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BASIC CAMP INFORMATION
Welcome to our Grand Tour of Israel...
WE EXPECT PERFECT BEHAVIOR
MAKE NEW FRIENDS
THE VERY BEST GUIDES
LET US KNOW WITH WHOM YOU’D LIKE TO BUNK
IF YOU ARE EVER LOST, HERE IS WHAT TO DO
TIME TO START PREPARING
CAMP ADDRESS
AIRLINE ARRANGEMENTS
WATCH OUT FOR THE SUN
PARENTS PLANNING TO VISIT US
BUS SCHEDULE
HORSEBACK RIDING
ISRAEL OFF THE BEATEN PATH
SPECIAL CAMP TOUR BUS ON FREE DAYS
FREE SHABBOS
LEARNING GROUPS
EXTRA LEARNING PROGRAM
PRIVATE LESSONS
HEALTH
To Drink or not To Drink?
LEAVING CAMP GROUNDS
FREE DAYS
CAMP BUS TO YERUSHALAYIM
CAMP TOURING BUS ON FREE DAYS
TELEPHONE CALLS
WOULD YOU LIKE TO LAIN THIS SUMMER?
CAMP S’DEI CHEMED SNACK BAR
CAMP S’DEI CHEMED’S DELICIOUS MEALS
Welcome to our Grand Tour of Israel...
I
t 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. Our Camp 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 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 preceding a trip. These talks are given in the shul directly following Ma’ariv by our expert Director of Tours, Rabbi Moshe Gottesman. 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. These lectures are filled with historical references based on Nach and Chazal. They are of immense value and have been a very special feature of the touring program.
LET US KNOW WITH WHOM YOU’D LIKE TO BUNK
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.
IF YOU ARE EVER LOST, HERE IS WHAT TO DO
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.
Camp S'dei Chemed International
33 Jabotinsky
Richavia, Jerusalem, Israel
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 the cost will be $100.
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.
SPECIAL CAMP TOUR BUS ON FREE DAYS
For those campers having no one to visit, camp has made special provisions to take them on special tours, which are not part of our regular Itinerary.
We allow campers two Free Weekends 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.
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.
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? Take along a Walkman and we will be delighted to provide you with a large selection of tapes on a variety of Torah subjects, such as Gemorah, Mishnayos, Nach, Jewish History, Holocaust, Halacha, etc. If you know which Mesechta you will be learning next year in Yeshivah & would like to get a head start you can try calling the Torah Communications Network at 718-436-4999 and get some tapes to help you along. There will be plenty of spare time on the bus rides to listen to them! We are sure you will be very proud of your great accomplishment of extra Torah learning at the end of the summer. Boys wishing to arrange chavrusos at nights can do so by speaking to the learning Director.
Those who would like to learn extra are invited to join our special Masmidim group that meets in the office 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 in writing, 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 fax 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 an empty soda bottle with good old sink water and putting it into the freezer so that you can take along a delicious bottle of ice water on your trip. It's cheaper and healthier then anything else! 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 and also signing out 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.
For those having no place to go on the free day, camp provides a bus that will take you touring, shopping and give you a great time. Make sure to sign up for this bus one day in advance.
Israeli telephones work with Tele-cards, which you can buy in the office. Here are some of the area codes you should know: Jerusalem - 02; Haifa - 04; Tel-Aviv - 03; Netanya - 09; Hadera - 063.We must warn parents that even though camp has three telephone lines, past experience has taught us that they break down when you need them most. Getting them fixed is as easy as reaching the President. No camper can make or receive calls after 11:00 P.M. no matter how urgent.
As the Internet takes over our everyday life, Camp S'dei Chemed moves right along at the top of technology. We will be having computers dedicated for Email so that parents and friends can keep in touch with our campers. To send a camper an email, address it to camper@campsci.com. MAKE SURE TO PUT THE RECIPIENTS NAME IN THE SUBJECT BOX! To write to the camp office address it to office@campsci.com and please make sure to put the recipient's name in the subject box, i.e. Rabbi Teitelbaum, Rabbi Gottesman. There will also be a computer room for those campers wishing to email out. More about that will be posted on the bulletin board in camp.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO LAIN THIS SUMMER?
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.
A great "S'dei Chemed only" innovation is our nightly delicious snack bar. Besides spending your money at the canteen, you’re welcome to partake of our great snack bar, which offers cold drinks, tea, fruit, cake or biscuits, FREE OF CHARGE. It is open every evening after night Seder or night swim. Come and enjoy.
CAMP S’DEI CHEMED’S DELICIOUS MEALS
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.
