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Summer 2019 is BIG!
Summer 2019 is a BIG summer for Greene Family Camp. We are looking forward to everything great about summer camp – trying new activities, meeting new friends and reconnecting with those from previous summers, and celebrating our Judaism together in a sacred community. We are so excited to let you know about SO MANY NEW THINGS happening at GFC this year and this summer – we aren’t quite sure where to start!
Introducing Sydney Benator, Our New Kitchen Manager
Five years ago, I decided to leave my family, my dogs, and my Jewish community behind to attend the University of Texas at Austin to study Nutrition and Dietetics and fulfill my goal of becoming a Dietitian. I was determined to have a fresh start and create a new identity for myself along with gaining as much experience as possible to get to my dream job.
Why We Love Fall Camp
After a summer of fun, it’s hard to return to normal life. Late night conversations over flashlight in your cabin, s’mores by the campfire, singing stars in the sky under a sky full of stars…back to school just doesn’t compare. And for those that haven’t experienced a summer at camp yet – it’s hard to truly quantify the magic. Camp can be scary for those who have never been – where will you sleep? How’s the food? Can you be away from home for a full summer?
Registration OPEN for Summer 2019
Greene Family Camp Summer 2019 Registration IS NOW OPEN! If you register before the end of September, you can save up to $200 on your camp tuition. This means that you could register for Summer 2019 for LESS than a full-priced session in Summer 2018.
Finding My Place at Camp
When I started the summer, I wasn’t really sure why I volunteered to be faculty this summer. I am a Jew by Choice and a Jew of Color and while my home congregation, Temple Emanue El in Dallas, is a wonderful place, I have had trouble feeling like a part of the community. These past several months I have felt a sort of rift between me and the religion I love. I don’t always get a chance to celebrate Shabbat or the holidays because I don’t always have a place to go.
Shabbat ShaPOOL: Thinking Creatively in the Heat
Second Session is off to a great start at GFC this summer – we have had an incredible first week! Our campers bring so much energy, fun and spirit to the entire community. This week, in addition to the many activities the campers choose each day, we celebrated Earth Night and learned about our farm at camp, planted seeds, and heard from master gardeners in our area. Campers have been riding horses, jumping in the pool and lake, and are continuing to build the lifelong friendships they create at camp.
The Rhythm of Camp
I awakened to the high-pitched beeping of my cobalt blue Ironman watch. It was hidden in an unknown part of the room that was of course not my night stand. In a mild attempt to not wake up my family, I quickly disarmed the alarm, delayed only by my still-sleeping foot’s reluctance to hold my weight. I got ready by the light sneaking in between the black-out curtains.
From Camper to Faculty to Camp Parent
The year is 1987. It’s my first full summer as a camper at the URJ Greene Family Camp. As the kid of a faculty member, I am already familiar with a few camp traditions. We have just finished dinner and are excitedly clearing our tables.
Camp is for Parents, Too
GFC Session One, 2018 has officially come to a close. With Caleb and Chloe unpacked, laundry started, and the kids tucked into their own beds for the first time in several nights, it’s time to reflect. Why do we send our kids to camp? How do we explain this investment to friends outside the Jewish community or those who don’t send their kids to any summer camp?
Am Yisrael Chai – Connecting Israel to Camp
On a recent congregational trip to Israel, I heard from Rabbi Gilad Kariv. Rabbi Kariv is the President and CEO of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ). Rabbi Kariv spoke very openly on the important relationships between the Israeli and American Reform congregations. Not unfamiliar to many of us, he emphasized the importance of relational Judaism.