Celebrating 20 Years of Providing Kids a Fun, Safe & Jewish Summer Experience
This summer will mark the 20th anniversary of Congregation B’nai Israel’s summer day camp, Camp B’nai Ruach. Located in Tustin, California, Camp B’nai Ruach provides children grades K – 9 a summer experience filled with exciting activities, programs and outings that are guaranteed to strengthen Jewish roots and provide lifelong memories and friendships.
Congregation B’nai Israel’s devoted Youth Director, Barbara Sherman, started Camp B’nai Ruach two decades ago. Now a thriving summer day camp, Mrs. Sherman will oversee the Camp’s 20th session along with Assistant Camp Director, Sheri Bilewitz, who served as the Camp’s first Assistant Director 20 years ago.
At Camp B’nai Ruach, each child is guaranteed an individualized yet diverse camp experience. Campers will enjoy weekly outings to the beach, pool, and various amusement parks, along with entertaining programs at CBI including, science experiments, arts and crafts, competitive games of Gaga and other sports, cooking activities, animal shows, theme days, a talent show, and a meaningful Shabbat experience every Friday morning.
In honor of Camp B’nai Ruach’s 20th anniversary, this summer will feature vintage camp T-shirts for all campers, fun historical activities, and a 20th anniversary celebration that will be the talk of campers and counselors for years to come.
The 2017 camp session will run from July 3 – August 4. To register your child for a safe and fun summer experience where your child will grow Jewishly and enjoy the carefree days of summer, please visit: www.cbi18.org/camp-bnai-ruach.
Congregation B’nai Israel (CBI) is an egalitarian, Conservative synagogue located in Tustin, California. A diverse and family-friendly congregation, CBI has members at all levels of religious observance. CBI is proud of its exemplary educational, religious, cultural, and social programs, including its Child Development Center, Religious School, Camp B’nai Ruach, B’nai Mitzvah training, USY youth programs, adult education, Sisterhood, and Men’s Club. To learn more about CBI, please visit www.cbi18.org.
Q & A with Barbara Sherman
1) What are some exciting things you have planned for this year’s camp?
We have weekly beach and pool trips, bounce houses, farms, museums, professional art clases, dancing, sports, gaga, cooking, special friday afternoon shows, a talent show and of course amazing outings to major theme parks.
2) What are some unique things that campers will experience at your camp?
High ratio of counselor to campers, new experiences in a safe jewish environment, deep bonds with peers and older role models, lanyard making, Israeli dancing, experienced and loving staff, morning circle with prayers and songs that rock the walls.
3) Do you have campers with special needs and if so do they participate with all the other camp activities?
We work with special needs campers. They participate in all of our camp activities with our counselors and director / asst. Director. Our asst director is a professional special education teacher. We also adapt our activities to make sure everyone can enjoy and grow through our informal education. Our goal is that everyone goes home at the end of the day saying “that was the best day ever.”
4) What is the schedule like this year?
We have extended care from 8 to 9 and 4 to 5. Our camp day is from 9 until 4. Monday and Friday we are on site at cbi doing sports, dance, gaga, cooking, lanyards, art and much more. Tuesday is our beach day. Wednesday morning is a small mini trip to a farm, arcade, jump place etc. Wednesday afternoon is our pool time. Thursday is our big trip of the week.
5) What would you like campers to take away with them this year?
That they had a great day, made friends and can’t wait to go back tomorrow!
