Information

Our History:

Camp Gan Israel was founded in 1956 by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson.
The Rebbe envisioned a warm, welcoming summer camp that integrated learning with fun – a place where children could enjoy sports and artistic activities while experiencing the richness and excitement of their Jewish heritage.

Today, CGI camps comprise the largest network of Jewish camps in the world; each summer, more than 120,000 children attend branches throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, Israel, South Africa, and Australia. Camp Gan Israel has become known as a trendsetter with innovative ideas and creative programs.

Since its establishment in 1963, Chabad in Florida’s Gan Israel Overnight camp has grown into a summer staple. Featuring separate boys and girls camps, CGI Florida upholds traditional Gan Israel elements while maintaining a commitment to enhancing the Jewish summer camp experience. As a result, CGI Florida remains a beacon of growth, connection, and community for young individuals in the region.

Our Faculty:

The faculty of Gan Yisroel Florida Girls comprises a dedicated and experienced team committed to creating a nurturing and enriching environment for campers. Each member brings a wealth of expertise and passion to their roles, fostering a positive and memorable summer experience.

Rabbi Yossi & Bayla Biston: Executive Directors

Rabbi Eli & Shira Wajsbort: Directors

Mrs. Estie Gutnick: Administrator

Nissen Pewzner: Camp Chef

Devoted Staff Members: Dedicated Staff, including Head Counselors, Ruchnius & Activity Directors, Drivers, Mother’s Helpers, Kitchen Managers, Office Managers, Canteen Managers, Camp Friend, Counselors & Waitresses.

Our picturesque 20-acre property is in the heart of South Florida, near the Florida Everglades, and is on the edge of a National Wildlife Refuge.

Amenities on the property currently include 9 air-conditioned buildings that can spaciously accommodate over 100 people. There is a fully equipped commercial kitchen, dining room, game room, huge swimming pool, a lake with canoes, a 7-acre paintball field, boardwalk and nature trails, basketball, and beach volleyball courts, 2 challenge towers, high/low ropes course, climbing tower, and children’s playground.

With a 30×60′ pool, basketball and volleyball courts, a pond with canoes, ziplining, a climbing tower, and a children’s playground, the camp facility promises to deliver a fantastic summer.

Your daughter will sleep peacefully and in luxury in one of our air-conditioned bunkhouses that includes indoor bathrooms with private showers, individual closets, kitchenettes, and furnished living rooms.

Our campgrounds are located in Lake Worth Florida, an hour from Miami Beach and thirty minutes from West Palm Beach airport.
Camp Gan Israel Florida
7495 Park Lane Road
Lake Worth, FL 33449

Registration Dates:
Camper Registration Period: January 1st, 2024 – January 11th, 2024
Head Staff Hire Period: January 3rd, 2024 – January 10th, 2024
Staff Registration Period: January 21st, 2024 – January 28th, 2024

Camp Dates:
First Session: July 3 – July 29 (4 Weeks)
Second Session: July 31 – August 20 (3 Weeks)
Both Session*: July 3 – July 29 & July 31 – August 20

*Please note: Camp does not provide sleeping arrangements or a program during the break between sessions.

PRICING

First Session: $2500

Second Session: $1900

Both Sessions: $4400

The registration fee is $300 and is included in the tuition upon acceptance.
Subsidies and Shluchim discounts are available during the application process.

Addition Fees:
7 Camp Shirts (Mandatory): $70
7th Grade Orlando Trip: $150
Miami Bus: $30 each way
Airport Pickup/Drop-off: $15 each way

POLICY

Payments will be processed in monthly installments, starting from the 1st of the month following acceptance and continuing until June 1st.
Upon acceptance, the deposit will be charged, and it is non-refundable.
Until May 31st, if you choose to withdraw, we will refund the camp tuition (excluding the non-refundable deposit).
From May 31st until June 1st, if you choose to withdraw, we will refund 50% of your camp fees (excluding the non-refundable deposit).
From June 1st and onward, no refunds will be provided.

Scholarship Options:
Nationwide:
– PJ Library/One Happy Camper – Contact: [email protected]

Florida Residents:
Dade County: Greater Miami Jewish Federation
Broward County: Broward County Jewish Federation
Palm Beach County:
– Linda Berey Hurst Chai Fund
– Jewish Family Services

If you live outside Florida, check with your local Jewish Federation, as they may offer scholarships for overnight camps.

