JUNE 2014 CAMP MOUNTAIN CHAI EDITION 10

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IN THIS EDITION

PACKING FOR CAMP! PAGE 7

C A M P M O U N T A I N C H A I

C H A I ’ L I G H T S Way up the ta l l green mountains there’s a camp we have a l l come to share

TRANSPORTATION INFO PAGE 3

Message from our Assistant Director…

• FOLLOW THE FUN ONLINE! • TRANSPORTATION INFO • MEET THE UNIT LEADERS • CAMPER CORNER • STAFF MESSAGES • OUR CAMP FAMILY • PACKING REMINDERS

Some%mes  it’s  more  than  just  a  summer  at  camp.  Actually,  for  a  camp  professional,  it’s  always  more  than  just  a  summer  at  camp.  If  we  didn’t  have  the  intense  passion  and  love  for  camping  and  the  profound  impact  that  camping  has  on  our  campers’  lives,  we  wouldn’t  be  in  this  profession  to  begin  with.  However  every  now  and  then  a  moment  in  %me  comes  along  that  reminds  us  just  how  special,  and  just  how  impac@ul  a  camp  community  can  be.  One  such  moment  occurred  earlier  this  spring  on  what  was  shaping  up  to  be  just  another  busy  day  in  the  camp  office.  

Back  in  2012  we  invited  a  graduate  school  friend  of  mine  up  to  camp  during  Staff  Orienta%on  Week.  Every  spring,  Steve  and  I  put  careful  thought  into  the  content  of  our  Staff  Orienta%on  Week.  We  recognize  the  vast  opportuni%es  for  scheduling,  organizing  and  planning  for  camp  that  goes  on  during  the  9-­‐10  day  period  of  Orienta%on  week,  however  we  also  relish  the  chances  to  bring  in  outside  professionals  and  special  guests  to  teach  our  staff.  At  the  %me,  my  graduate  school  friend  was  working  for  the  GiO  of  Life  Bone  Marrow  Founda%on,  a  Jewish  non-­‐profit  organiza%on  who  recruits  bone  marrow  donors,  facilitates  matches  and  transplants  and  saves  lives.  As  part  of  a  North  American  ini%a%ve,  GiO  of  Life  was  launching  its  “Finding  the  HERO  in  YOU  at  CAMP”  program,  in  which  Jewish  camps  held  bone  marrow  drives  for  their  staffs,  swabbed  cheeks  and  placed  names  in  the  bone  marrow  registry.  Without  hesita%on,  we  agreed  that  bringing  her  in  would  be  a  fantas%c  opportunity  for  our  staff,  both  from  a  learning  perspec%ve  but  also  the  chance  to  perform  a  mitzvah  and  be  a  part  of  something  bigger  than  any  one  individual  person.  

Our  visit  from  the  GiO  of  Life  Bone  Marrow  Founda%on  included  a  past  recipient  who  shared  his  story  and  inspired  our  staff.  During  our  drive,  27  members  of  our  staff  were  swabbed.  More  would  have  like  to  have  been  swabbed,  however  they  didn’t  meet  the  eligibility  requirements  of  being  a  US  ci%zen  and  over  the  age  of  18.  Seeing  the  

disappointment  in  their  faces,  I  promised  some  of  our  younger  staff  that  we  would  do  a  drive  in  future  summers  so  that  they  too  could  be  a  part  of  this  meaningful  opportunity.  

Fast  forward  to  this  past  March,  when  several  of  us  from  the  office  aaended  the  Founda%on  for  Jewish  Camp’s  Leaders  Assembly.  I  had  the  opportunity  to  meet  with  Ruth  Miller  from  the  GiO  of  Life  Bone  Marrow  Founda%on.  Remembering  my  promise  to  the  staff  two  years  ago,  she  and  I  discussed  the  opportunity  another  drive  during  Staff  Orienta%on  Week  this  summer.  Two  weeks  later  I  received  an  email  from  the  GiO  of  Life.  I  presumed  it  was  verifica%on  of  our  par%cipa%on  this  summer.  Instead  it  read  as  follows:    

On  June  19,  2012  you  helped  facilitate  a  donor  drive  in  Angelus  Oaks  at  Camp  Mountain  Chai  Staff  Drive.    We  are  thrilled  to  inform  you  that  a  donor  recruited  at  that  drive  has  been  transplanted  for  a  65  year  old  woman  suffering  from  Acute  Myelogenous  Leukemia.  

