Camp Kulam FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Why Camp Kulanu @ Senesh?
- Who is Camp Kulanu for?
- What do you mean when you say the program ‘centers Jews of Color’?
- What is a Jew of Color?
- If neither my child nor members of our family self-identify as Jews of Color, can my child still attend camp?
- If we are not Jewish, can our child apply for camp?
- One of the parents in our family is not Jewish, could our child still apply?
- What does Kulanu mean?
- Does my child need to know any Hebrew to participate?
- Does my child need to have Jewish education background to participate?
- What is the application and registration process?
- Does everyone who applies get accepted to attend camp?
- What will campers do every day?
- Do campers need to have certain immunizations?
- Will participants be required to wear masks?
- What is the staff to camper ratio?
- Who are the staff?
- Is there financial assistance available if we cannot afford the cost of camp?
- Is there an option to sign up for only part of the week?
- When does camp take place?
- What are camp hours?
- Is there early drop off?
- Is there an extended day option?
- Are meals and snacks included?
- Is transportation provided?
- Will there be any programming for parents/caregivers?
Why Camp Kulanu @ Senesh?
As an open and inclusive Jewish school, Senesh is committed to the rich mosaic of Jewish life and intentionally building this mosaic together with the larger Brooklyn Jewish community of which we are a part. Our core Jewish values guide all that we do and drive us to create experiences where every Jewish child is included and has a strong sense of belonging; where every voice and every story matters.
We are excited to begin Camp Kulanu as we continue building a community that values difference, fosters inclusion and belonging, and supports children and their families to be agents of change toward a more just world both within and outside the Jewish community.
Who is Camp Kulanu for?
Camp is open to children currently in kindergarten, first, and second grades in the 2022-2023 school year.
In celebrating the diversity of Jewish life, our goal is that half of the participant families will identify as Jews of Color to intentionally and expressly create a diverse environment and community makeup.
What do you mean when you say the program ‘centers Jews of Color’?
Jews of Color are estimated to make up nearly 20% of the American Jewish community, yet are significantly underrepresented in mainstream Jewish spaces.
We aim to create a camp community where at least half of the participants come from families in which a member of the family self-identifies as a Jew or Person of Color so we can build a warm, welcoming community that reflects the diversity of the modern Jewish people and Brooklyn Jewish life.
What is a Jew of Color?
A Jew of Color can include people who identify as Black and/or African, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander, Latinx, or of mixed heritage.
We understand that racial identification can be very complex, personal and dynamic. Campers who self-identify as a Jew of Color or who have a parent/caregiver who self-identifies as Person or Jew of Color are welcome to apply!
If neither my child nor members of our family self-identify as Jews of Color, can my child still attend camp?
Yes. The goal of our camp is to create a community that reflects the diversity of the Jewish people.
If we are not Jewish, can our child apply for camp?
This camp is for families who are raising their children Jewish.
One of the parents in our family is not Jewish, could our child still apply?
Yes. This camp is for families who are raising their children Jewish, regardless of which parent is Jewish.
What does Kulanu mean?
Kulanu (כולנו) is Hebrew for ‘All of Us’ and at Camp Kulanu, we will build a community that is truly by and for ALL OF US and reflects the diversity of the modern Jewish people and Brooklyn Jewish life.
Does my child need to know any Hebrew to participate?
No. We may use Hebrew vocabulary, but children will quickly learn what these words mean.
Does my child need to have Jewish education background to participate?
No. Children from all educational backgrounds who are being raised in a Jewish framework are welcome.
What is the application and registration process?
- Applications will open in early December 2022.
- Applications will be reviewed by our camp committee and we will notify families of their acceptance beginning on Monday, December 19, 2022 and on a rolling basis after this date.
- All children who are accepted to camp will then be required to complete the requested registration forms and submit a deposit to confirm their spot in the program.
Does everyone who applies get accepted to attend camp?
We are seeking families who identify with the values of the camp and express that in their application.
Our goal is that about half of the participant families will identify as Jews of Color to intentionally and expressly create a diverse environment and community makeup.
What will campers do every day?
Here is a sample of what a daily schedule will look like:
8:30am-9:00am: Early drop off period / Open Play
9:00-9:30am: Aseifat Boker (Camp-wide Morning Gathering)
9:45-10:45am: Chugim (Electives Block #1) or Group Activity
11:00am-12:00pm: Chugim (Electives Block #2)
12:15-1:15pm: Lunch & Playtime
1:30-2:30pm: Chugim (Electives Block #3)
2:45-3:45pm: Chugim (Electives Block #4)
3:50-4:00pm: Sikkum Yom (Closing Circle Time)
4:00-5:30pm: Extended Day Group Activities
Do campers need to have certain immunizations?
Students must fulfill the requirements of the State of New York for all immunizations. Senesh requires all staff and participants to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and flu.
Proof of vaccination will be collected as a part of the registration process.
Will participants be required to wear masks?
Masking is optional.
What is the staff to camper ratio?
Camp will have a 1:6 ratio of staff members to campers, in line with (or exceeding) the age-based guidance provided by the NYC Department of Health for summer camps.
Who are the staff?
Camp Kulanu’s staff are carefully chosen and are dedicated, caring, experienced educators with a love for children, a commitment to our values and program, and who share our vision for a more diverse and inclusive Jewish community.
Is there financial assistance available if we cannot afford the cost of camp?
The camp tuition is offered to everyone at a reduced rate due to the generosity of the Covenant Foundation. For additional assistance please email jmaxner@hannahsenesh.org.
Is there an option to sign up for only part of the week?
Campers must register for the full 4-day program. We are not offering partial-week registrations this year.
When does camp take place?
Tuesday, February 21 – Friday, February 24, 2023
What are camp hours?
9:00am – 4:00pm daily
Is there early drop off?
Yes, campers can be dropped off as early as 8:30am. There will be supervised group activities until the start of camp at 9:00am. There is no additional fee for early drop off.
Is there an extended day option?
Yes, campers can extend their day from 4:00-5:30pm. There will be supervised activities as a group and an extra fee of $100 total for the week for this option.
Are meals and snacks included?
Meals are not included. Please send a labeled water bottle, a snack and lunch each day. Food brought from home must be dairy or parve, but does not need to be marked kosher. No meat or shellfish is permitted. Please send food that does not require refrigeration.
Is transportation provided?
No, we are not providing transportation to/from camp.
Will there be any programming for parents/caregivers?
We expect that families and caregivers of participants will join us for one event ahead of the camp week and one post-camp event.
We may also offer a family experience as a part of the camp week. All families will be invited and encouraged to participate with their campers, if they are able.