Frequently Asked Questions

We are glad to talk with you about your questions if they're not covered here; just give us a call!

1. Are we Kosher?
2. How do we keep Shabbat?
3. What about prayer?
4. Will by child be safe and taken care of?
5. What does it mean that this is a new camp?
6. Electronics at camp
7. What are the bunks like?
8. Can I come to camp with my child as a work-trade?
9. What if my child has special needs?
10. Do you offer Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutoring?
11. My child has food allergies. Can you accommodate them?
12. Who are your staff and where do they come from?
13. Is everyone Jewish at Eden Village Camp?
14. How does Eden Village Camp celebrate my child's birthday?
15. Is there a visiting day? Can I drop in and say hello?
16. What if I need to reach Eden Village Camp after regular office hours?

1. Are we Kosher?

Yes. We maintain a vegetarian Kosher kitchen. We serve Kosher cheese and check eggs. On Sundays, we offer Glatt Kosher, organic meat cooked on designated outdoor grills. One of our kitchen staff serves as our shomer kashrut (Kosher overseer).

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2. How do we keep Shabbat?

Shabbat is a highlight of our community. We aim to create a comfortable and supportive environment for our campers and staff, who vary in their customs.

Friday evening, we encourage everyone to wear white in order to heighten the festive mood, and bring in Shabbat all together in our outdoor amphitheater. After candle-lighting, we put down our instruments and celebrate with our voices. Saturday morning we all have a theatrical Torah experience, and then in the afternoon, campers may choose among many activities during structured free time. We don't farm or travel, turn electricity on or off, or cook food during Shabbat.

At sundown, our Havdallah (ceremony to bring in the new week) often turns into a big dance party!

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3. What about prayer?

Regular davening (holding sacred space) helps us foster a sense of connectedness, joy and appreciation. In the mornings, we all start the day with shacharit (morning sacred space). In addition, during the week, staff members organize optional davening three times a day.

Blessing food at mealtimes is an important way in which we heighten appreciation and awareness of where our food comes from.

We bring in Shabbat with festive services, and on Saturday mornings, we experience a theatrical Torah service.

Out in nature's classroom, our Jewishly-rooted wilderness, farming, arts, and other programs offer many opportunities for Jewish learning and prayer as well.

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4. Will my child be safe and taken care of?

Safety is our #1 priority. We maintain an outstanding 3:1 camper:staff ratio, and counselors are "kid specialists," with few responsibilities outside their bunks, so as to focus on each camper. During orientation, all staff are trained in our fire-department-approved safety and security procedures. Our security guard and assigned staff ensure that all visitors report to the camp office on arrival, appropriately escorted. Our specialists have the appropriate certifications for lifeguarding, ropes course, wilderness first aid, and more.

A registered nurse is available 24/7 in our health center, which exceeds American Camping Association standards for best practices. A doctor is often on call as well. We do clinic calls three times daily. In the unlikely event of an emergency, the nearest hospital is 17 minutes away.

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5. What does it mean that this is a new camp?

While Eden Village is a new camp, Director Yoni Stadlin is a veteran camp director, and we pride ourselves on our experienced, responsible staff. As part of the Foundation for Jewish Camp's Specialty Camp Incubator, Eden Village has been blessed to receive a $1.1M grant as well as the best mentors and training program on earth, all for the purpose of launching our program at the highest standards of health, safety, innovation, and effectiveness. This new-camp experience stands to be the best summer of a child's life because they need not assimilate into a new culture - they're creating it! This sense of ownership and citizenship is seldom possible in everyday life.

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6. Electronics at camp

At Eden Village Camp, we unplug from electronics so that we can plug into community and ourselves. Cameras are welcome, provided that they do not also operate as phones. Phones are not allowed at camp. We do have a recording studio, where campers create recordings of their original music in groups and individually.

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7. What are the bunks like?

The $1.6M renovation underway at camp includes newly renovated bunks with new decks. There are 8 - 10 campers, plus 2 - 3 counselors, per bunk. Our bunks include bunk beds with guard rails, new mattresses, ample storage unit cubbies, and indoor plumbing. Everyone pitches in to maintain the bathrooms and showers six days of the week.

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8. Can I come to camp with my child as a work-trade?

Thanks for your interest! For this summer, this will be challenging because we have limited housing, especially private accommodations, and many of our specialist positions are filling up. However, all are welcome to complete a staff application. We are glad to talk about scholarship possibilities for your child.

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9. What if my child has special needs?

As Eden Village grows, we will become able to accommodate more and more people. As of now, we have a committee who helps us determine case-by-case what needs we are able to accommodate properly.

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10. Do you offer Bat/Bar mitzvah tutoring?

Yes, tutoring is available upon request. Campers will have also time in which they can study.

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11. My child has food allergies. Can you accommodate them?

Our chefs work hard to accommodate various dietary needs including diets free of lactose, gluten, soy, and nuts. We do not make food with any peanuts, but peanut butter is offered as a lunch option. You will have the opportunity to speak with our chefs to make sure your child's special needs are met. If we cannot meet the dietary needs of your child, we will fully refund you.

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12. Who are your staff and where do they come from?

Our staff are the key to bringing our mission to life! Before even putting our application online, we received 120 staff inquiries, many of whom have extensive backgrounds in summer camping, working with children, and/or our program areas. All staffers are thoroughly screened. Specialty staff members are professionals in their area and maintain the appropriate certifications and training required. The majority of our counselors and specialists are American, but some hail from Israel and other lands. Many of us have served as educators with the Teva Learning Center, the American Jewish World Service, Jewish Funds for Justice, Adamah (Isabella Freedman's organic farming fellowship), and other Jewish environmental initiatives.

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13. Is everyone Jewish at Eden Village Camp?

So far, all Eden Village campers and staff are Jewish. Our program is designed to build Jewish leaders and strengthen Jewish identities, and we hope everyone leaves with a stronger sense of Jewish community and peoplehood. This said, we welcome all campers and staff, who are expected to participate in all activities. If you're interested in coming to camp and identify as non-Jewish, we should talk to make sure we're a good fit.

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14. How does Eden Village Camp celebrate my child's summer birthday?

Camp birthdays are always special at Eden Village. Each birthday child is honored at dinner with signs, decorations, and all campers singing Happy Birthday! Parents may send a special package and talk by phone with their child.

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15. Is there a visiting day? Can I drop in and say hello?

During each camping season there is one visiting day for our 7-week campers' families. Dates and hours are listed in the Manual. We strongly discourage families from dropping in and saying hello. A surprise visit often can not only disrupt a camper's experience at camp, but also that of their bunkmates. We work hard to make sure that all campers assimilate as quickly as possible and enjoy their daily routine. Parents are welcome to call the office and hear updates about their campers during office hours.

For families who would like to enjoy Eden Village Camp, we invite you to Family Camp, August 19-22, or any of our Spring and Fall events!

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16. What if I need to reach Eden Village Camp after regular office hours?

We will provide an emergency phone number in the Manual. During office hours, you can contact the camp at (877) 397-EDEN (3336), or via email at welcome@EdenVillageCamp.org.

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In our efforts to learn more about the world around us, we've included a background image of one of the plant species native to our campgrounds. On this page you can find the: