An Opportunity for campers ages 7, 8, 9, and 10 to try SLEEP AWAY camp.

JCC Maccabi Camp Kingswood's

Gesher Program

Monday, August 23 to Thursday, August 26, 2010-- Tuition $450

While attending the Gesher Program campers will experience the fun and spirit of JCC Maccabi Camp Kingswood by participating in a full range of activities including the most successful special activities of the summer, a hike, a cookout, daily swims, ball field activities including practice in our batting cage and a home run derby, boating, arts and crafts, drama, an ice cream sundae party, treats from Canteen, a late night campfire, star gazing and much more!  

Parents whose children attended the program during the summer of 2009 said "She loved all the activities especially the hike and tubing on the lake."  "He made some new friends and loved his counselors."

The “Gesher Program” begins when the campers leave with JCC Maccabi Camp Kingswood Staff on a chartered coach bus from the Leventhal-Sidman JCC in Newton (333 Nahanton Street) at 7:30 am on Monday, August 23, 2010.  The program ends when they return to the same location at 5:00 pm on Thursday, August 26, 2010.  They will live in bunks with 6-8 other children and 2 JCC Maccabi Camp Kingswood staff members.  Each cabin is equipped with toilets and sinks and a central shower house is just a short walk from the bunk.  Meals are served family style and all of our food is Kosher.

Tuition includes all camp fees plus transportation to and from Newton, MA. 

For more information contact Kathy Jonas by telephone, 617-558-6528, or email  This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

If your child is attending the program you will need to know:

Transportation to and from to Camp by Chartered Bus from Newton, MA:

The bus will leave Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center, 333 Nahanton Street, Newton Center, on Monday, August 23^th at 7:30 am.  Please plan to arrive NO LATER THAN 7:00 AM so that you will have time to register, hand in any necessary forms and medications, and speak with the staff.  The buses will be loading from the first parking lot on the right as you pull up the driveway of the JCC.  Buses will return to Newton on Thursday, August 26^th at 5:00 pm.  Directions to the Leventhal-Sidman JCC are located online at: www.lsjcc.org/home/leventhal_abo.html.   

Once the bus arrives at camp, we will call you to let you know that your Gesher camper has arrived safely. 

What to Bring to Camp:

Campers and staff dress informally at JCC Maccabi Camp Kingswood.  Send clothes that are comfortable.  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.  Be certain that each of your child’s belongings and luggage is labeled with their first and last name.  This will help us return all of their belongings to you at the end of their stay at camp.

4 pairs of underpants

4 short sleeve shirts

1 long sleeve shirts or turtlenecks

1 sweatshirt

1 fleece or wool sweater

pajamas or nightshirts

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

3 pairs shorts

1 pairs long pants

4 pairs socks

1-2 pairs sneakers

1 pair flip-flops for the shower

1 raincoat with hood

2 bath towels

1 set sheets (twin or cot size)

2 pillowcases

1 pillow

1 – 2 blankets (or 1 comforter)

Toiletries including soap, soap dish, shampoo, sunscreen, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, brush, tissues, drinking cup, and other personal sundry items.  Other items to consider: softball or baseball glove, soccer cleats and shin guards, books, camera, film, flashbulbs, water bottle, family pictures and a favorite stuffed animal. 

Baggage on the Camp Bus:

Clothing and equipment for each camper may be packed in no more than 1 duffel bag or soft suitcase.  Any additional articles brought on the bus must be compact enough to fit in the luggage rack over the seats on the bus.  

Health History and Examination Form: 

The State of Maine and the American Camping Association require that your child have a Health History Form, signed by your child’s pediatrician, on file at camp while they are participating in the Gesher Program.  We are happy to accept a copy of the forms you have submitted to Grossman Camp or another camp that your child will be attending this summer.  Please also include one copy of your child’s health insurance card, front and back, and mail this form to the camp office in Newton, (333 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA 02459) and after June 15^th in Maine, (104 Wildwood Road, Bridgton, ME, 04009) or you may also give us the forms when your child boards the bus for camp in Newton. 

Missing Home: 

We imagine that your Gesher camper will miss you while they are at camp.  We will do everything to keep them safe, busy and having fun while they are attending the program.  We encourage you to write a letter or two to them before they leave for the program so they will receive your letter(s) while they are at camp.  We also encourage you to register for our one-way email service, from you to your camper.  Finally, we also post camper photographs on Bunk1’s secure site.  Here is how you register:

1.    Go to our website at kingswood.org

2.   Click the flashing “Camper Photos / Camper Email” located in the left column*

3.   Click the “Register Now” button

4.   Enter your Pre-Approved Registration Code:  9J7570

5.   Fill out all the required information

6.   Purchase Bunk Note credits (you will need a credit card)

7.   View camper pictures and send an email to your camper!

Security:

Please also know that in addition to our safety preparations, we have updated our response plans to handle events which could happen outside the camp community.  Please know that communication with our parents is an integral part of this plan.