When does camp begin?  Camp begins on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 and ends on Wednesday, August 18, 2010.  Staff Orientation begins on Tueday, June 22, 2010.

How does my child get to and from camp?  We provide luxury coach bus service from the Leventhal-Sidman CC in Newton, MA (for an additional charge) to transport campers to and from camp.  You may also drive your child to and from camp.  If you have not yet visited camp this may be a good opportunity to see where your child will have the summer experience of a lifetime!

What is the supervision like at camp?  Every child lives in a cabin with 8 to 12 campers and 2 to 3 counselors.  All of our counselors live with campers in bunks and go through an intensive week-long training seminar prior to camp.  At least one of the bunk counselors is with the campers in the bunk during cabin clean-up, free-time, Rest Hour and in the evening-- getting ready for bed and once the lights are out.

Each program area of camp is led by an excellent, well-trained specialist, some of whom work outside of camp in their specialty such as artists, sports coachs or actors.  Our swim area and boating programs are supervised by staff who are all American Red Cross certified lifeguards, sailing and canoe instructors and participate in a rigorous water safety training program at camp.  Our archery, ropes course and climbing tower staff are also appropriately trained and certified.

What is the Jewish Experieince like at camp?  Camp is a warm, safe and welcoming community where personal growth and development, outdoor living and Jewish values form the core of our program.  Our kitchen is Kosher and one of our favorite times of the week is when we celebrate Shabbat as a community.

Is there a time I can visit my child during the summer?  YES!  There is a VISITNG DAY on the last day of Session 1 in July (Sunday, July 25, 2010) for children who attend camp for the first session, the 5 1/2 week session, CIT or full season.  This is the perfect opportunity for families to meet the staff and to participate in numerous activities provided at camp. We invite our families to join us for a day at camp including a cook-out lunch. You are welcome to visit with your camper at camp, meet his or her counselors, and then join us for a cook-out lunch at noon.  Following a short rest hour we will offer you and your camper the opportunity to participate in an afternoon of camp activities including a baseball game, use of the climbing wall and high ropes course, waterfront activities and crafts.  These activities will be followed by a general swim and snack.  The day’s events will end with the lowering of our camp flags at 5pm.  Dinner, for campers and staff only, will be served at 6:00pm and will be followed by a camper only surprise special event.   

Can I email my child while they are at camp?  YES!  We have arranged with Bunk1.com to provide you with the ability to send your child one-way emails through out the summer at a minimal cost.  These emails are delievered with our daily mail at the beginning of Rest Hour, 6 days a week (we do not distribute mail on Shabbat).

Can I view photos of my child online during the summer?  At least 3 or 4 times a week we upload photographs of campers to a secure site through Bunk1.com. 

My child has a bar/bat mitzvah in the fall.  Can they receive turtoring at camp?  YES!  We are happy to provide your child with a counselor who will assist in making sure that your child is practicing what is needed in order to be prepared for their bar/bat mitzvah.  This service should be requested prior to the summer.

My child will be a camp for his/her birthday.  What does camp do to make it special?  Birthday celebrations at JCC Maccabi Camp Kingswood are great.  Counselors go out of their way to make sure that the day is special, and the camp community honors each camper in the dining room with a cake and a spirited rendition of "Happy Birthday" for their celebration.  You will also have the option to purchase an ice-cream sundae or a pizza party for your child and their bunkmates.  You will receive information about this option in the early spring.

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 throught out the summer.  Campers look forward to receiving packages from home so we encourage you to be creative with what you send your child.  Please do not send any food items as food is not allowed in the bunks.  Please also remember that everything you send to camp will need to fit into their duffle bags for their trip home!

What if my child has special dietary needs or food allergies?  We do our best at JCC Maccabi Camp Kingswood 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 and peanut butter and jelly at every meal.  We also offer a fruit and yogurt bar at breakfast a pasta and sauce bar at lunch and dinner, and a salad bar at lunch and dinner.  There is fresh fruit available all day and an afternoon and evening snack. All of the food we serve is kosher.

What happens if my child gets sick at camp?  Our Health Center is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with registered nurses.  The Bridgton Hospital, and a network of physicians, is located less than a mile from camp.  If your child is not feeling well at camp you can be sure that he or she will receive comforting, excellent, professional care and attention.  You WILL BE notified if your child has been in the Health Center for more than 24 hours, your child has been placed on a prescription medication, or your child has been taken to an out-of-camp doctor or emergency room.  The camp nurse will call you.  You WILL NOT be notified if your child spens less than 24 hours in the Health Center or if your child receives a routine diagnosis and treatment which could include cuts, colds, bug bites, stomach aches, sore throats or headaches.

What if it rains at camp?  The rain never stops us at JCC Maccabi Camp Kingswood.  However, if it does rain we are always prepared.  We have two indoor rec halls, the dining room and arts and crafts to make sure that the fun never stops--rain or shine.  We also have a number of activities that we can all enjoy outside in the rain included all-camp capture the flag, Racquet Smacquet (a combination of tennis and baseball and "Mission Impossible, an all-camp treasure hunt." 

SUGGESTED CLOTHING AND SUPPLY LIST

As parents and educators, we are well aware of how important it is to our children to “keep up” with the latest styles and trends. We do ask for your cooperation, however, in helping your child choose appropriate clothing to bring to camp. Please do not send clothing that may be seen as provocative or disrespectful. This would include, but would not be limited to, torn or altered clothing, clothing that is too revealing, or clothing that allows underwear to show. The director will use discretion in determining whether an article of clothing or an outfit is inappropriate, and reserves the right to ask a child to change, if necessary.

Campers and staff dress informally at JCC Maccabi Camp Kingswood.  Send clothes that are comfortable, and will hold up in the laundry.  Please do not send clothing that if lost or ruined would cause you or your child to be upset.  It can become cold and rainy at camp, so include warm clothing and rainwear.

10 pairs of underpants

8-10 short sleeve shirts

2 long sleeve shirts or turtlenecks

2 sweatshirts

1 fleece or wool sweater

pajamas or nightshirts

3 bathing suits (bikinis will not be permitted, tankinis are permitted)

6 pairs shorts

3-5 pairs long pants

8-10 pairs socks

1-2 pairs sneakers

1 pair hiking boots for hikes (preferably broken in)

1 pair flip-flops for the shower

1 raincoat with hood

1 bathrobe for traveling to the shower

1 windbreaker

2 head coverings, kippot, for Shabbat (required for male campers and staff)

4 bath towels

2 sets sheets (twin or cot size)

2 pillowcases

1 pillow

1 – 2 blankets (or 1 blanket and 1 sleeping bag)

1 flashlight (with extra batteries)

1 or 2 nice outfits for Banquet and Shabbat (For girls a skirt and top or simple dress.  For boys a polo or other short sleeved collared shirt and a pair of khaki shorts and or pants.)

Toiletries including soap, soap dish, shampoo, sunscreen, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, brush, tissues, drinking cup, and other personal sundry items.

Other items to consider:  daypack, softball or baseball glove, soccer cleats and shin guards, tennis racket, musical instruments, games, books, camera, film, flashbulbs, water bottle, family pictures and a favorite stuffed animal.