WOW.    

Hands  shaking.  Heart  racing.  Breath  holding.  Words  unable  to  form.  I  read  the  email  four  %mes  over.  The  words  didn’t  change,  the  message  didn’t  disappear.  A  member  of  our  staff,  swabbed  at  our  drive  not  only  matched  as  the  best  possible  donor,  but  had  gone  through  with  the  transplant  for  someone  in  need.    

This,  folks,  is  what  camp  is  all  about.  Ins%lling  Jewish  values  into  our  campers  and  applying  those  values  into  the  outside  world.  Enac%ng  Jewish  life  in  an  everyday  stedng.  Providing  growth  opportuni%es,  fostering  development,  crea%ng  transforma%ve  experiences,  being  a  hero,  changing  and  now  saving  lives.  Camp  is  a  special  place,  filled  with  special  people.  A  long  offseason  comes  to  a  welcomed  ending  and  we  can’t  wait  to  see  what  this  summer  holds.  See  you  all  soon.    

- Sas -

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Follow ALL OF THE FUN this summer from home…ONLINE! And we’re back…somehow, someway, we are ready to depart San Diego and head up that tall green mountain and start camp all over once again! It’s a grand time, and one in which you might be just a tad envious of your camper(s) and the fun that they are about to have up at camp. While you might not be able to physically join them up at camp, you can most certainly follow all

Photos, videos, stories & more! Camp’s facebook page is a true hotspot for connecting, both over the summer and throughout the year! Become a fan of Camp Mountain Chai on Facebook to keep up with everything that’s going on at CMC!

www.facebook.com/CampMountainChai

Follow us, see pictures, retweet, favorite & join in on the conversation this summer!

@CampCMC #CMC14

Don’t forget about CampMinder! For daily photos, Camp Stamps, one-way emails and more! Simply login to your CampInTouch account through CampMinder.

We’re blogging! Follow all the fun up at camp from the comfort of your home. Regular

updates, pictures, stories and more. Simply visit www.CampMountainChai.com/blog!

Do not miss our always popular, amazing and memorable Week in Review videos. CMC brought to life each and every week. You won’t want to miss these gems. You'll receive an email at the end of each week with a clickable link to the videos to see all the fun up at camp.

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Camp Transportation Information

All transportation information for the summer is also located on page 23 in the Getting Ready for Camp, 2014 Parent Handbook in your CampInTouch

account on CampMinder under “Forms & Documents”

San Diego/La Jolla - UCSD Lot P 704 ARRIVAL: 8:45am BUS DEPARTS: 9:30amDirections:From I-5 take exit 29 - Genesee Ave.Go East on Genesee Ave. Turn right at Campus Point Drive Turn Left on Voigt Drive Turn Left in Lot P704

Fullerton - Fullerton Town CenterARRIVAL: 8:15am BUS DEPARTS: 8:45amAddress: 900 South Harbor Blvd.Fullerton, CA 92832(meet in far northwest corner of the COSTCO parking lot - Fullerton Town Center)Glendale/Los Feliz - COSTCO Parking Lot ARRIVAL: 9:45am BUS DEPARTS: 10:15amAddress: 2901 Los Feliz Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90039(meet in the far southeast corner of the COSTCO parking lot)Redlands - McDonald’s Parking Lot ARRIVAL: 11:00am BUS DEPARTS: 11:30amAddress: 1796 East Lugonia Ave.Redlands, CA 92374

ONTARIO & LOS ANGELES AIRPORTWe will be meeting all campers flying into the Ontario & Los Angeles Airport.

Our staff will be waiting to meet campers at their gate.

(If you are dropping your camper off at the following airports for pickup… Los Angeles 8:30am Ontario 11:00am at the Southwest Airlines Baggage Claim.)

SAN DIEGO AIRPORT We will be meeting all campers flying into the San Diego Airport.

Our staff will be waiting to meet campers at their gate.

ARRIVAL AT CAMP BY CARPlease plan to arrive at camp between 11:00am and 12:00pm. All parents

must depart camp by 12:00pm as the buses will arrive shortly after and you will find yourself staring down three large coach buses on a one-way camp road.

