We are delighted that you are considering a summer camp experience at either Crane Lake or Eisner Camp. Below are answers to many commonly asked questions. If you would like any additional information please email or call our office.
Who comes to our camps?
Our campers come from all over the Northeast region, from New York to Boston to Maine. Most of our campers are members of Reform Jewish Synagogues in their areas. Campers range between the ages of 7 and 17 and are between 2nd and 12th grades. For families that live in the Berkshire Mountains for the summer, we also offer day camp facilities at Eisner for campers between 3 and 8 years of age who are no longer in diapers.
What is the food like?
The food is great! It is kid friendly, healthy and served kosher style, which means we do not serve milk and meat together. Each day's breakfast includes a favorite such as pancakes, french toast sticks, oatmeal, waffles, eggs or muffins. Cold cereal, fresh fruit, yogurt, milk and orange juice are always available. For lunch, some favorites include pizza, cold cuts, fish sticks, grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken nuggets. For dinner, some favorites include tacos, chicken fajitas, baked ziti, spaghetti and meatballs, turkey and chicken. At both lunch and dinner, fresh salad, peanut butter and jelly, fresh fruit, vegetarian and lactose-free alternatives are always available. Campers enjoy a weekly outdoor barbeque with burgers and hot dogs. We strive to serve all of our campers' dietary needs by offering a wide variety of meal options. We provide a safe environment for campers with food allergies and always have a complete list of ingredients of our meals on hand. Please call our office to discuss any specific food questions.
Who will be taking care of my child?
Our staff is carefully selected by our camp directors. All staff members participate in an intensive training program before our campers arrive. This on-site training includes workshops led by our camp directors, outside professionals and industry experts. Our bunk counselors are Jewish college students who bring abundant warmth and energy to our camp community. Our various sports, drama, dance, music, adventure and nature specialists are both college and graduate students from all over the world who share their particular areas of expertise with our campers. Each and every member of our swim staff is Red Cross certified. Our wonderful 24-hour professional Health Center staff is staffed by registered nurses and a physician. Every two weeks, a new dynamic group of rabbis, cantors and educators from our URJ Northeast Region congregations comes to camp to teach, worship and have fun with our campers. Our education faculty is an essential part of the Reform Jewish community at camp. Approximately 25 energetic Israelis join our staff each summer as well. They work as sports and nature specialists, bunk counselors, art specialists and more. They organize our Israel Day programs, teach us Hebrew and add an Israeli “flavor” that enhances everything we do at camp.
What is the counselor-to-camper ratio?
Generally, we have at least 1 counselor for every 5 campers in each cabin. We position a counselor to sleep in each of the corners of the cabin to ensure that campers can easily locate a counselor at night. We take great pride in our quality camper supervision; whenever campers are in their cabins, a counselor is there too. At night, when campers return to their bunks to go to sleep after evening program, a counselor remains in the bunk to supervise the campers, and all the counselors sleep in the cabin with the campers.
What medical facilities do you have at camp? What happens if my child gets sick?
Our role at camp is to ensure that we help maintain your child's health. Our wonderful 24-hour Health Center is staffed by registered nurses and a physician who live on camp property. Our Health Center is equipped with supplies to deal with minor injuries and illnesses. Our medical staff coordinates and monitors all daily medication distribution along with any as-needed medications directed to campers. All over-the-counter or prescription medication (except in certain instances like asthma inhalers, nose sprays and creams) is locked in our infirmary and only available to campers as distributed by our medical staff. We have a great relationship with our local emergency service departments. If necessary, the local hospital is a 15 minute drive from camp, and emergency services are available immediately.
Do you do laundry at camp?
Laundry is sent out once each week at camp (no additional fee). On the first day of the session, each camper receives an individual laundry bag. Each week, campers fill their bags, and within two days, we return their bags with clean folded clothes.
How do you deal with safety and security at camp?
We take safety and security at camp very seriously. All of the camp directors participate in an extensive professional training to deal with minor and major safety and security instances. All of our summer staff are trained how to manage and handle safety and security situations during our pre-camp orientation. During the summer, we have a 24-hour, on-site, trained security staff that monitors camp and keeps camp safe. Access to camp is restricted and available only through a security gate. All visitors are signed in before entering the site.
How do I choose which camp is right for my child?
We have two wonderful camps to choose from, so we know that you may be having a difficult time determining which one is right for your child. We want to make this process easy for you. To start, please visit the “compare our camp” section of our website to read about each element of our camp programs and the differences between the two camps. One of the best methods to determine which site to choose is to watch our camp DVD that features each camp's specialties along with various similarities and differences. If you would like a DVD, click here to send a request. We would also be happy to have one of our directors speak with you and help answer any specific questions.
Where are the camps located?
Both camps are located in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts. Crane Lake Camp is located in West Stockbridge, MA and Eisner Camp is located in Great Barrington, MA.
What are the cabins like?
Most camper cabins are new. Though rustic, all cabins have indoor plumbing with toilets, showers and sinks. Campers and staff sleep on bunk beds (all top bunks have bed rails). Storage units (cubbies) are provided in every cabin for campers to store their belongings. |
