Best. Summer. Ever! Since our campers and staff have returned home, we’ve heard:
“Camp creates an environment of safety, respect, and belonging and allows the campers to experience the balance between independence and supervision.”
“Our child said it was his ‘best Shabbat of his life”
“Finally have our camper back since he was gone for 3 1/2 weeks at sleep away camp! He had the most fun with his friends! Thank you URJ Greene Family Camp for another amazing summer!”
This summer was filled with mild temperatures, new lake toys, and fun Maccabiah themes. We welcomed 25 campers from Kibbutz Zikim in a new program with the Jewish Agency for Israel and 13 Israeli campers through the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism. We built a new security fence and hired a Security Coordinator each session to work directly with our security team of off-duty officers. Our daily schedule was divided into upper and lower camp activities, allowing campers to experience a variety of activities in sports and arts throughout the day. Our Kibbutz campers enjoyed a 2-night camping trip that included a day at Shlitterbahn, and our Melachim and S’ganim campers played at Main Event for trip night. Our Bonim, Niviim, and Koh/Sho campers enjoyed extra pool time during Instructional Swim. Campers always love our Ropes Course: climbing the Alpine Tower, flying through the air on our Giant Swing, and of course, zooming down the zip line. Each Saturday evening was a fun all-camp program filled with activities celebrating the countries represented by our staff: Spectacular Day (USA), Erev Yisrael planned by our mishlachat (Israeli delegation), and International Night highlighting countries around the world represented by our staff.
Summer 2024 by the numbers:
687 campers
150 staff
10 countries represented
77 Israeli campers and staff
250 Shabbat guests
26 faculty members
171 first-time campers
10 times singing Stars in the Sky
Countless memories made
Zillions of smiles
THANK YOU to our campers and their families, faculty, alumni, camp committee, donors, and staff, for making this summer so special. We are already counting down the days until Summer 2025, when we will celebrate our 50th summer!
We hope to see you when we visit your community or at camp for any of our retreats:
1st – 7th graders – Retreat weekends just for you!
Fall Camp – October 18-20, 2024
Spring Camp – March 21-23, 2025
8th – 12th graders:
NEW!!! GFC’s Teen Extravaganza – February 7-9, 2025
Families of all ages:
GFC Family Camp – February 7-9, 2025 – with special musical artist-in-residence Alan Goodis. Programming for kids, adults, and families together!
Adults only:
Mitzvah Weekend – March 21-23, 2025 – Help get GFC ready for the summer and spend a weekend at camp with friends.
For Everyone:
50th Reunion – July 12, 2025 – Help us celebrate 50 summers under the sun in Bruceville!
To learn more about our year-round programs, visit our Year-Round webpage.
At camp, we don’t say goodbye, we say l’hitraot – See you later! We know that camp friends are the best friends, and we can’t wait to see you again under those Stars in the Sky.
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Erin, Camp Director