About:

Camp Gan Israel in the Poconos offers our campers a top-quality overnight camp experience in a beautiful setting. We present a truly immersive experience infused with Jewish values and minimize social pressures by offering single-gender sessions. Our fun, nurturing environment encourages campers to develop new skills and build meaningful friendships. Participants gain a deeper appreciation of their spiritual heritage – fostering a sense of strong Jewish identity that will impact their lives and inspire others.

History:

The first Camp Gan Israel was founded under the direction of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, in 1956 in upstate New York.  Today, affiliated camps comprise a global footprint which is the largest network of Jewish camps in the world.  CGI campers in 40 countries today enjoy sports and artistic activities while experiencing the richness and excitement of Jewish life.

The Rebbe’s dream 56 years ago was to leverage the beauty of nature with the warmth of Jewish life in a 24/7 immersion experience.  Today many CGI’s, similar to CGI in the Poconos, have a specialized focus with respect to the campers they serve and the curriculum.  One could certainly say that with more than 120,000 children attending branches throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, Israel, South Africa, and Australia, the Rebbe’s dream is being fully realized.

CGI Poconos was established in 2012 and benefits from its affiliated network in terms of staffing and staff training, educational materials, curriculum and camping-related advisory services.  Building on this strong foundation, we at CGI in the Poconos take summer camping for Jewish children and teens to the next level.

Mission:

CGI Poconos’ mission is to provide Jewish children and teens with a challenging and enthralling overnight camping experience in a beautiful woodland setting.  We provide an exciting curriculum that allows campers to learn informally about, and to fully experience, Jewish life.  We believe that the relaxed atmosphere of camp is the optimal setting in which children and teens can internalize the values they need to transition successfully into adulthood. We minimize social pressures by offering single-gender sessions, and present a truly immersive experience infused with Jewish concepts and values.

Our fun-filled and nurturing environment allows campers to develop new skills and build meaningful friendships.  At CGI Poconos participants naturally develop a profound connection to their spiritual heritage, building a strong Jewish identity that provides a sense of belonging and a source of inspiration for their journey through life.

Vision:

CGI Poconos’ vision is to become a model of best practices in professional camping as well as Torah-based informal education.  We plan to develop training manuals and curricula to share to benefit the broader network of Jewish camps serving the children and teens.

Our vision is to ensure that the Jewish teens of today develop into committed adults who have a warehouse full of knowledge and inspiration to share with their family and friends.  By planting these vital seeds in the youth of today, we can ensure that the Jewish communities of tomorrow will reap the wonderful fruits of commitment and continuity.