Tips for Applying:
– Reach out to any scholarship ASAP due to limited funding and deadlines.

CGI Florida Camp and Shluchim Scholarships:
General Camp Scholarship:
– Available for any family in need of financial assistance.
– Designed to cover a portion of the camp tuition. ($100)

Shluchim Scholarship:
– Intended for families of Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries.
– For sponsoring a Shliach’s daughter, contact the camp office.

Application Process:
Apply for these scholarships during camp registration by checking the appropriate box and following the provided instructions.

To be eligible, fill out the SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM FORM, Download Here, and email the completed form to [email protected].

Other Scholarships:
Local Jewish Federation:
– Explore scholarships available through your local Jewish Federation.
– Proactively ask about options and deadlines.
– These scholarships may help cover camp tuition costs, enhancing affordability for your family.

We are committed to ensuring every child’s opportunity to attend camp, and we hope these scholarship options facilitate that possibility for families in need. For any questions about our scholarship program, please contact us.

Camp Nurse

A camp nurse is on-site most of the day in case of emergency. She will also be available every day after breakfast, during rest hour, and after dinner. The nurse can provide for most illnesses, and has an array of medications for almost every scenario. However if symptoms persist, she will be in touch directly with the parents and help figure out the next steps.

Please note: CGI requires all campers to have medical insurance. If a family does not have medical insurance, we require they sign a release form taking responsibility for any medical costs. Please contact the office for more information.

Hospitals

Should an emergency or extenuating circumstance arise, there is a hospital approximately 10 minutes away. Depending on how serious of an injury it is, we will consult with the parents as to what they want to do. In either case, we will make sure to inform the parents and keep them updated throughout.

Medications

If your daughter requires any medication, please be sure to contact our offices before the start of camp. We will work together with you and ensure that your daughter receives the proper medications. We aim to make this process as seamless and easy as possible and to help provide for whatever she needs.
During camp, medications will be stored in the infirmary and will only be distributed by the camp nurse. Please clearly label all medication with: the camper’s name, their doctor’s name, the medication name, and the required dose.

Tylenol, Advil, or any other remedy should be brought to the nurse at the beginning of camp, and labeled accordingly.

Head Lice Protocol:
As campers spend a lot of time in close proximity with each other, head lice can occasionally occur. Before camp, all campers must be checked for head lice; if they had lice, please make sure to inform camp prior to their arrival.
If head lice is found on a camper, the nurse will help provide proper treatment: separating the camper from her bunk (head lice can be extremely contagious), cleaning her hair, etc.
There will be a $150 minimum charge for the treatment of a child found with head lice.

Dental Work

If a child requires dental work in camp, there are a number of local dentists we will be in contact with. If the camper is from Florida, the parent will be called and asked to make dental arrangements and pick up the camper from camp. If the camper is from out of Florida, we will call the parent and request permission to drive the camper to the dentist. Parents must cover any dental costs.

Sun Safety

During the summer, Florida is notoriously hot and humid, and campers inevitably spend a lot of time outside (it is camp after all!). We encourage all parents to talk to their daughters before camp about staying safe in the sun. Best practices include: drinking plenty of water, wearing sunscreen on a daily basis, wearing a hat, and finding shade when possible.

Homesickness

An important part of the camp experience is adjusting to being away from home. Our staff is well-trained to help your child adapt to camp life. If you have any concerns about how your child is adjusting while in camp, please call our office to speak with the Camp Mother.

Chef

Chef Nissen and his kitchen crew provide nourishing meals with an emphasis on healthy nutrition that will appeal to parents and campers alike. At each lunch and supper, there is a fully stocked, fresh salad bar plus pasta and sauce for those campers that may not like the meal being served.

Meals

Meal Time at CGI Florida is much more than just about food. The Dining room is the hub of the camp spirit with singing and dancing accompanying our meals. Additionally, the dining room is the place where the campers learn the daily Hayom Yom, Sefer Hamitzvos and Moshiach thought of the day. Chef Nissan works tirelessly to provide 3 meals a day with a fully stocked salad bar at lunch, dinner, and a daily snack. Our meals are nutritious, fresh, and most of all delicious.

