Camp Gan Israel Parent Handbook
At Camp Gan Israel Columbus, our primary goal is to provide a fun, enriching, and—above all—safe environment for your child. To ensure the safety of all participants, we require both parents and campers to understand and agree to our camp safety guidelines.
Please review this handbook with your child.
1. General Camp Expectations
To maintain a safe and positive community, all campers are expected to:
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- Respect others: Kind and respectful behavior at all times is our priority to ensure every camper has the ultimate camp experience. If a camper needs extra reinforcement in showing kindness and respect, parents will be notified so we can work together to empower all campers to be their best and kindest self.
- Listen to staff: Follow directions from camp staff, field trip employees, sports staff and lifeguards, especially during transitions, swim times, and on field trips.
- Take care of camp property: Respect the facilities, equipment, and field trip venues.
- Phones and electronic devices are not allowed at CGI. If your child needs to bring a phone to camp for use after camp, it must be kept in the office. Camp Gan Israel is not responsible for lost or damaged phones.
2. Daily Health & Safety Protocols
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- Stay Hydrated: Campers must bring a refillable water bottle daily.
- Authorized Pick-Up: Campers will only be released to adults listed on camp registration. Please let us know if another adult will be picking up your child from camp. Please note, there is no bus monitor on the bus to and from camp from Bexley/Berwick.
- Bus Policy: Campers must remain seated at all times. Eating is not permitted on the bus. Campers must listen to the bus driver at all times.
- Medication Policy: Camp Gan Israel does not administer medication. If your child needs medication during camp hours, please contact us so that we can arrange for you to come administer it.
- Sun Protection: Parents should apply sunscreen before drop-off. If you would like your child to reapply sunscreen during camp hours please let us know and bring their own sunscreen, and staff will facilitate scheduled reapplication breaks throughout the day.
3. Protocol for Campers Struggling to Stay with the Group
For the safety of your child, staying with their assigned group and counselors is imperative. If a camper wanders away, runs from the group, or refuses to stay within designated camp boundaries, our staff will implement the following steps:
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- Step 1: Immediate Redirection & Boundary Check The counselor will bring the camper back to the group, re-state the safety rule clearly, and check if the camper has an immediate physical need (e.g., hungry, tired, or thirsty.)
- Step 2: Proximity & Choices The counselor will keep the camper in close physical proximity (e.g., walking right next to the counselor). The camper will be offered a limited choice to help them regain a sense of control (e.g., "Would you like to hold the group clip-board, have a snack, or use a fidget toy").
- Step 3: Staff Assist / Team Switch If the behavior continues, a second staff member or camp supervisor will step in to provide one-on-one attention to help the camper regulate, while the rest of the group safely continues their scheduled activity.
- Step 4: Parent Notification If a camper repeatedly struggles to stay with the group during the day, camp leadership will contact the parent/guardian to discuss the behavior, identify potential triggers, and partner together on a solution.
- Step 5: Safety Dismissal (Last Resort) Because a camper wandering away poses an immediate, severe safety risk, if a child’s behavior consistently compromises our ability to keep them or the group safe, the camp reserves the right to suspend or dismiss the camper from the program without a refund.
4. Zero-Tolerance Safety Violations
The following behaviors compromise the safety of the entire camp and may result in immediate suspension or dismissal from camp:
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- Physical violence or aggressive behavior toward campers or staff.
- Intentional bullying or harassment.
- Bringing any hazardous items to camp.
5. Our camp is located at the New Albany Middle School Gymnasium, 6600 E. Dublin Granville Road, New Albany 43054.
Campsite Drop-off and Pickup:
- The drop-off and pickup address for camp is at the front entrance of the New Albany Middle School Gymnasium at 6600 E. Dublin Granville Road, New Albany 43054.
- Drop off is at 9:30 am
- Pickup is at 4:00 pm.
Bus Stop Details for those who signed up for transportation to camp:
Morning Schedule:
- 8:45 AM at Berwick bus stop at 1371 Haddon Road.
- 9:00 AM at Bexley bus stop at 48 S Stanwood Rd. (parallel to the Agudas Achim parking lot)
Afternoon Schedule:
- 4:15 PM at the Bexley bus stop at 48 S Stanwood Rd. (parallel to the Agudas Achim parking lot)
- 4:30 PM at the Berwick bus stop at 1371 Haddon Road.
Please note there is no bus monitor or staff at the bus stop locations.
Transportation Guidelines:
- Campers must be seated at all time
- Eating will not be permitted on the bus
- Campers must listen to the bus driver at all times
- Parents will be notified if these behaviors are not followed to ensure safe transportation for all campers. If a camper is not able to follow these rules, they will not be able to ride the bus.
Daily Packing List:
- Full Lunch: please do not bring meat products, peanuts or tree nuts
- 2 Snacks
- Water Bottle
- Camp T-Shirt for Field Trips (Since we will be having field trips on a daily basis, we will specify when they will not be required for smaller field trips).
Swimming:
- Please see our calendar below for swim days. Campers will need a bathing suit, towel, and goggles (if needed).
- If your child does not know how to swim please send them to camp with a floatie/ life jacket. Floaties will be labeled and stored at camp and will be sent home at the end of camp with your child.
We look forward to a wonderful summer at Camp Gan Israel!
For Camp Questions please email us at [email protected] or call Chaya at 614-570-5401