Camp Life

Adventure Awaits

Choosing Activities

Each day, campers experience a combination of bunk activities and electives. Bunk activities are
pre-assigned, giving campers an opportunity to experience everything at camp as a bunk. This
exposes campers to lots of different activities while strengthening the bonds and friendships within the bunk group — their core “family” at camp. Electives are selected individually each week, and they are a chance for campers to delve deeper into activities to improve skills, work on more complex projects, or specialize in a new interest.

celebrate in style

Birthdays

Birthdays at camp are the best! Campers’ birthdays are celebrated all day long, with a special birthday cake for their bunk served at lunch, and the whole camp singing to them while they ‘skip around the room.’ We are happy to make birthday cakes according to any specific dietary needs or allergies. Campers with birthdays during their camp session are permitted to have a birthday phone call home and to receive a birthday package, as an exception to our package policy.

The office staff will reach out to you at least 24 hours in advance to schedule the call, but you’re welcome to be in touch prior to that time to schedule at your convenience. We’re happy to include siblings on a camper’s birthday call, but will not extend that invitation without your request. Please note calls take place during downtime so campers don’t miss activities for the call.

To send a birthday package, please send the office staff a note to info@campkingswood.org with what you are sending, its anticipated arrival date and any instructions. Packages should be addressed to “Camper Name – Birthday Package.” Please allow for more than enough delivery time so the package arrives in advance of the camper’s birthday.

treat yourself

Canteen

Twice a week, campers visit Canteen, where they choose their own special snack (included in the cost of camp) and can purchase games, forgotten toiletries, and seriously cool camp gear. While our online camp store is open all year, every summer we introduce new camp gear only available at the in-person Canteen. We stock sunscreen, toothpaste, toothbrushes, postcards, stamps, and other essential items campers can purchase if they forget or run out.

We recommend families provide campers with at least $60 for a 3.5-week session and $35 for a 2-week session for Canteen. Families choose their desired canteen amount and the method they want to pay for it on the Canteen Spending Form, using CampInTouch. During the summer, families can log in to their CampinTouch or Campanion App to add money to their campers’ Canteen balance. At the end of the summer, any remaining balance will go toward our Kingswood Camper Scholarship Fund. If you would prefer to request a refund of the unspent balance, please contact us in writing by August 16, 2024.

Camp Gear

Every camper receives one Camp Kingswood t-shirt at camp. Lots of other Kingswood gear is available for purchase both at camp at Canteen and at the online camp store. Visit our online store at www. amerasport.com/CAMP KINGSWOOD/ to find Kingswood clothing and gear for your whole family! You can find most items on the camp packing list there too, including great camp duffel bags.

b’tai avon! Camping never tasted so good!

Food

Good food can make or break a camper’s experience, and knowing this, we take food VERY seriously! We work with our awesome food service directors to create menus that are delicious, kid-friendly, healthy, and plentiful. Every meal comes with lots of options, including a full salad bar with choices of proteins and rotating sides and salads. One member of our chef team is solely devoted to special dietary needs and food allergies, making sure our alternative meals are just as tasty and varied as the featured meal. Our team takes pride in making most meals from scratch, and campers working in the garden drop off veggies and herbs to incorporate into recipes. Bet you didn’t know we were farm-to-table! 😉

Please do not send your camper with any food, snacks, or candy. Food in the bunks, no matter how tightly sealed, will inevitably lead to bugs and critters in the cabins. More importantly, we cannot have a camper unknowingly exposed to a food they could be allergic to. Counselors are instructed to confiscate and dispose of any food sent to camp. Sneaking in food puts counselors in the position of policing, and that doesn’t make camp fun for anyone. We have plenty of opportunities throughout the session to eat special snacks, treats, and candy (see above section — Canteen!)

experience the warmth and joy

Jewish Life at Camp

Camp Kingswood offers campers the opportunity to experience the warmth and joy of living as part of a vibrant Jewish community. We integrate positive Jewish identity development, Jewish values, and a connection to the land and culture of Israel into our camp experience. We do this through experiential programming, music, keeping Kosher, community rituals like Friday night candle lighting, and the integration of Jewish themes and content in activities, like cooking, art, and nature. Shabbat, in particular, is a beautiful, almost magical experience at camp, with campers each having a turn to take part in leading Shabbat services.

