General Information:
What age campers does the camp serve?
Graduating Pre-K to entering Sixth grade (ages 5-12).
What does a typical day look like at CGI?
Campers start off the morning with spirited songs and some warm up calisthenics. They then enjoy a wide array of sports, including soccer, safe-archery, volleyball, and baseball. The children explore activities such as art, drama, cooking and water activities.
The schedule is jam-packed with exciting and educational games, activities, and experiences. These are designed to develop leadership skills and self-confidence, promote friendship and empathy, and to instill a strong sense of Jewish pride.
Are there choices of activities that my child can choose from?
ISHOPS are workshops/activities that each child can choose from. Each week, the children choose from a variety of activities, such as: sports, art, woodworking, dance, drama, cooking, Lego-robotics, samba, makers lab (new!), and much more. The children spend a block of time each week on their chosen activity. Click here to see our ISHOPS calendar.
How is the staff selected and what are the qualifications?
The counselors at CGI are talented, passionate, inventive and experienced. We hire graduating seniors, who will be entering college in the fall. Our counselor-to-camper ratio is 5 years - 1:5, 6-7 years - 1:6, 8–12 years - 1:7. Extra support staff is assigned to every bunk as well.
Every summer we choose from a large pool of applicants, hiring the best counselors. Parents and children rave about the counselors because of their dedication to each child’s individual needs and camp spirit. The counselors are committed to ensuring that each child has a meaningful and fun summer experience. All counselors have previous summer camp experience and complete counselor education workshops and training.
Rabbi Yale has been the camp director for the past six years. We are pleased to announce that as our camp has grown, we have hired Rivky Spalter, a teacher with over ten years experience and four years of directing summer camps, who has joined as co-director. There are two additional head counselors that join the head staff each summer.
What safety measures are taken at CGI?
Safety is our #1 priority, and we are committed to following best practices regarding health and safety measures without compromising our signature CGI camp spirit.
Camp Gan Israel of the North Peninsula is accredited by the prestigious American Camp Association. ACA accreditation verifies that a camp has complied with up to 300 standards for health, safety, and program quality, which are recognized by courts of law and government regulators. Click here to read more about ACA accreditation.
CGI has a full-time security guard on site.
Our staff is trained in First Aid and CPR.
Trips are to locations with a track record of child safety. Attendance is taken regularly throughout the day. All campers wear camp t-shirts and wristbands with the camps information.
What does CGI’s social curriculum and policies look like?
“Achrayut Initiative”: (Achrayut is the hebrew word for responsibility.)
What is the Achrayut Initiative? In past years we noticed that our campers needed to be encouraged to pick up and clean up after themselves. We began a program to encourage taking responsibility for cleanliness, including appointing “Clean-up” captains, who receive a special orange vest and pick-up stick, and are responsible to pick up trash after activities and lunch. The initiative was received quite positively by the campers, with many of them excitedly requesting the privilege of being Clean-up Captain.
"Kavod Initiative": (Kavod is Hebrew for respect/honor).
Staff supports the social development and social interactions of our campers. The Kavod Initiative inspires both curriculum and practices that encourage our campers to be kind and compassionate with each other and help nurture their empathy for other children.
What makes CGI special?
The children’s enthusiasm for camp. The activities are planned so that the children are deeply engaged, challenged and excited. They can't wait to come to camp each day. Additionally, Jewish culture is brought to life at CGI. Campers are imbued with a deep sense of pride in their heritage and a love for Israel. But the real secret of CGI’s success is our handpicked staff. Our counselors are chosen from an international network of students for their love for children, professionalism, and joyful personalities.
Dates & Rates:
Do you have weekly sessions?
Yes, campers can sign up for the whole summer or individual weeks.
When is payment due?
June 4th.
What are my payment options?
Upon registration, you will have the option to pay immediately or set up a payment plan over several months. You can also mail a check to P.O. Box 673 San Mateo, CA 94401. Checks should be made out to “Camp Gan Israel NP”.
Are there any discounts or scholarships available?
Register your child/ren on or before March 1st and receive the discounted early bird rate. See Dates and Rates.
There is a 5% sibling discount for each sibling enrolled.
When applying for all sessions you will receive $100 off per child.
We are happy to partner with the Jewish Youth Network of the Bay Area which offers a $250 grant to new campers. No income verification needed. Click here to apply for this offer.
Partial scholarships may be available. Scholarship applications must be received before May 1st.
Daily Schedule
What does my child need to bring to camp every day?
Lunch and a water bottle. On water days, campers should bring a bathing suit, sunscreen, and a towel.
What foods may I send with my child?
CGI does not allow nuts, shellfish and meat. Fish (other than shellfish) and dairy are good options.
Does the camp provide any food?
Two snacks are provided every day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The children are served fresh fruit, cheerios, rice cakes and other whole grain snacks. The children bake fresh Challah each Friday.