Parent Handbook 2016
A Message From Guy Dear Campers and Parents, I write this message as we prepare for the summer of 2016, my seventeenth consecutive season as the Director of Camp Biluim! My first personal experience at Camp Biluim was as a camper in the summer of 1985. Like most campers of yesterday and today, I was a bit nervous about the fact that I was coming to a new camp that was quite different from where I came, a camp where I would be placed in a tent with kids that I had never met before. Suffice to say, that was the best summer of my life and I am just as excited to provide our current campers with the same transformative experience. Camp Biluim is the only leadership development program of its' kind in North America. Our program is specifically geared to resonate and speak to what matters to inquisitive and curious sixteen-year-old campers. Each summer we build upon the success of the previous summer and this is why Camp Biluim enjoys such a stellar reputation. Leadership, Jewish Identity Development, the fostering of meaningful connections with Israel and the development of friendships with people from across Canada, are the pillars of the Camp Biluim experience. Camp Biluim campers will enjoy a six-week journey of self-discovery and enjoy their best summer ever! We have assembled an incredibly talented, energetic and creative staff team and we are all here to support each and every camper on this journey and we thank you for placing your trust in Camp Biluim. Please take the time to carefully review the contents of this handbook and feel free to contact our office if you have any questions. Chazak v Amatz! With Strength and Courage! Guy Korngold Director
Camp Director Associate Director Food Services Manager Office Manager Program Director Rosh Hadrachah (Leadership) Rosh Tent Parent (male) Rosh Tent Parent (female) Rosh Programming Camp Personnel Guy Korngold Shoshi Rothschild Erica Rubin Dalia Witkowski Taryn Levy Amanda Benaim Evan Sinclair Jessica Burdo Matthew Rogers Important Dates Payment in Full April 1 Camp Begins July 5 Camp Ends August 16 Contact Information SUMMER Camp Biluim Canada Tel (819) 425 3332 184 Rue Harrison Fax (819) 425 2433 (office use only) Mt. Tremblant, Que., J8E 1M8 Email office@ckb.ca Hours of operation of office at camp (we check our voicemail when the office is closed) Sunday thru Thursday 9:00am 5:00pm Friday 9:00am 3:00pm Shabbat Closed TORONTO Jennifer Levy Tel 1 800 804 6661 788 Marlee Ave. Tel (416) 781 5156 Toronto, Ont., M6B 3K1 Fax (416) 787 3100 Email jhmlevy@gmail.com MONTREAL Montreal Bayit Tel 1 800 426 5108 5555 Westminster, Suite 300 Tel (514) 735 3167 Cote St. Luc, Que., H4W 2J2 Fax (514) 735 3833 Email office@ckb.ca
Baggage and Travel to Camp From Toronto From Montreal Please note, there has been a change in camper and luggage drop off. Campers and their baggage will travel to camp on the day of departure (July 5) from Esther Shiner Stadium, 5720 Bathurst St. North York Parking Lot East end (next door to the Herbert H. Carnegie Centre). - Please arrive at 7:00am so buses can leave at 8:00am. Montreal baggage drop off on Sunday July 3 rd from 10-11am. at the old Wagar High School (5785 Parkhaven, Cote St. Luc, H4W-1X8). Camper travel on July 5th from the old Wagar High School (5785 Parkhaven, Cote St. Luc, H4W-1X8). Please arrive by 1:00pm so that the buses can depart promptly at 1:30pm. From Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport (Montreal) Private Transportation All campers flying to Montreal s airport are asked to arrive between 2:00pm and 4:30pm. Campers will be greeted at the baggage carousel by a Biluim staff member (identified by a blue Biluim Staff sweatshirt). All campers arriving to camp by car must arrive after 3:00pm and before 3:30pm Important Notice: All Biluim campers travelling to camp by bus from Montreal and Toronto are required to pack a separate overnight bag with clothing, a bathing suit and towel, personal effects and a sleeping bag to be carried on the bus to be used on the first night of camp (they will only be able to access their baggage the following day). Campers travelling by bus from Toronto are also asked to pack a peanut-free lunch for the day of travel. Snack will be served to all campers upon arrival at camp. Campers travelling to camp by plane will have access to their baggage upon arrival at camp and are therefore not required to pack a separate overnight bag prior to travelling. Travel from Camp (August 16) The buses will leave camp at 8:30am and arrive to: Montreal at approximately 10:15am - at the old Wagar High School (5785 Parkhaven, Cote St. Luc, H4W-1X8) Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport in Montreal at approximately 11:00am. Return flights should depart after 1:30pm and before 2:30pm. Herbert H. Carnegie Centennial Centre in Toronto at approximately 4:30pm. The baggage will arrive at 3:00pm so you can arrive early to claim your child s baggage.
