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It will certainly be our greatest
pleasure having you with us for this upcoming season. We're sure it will be the most
fascinating and memorable summer in your life! Six weeks of pleasant sunshine filled with
pulsating excitement, and packed with thrills, pleasure, learning, playing, hiking,
touring and never-ending fun and enjoyment. That's because at S'dei Chemed we work many
months before the summer starts, planning every detail. Rabbi Moshe Gottesman, our touring
director, puts in months of preparation to ensure that Camp S'dei Chemed International
will remain the pace setter in providing the very best touring program available anywhere
in Israel. No point of interest is missed.
S'dei Chemed was the first camp on the Israeli
scene. It began in 1968 when no one thought it was possible. Ever since then we have
always been striving to improve and make our tours better and better. There are always new
ideas and changes. We never rest on past glories. No wonder everyone says that if you
haven't experienced a S'dei Chemed Summer, you don't know what you're missing! But
most of all, we are concerned with every single camper. There is no problem too small for
us not to care about. Every camper counts, and the welfare of each one is our utmost
concern. If you ever experience a problem, big or small discuss it with us. We'll do our
best to solve it right away.
As you are well aware S’dei Chemed gets many more applicants than
it can handle. We are therefore VERY SELECTIVE in the choice of boys we accept. The mere
fact that you are one of the lucky boys to have been accepted to join our program speaks
highly of your wonderful character and personality. We expect and demand that our campers
exhibit their very best behavior both in camp and on trips so that Camp S'dei Chemed
International campers will once again make a Kiddush Ha'shem wherever they go. Proper
respect, being courteous and polite overall good manners are a basic requirement to join
our tour. Destruction of property, horseplay, foul language or general disobedience will
result In IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL from our camp. We will have no hesitation in terminating the
stay of any camper who cannot meet our high standards and rules. We are sure that we can
count on your full cooperation to make this summer the greatest of your life.
At S'dei Chemed you’ll have the opportunity to meet boys from many
other states and countries. We want you to make new friends. So forget about your old
clique. Expand your horizons and make everlasting friendships with others from around the
world. One can learn much from the other. One of the best things you can bring back with
you from Israel beside the pleasant memories of sights is your newly made friends who will
remain with you for a lifetime.
Our Rabbayim and guides have been chosen both for their thorough knowledge of the
land and for their special ability to inspire young people with stories from Nach and
Chazal that directly relate to our history soaked land. Their excellent ability to portray
its relevance to the present, combined with their intensive and thorough knowledge of the
land have been the key factors in creating a first rate touring program which has won the
enthusiastic approval of all participants and has given us our unsurpassed reputation in
the Israeli touring field.
One of the most important parts of our touring program is the
Trip Preparation Lectures which take place the night or morning preceding a trip. With the use of a map and other aids, the boys are given a very clear
descriptive explanation of what the next day’s trip holds in store. You
will also be given a list of things to bring with you on the trip so please
listen carefully.
We honor requests of boys of the same age to be able to bunk together
in the same group. Please send in your requests in writing at once so we can plan
accordingly. It is important that the boys you request to be with put you down on this
request list as well. Requests must be mutually acceptable. Please note: We do not assign
the actual rooms. We just put you in the same bunk. You work out the room arrangements on
your own. For instance, If your bunk has 12 boys and is assigned 4 rooms (each with three
beds) then you must work out the actual sleeping arrangements with your friends. Some
rooms have three beds, others have four. If you have already marked your request on your
application then there is no need to do it again.
Camp has an emergency cellular phone that is open 24 hours a day just
in case you must contact us. Please use it only in case of an emergency. Always keep this number
handy. Each one of our guides is also equipped with a cellular phone so that we always
have instant communication.
No doubt you spend a great deal of time these days looking at the
calendar and counting the days to take-off. You have a lot to look forward to! From the
moment you set foot aboard the S’dei Chemed Jet special at Kennedy Airport to blast
off into a new world of excitement, it will be a never ending chain of thrills and sights
leaving you with a fuller sense of awareness than you’ve ever had of our glorious
heritage! So step to it! Make all your arrangements and do all your packing in plenty of
time. (Don’t forget to leave your raincoat at home!) Make sure you’ve returned
all necessary forms to us.
If for any reason you will be making your own air travel arrangements
or your son wants to leave or return on a different date and you want us to make the
arrangements for you then please let us know at once. The earlier you book, the better off
you are! The airlines close out certain prime dates very early. Remember! This is prime
travel season and it is very difficult to make changes later. If we will have to make
changes during the summer there might be an additional cost.
Israeli weather during the summer months is nice and sunny, no rain
expected! You must therefore use caution and common sense so that exposure to the sun is
gradual. Under no circumstances are you to take your shirt off for more than 20 minutes on
the first day, otherwise you are liable to wind up with a severe burn.