Allergy Accommodations

We ask that you please inform camp before the start of the summer of any allergies.

Camp is Nut Free

Lactose Intolerant:

Please send LABELED Rice or soy milk with your daughter. It will be held in the camp fridge and available at mealtimes. There will always be cheese substitutes.

Canteen

Every day during breakfast, campers place orders for the canteen and receive their snacks after lunch.

At camp, it is our job to give your daughter an incredible experience packed with Chassidishkeit, learning, fun, and activities. Camp is a time where your daughter will make new friends and have experiences that they’ll remember forever. In order to accomplish this, there are certain guidelines that must be followed:

Books
Campers are busy almost all day doing all the activities that make camp so exciting, however there are also some opportunities to relax and cool down. During these times, we encourage campers to bring books, as reading is a healthy and productive way to unwind. Books must be written by frum authors and be about Jewish subjects. Campers can also bring magazines with Jewish content.

Music
We choose the music in camp carefully, and want to provide an atmosphere that is both fun and reflective of our Chassidishe values. Because of this, all MP3 players or iPods will not be allowed in camp. If a camper brings one, it will be safely stored away and returned at the end of the summer.

Electronics
There’s enough time during the year to spend time on electronics, whether it’s playing games or having a cell phone. We aim to give campers a space where they can connect with each other and experience their time here to the fullest possible extent. To that end, please leave these at home: cellphones, iPods, iTouches, PSP’s MP3 players, radios, and computers. However, we do encourage campers to bring small cameras and accessories to help document their time here.

If anything is brought to camp that we deem to conflict with these guidelines they will be safely stored away and returned and the end of the summer. Toasters, sandwich makers, and refrigerators are not permitted at camp due to a fire hazard.

Property Damage Policy:

Campers are responsible for any damages done to camp property. Raiding other campers, counselors, staff, or property will result in immediate dismissal from camp.

Our Outlook
Throughout your daughter’s time in camp, we work tirelessly to cultivate a Chassidishe outlook that incorporates all aspects of their lives, both physical and spiritual. A major part of this is ensuring that their outward appearance reflects those commitments. When we comport ourselves in the proper manner by dressing tzniusly and acting modestly, we create an atmosphere in which we can grow b’ruchnius and b’gashmius. Please ensure that your daughter abides by the following guidelines:

• Skirts should always cover the knees (even while sitting); no slits allowed.
• Campers must always wear tights or knee socks that cover their leg; no short socks.
• Elbows and necklines should always be covered; no tight-fitting shirts.
• Campers will not be allowed to wear nail polish or makeup.
• While swimming, only one-piece bathing suits are allowed.
• On the way to and from the pool, proper robes and socks must be worn.
• Shabbos is a special time in camp, and we expect campers’ clothing to reflect that atmosphere. Please send Shabbos clothes and shoes.
• Important: tznius applies even while in the bunkhouse, therefore: campers must wear nightgowns.

CGI Daily Schedule:
7:45 AM – Wake Up
8:15 AM – Cocoa Club
8:30 AM – line Up
8:45 AM – Davening
9:30 AM – Breakfast
10:15 AM – Shiur
11:00 AM- Clean Up
11:30 AM – Activity 1
12:15 PM – Activity 2
1:00 PM – Line Up
1:10 PM – Lunch
2:00 PM – Rest Hour
3:00 PM – Activity 3
3:45 PM – Activity 4
4:30 PM – Snack
4:40 PM – Activity 5
5:25 PM – Mincha & Chitas
5:50 PM – Tzivos Hashem
6:15 PM – Super
7:00 PM – Night Activity
7:40 PM – Prepare for Bed
8:45 PM – Rebbe Time
9:00 PM – Lights Out.
Gutte Nacht CGI! 🙂

Click on the names below to download or open the resources:

Camp Handbook (PDF)

Packing List (PDF)

Organizational Tips (Webpage)

Office Address

Camp Gan Israel Florida
7170 Loxahatchee Road
Parkland, FL 33067

Phone: (954) 970-9551 (Between 10am-3pm)
Email: [email protected]

Summer Address

To send emails, mail and packages to a camper or staff member, please use the information below. Please clearly mark their name on the package.
Camp Gan Israel Florida
7495 Park Lane Road
Lake Worth, FL 33449

Live Support

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