CANTEEN/ SPENDING MONEY

Canteen money can be added online in your child’s account, or you can send cash (US funds accepted and exchanged to CAD) with your child to cover canteen expenditures. The amount is left to your discretion and should be enclosed in an envelope with your child’s name on it. Once camp is in session you will be able to top-up your child’s canteen online. Should you choose to send spending money for offsite trips, the counselor will deposit this money in the canteen where each camper will have his/her individual account. Children will be able to purchase a limited amount of treats daily. Before trips campers will be able to take out money. All monies should be left in the canteen.

CASES OF WATER BOTTLES

Cases of water bottles will not be allowed on the luggage truck or bus. Cold water bottles will be sold in canteen for 50 cents each. Please note: The tap water is 100% safe and tasty well water which is tested regularly in conformity with government regulations. Your child can bring a reusable water bottle which can be filled from the tap. We have 3 water fountains  around camp, for the children’s convenience.

FOOD BROUGHT TO CAMP

Food Policy

After networking with overnight camps in Haliburton and Muskoka and being in tandem with the neighboring camps we realize that a No Food Policy is imperative, and worked to our benefit last summer. In order to keep away rodents and animals we will NOT allow any Nash whatsoever or packages brought nor sent to camp. The only exception to this rule (which will be enforced) is cereal and instant soups, which are kept in the dining area. Any Nash that will be brought will be disposed of. Cereals containing any nut products will be confiscated. We are Nut free.

CELLPHONES

Campers are not permitted to have cellphones in camp. Cellphones used for traveling must be given to the counselor who will place it in to the office for the duration of the camp season. Camp is not responsible for any valuables, i.e. electronic games, digital cameras etc. left anywhere other than the office.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES/IPODS/ VIDEOS

The only type of electronics that will be allowed in camp are cameras (with picture capabilities only). Any form of electronics, cell phones, mp3 players or iPods will not be allowed. If these items are found in a camper’s possession they will be confiscated and not returned. Camp is not responsible for any valuables left anywhere other than the office.

E-MAILS

E-mails can only be sent through the parent dashboard and will be printed daily and given to the campers.

MAIL

We know how eager you are to hear from your children. Campers are encouraged to write home often. Stamps will be sold in the canteen. They also love to receive mail. Food Packages will not be in allowed in camp. Camp mailing address:

Camp Gan Israel
1726 Gan Israel Trail
P.O. Box 535
Haliburton, ON K0M 1S0

TELEPHONE CALLS

Please do not expect a call from your child during the first week of camp. Should you want to inquire how your child is adjusting, feel free to call the office or email us. Henceforth, each bunk will have a designated time once a week to call home. At the same time, we ask for your cooperation by not calling camp to speak to your child, unless it is an “emergency”. At such time, please contact the directors’ cell phone and a message will be forwarded. A steady flow of letters or e-mails, are the best replacement for phone calls.

Do not be worried if your child doesn’t call you on their designated day, trips and special activities can sometimes delay the calling day.

You can expect phone calls between 12:30- 6:00 pm

Bunk Calling Schedule:

Bunks	Day
Aleph, Beis	Sunday
Gimmel, Daled	Monday
Hay, Vov	Tuesday
Zayin, Ches	Wednesday
Tes, Yud	Thursday
Yud Alef, Yud Beis	Friday

VISITING DAY

CGI Toronto does not have visiting day. Many of our campers are from out of town and don’t receive visitors, many of the campers who have settled happily have to readjust when their parents leave. From our experience this has proven to be beneficial for all campers. This will allow for another exciting day in camp.

 

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

Please log into your account https://ganisraeltoronto.campmanagement.com/p/campers/login_m.php and fill in your child’s travel plans before March 1, 2024

Flight Information:

Flights to camp:

Wednesday,  July 30 arrival to YYZ airport between 6 am – 11 am.

Departure from camp:

Monday,  August 25 departure from YYZ airport between 3 pm- 7 pm

 

Toronto Bus:

To camp: Wednesday,  July 30, 12:30 pm from 770 Chabad Gate

From camp: Monday,  August 25 Approximate arrival 12:00 pm

 

NY Bus:

To camp:

Wednesday, July 30 11:45 pm departure 5:00 am. early morning departure.

In front of 1383 President Street

From camp: Monday,  August 25 approximate arrival 8 pm

CAMP TIME

CGI will be on standard time which is 1 hour earlier than daylight savings time.

CAMP OFFICE HOURS

The office will be open daily from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and 4:00p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Phone number: 705-754-9920 Otherwise feel free to leave a message. Your call will be returned within 24 hours.

CLOTHES LABELLING

Camper’s name must be on every garment to avoid losing articles in the laundry. Articles on which name tapes cannot be sewn, i.e. toothbrush, soap dishes, etc. should have adhesive tape marked with the name. Articles not claimed at lost and found will be donated to Tzedakah.

LAUNDRY SERVICE

The service of a local establishment has been obtained to wash, dry and fold your child’s laundry during the camp season. This year we have removed the separate Laundry fee.

TIPPING

Please show Hakoros Hatov to your child/ren’s staff members; please send your child with an envelope clearly marked with tips for their 2 counselors, learning counselors (boys), and waiter/waitress. There is an online option available.

Suggested amounts: Counselors: $35, Learning Counselor: $30 Waiter/Waitress: $20

IMMIGRATION

If traveling by air, passports and border letter/letter of permission are required to enter Canada. The Border letter is available on our website and must be printed, completed and sent with your child. Please make sure your child’s document will allow them in and out of Canada i.e. visa and that their passport expiry date should be longer then a 6 month period. All documents are kept in the camp safe. If your child is coming by bus or car, a copy of the birth certificate and border letter is sufficient.

