Mission Statement
Camp Gan Izzy of Delaware is a summer camp dedicated to enriching the lives of children from diverse Jewish backgrounds and affiliations through a stimulating camping experience. Our focus on child safety and program quality is unparalleled. Camp Gan Izzy of Delaware is part of the largest and fastest growing network of Jewish day camps, enjoying a reputation as a pioneer in camping, with innovative ideas and creative activities, to both provide enjoyment and inspire children to try new and exciting things!
ABOUT US
Camp Gan Izzy Delaware
The information below is specific to Summer 2021.
All activities are with CDC, ACA and Delaware State guidelines for COVID-19 in place.
Please note that this is a very fluid situation with policies constantly changing. Please check back here for updates.
Welcome to Gan Izzy Summer Day Camp of Delaware, part of the largest and fastest growing network of Jewish day camps in the world. Gan Izzy Day Camps enjoys a well-earned reputation as a trend setter with innovative ideas, creative programs, and new activities being introduced continuously. Children have been known to wait all year to come to Gan Izzy! Campers will enjoy a range of exciting activities in a warm and caring environment.
The real secret to our success lies in our outstanding staff!
We believe that camp should be a lot more than fun & games… It should be a place where children learn the importance of caring, sharing, tolerance, patience and working with others. A camp should bring out the best in each child’s character and personality. A Jewish day camp should be a place where this can be experienced with the richness and excitement of Judaism.
Finally, camp should be a truly enjoyable and unforgettable experience… and that’s what Camp Gan Izzy Summer Day Camp is all about! This website will provide you with necessary information regarding camp. However if you have any concerns, questions or suggestions, please feel free to call.
More About Our Camp
“No one puts more care into the care of your child.”
Gan Izzy Summer is much more than a physical break from the school routine and winter activities. It’s a comprehensive program designed to strengthen the body and soul. It provides your child with a rich and wholesome summer vacation of fun and excitement along with friendship and meaningful educational experiences.
Play Ball! Updated
Supervised by our instructors, children develop sportsmanship, confidence, and the ability to enjoy sports including baseball, basketball, football, kickball, creative movement and more. All sporting activities will be planned with COVID-19 guidelines in place.
Ages & Stages!
All campers at Gan Izzy are divided into age groups for individualized attention and supervision. Under the guidance of dedicated counselors, the children of each group work together as a team and learn the value of friendship and unity.
Jewish Pride Alive and well!
Our campers are imbued with a deep sense of pride in their religious heritage and love for the land of Israel. Exciting activities, stories, games, contests, and Friday Shabbat parties are all part of the unique Camp Gan Izzy experience. There’s never a dull moment at Gan Izzy.
CGI on the go! Updated
As of now, we are not planning on having field trips this Summer due to safety and health precautions regarding COVID-19.
Skills and Thrills!
Camp Gan Izzy’s innovative Jewish-themed arts and crafts teach the children to be creative and imaginative. Each time that they do a craft, there is a Jewish lesson to go along with it… What’s better than being creative and learning at the same time? Campers are sure to proudly look back at their beautiful crafts well after the summers is over.
Special Activities! Updated
Our special activities include scavenger hunts, food art, a carnival, Mad Science, a Shabbat spa experience, balloon art and water activities.
Lights, Camera, Action!
Comedy skits, talent shows, and auction days are just a few programs that challenge the children to develop their innate talents.
Swimming! Updated
We provide a completely safe swim program in a beautiful full-sized pool. For kids who cannot yet swim, there is an exciting kiddie pool as well as a pool-side playground for extra pool time fun. All aquatic activities are under careful supervision of experienced and certified Red Cross lifeguards. Safety is our primary and concern.
We are planning on having swim on a daily basis this summer! (except for July 12 – 16). If it is recommended by the CDC, each bunk will have their own area of the pool in order to prevent intermingling between bunks. If any parents are uncomfortable with swim for their children, please contact Rabbi Motti at (215) 834-1178.
Daily Lunch! Updated
Lunches and snacks will be provided once again this year! All food will be handled with masks and gloves and will be individually plates and/or packaged. The social hall will be divided bunk by bunk to maintain social distancing protocol from bunk-to-bunk.
Our Staff
Our Real Secret To Our Success
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Child development is the most significant ingredient in a healthy camp experience. This is why our staff is the real secret to our success. Our experienced counselors are known for their personal warmth and ability to care for each child as an individual. Our staff members come from other Gan Izzy Camps, lending experience to our local Gan Izzy program.
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Each counselor has a passion for working with kids and is a role model for our children, setting them up for friendships that will last a lifetime! In order to ensure the best possible care, instruction and supervision for our campers, Camp Gan Izzy of Delaware is dedicated to small groups with exceptional staff supervision.
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Our Camp Director has many years of experience in the field of youth programming and education. He is the leader of our top staff and takes great pride in our on-going, comprehensive staff training program. His extensive experience with elementary school children through teenagers makes him a valuable friend and administrator to our camp throughout the summer.
COVID-19 INFO
Dear parents,
First of all, I want to thank you for your patience and support during this time as we have been trying to make the best, most-educated, most health-conscious decision possible. As you undoubtedly recognize, there are many variables and factors involved with the decision of whether or not to run a camp given the current COVID-19 situation. As a parent, I know that there are many factors involved from your perspective as well in terms of whether or not you feel comfortable sending your child/ren. I am well aware that from your standpoint, this is not an easy decision.