If you are planning to be in Israel and visit us, we would
advise you to always call in advance of coming to make sure that we will be on
the premises. Only with special permission will a parent be allowed to take his
son off the camp campus.
Once again, we'll be running our special tour for those
who've already seen the regular sights in Israel. We'll be making many additions
and improvements to the last years tour and you can bet it will be the greatest
and most exciting tour of your life.
We allow campers a Free Weekend as shown on the camp calendar.
We cannot allow campers out for any other Shabbos since this disrupts the camp program.
Exceptions only cause jealousy and therefore must be turned down.
Each morning is spent with a One hour learning group before
each trip begins. Our rabbayim are wonderful, dynamic and know how to make the
learning exciting. they will also join us on for some of the trips and develop a
close relationship with their campers over the summer. The Mesechta we will be studying this summer is Mesechta
Ta'anis. We
therefore ask each camper to bring along a Gemorah to camp. Younger boys will be studying
Mishnayot.
Every night there will be a chavrusa style learning program.
Counselors will be assigned campers and older and younger boys will learn with
one another. This has proven to be a great time for bonding and growing with one
another.
Because of the many hours spent on the bus traveling around
Israel, we strongly encourage campers to utilize their time wisely and usefully.
Imagine all those extra hours of Torah learning you can accumulate, rather than
sitting idly on the bus. Why waste such precious moments?
Those who would like to learn extra are invited to join our special
Masmidim group that meets each night after the regular night seder. As long
as you enjoy learning we are more than happy to help you along.
Should you desire that your son get private lessons in his
Hebrew or secular subjects or Bar Mitzvah, swimming or music lessons, please let
us know so that we can accommodate your special needs.
Besides our very able camp medic, who is on premises at all
times, we also have a Doctor come to camp as the need arises. It is important
that every parent carry proper medical insurance. Should the camp have any need for
insurance forms we will ask you to email them to us.
Many Americans don't drink Israeli water out of fear that it causes
Shilsul (Diarrhea). Scientific studies have concluded that this is untrue and is actually
caused by the change in climate and bacteria. The camp has had its water tested and it was
found far purer and cleaner then bottled water so there is absolutely no reason to waste
your money by buying fancy labeled spring water. You're far better off filling up with good old sink water and
adding ice cold ice that you can take
along a delicious bottle of ice cold water on your trip. It's cheaper and healthier then
anything else! You must drink throughout the day even when you dont feel thirty. We do however warn you to be very careful in which restaurants you eat on
your free day. Unclean places should be avoided.
We wish to make it perfectly clear that any camper or staff member
leaving campgrounds without the proper prior approval from the camp director will be dismissed immediately from our program. There will be no refunds of
the camp fee. There will be no warnings or second chances!
The purpose of a Free Day is for campers to have an opportunity to
visit relatives or friends In Israel and NOT to wander aimlessly in the streets. Those who
have parental consent to leave camp on their own or with relatives on their Free Day, are
still required to sign out on the special form posted on the bulletin board. No Camper or
staff member may leave the premises at any time without first signing out. Also, wherever
possible, you must fill out your approximate destination and telephone number (If
available). Failure to check out will result in losing your free days in the future.
Please remember to check in again when returning. Parents giving their son permission to
go out on their own, assume complete responsibility for the time the camper is out of
camp. Campers must be back at camp by 7:00 PM. Failure to return on time will result in
loss of all future free days. Campers leaving camp without permission or without first
signing out, Will result in severe action taken and may result in expulsion from the camp
program. Under no circumstances, can we assume responsibility for campers who break these
rules.
We strongly encourage our over Bar-Mitzvah boys to participate In both
the weekday and Shabbos krias haTorah. In fact, if you already wish to reserve a special
section so that you can begin preparing for it now, be our guest. Give us a call now and
we will reserve the particular Sedra and section for you. If you'd like to daven from the
Amud just give your name to the specially appointed gabboim in camp and they will be glad
to make the assignments. Don't be bashful - everyone should join in.
Camp S'dei Chemed's reputation for serving the finest and best food is
legendary. You'll find it nutritious, delicious and plentiful. However, should you be a
very fussy and picky eater, then we ask you to bring your special needs to our attention
so we can do our best to accommodate you as well. You’ll always find the menu posted
at the entrance of the dining room. Breakfasts are served Israeli buffet style and are
known to be the finest and best you’ve ever tasted. You'll find our meals an absolute
delight! And by the way, only in S’dei Chemed do you also have that special Salad Bar
filled with fresh ripe Israeli fruits and vegetables along with a variety of salad
dressings to add that special touch to your meal.
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