Kingswood is a place where anyone, regardless of their background, will feel welcome and encouraged to explore their spirituality.

B’nei Mitzvah Tutoring

Weekly B’nei Mitzvah tutoring is offered to any child whose Bar/Bat Mitzvah is within six months of camp for a fee of $200. Families have the option of being tutored at camp or to continue to be tutored by their home tutor digitally over the summer. The set-up service for digital tutoring is $50/session, and will be added to your account.

To take advantage of either service, submit the B’nei Mitzvah Tutoring form in CampinTouch by April 15. Please send all materials with your child, and email copies to joelle@campkingswood.org by May 24.

Laundry

Laundry service is provided for all campers, and laundry bags are provided. Laundry is sent out weekly, and comes back two days later washed and dried. Campers are reminded when to drop off and pick-up their laundry bags, and counselors help younger campers through the process of putting their clothes away in their cubbies. Campers should bring a laundry bag from home so they have one to use while clothes are being laundered.

The laundry service we started using in 2023 specializes in camps and schools, and has video cameras monitoring their laundry process. When a camper reports an item to be lost or damaged, we contact the company, and they research the issue. Sometimes, when a camper is missing an item, they’ve lent it to a friend or it’s under their bed. 🙂 When a missing item is investigated and the laundry service is responsible, they will issue a check directly to the family.

label it up

Lost and Found

We make every effort to help campers keep track of their belongings, but items still get lost. We recommend labeling with a laundry-safe permanent marker or with iron-on labels (see Clothing section). When items are clearly labeled we can easily get them back to their owners. Once camp ends, we will email families to let them know a labeled item was left, and the family will be responsible for paying to have the forgotten items returned. Items left after the end of the camp season will be shared online and saved for one week for families to claim.

All unclaimed items will be donated on August 16, 2024. Camp Kingswood does not assume responsibility for lost or damaged items.

unleash your inner explorer

Overnights and Trips

Each unit has one overnight during each 3.5 week session. Staffed by a trained trip leader, overnights are an opportunity for campers to experience the fun of sleeping under the stars, cooking over a fire, and relaxing in a tent. Olim bunks camp in our Kingswood woods, while the older units take advantage of our breathtaking New England surroundings to explore the mountains and lakes in Maine and New Hampshire. Chalutzim campers take their adventure further with a multi-day trip each session.

Please note: Two-weekers may or may not be at camp for their unit’s overnight.

In addition to the overnight, we take the entire camp on a field trip to Funtown Splashtown USA, a waterpark and amusement park, once during each 3.5 week session. Chalutzim campers have additional out-of-camp programs once each week to give back to the local community, explore Maine, and have fun!

Trip Money

Trip money is spending money that gets sent with each camper and turned in on the first day of camp. This money is used for purchasing snacks and souvenirs when we take the campers on out-of-camp trips. The amount of trip money provided is at your discretion but we recommend the following amounts for a 3.5 week session:

Olim: $20
Tsofim: $30
Bogrim: $40
Chaluztim: $50
CITS: $50

To send trip money, please put your desired amount of cash in a sealed envelope with the camper’s first and last name and total amount written on the front. Place the envelope in your camper’s backpack to be turned in upon check in at the bus site or upon greeting a staff member in the airport. Envelopes will be collected and stored in the office safe when not in use. Envelopes will be distributed and collected by Unit Heads at the start and end of trips. Campers without trip money at the start of camp will not be given money from camp or their canteen accounts.

Camp’s not just for kids!

Visiting Day

Visiting Day is Tuesday, July 16, only for the families of our Full Summer campers. Families are invited to spend part of the day with their camper(s) in Bridgton and part of the day at Kingswood. A Visiting Day schedule and details will be shared separately with our Full Summer families. For parents not able to be in-person, our staff will make sure your campers have a great day, and we’ll share instructions prior to camp to schedule a Virtual Visit instead.

Visitors

Visitors are only allowed at Camp Kingswood with prior approval from a director.