Cabin Life

The bunk is at the very heart of the camp experience. This structure takes a handful of campers and staff and transforms them into a family. Kids sleep, eat, live, and breathe as a bunk, creating an unbreakable team and an everlasting bond. It’s the setting for countless childhood memories and the birthplace of lifelong friendships.

Daily Routines

☀️ Boker Tov (Good Morning)

Each morning madrichim (counselors) wake-up campers in a gentle way. At this time, campers are expected to get out of bed, brush their teeth, put away pajamas and get themselves dressed. If your child struggles to wake up in the morning, practice what morning wake-up will consist of at camp. If your child is an early riser, help them prepare a quiet activity they can do until wake-up time like reading a book or letter writing. Camp wakes up each day at 7:30am and 9:00am on Shabbat.

💤 Lilah Tov (Good Night)

In the evening, campers return to the bunk to wash up, brush teeth and get into bed. At camp, we conclude each night with a Peulat Lilah Tov, a bedtime activity. It helps campers wind down and prepare for sleep. It might include a counselor reading a story or leading a trust/bonding activity. Afterward, campers may have a few minutes of flashlight time to read or talk together. The bathroom lights are left on in the bunks and there may be light noise while campers settle down for the night. If your child has trouble falling asleep, help them identify and practice some useful strategies.

🫧 Personal Care & Routines

Help your camper build confidence by practicing an independent daily self-care routine they can easily follow at camp. Encourage them to develop these healthy habits:

🦷 Brush Teeth: Twice daily, morning and night.

🚿 Shower Routine: Practice a quick and efficient shower routine, including washing hair, face, and full body.

🪮 Brush/Comb/Style Hair: For campers with longer hair, teach them to detangle and style their hair independently. Braiding or tying hair back can make it easier to manage at camp.

👕 Change Clothing: Focus on changing clothing daily, especially undergarments.

🧴 Apply Sunscreen: Teach them how to apply sunscreen properly, emphasizing exposed areas like the face, neck, and arms.

🧼 Handwashing: Encourage frequent and thorough handwashing, especially before meals and after using the bathroom.

Helpful tips for Common Hygiene Challenges:

Managing Long Hair: Encourage simple styles like ponytails, buns, or braids to prevent tangles and reduce the need for frequent brushing. Pack detangling spray and hair ties to make hair care easier.
Reminders for Forgetful Campers: Consider a fun, visual checklist they can keep in their cubby or near their bed to remind them of their routine.
Shower Challenges: If they’re nervous about shorter showers, let them practice a “timed shower” at home.
Making it Fun: Personalize their hygiene kit with brightly colored toothbrushes, fun-smelling shampoo, or sunscreen in their favorite scent to make the routine more enjoyable.

🧢 Clothing & Laundry

Practice Organizing Clothing Campers will have a few cubby shelves to store their belongings. Help your child practice organizing their clothing neatly and placing dirty laundry in a drawstring laundry bag.
Clothing Reminders Teach your camper which items can be worn multiple times (e.g., sweatshirts, jeans) and which should be changed daily (e.g., socks, underwear). This will help them manage their wardrobe effectively throughout their time at camp.
Pack with Your Camper Involve your child in packing for camp so they recognize their clothing and know where everything is stored in their luggage. Label all items clearly to ensure nothing gets lost. Practicing packing and unpacking to make it easier for your camper to repack at the end of their session. While counselors are there to assist, encouraging your camper to take the lead fosters independence and accountability.

Helpful Tip: Remind your camper that they will be living with others and that camp is not the best place for irreplaceable items, such as a special stuffed animal, lovey, or valuables. These cherished items are safest at home.

🛏️ Personal Living Space

Help your camper prepare for life at camp by practicing some simple habits at home.

Laundry Skills Encourage folding and putting away their laundry once it’s clean. This will help them feel confident in keeping their belongings organized at camp.
Making the Bed Get in the habit of making their bed each morning. At camp, they’ll be responsible for keeping their personal space tidy.
Changing Sheets While counselors will be there to assist younger campers, it’s a great idea to practice changing sheets at home. Remind your camper that they’ll need to change their sheets regularly and put them in the laundry as part of good personal hygiene.

Helpful Tip: Make these practice sessions fun and encouraging! Reward their efforts to build independence and confidence in taking care of their personal space.

🤝 Shared Living Space

For many campers, sharing a bedroom or bathroom with others is a new experience. Preparing your camper to live in a shared space can make the transition smoother and more enjoyable.

Bathroom Setup At camp, every cabin has its own bathroom with doors on the toilet and shower stalls, providing campers with privacy. Each camper will have their own designated space in the bathroom to store their shower caddy and toiletries.
Nikayon (Cabin Cleaning) In addition to keeping their personal area tidy, each camper will have a daily responsibility to help maintain the cabin’s cleanliness. Cabins are scored daily on a 1–10 scale for cleanliness, and the cabin with the most 10's throughout the session wins the highly coveted Cabin of the Month award and t-shirt!

Helpful Tip: Encourage your camper to practice teamwork and sharing at home by dividing chores or responsibilities with siblings or friends. These small experiences will help them adjust to communal living at camp