Telephone Calls Campers are not permitted to receive or make any calls to or from camp. Parents may speak with their child on his/her birthday only. If your child has a birthday during the summer season, please call (819-425-3332) or email (office@ckb.ca) our office the day before the birthday so that we can ensure that your child will be in the office to accept your call. Usually, the ideal time for this call is following lunch at about 1:45 pm. Please note that communication devices of any kind (cell phones, blackberries, iphones etc.) are strictly forbidden and should not even come to camp with your child. Please make sure you have all of their devices in your possession before they board the bus to camp. Any such devices that are found will be confiscated and donated to a registered charitable institution. In the event that your camper must travel to or from camp with their cell phone, please ensure that the camper willingly gives this device to the camp immediately upon arrival at the bus departure point or airport. The camp will safely store the device throughout the summer and even charge the battery prior to your child's departure from camp at the end of the season so that they can communicate with you while they travel home. COMMUNICATION (Photos, Videos, Emails and our Newsletter) To log in to view photos, videos, our newsletter, and send emails to campers, click on the LOG IN button which is found on the top right corner of our website (https://youngjudaea.ca/biluim-canada/) and follow the instructions for establishing a username and password (click on Retrieve/Set Password ). The system has a security feature that will only allow recognized email addresses to gain access to the system. If the system does not recognize your email address please let us know, and we will update your email address in our settings. Once you are logged in, you will see our Online Community section where you can view videos and photos, send your child(ren) one-way emails, read newsletters, and create guest accounts. Photos: Posted Tuesday and Friday at 8:00 am. The photo page allows you to mark favorites, view, buy and share photos, as well as view slideshows. You can click the icons below each photo to perform these actions. All of the photos you view online are available for purchase as prints, digital downloads, or gift items such as t-shirts, calendars, or mouse pads. All proceeds from the sale of these photos will go towards supporting our camper scholarship fund. Emails: Delivered Sunday-Friday: When you click on the email link, the system will guide you through the process of purchasing CampStamps to send emails as often as you d like throughout the session to your child(ren). Each email sent will use a certain number of CampStamps based on the selections you make. Upon purchasing CampStamps you will also be able to gift them to your guests, however they will also be able to purchase their own upon logging in. Weekly Update by Guy: Emailed to you on Friday by 6:00 pm. Facebook: Please be sure to "like" our Facebook page for updates throughout the summer. Guest Accounts: By clicking the Guest Accounts icon you will be able to create accounts for family members and friends to view photos and send emails. If you d like your guest to be able to email your child(ren) make sure to check the appropriate boxes (these will be evident upon entering the guest s information). After creating each account your guest will receive an email similar to the one you received when first creating a password and security
questions. They will be guided through the same process in order to log in securely. You do not need to create guest accounts for parents/guardians of the child(ren) as that information is already stored in our system. Packages PACKAGES: Each Biluim camper is allowed to receive a maximum of two packages. All packages that exceed this amount will be returned to sender. If you are sending a package, please ensure that the sender and recipient are clearly marked. All packages will be opened by a staff member in the presence of the camper and all contraband items (like gum and food) will be confiscated. 1) What constitutes a package? A package is ANYTHING that is not flat or larger than a standard-sized envelope or greeting card. 2) Any packages received from family/relatives will also count toward the package allowance. Please communicate this to grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. 3) What if my child has forgotten something? We are pleased to provide many essential items like toothbrushes and shampoo at no charge. If you need to send an essential item to camp (e.g., a swimsuit, extra socks, etc.), this package will not be counted against your package allowance. Arrangements for this can be made by contacting our office by email: office@ckb.ca or by telephone at 819.425.3332. Our office staff will open these packages and distribute them to your child. Packages that contain any non-essential items will count towards your child s summer package total. 