- Mar 8
- 4 min read

Registration is OPEN! Family Camp & Work Weekend 2023

Updated: Mar 18

Hello Gilboa!

We are so excited to announce that registration for Gilboa Work Weekend and Family Camp is open! We hope you will join us up at camp in Big Bear over Memorial Day weekend.

This year we have combined these weekends in a new way - Work Weekend will begin Friday May 26th and Family Camp begins Sunday May 28th. Keep reading for details and reach out if you need any clarification!

DETAILS & REGISTRATION

Who’s invited?

Work Weekend (Friday May 26-Monday May 29): Alumni, tzevet, board members, volunteers, and veteran families are invited to spend the weekend getting camp ready for summer! It has been a tough winter and there will be plenty of repair and clean up to do around camp. Veteran families who are coming for family camp are invited to join early for the work portion of the weekend, but please note there is not childcare until Sunday morning when family camp starts. Family Camp (Sunday May 28th-Monday May 29th): All families are invited! This includes families who have never been to camp, families with children younger than the summer camp ages, families of returning campers - please join us! Veteran campers who are currently in 6th grade or older can come without an adult. We will have counselors responsible for these campers throughout the weekend. Programming is provided for children aged 4 and older. You are welcome to join with younger children, but we are unable to provide childcare for them. Can't make it for the full weekend but still want to visit camp? You can join us for the day Sunday! You don't need to fill out the registration form, but please let us know of your plans by emailing Alison.

Family Camp combines fun, recreational, and communal programming (such as medura - campfire) with the community working together to prepare the campsite for the summer. It’s a great opportunity to get out of the city with the family, build community, have future campers get to know Gilboa, and give adults the chance to experience the magic of camp! See the seder yom (schedule) below for a more detailed weekend schedule.

Housing & Facilities:

Space at Camp Gilboa is limited and will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, and assigned by camp staff. The campsite was recently renovated, yet designed to be rustic in nature. The cabins do not have electricity and are lit by solar lanterns. The main lodge has a lounge, a kitchen, and other facilities that all are welcome to use. Depending on the ages of children in your family, you will be assigned either to a spacious cabin (that you can share with another family - a question on the form will prompt you to pair with friends), or to a small private room in the main lodge. You can also choose to camp on campgrounds, though we ask you to consider whether you have the right tent and sleeping bags - nights at the end of May can still be very cold - sometimes as low as in the 30s. Children 2nd grade and older will be assigned to cabins with other kids and counselors. If you plan to have your camp-aged child stay with you instead, please let me know so we can be sure you are assigned to housing with enough beds. We are happy to be flexible according to your child's comfort and accommodate last-minute changes. If you have children in 1st grade and younger, we encourage you to choose the cabin option, especially if you are coming with another family that you would like to reside with. There are very few private rooms with more than 2 beds. Note that if you are only one adult, you may be assigned to a shared room with someone of the same gender. If we cannot accommodate your specific choice, we will contact you.

General Seder Yom (Schedule):

Friday & Saturday (work weekend): Arrive when you can and be ready to work! We will be providing meals, snacks, and housing for work weekend volunteers starting with Friday Shabbat dinner. Sunday: Family Camp Arrival & check in: 11-12pm Lunch: 12-1pm Opening Circle & Intro Activity: 1-2pm Afternoon: Blocks with separate adult and children programming (learning and discussion groups) and family chugim (electives) - kayaking, sports, art, walk around the lake etc. Evening - dinner, havdallah, medura + kumzits (campfire and singing) Monday: Breakfast 10 am - 12 pm - Elective activities and closing circle 12-1pm - Lunch and head out

Cost

Family Camp is $185 per person, capped at $600 per family.

This means the cost for a family of 2 is $370, a family of 3 is $555, and a family of 4 or more is $600.
Children 3 and under are free, but please still include them on the registration!
Space is limited and housing is reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, so register ASAP!
Refunds will be given until April 1st. After April 1st, any tuition paid for family camp will remain on your camp account to be used as credit for future Gilboa programs (summer camp or other weekend events).
Camp Gilboa is committed to lowering financial barriers and offers financial aid for all programs - please contact us if you are in need of assistance.

Veteran families can join work weekend early for no extra cost. We ask that work weekend volunteers consider a donation of $50-100 to offset the costs.

Covid Safety

All participants must show proof of a negative rapid test from the morning of arrival. It is families’ responsibility to obtain their own tests. While we wish that we could control every possible risk, and while we will use our best efforts to keep your family safe from the Covid-19 virus, we cannot promise or guarantee that this or any other pathogen will not enter the camp. By registering for family camp, you acknowledge that you understand this risk.