AIRPORT INFORMATION

CAR INFORMATION

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Corey Dicker

Shorashim (2-4th Grade) Unit Leader

Hello, my name is Corey Dicker and I am going to be the Shorashim Unit Leader and Program Director. It will be my second summer at CMC, and it will be my ninth summer working at a Jewish summer camp. I am from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and currently studying finance at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. I am very excited to be returning to CMC for another summer of craziness. I’m looking forward to creating a wonderful experience for everyone in Shorashim. In my spare time I play competitive Ultimate Frisbee, enjoy the outdoors, play board games, save damsels in distress, and stop evil supervillans from taking over the world.

I can’t wait for this summer at CMC, it’s going to be a blast.

Danny Chasman-Beck

Amirim (7-8th Grade) Unit Leader

Hi everyone! My name is Danny Chasman-Beck and I will be the Amirim Unit Leader this summer! This will be my first summer working at CMC and I could not be more excited. I grew up in Los Angeles and spent my childhood at Camp Alonim in Simi Valley, California. I continued to work on staff there for 4 years, which makes this my 15th year at Jewish camp! I recently graduated from California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) where I majored in Music Technology and learned how to be quite a music nerd. !Throughout my last year in undergrad I worked for the Shalom Institute as an advisor for the teen leadership, advocacy, and social action program called Sherut L’Olam. Having been an active member of Jewish youth organizations growing up, it was a true pleasure to have the opportunity to work with one. I was also lucky enough to be able to teach an art class at a local elementary school. I love music, being active, and of course Jewish camp! I feel very fortunate to join the CMC family as a Unit Leader and I can’t wait to meet you all!

Haley Samiljan

Netzarim (5-6th Grade) Unit Leader

Hi, my name is Haley Samiljan and I cannot express how excited I am to be YOUR Netzarim Unit Leader. This will be my fifth summer working at CMC and I am already looking forward to breaking in my 5-year sweatshirt at our first opening night campfire! !While growing up on the east coast, just north of Boston to be specific, spending my summers at camp quickly became my favorite part of the year. After graduating from Ithaca College with a degree in Sociology I promptly moved to Seattle to dedicate a year to service with City Year where I worked with middle school students in an international middle school. While I currently live and work in Chicago, I just can't seem to get that camp bug out of my system... and I hope I never do! !While I can't remember the exact moment I fell in love with camp I can tell you silly cheers and dances are key, laughter is constant, and there is nothing like sleeping under stars with new and old friends. Needless to say, I cannot wait to meet our Netzarim campers! Get ready to be so Netz!

Tommy Bennett ATID (9-10th Grade) Unit Leader

Hello Again from the United Kingdom! My names Tommy and I’m proud and excited to say I am the Atid Unit Leader for what will be my fourth summer at Camp Mountain Chai! My friends and family wonder why I fly half way round the world and disappear up a Californian mountain every summer! Well there are two simple explanations! Firstly, CMC has become a way of life for me and I cannot think of a more enjoyable way to spend the summer! Secondly, the weather is somewhat more desirable than I get back home!!

Born and raised on fish & chips, I reside in the South West of England (near Stonehenge for those geologists and geographers!) Im currently finishing my Business & Economics degree at Loughborough University and will begin my accountancy training in September. In my spare time I’m a keen runner, cyclist and swimmer and hope to one day become fit enough to start competing in triathlons!

Im really excited to meet everyone joining the Atid unit this summer, be it for the first time or as a camping veteran in 10th Grade Atid! We are going to create unforgettable memories and make everlasting friendships as we embark on the greatest journey yet! Oh and did I forget to mention a little something called the Atid Trips!! …Not long now, keep crossing off the days, see you all soon!!

MEET THE 2014 UNIT LEADERS!

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CAMPER CORNER!MAYA GREENBERG-LEWITT 6th Grade, Netzarim 2014 How many summers have you been at CMC? This will be my first summer at CMC. This is also my first experience at a sleep away camp! What are you most excited about for this summer? I am excited about having the experience to go to camp and meeting new people. What 3 activities can you not wait to try this summer? Ropes, canoeing and the pool! What excites you about Shabbat at camp? That everyone gets together and how we all celebrate together as a camp!

MOLLIE LEVY 10th Grade, Atid 2014 How many summers have you been at CMC? 3 summers. What was your favorite moment or memory from camp 2013? ATID trip & whitewater rafting on the trip What is your favorite thing to do at camp? Israeli dancing on Friday nights What three words would you use to describe CMC? No dull moments! :) What do you like most about Shabbat at camp, and why? That we all come together and a whole camp, instead of separate units like the rest of the week.