4) Please do not feel that you have to send packages! Many campers only receive letters and they are perfectly happy. Laundry Laundry is done once each week with a one-day turnaround. Clothing should be colorfast as it is machine laundered and every item should be well labeled/marked. All campers will have the opportunity to claim lost and found articles during the summer and at the end of camp. Items that are not labeled and not claimed by the campers will be donated to a clothing bank based in Mont Tremblant. Please refer to our packing list on the last page of this booklet. Tuck, Medical Expenses & Spending Money A portion of the camp fee is allocated to cover expenses such as tuck (treats), the camp t-shirt, and camp photograph. We will bill you for any medical expenses (ie. prescriptions) incurred over the course of the summer and send you the receipts so that you can make a claim with your insurance company. Personal spending money is not included in the camp fee. Campers should therefore come to camp with about $100 pocket money to have for excursions to Montreal and Mont-Tremblant. Camp Biluim Has a Zero Tolerance Policy Regarding Alcohol and Illicit Drugs. We urge all parents and campers to review and openly discuss the Camp Biluim Canada Code of Conduct Agreement which all campers and parents signed before gaining acceptance to the program. We also urge all parents to assist their children in packing for the summer. All camper baggage will be thoroughly searched upon arrival to camp, and Camp Biluim further reserves the right to do random checks throughout the camping season. Any camper found with alcohol, illicit drugs, rolling papers, or other drug paraphernalia, can be immediately dismissed from the program at the parents expense.
Together we can ensure for an environment free of drugs and alcohol. With your help we can fulfill our mission...to give our campers the opportunity to realize their full potential as the leaders of tomorrow. Clothing & Packing List Limit your luggage to 1 trunk (optional) and 1 duffel bag or 2 duffel bags. Mark your luggage clearly. We suggest simple serviceable clothing. Social and Shabbat functions are also simple and informal. While we encourage campers to bring their musical instruments (we have great equipment for campers to use), we also strongly urge you to leave your valuables at home as Camp Biluim will not be held responsible for loss or damage to campers belongings. Clothing Footwear Bedding & Linen 4 Sweatshirts 1 pr running shoes 2 fitted sheets 4 pr pants (jeans, sweats, khakis) 1 pr sandals w/ankle strap 2 blankets (1 warm, 1 light) 10 t-shirts 1 pr rain boots 2 pillow cases 12 pr socks 1 pr shower shoes (crocs) 1 pillow 1 raincoat/poncho 1 pair of old shoes for canoe trip 1 sleeping bag 2 sun hats (important) 2 beach towels 1 bath robe Toiletries (consider biodegradable!) 1 laundry bag 5 pr shorts shower caddy 3 bath towels 3 pr pajamas (warm & cool) soap/soap dish 3 bathing suits shampoo DO NOT PACK 12 pr. underwear toothbrush & paste any food / gum / candy Hawaiian Shirt (for cookouts)* sun protection (SPF 30 or >) hot pot/kettle Plain white t-shirt for tie dye!!! bug spray lighter or matches Something nice for Erev Shabbat DVD/Video player rollerblades Medication Miscellaneous mosquito coils All prescription medications flashlight & batteries bottled water, pop must be packed in a stamped/addressed envelopes pocket knife separate bag which is writing paper & pen glass bottles/jars clearly labeled with the camera * delicate clothing campers name. This bag kipot skateboard must be given to a books * cell phone, i-pod touch, i-pad, tablet staff member by a parent baseball glove * valuables before the camper boards musical instruments * the bus. All medication extra eyeglasses must be in their original watch (very important) containers, each one clearly Water Bottle (This item is important as we do not allow bottled water at camp) labeled with that campers' name. A WATCH (All campers must wear a waterproof watch all summer long). Our infirmary is fully stocked. It is not necessary to pack standard over the counter medications like Tylenol and Advil. The only medications campers should bring to camp are those that are required to manage an existing medical condition. If a camper needs an Epipen, they must either carry it at all times or bring three - one for the infirmary, one for the tent, and one to be kept in the dining hall. You may bring a personal music device. However, if this musical device serves any other purpose other than playing music, ie. video/internet, it will be confiscated and not returned.
Unless you are flying into Montreal, please don t forget to pack a nut free lunch, sleeping bag and small backpack with enough clothing, a bathing suit, towel, & toiletries for one night and one day to be carried with you on the bus to camp. The rest of your baggage will be accessible on the 1st of July, the day following your arrival. * optional