Camp Gan Israel hosts joyful summer experiences

Giggles and high-pitched screams of happiness could be heard upon entering Camp Gan Israel on July 24 — ran and operated by the Chabad of the Five Towns in Cedarhurst.

Camp Gan Israel, which is open to all Jewish families in the Five Towns, has been in existence for 28 years, serving children ages 2 to 5. This year, the summer camp runs from June 25 to Aug. 15, providing daily lunch and snack for the campers.

“It’s a very diverse camp, just like our Chabad center is, it’s open for our community,” Hadassah Geisinsky, the camp’s director, said. “Our staff is also very diverse, covering all the dynamics of our community and different abilities. Most are from Hewlett High School, and we have a head teacher in all the rooms.”

Multiple counselors are on hand for each age group to provide extra eyes on the children at each activity.

All of the counselors are girls, and Geisinsky hires each one personally after speaking with them.

Ariel Paskal said she was interested and contacted Geisinsky about working at the camp this summer.

“I wanted something where I can be with younger kids because I didn’t grow up with younger siblings,” Paskal said. “I wanted to experience being a counselor and learning leadership opportunities, even though I am 16 years old.”

Since starting, Paskal has learned how to help younger kids who don’t communicate that well, helping to soothe them when they show frustration. She also assists them in the water activities, making sure they dry off properly.

“It’s a great way to learn new skills that you haven’t done, it’s great to learn how to be around and work with other people,” she said. “It’s a great experience for everyone.”

Yalin Megira, 15, is one of the more veteran counselors at Camp Gan Israel, with this being her third summer. She originally reached out to Geisinsky after finding out her friend was going to work there.

“I love working here, Hadassah is so nice and the kids are so cute and it’s just so fun working here,” Megira said.

Being a counselor is a go-to summer job for her, and she said she loves coming back every summer to work with the youngest at camp, the 2 year olds.

The camp’s weekly activities for the children include taking part in music, art, creative movement, yoga, water play and soccer, and visiting with the animals courtesy of Green Meadows Farm in Brooklyn.

Four-year-old Sarah Zimmer had the biggest smile on her face while the group was doing yoga.

“I love camp because we do music and go in the water,” Sarah said, adding that she has made a lot of friends and loves playing with them in the playground.

Noam Hasis, also 4, was full of excitement and energy while participating in yoga.

“I love camp because there’s so much toys,” Noam said, adding that playing in the sandbox and jumping around in the bounce house with friends are his favorite activities at the camp.

The summer camp is special to the Jewish residents of the Five Towns and is open to all who choose to come there, just like Chabad is during the year, the camp’s administrators said.

“The goal of this camp, even the young kids, is to have a good summer and to walk away with a meaningful message that they share at home,” Rabbi Zalman Wolowik, who has led the Chabad for 29 years, said.

Wolowik said he loves that the camp’s staff members come from all walks of life — public schools and yeshivas.

“It is a smaller camp but has representation from every aspect of the community,” Wolowik said. “That is what I think Chabad is by nature, to unite all forces and bring everyone together, it’s just a great place to be.”

Camp Gan Israel’s goal is to bring out each child’s inner-self, building upon what each excels in and feels good about, according to Geisinsky. The camp helps encourage them, allowing them to blossom and grow.

“We’re a very sensory-oriented camp, very hands-on, and the kids are encouraged to do things at their pace and what they find exciting,” Geisinsky said.

The camp features special shows once a week to provide extra entertainment and activities for the kids. They include puppet, bubble and magic shows.

“For the kids, the summer is a highlight in our camp, but even more so is the staff, we really become one big family,” Geisinsky said.

She said it’s truly amazing that former campers and staff have sent their children to the camp.

“Watching that and having that generational is amazing,” Geisinsky added.

She prides herself on the warm and loving environment of the camp and how comfortable everyone is there.

“The warmth, love and joy and happiness from the parents, the kids and the staff, it’s a very lovey-dovey environment,” Geisinsky said. ‘The relationships we create is a family environment.”