Faqs

Financial Assistance

Yes! It is our mission that no child be turned away due to their family’s inability to afford tuition.  To that effect, CGIP offers 4-tier pricing which provides families the opportunity to pay what they can afford. Tier 1 is our full price, tier 2 & 3 are discounted rates, and tier 4 is a CGIP Scholarship. Our online scholarship application is short and easy to fill out. For the Summer 2021 season we were able to provide over $185,000 from our scholarship fund. 

In addition, CGIP prides itself on helping families find 3rd Party funding from local federations and foundations. For the 2021 summer season, we were able to secure over $60,000 from 3rd party grants and scholarships. See details below.

Yes! If your local federation is participating in the OHC program and the child is eligible they will receive a grant of $700-$1,000. If the family’s federation is NOT participating but they participate in PJ Library and the child is eligible they will receive a grant. Click here to learn more.

Yes! Many federations and similar local Jewish organizations provide scholarships for children to attend Jewish overnight camp, even if it is not their first time attending. We work closely with families to identify and apply for these scholarships.

Health

The health and wellbeing of our campers and staff is our top priority. CGI Poconos operated safely (and COVID-free) in 2021. We continue to review local and federal guidelines and the recommendations of the CDC and ACA (American Camp Association) and will keep you updated if any policies or procedures need to be adjusted.

Yes. Camp has a health center staffed with an experienced nurse available to tend to our campers needs. In addition to making certain your child receives their necessary medicines, our health staff is responsive to day-to-day needs during sick calls, as well as during times of emergencies

Facility

The camper cabins at CGI Poconos are nicely appointed and well maintained. Each cabin features a covered front porch, an open area with wooden bunk-beds around the periphery of the interior, with shelves next to each bed, as well as A/C. Each cabin has a bathroom in the back, containing 2 sinks, 2 toilet, and 2 showers each with a private changing area.

The vast majority of our cabins have 10 to 12 campers, and 2 counselors. The counselors live in the cabins with the campers.

Food

The food at CGI Poconos is excellent. There is always a wide variety of choices, such as salad, fruit and pasta bars, in addition to our entree. Our experienced chef makes delicious meals for campers and staff to enjoy, and of course gourmet Shabbat meals. We also serve snacks during the day, which include fresh fruit, cookies and juice.

The most important job we do at Camp is to safeguard your child’s health and safety. We strive to accommodate campers with a variety of food allergies, intolerances, and special food needs. If your child has special food needs, please contact us to discuss your individual situation.

Staff

CGI Poconos is directed by veterans in overnight camping for over 15 years.  To learn more about them click here. We hire highly motivated counselors, specialists and general staff, who come to us with spirit and a strong commitment to the children and love for camp. All staff are interviewed extensively and are required to attend an intensive staff orientation that takes place before camp.

Travel

Campers travel to camp from all parts of the United States and abroad. Many local Tri-state-area families drive their child(ren) to camp at the start and end of each session. Campers flying in all arrive at Newark International Airport (EWR) during a specific window of time, and are greeted by staff members. Once all the campers have arrived they are taken to camp by coach bus. When they arrive at camp, additional staff-members (along with an excited group of kids!) are there to greet the bus and to help the campers find their bunks and settle in.

General

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.

Feel free to use the suggested packing list for both the Summer and Winter seasons when packing your child for camp!

Campers call home weekly during the 4 week session with the first call commening approximately one week into the session. The call schedule will be emailed to you at the beforehand so you can be available at the correct time. 

We encourage good, old-fashioned letter writing as the best way to communicate with your camper. Campers love getting regular mail from their family and friends! Campers write home regularly. In addition, parents may email their children through the CampMinder system.

CGI Poconos has programming for campers entering grades 3rd–10th. Camp has two sessions, each 2 weeks. Campers entering grades 3rd-5th may enroll in either one session or the entire summer. Campers entering grades 6th-10th are encouraged to enroll for the entire 4-week summer experience.

The camp office is open every day from 9:00am until 6:00pm. Our office staff will take your message and pass it along to the appropriate member of our Leadership Team. We do our best to return parent phone calls as quickly as possible on the day they are received. You can also reach your camper’s Division Leader and our Directors via email.

CGI Poconos is a “screen-free” environment. Camp is one of the only places throughout the year where children can truly “unplug” and spend their time interacting with others rather than their devices. Please see our parent handbook for more information.

Yes, each camper may request up to three friends who are in the same grade-level and are attending the same session of camp. We try our best to accommodate the bunk request. Bunk requests can be submitted through the CampMinder system, in the spring. All requests must be made by completing that on-line form.

Camp makes a celebration for each camper whose birthday falls during the camp season. If your daughter’s actual Bat-Mitzvah shall occur during camp, please call our office before June 1st so we can make special Bat-Mitzvah celebration arrangements. 

If your daughter has a birthday during the camp season, please call the camp office a couple of days before the birthday to arrange a time to speak with your daughter on her birthday.

CGI Poconos is located in the northeast corner of Pennsylvania, nestled in the beautiful Pocono Mountains. Camp is in Dingmans Ferry which is approximately 2 hours from New York City.

 No. The dress in camp is very casual and camp appropriate. We send a suggested clothing and equipment list to help you in your packing.

Over the past 10 years we were proud to welcome campers from over 26 states and 9 countries since most of our campers hear about CGI Poconos through local Chabad centers and friendships with current camp families.

Yes! CGI Poconos was proud to open a Winter Camp for the winter season 2022. 

To find out more click here.

Yes! Please contact us and we would be happy to put you in touch with current camp families from your area.

Due to both the short length of each camp session and the financial burden it may provide to our vast amount of camper families that live around the country and abroad, we do not offer a visiting day during camp.