family with a safe and enriching Jewish summer experience full of fun times, new friends and great memories. Our staff are eager to get to know your child and give them a summer experience of a lifetime! What makes our program unique is our focus on campers as individuals and our commitment to providing each one of them with a nurturing experience. We design our program to provide for your child's social, emotional and cultural wellbeing. With themes relating to their Jewish identity and by infusing the daily schedule with activities, arts and crafts, songs and stories their experience becomes interactive and meaningful. It's a place where Judaism comes alive in a fun way. Our staff here at Camp Gan Israel are dedicated to giving each child an unforgettable experience. Your child will grow and form special relationships with friends and role models to cherish for a lifetime. Every decision that is made in the planning and operation of camp is always made with a focus on safety. Please review this handbook to familiarize yourself with camp procedures and policies. If you have any questions, suggestions or concerns please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Velvil & Estie Kahanov
Dates & Times
Session 1 Monday, June 22 - Friday, June 26
Session 2 Monday, June 29 - Thursday, July 2
Session 3 Monday, July 6 - Friday, July 10
Session 4 Monday, July 13 - Friday, July 17
Regular Camp Hours 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Drop Off
Daily drop-off will take place at the front gate of the building, where a Camp Gan Izzy sign will be visible. Please do not pull into the parking lot, as it can be difficult to turn around while other cars are arriving. Instead, pull up along Haley Road by the parking lot gate. A staff member will be there to greet you and escort your child safely into camp. Drop-off time is between 9:00 AM and 9:15 AM. Please do not arrive earlier than 8:55 AM, as supervision will not be available before that time.
Pick Up
Pick-up will take place at the same location—the front gate by the Camp Gan Izzy sign. Pull up and a staff member will bring your child to your car. If you prefer, you may park and walk up to pick up your child. Pick-up time is from 3:15 PM to 3:30 PM. Please make every effort to pick up your child on time. Our counselors put in a long and energetic day caring for the campers and need time at the end of the day to clean up and head home. If someone other than a parent is picking up your child, such as a friend or relative we may not recognize, please notify us in advance.
A late pick-up fee will apply after 3:35 PM. The fee is $0.50 per minute from 3:35 PM–3:45 PM and $1.00 per minute after 3:45 PM. All late pick-up fees go directly to the counselors who stay behind to supervise campers beyond regular camp hours. If you are running late due to an emergency, or expect to arrive after pick-up time, please contact Estie at (312) 874-2225 as soon as possible.
Safety & Security
At Camp Gan Izzy, your child's safety is our first priority. Our campus will be enclosed with a fence. Attendance will be taken in the morning and every camper will be accounted for. Please contact us in advance if you anticipate your child being late. Campers will be under their counselors' supervision at all times. Our staff are briefed by our security team here at Chabad, whom are in constant contact with us as well as the local police department to be aware of the latest needed measures and updates. Our staff are also CPR and first aid trained. Our staff will also be promoting good hygiene for campers with hand sanitizing and hand washing often.
If your child is feeling sick, we ask that you refrain from bringing them to camp until they are better.
Food and Snacks
Campers are asked to bring their own lunches and snacks. We ask that lunches be kosher - dairy or Parve (non-meat). We suggest that campers bring 2-3 snacks each day.
We will have water coolers with cold water. Campers are encouraged to bring their own refillable water bottle. Campers will be encouraged to hydrate often, especially during outdoor sports and activities.
Anti-bullying Policy
At Camp Gan Izzy bullying is inexcusable, and we have a firm policy against any type of bullying. Our camp philosophy is based on our mission statement which ensures that every camper has the opportunity to experience camp in a safe and fun environment. We work together as a team to ensure that campers gain self-confidence, make new friends, and go home with great memories.
Our leadership addresses all incidents of bullying seriously and our staff are trained to promote communication with their supervisors and their campers so both staff and campers will be comfortable alerting us of any problems during their camp experience. Every camper has the right to expect to have the best possible experience at camp, and by working together as a team to identify and manage bullying, we can help ensure that all campers and staff have a great summer at Camp Gan Izzy. A camper who persistently bullies may be suspended or expelled without a refund.
Behavioral Guidelines
Camp Gan Izzy maintains a strict policy regarding behavior and safety. Any physical aggression by a camper toward another child or staff member will not be tolerated and may result in immediate dismissal from camp or required early pickup. If a camper has ongoing difficulty participating in group activities, following instructions, or remaining with their group as directed, Camp Gan Izzy retains the right, if deemed necessary by the camp director, to require the parent to provide or pay for a one-on-one shadow in order for the camper to continue in the program.
Trips & Transportation
Off campus trips will take place weekly on Wednesdays. As always, campers will be under close counselor supervision at all times. For your child's safety, camp shirts must be worn on trip days.
Camp shirts will be distributed on the Wednesday before the first trip, and parents will receive them at that time. Please make sure your child brings their shirt on all trip days, as it is required for participation and identification. Parents are responsible for keeping track of their child's camp shirt throughout the summer; if a shirt is lost, a replacement must be purchased from the camp office for $15 in order for the camper to attend future trips. If your child requires a car seat or booster seat, please make sure it is left with us at drop-off on Wednesday.
Swimming & Water Activities
Swimming for older campers and water play for younger campers will take place twice a week—on Mondays and Thursdays. Please make sure to send your child with a bathing suit, towel, goggles, or any other swimming gear they may need. A certified lifeguard will be present at all times during swim sessions. If any additional water activities are planned on other days, we'll let you know in advance so your child can come prepared.
Lost & Found
We encourage you to mark items your child brings to camp with his/her name. Shirts, backpacks, etc. can seem identical and individual items are difficult to identify without a label. Lost & Found items will be available at the camp office. Please contact us regarding specific items and we'll do our best to help you locate them.
What to Bring to Camp
- Sunscreen
Please apply sunscreen each morning before camp. On days where water activities will be taking place, we ask that you please send your child with spray sunscreen that can easily be applied. We will also ensure that there are shady, sun-protected areas during outside activities. Our facility will be air conditioned. - Cap / Hat
To protect campers from the sun. - Shoes
We highly recommend that campers come with closed toe shoes. Sandals and flip-flops are not recommended as it makes sports and activities difficult. Closed toe shoes will also help campers avoid splinters in our woodchip covered yard.
What Not to Bring to Camp
- Cell phones & Electronics
Cell phones and electronic devices are not permitted to be used during camp hours. We ask that you please do not send your child to camp with a cell phone. Cell phones tend to detract from group activities and damper the camp spirit. If your child needs access to a phone or other device during camp hours, please call us before camp to discuss. - Valuables
Camp Gan Izzy cannot take responsibility for toys, jewelry, sports equipment, or other valuables that are lost or broken during camp hours.