ELI PERLUMTTER 10th Grade, Atid 2014 How many summers have you been at CMC? 4. What was your favorite moment or memory from camp in 2013? The Atid trip to Northern California and Embassy. What is your favorite thing to do at camp? Be with friends. What are you most excited about for camp this summer? I can’t wait to see everyone and just be at camp! What three words would you use to describe CMC? Friendly, fun, memorable. What do you like most about Shabbat at camp, and why? I like dressing up and also Shab’options because you're free to do whatever activity you want at camp!

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NOAH HAMPSHIRE6th Grade, Netzarim 2014 How many summers have you been at CMC? I have been at CMC for 3 years, and this year will be my 4th! What was your favorite moment or memory from camp in 2013? The last night of the session. After coming back from the pool where we watched the Atid campers say their final goodbyes, we came to the cabin to find that the mattresses had been rearranged to make a wrestling arena. The spirit, the intensity… afterwards, we were sad because we didn’t want to leave. What are your favorite things to do at camp? My favorite thing to do at camp is Maccabiah because of the competition, the ruach, and the fun! What are you most excited about for camp this summer? I look forward to being with my old friends, making new ones, and having fun with my cabin. What three words would you use to describe CMC? Ruach, Songs & FUN! What do you like most about Shabbat at camp, and why? Shabbat at CMC is the most Jewish, ruach-provoking, fun, and awesome experience ever! I like the song sessions, the Israeli dancing, the fact that you get to sit next to your friends that are from other cabins, the havdallah service, and the Saturday mornings that are so peaceful. Nothing is like this amazing experience. There are so many components- the CMC spirit, the CMC air, the CMC staff, the CMC campers- only things that you can find in CMC, during the summer.

SAMMY WITTENBERG 10th Grade, Atid 2014 How many summers have you been at CMC? This year will be my fifth year. What was your favorite moment or memory from camp in 2013? Playing made up games in the cabin during rest time with the whole cabin. Who would have thought the silliest things would be the ones that made me laugh the most and remember most fondly. What are your favorite things to do at camp? I love just hanging out with my friends, whatever the activity may be. What are you most excited about for camp this summer? The Atid Trip to the Grand Canyon and coming back this year and having an even better experience than the last one What three words would you use to describe CMC? Cool, Fun, Different (than the usual home experience) What do you like most about Shabbat at camp, and why? The entire camp is together in one place for one event. Every day different cabins and age groups have their own separate plans and activities. Shabbat is for everyone, you get to see all the kids and all the counselors hanging together like a big family.

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MESSAGES FROM A FEW OF OUR 2014 STAFFCOLLETTE GREEN, SENIOR COUNSELOR Hey! My name's Collette and I am coming back for my second year at CMC to be a Senior Counselor. I traveled all the way from London, England to work at camp in 2013 and it was possibly the best decision I ever made. I have never had a summer filled with so many new experiences and meeting so many new and wonderful people. Once I got home, all my friends and family asked about my summer and I was just lost for words. All I can think of is to say "just, amazing!" and that seems to express how I feel.   I am currently a student at Birmingham University studying European Politics and Economics. I am very involved in Jewish life and love attending the Jewish Society and programs run by Jewish organizations. Saying that, I have never had a Jewish experience like the one I had at CMC. I believe that this is due to the pluralistic element of camp. I have never felt so comfortable and at home in a new Jewish surrounding. After camp this year, I will be heading to Canada to study for a year at Western University which I'm very excited about. I can't wait to be way back up that tall green mountain very soon; I'm counting down the days!

LUCY SIEGEL, GENERAL COUNSELOR !Hi! I’m Lucy and I will be a General Counselor this summer at CMC! I’ve been going to CMC for seven summers, as a camper, SIT (Staff-In-Training), and now, counselor. Last year, in addition to being a General Counselor at CMC, I was an Assistant Songleader. I’m currently a senior at Francis Parker School and can’t wait to soon find out where I will be studying for college! !I love camp so much and have made the most amazing friends and unforgettable memories while at camp! Despite the super fun activities camp offers and the cool Israeli dances we do every Friday night, my favorite part about camp is its awesome Jewish community. Since going to camp for my first summer when I was twelve, I’ve become so connected to my Jewish identity and involved in the CMC community. In fact, I’ve been fortunate enough to be on staff with my sister as well as my counselors and fellow cabin-mates from when I was a camper! !Outside of camp I work at Congregation Beth Israel as a Madricha, or teacher assistant, where I continue doing what I love, working with children and serving as a role model. In addition, when I’m not busy with homework I love to play guitar and sing. I am so passionate about camp and can’t wait to be back there this summer to see all of the returning campers and meet the new ones as well! CMC is truly my home and I can only hope to give my campers the same amazing experience I have had! See you all this summer!!