PAYMENTS AND ADMISSION CARD

A payment plan and postdated visas must be given in at time of registration. No camper will be permitted on the bus unless the camp office has received full payment, completed medical form, signed guide form, Credit Card on file, and lice form. An admission card will be sent to you upon receipt of all above items, please make sure we receive all prerequisite items by May 31, 2024.

SIGNED GUIDE FORM

Parent and child must sign; agreeing to all rules and conditions, the form is on the parent dashboard.

CGI CHECKLIST

Before camp:

• Complete medical form
• Transportation form filled out online
• Tshirt size form

Bring to camp:

• Tip/ canteen/ spending money- if you have not done it online
• Border letter/ Valid ID for travel for non-Canadian residents

LOST AND FOUND

Lost and found viewing will take place throughout the camp session. Please encourage your child to notify their counselor of lost items.

MEDICAL INFORMATION

Medical Form

The comprehensive form is online on your parent dashboard; select health form and please fill in all the Medical forms by March 15, 2024. This form does not have to be filled out by your doctor. We are not responsible for any medical expenses. A VISA/MasterCard number must be submitted for prescriptions and services. All out of Ontario campers MUST ensure they have full medical coverage for Ontario.

Every camper must be current with their immunizations. To purchase Travelers Medical Insurance, you can contact Mr. Noach Heimen 718-387-2114.

Medical Staff

We have an experienced Paramedic and Hatzalah member serving as our on- site medical staff member. We have also obtained the services of Dr. Ronald Zucker, a surgeon at Sick Kids Hospital and our neighbour who has graciously offered his expertise and will be on call throughout the summer for visits. If the Paramedic deems it necessary for the doctor to examine your child a doctor’s fee of $50 will be charged to your credit card (If you do not have OHIP).

Medication

If your child began taking antibiotics within 48 hours of the start of camp, you MUST notify us before camp. Any medications that a camper is taking must be brought to the infirmary. A designated time will be coordinated on the first day for the camper to bring their medicine and introduce themselves to the infirmary faculty. The medicine will be distributed to the campers during meal times, rest hour or night activity. Early A.M. medicine will be available at the infirmary immediately after wake up. If an alternate arrangement is necessary, the infirmary faculty will do their best to make accommodations. All medication and medical conditions will be strictly confidential.

Allergies and diet requirements

Camp Gan Israel Toronto cannot create or warrant an allergy free environment. We make all reasonable efforts to accommodate all known allergies but cannot guarantee that there will not be exposure to allergens or cross contamination. eg. Our kitchen uses gluten products like flour and therefore cannot actually be gluten free (it is in the air and on surfaces etc). Therefore we cannot guarantee 100% that there will be absolutely no cross contamination. We sit in community table settings with shared utensils, etc. We are allergy aware and not allergy free. Nonetheless, we will do what we can to reasonably accommodate camper needs and special diets.

IMPORTANT RE: NUTS AND ANAPHYLAXIS/ALLERGIES:
CAMP Gan Israel IS A ‘NUT-AWARE’ CAMP AND NOT ‘NUT FREE’
Camp Gan Israel has always attempted to order foods that are “peanut aware”. However, we cannot attempt to eliminate peanuts or tree nuts (“nuts”) entirely from camp i.e. the camp cannot be ‘nut free’. After research and consultation–speaking with campers, families, staff, caterers, other camp directors and our Camp Association–we believe that our camp community benefits from being able to include campers with nut allergies in an anxiety-reduced environment rather than attempting to eliminate peanuts or tree nuts entirely from camp.

​In an effort to heighten this awareness:

• Our dining hall and kitchen is a ‘nut-aware’ space. Please note that the camp is not and cannot be ‘nut free’. Foods served by our dining hall will not contain any nut products in the ingredients, although some items do use phrases like “may contain nuts, peanuts or tree nuts ” or “cooked in a facility that also manufactures nuts, peanuts or tree nuts”, or some variation of the above phrases.
• We ensure that items most commonly exposed to “cross contamination” in the manufacturing process (i.e. chocolate bars, ice cream, granola bars, etc.) are labeled “nut free” but please note that different manufacturers may treat language around nuts, peanuts and/or tree nuts differently. Campers with allergies should always check ingredients.
• Peanut butter will not be available at camp.
• ​If your child has any allergy, please educate them to be vigilant in understanding these realities of the camp environment and to always check ingredients before eating a product not known to be safe for them and their particular allergy.

All campers and staff with known anaphylaxis are expected and required to carry their EpiPen with them at all times.

SAFETY @ THE WATERFRONT

1. For safety purposes each swimmer in the girls’ session is required to wear a bright colored bathing cap (according to their swimming level), which can only be bought in camp for $5. No camper or staff member is permitted near the lake without a lifeguard present. 2. Please make sure your child has water shoes.

GRAFFITI

All facilities, buildings, cabins, etc. were newly constructed at an enormous cost. We want the camp to remain sparkling and in the same beautiful state for many summers. We expect each camper to respect this request. There is absolutely NO writing, scribbling, or doodling on walls, doors, etc. Should a camper not adhere to this rule there will be a monetary consequence.

READING MATERIALS AND MUSIC

Only Jewish and Chassidish reading material and music can be brought to camp. Any reading material or music that does not conform to the standards of CGI will be confiscated and not returned.