During this time, we have combed through readings upon readings, spoken to professionals and parents and meticulously sorted through the CDC and ACA (American Camp Association) guidelines.
We are excited to announce that given the information that we currently have, we feel confident that we have a plan of action that will be both safe and exciting for kids (and parents of course 😉)! The plan is to have an in-person, four-week camp beginning on June 21, which will take all of the COVID-19 recommendations into account based on the CDC, ACA and Delaware State regulations. Please note that all of these plans are subject to change depending on the COVID-19 updates as the summer progresses.
Please see the “Program, Dates and Rates” section for more information about Camp Gan Izzy 2021.
COVID-19 FAQ’S
What are some of the changes we can expect at camp this summer and what is Camp Gan Izzy doing to mitigate the risks?
While this summer program will look different from what our families are used to, we will still operate our camp using our guiding principles of “Safety” and “Fun.”
Obviously a major focus of this summer will be on safety. As things look at this point, based on current CDC and ACA (American Camp Association) guidelines, we will have the following changes (subject to new guidance):
- Camp Size – Camp Gan Izzy will be limited to 30 campers per session this summer in order to minimize traffic and bunk size to less than 10. Since we are so limited with the campers that we will accept, we highly recommend registering as soon as possible sine we will be working on a first come, first served basis.
- Daily Health Screenings – Bringing campers to camp in a healthy state and then keeping them healthy will minimize the spread of any communicable diseases. Each camper and staff member will have their temperatures taken each day before entering our campus and screening questions related to COVID-19 symptoms will often be posed.
- Staff Requirements – Each staff member will show proof that they have either been vaccinated, have antibodies or a negative test in the days leading up to camp.
- Smaller groups – Our groups will be small to help minimize and prevent the spread of germs/viruses and will also help with contact tracing if the need were to arise. Each bunk will form their own “family unit,” which will not intermingle with other bunks.
- Isolation Room – We will have a designated room in the building for children or staff members who show any COVID symptoms.
- Sanitation – In addition to our regular, daily maintenance procedures, we will now have a trained employee sanitizing the premises throughout the camp day. There will be an increase in the frequency of the sanitization schedule of all frequently used areas, equipment and structures, with a special emphasis on things such as door handles, restroom facilities, dining room and activity tables, playground equipment, and sporting goods, in order to better maintain a clean and hygienic environment.
- Hand washing – We will teach all campers and staff the correct 20 second-hand washing process and get them to engage consciously so that it becomes a natural habit at home, at school, and beyond.
- Facial coverings – If it is still recommended by the CDC and ACA, staff will be required to wear a face covering at all times.
- Social Distancing – Within groups, activities will be done in a way to minimize close contact between campers and staff members.
- Staying Home – If anybody in the household has shown symptoms of COVID, we ask you to respect everybody’s safety and keep the campers home until the results of the tests have come back negative.
- No Field Trips – There will be no trips and no onsite specialists as we are trying to minimize traffic in and out of the building.
- “Home Base” for each bunk – We will be spending as much time as possible outdoors, where the risk of contagion is minimized. When we are indoors, each bunk will have a designated “home base” bunk room to eliminate the need of sharing materials, supplies and play areas. Within the social hall, each bunk will have a designated, socially-distanced area when multiple bunks are in the social hall at the same time.
- Drop off and Pickup Procedure – Being that our goal is to minimize traffic in and out of the building, unless it is an emergency, parents and other guardians will not be permitted to go in and out of the building. Instead, parents will stay in their cars, not accompanying their children into camp. Counselors will welcome campers directly from the drop-off area. Campers and staff will be screened daily for symptoms, and temperatures will be taken with a non-contact infrared thermometer.
- Additional Literature – There will be additional literature and a waiver that addresses the COVID-19 pandemic as well as other important information about the COVID-19 protocol that we will follow.
Rabbi MottWill my child/ren have to socially distance themselves from their peers?
Based on current guidance, campers within one group/cohort will be allowed to intermingle more closely than 6’. We will still be avoiding touching and certain activities that have a higher risk of contagion. Each cohort will maintain distance from other cohorts.
Will my child/ren have to wear a mask all day?
Campers will not have to wear masks, at least while outdoors with their own cohort. Campers should still have a mask in case they will need it at times.
Will there be swimming?
We are planning on having swim on a daily basis this summer! (except for July 12-16). If recommended by the CDC, each bunk will have their own area of the pool. If any parents are uncomfortable with swim for their children, please contact Rabbi Motti at (215) 834-1178.
What about food?
Lunches and snacks will be provided once again this year! All food will be carefully handled on sanitary surfaces and will be individually plates and/or packaged. The social hall will be divided bunk by bunk to maintain social distancing protocol from bunk-to-bunk.
Will camp have regular hours?
This year’s camp hours will be 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Please contact Rabbi Motti at (215) 834-1178 if early and late care will be a requirement for your family.
What will drop-off and screening look like?
Counselors will greet campers at their cars. A standard set of symptom screening questions will be asked. Temperatures will be checked with a non-contact infrared thermometer. Children with a temperature of 100.4 or higher will be sent home and be unable to return for 72 hours after a fever. Parents need to wait until their child is cleared to join camp. If parents have any questions for the staff, please wait in your vehicle and one of our staff will come to help address your concerns.