DEVIN BLOCK, VIDEO SPECIALIST  Devin is excited to be returning for his third (!!!) summer at CMC after deciding that summer up the tall green mountain is way more fun than shooting corporate videos. After enduring a painfully long winter in NYC full of polar vortexes and more snow and ice than Elsa's castle, Devin can't wait for the endless summer to give him his trademark farmer's tan. Devin is looking forward to resuming his position atop the ladder of shortest male staff members, and to filling the quota of San Bernardino's only Miami Heat fan.

RACHEL GOODMAN, OMANUT SPECIALIST I'm Rachel Goodman  from London England ,  I'm  currently in my second year of University in Birmingham studying Theatre Performance and Event Design  and have only one year left until I graduate. Alongside University I work part time for  Madame Tussaud's in their head office  designing their advertisements and events  for the celebrities and as well as working for a big London newspaper the Daily Telegraph. I am really active and enjoy playing tennis and squash and also like to go to museums and paint in my spare time.    This will be my first year on Camp Mountain Chai and to California so  I'm really excited to be part of the camp community.  I will be an Omanut Specialist during all three sessions of camp and really excited to come up with cool and creative enjoyable tasks that will make camp a prettier and more memorable place.  !

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YES,  it’s  %me  to  pack  for  camp!  Music  to  many  a  camper’s  ears,  especially  those  who  count  the  days,  all  the  way  from  the  300’s,  straight  down  to  single  digits  where  they  get  to  finally  come  on  back  up  to  camp.  For  some  parents  and  campers,  you  get  to  pack  for  the  very  first  %me!  Concerned  about  what  to  bring?  Don’t  worry;  we’ve  got  you  covered!  A  detailed  packing  guide  was  included  in  the  GeKng  Ready  for  Camp  2014  Parent  Handbook  (P.  25)  and  is  also  located  in  your  CampMinder  account,  in  the  Forms  and  Documents  sec%on  towards  the  boaom.  This  list  should  not  be  disregarded.  It  was  compiled  by  camping  professionals  with  years  of  camping  experience  who  understand  exactly  what  needs  to  be  included  in  order  for  your  child(ren)  to  have  a  successful  summer  at  camp.  You  can  download  a  copy  of  this  Handbook  in  the  Forms  &  Documents  folder  in  CampMinder.    

ATID  Campers,  there  is  a  specific  packing  list  for  each  of  the  ATID  Trips.  Please  read  these  to  ensure  that  you  include  all  of  the  items  in  these  lists  when  packing  for  camp.  These  packing  lists  can  be  found  in  the  Forms  &  Documents  folder  in  CampMinder.    Space  at  camp  is  somewhat  limited.  Your  camper  will  not  have  his  or  her  own  room;  rather  he  or  she  will  be  sharing  a  cabin  with  several  campers  and  counselors.  That  means  there  is  not  a  lot  of  space  for  “extras”,  and  LABELING  EVERYTHING  becomes  an  absolute  necessity.  Laundry  is  done  at  camp  once  per  week,  so  please  don’t  send  a  different  change  of  clothes  for  each  day  of  your  child(ren)’s  stay.  Your  child’s  counselors  will  see  to  it  that  laundry  is  done  and  that  he  or  she  has  clean  clothes.  

That  said,  summer  camp  values  tend  to  downgrade  appearance.  Camp  is  a  place  for  children  to  have  fun  and  make  friends  in  a  safe  environment.  Campers  will  get  wet,  slimy,  greasy,  painted  on,  dusty…basically  a  whole  host  of  things  that  happen  while  having  FUN  at  camp!  To  that  end,  it’s  probably  best  to  keep  all  good  clothes  at  home  and  send  clothes  that  neither  you  nor  your  camper  will  miss  if  it  needs  to  be  re%red  by  the  end  of  the  summer.    

You  will  also  be  receiving  camper  luggage  tags.  First  session  campers’  luggage  tags  will  be  arriving  in  your  mailbox  shortly.  Campers  arriving  second  and  third  session  will  have  their  luggage  tags  will  be  sent  from  

IT’S TIME TO PACK FOR CAMP!