Summer 2026 was filled with joy, friendship, learning, growth, and connection. I am thankful to everyone who made this summer so incredible:
Parents – thank you for trusting us with your children, for cheering them on from home, and for partnering with us in creating a joyful, meaningful, and safe camp experience.
Camp Committee, Leaders Council, and Donors – thank you for your vision, generosity, and steadfast commitment to Greene Family Camp. Your support makes this sacred work possible and helps ensure that generations of campers can experience the fun, friendship, growth, and connection that make GFC so special.
Faculty – thank you for taking time to support our camp program, being with your congregants, and helping our campers find their Jewish joy.
Staff – thank you for spending your summer making meaning for your campers and for each other, for showing up with your whole selves each and every day, and helping our campers grow, connect, laugh, lead, and thrive.
Campers – thank you for bringing your enthusiastic, best selves to camp and making this summer so incredibly special. (We can’t wait to see you next summer!)
In this week’s Torah portion, R’eih, Moses gives the Israelites a choice between blessing and curse. We receive this blessing through our actions: the choices we make, the communities we build, and the care we show one another. Every day at camp, our community chose blessing through how we lived our values.
Lifelong friendships were created and strengthened (reut, friendship). A holy community (kehillah kedosha) was built through respect (kavod) and being present for one another (hineini). Our community kept each other safe, emotionally and physically (b’tichut). And we connected to each other on a deep and joyful level, strengthening our feeling of being part of the Jewish people, Am Yisrael.
Highlights:
Our campers experienced an incredible scouting program with our four Tzofim, Israeli scouts, who spent time with every bunk both during bunk activity and during an amazing Night Under the Stars program. First session we welcomed the Scout Caravan show to camp, and they helped break Maccabiah!
The garden grew to include a butterfly garden that our campers helped create and tend.
Our second session gadol program for our rising 8th and 9th graders grew to include Musical Theater and Song Leading.
We welcomed artists-in-residence throughout the summer. Musical artists included Dan Nichols and Rabbi Noam Katz. Visual artists included Heidi Kapusta and Michelle Renfrow.
Sports were popular as always, and included basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, gymnastics, and more!
We welcomed campers from 11 states and 40 campers from Israel! Our staff represented 7 countries, including 40 members of our Mishlachat, our Israeli delegation.
People are saying:
At the heart of the magic of GFC is the connection to each other and the feeling of belonging that our campers and staff experience at camp.
Parents told us:
“She had a space where she was able to be herself, try new things, and was offered the chance to express herself and gain independence.”
“Everyone embraces her differences and she feels so loved. I wish the entire world could embrace her the way GFC does during the summer!”
“The values and the brit were helpful and helped make sure everyone understood how to behave and get along at camp.”
A camper told us:
“COUNSELORS WERE THE BEST! Very nice, patient when I was homesick, funny, friendly, helpful, followed the rules. They were like big marshmallows in the most delicious cup of hot chocolate.”
Our counselors said:
“I have never felt so accepted anywhere like I was here at camp. I love you all and everyone at Greene Family Camp has a special place in my heart.”
“Thank you for creating a place I can continue to call home.”
Save the Date – Summer 2027!
Even though we just concluded this amazing summer, we are already planning for next year! Save the dates for SUMMER 2027!
*Grades reflect current 2026-2027 grades*
Can’t wait for next summer?
Join us during the year at camp and in your community! Stay tuned for our GFC road show and join us at congregations and meet-ups throughout the year.
Don’t miss an opportunity to come to camp!
It’s because of you…
Thank you again for making this summer so special. We are grateful for the trust, enthusiasm, and love you bring to Greene Family Camp. Because of you, GFC continues to be a place where children grow, friendships last, Jewish joy shines, and lifelong memories are made.
As we are reminded by this week’s Torah portion, we have the opportunity to choose blessing again and again. This summer, our community chose blessing together, and we cannot wait to keep choosing it with you throughout the year and back at camp in 2027.
