By Michelle Fremont and Rebekah Houpt, First Session Camp George Community Care Team
At Camp George, health and well-being is a big part of our culture. Because we are a home away from home for so many campers and staff, camp needs to be an environment that allows everyone to remain healthy and happy throughout the summer. We pride ourselves on having many health and wellness support systems at Camp George such as our first-aid certified staff, our Community Care team, a rotating Jewish faculty from affiliated congregations and organizations, and our on-site medical team. We know that being away from home can sometimes present challenges for campers and staff and we are always looking for ways to encourage positive physical and mental health.
This year, we were so fortunate to receive a grant from the Jewish Teen Board of Greater Toronto and a donation from the the Hecht-Kugelmass Fund for Special Needs, to establish a new feature in camper and staff health and wellness at Camp George: the Zen Den. The Zen Den is a quiet space in an air-conditioned trailer located centrally in camp. It features a carpeted area as well as padded flooring, bean bag chairs and yoga balls. There are puzzles to work on and different items to manipulate as well as interesting lighting to create a calm space. With comfortable seating, calm lighting, and some relaxing activities, the Zen Den is an accessible space for people to use when they are feeling overwhelmed, or just need a break. We are introducing this space to campers and staff and beginning to find opportunities for its positive use.
In support of heath and wellness at camp, each session has a special event called the B’libenu Move-a-Thon. All campers and staff will run, jog, or walk 1, 2 or 5 kilometers to help raise money towards creating a new Mirpa’ah (infirmary) space on camp. We are so proud of this camp-wide initiative that encourages campers and staff to be active and have fun all while working toward the health and wellness of our community.
As your Community Care team, we are thrilled to be a part of so many initiatives that support Camp George and the wellness of everyone in our Kehilah Kedosha, holy community.
Sponsor your child(ren) in the B’libeinu Run by making a donation to support health and wellness at camp and our future Mirpa’ah (Health Centre). You can make an online donation by going to https://campgeorge.org/give/health-and-wellness. Your tax-deductible charitable donation will be directed towards our new Health and Wellness Centre. Connecting to health and wellness within our global community, a portion of the proceeds will also be donated to Save a Child’s Heart, an Israeli based organization that provides free lifesaving surgeries to children in developing countries.
Tweet a message or image using the hashtag #CGblibenu2018. All messages will be shared on our BIG screen in the Chadar Ohel (Dining Hall) at lunchtime! Thank-you in advance for supporting health and wellness at Camp George and we look forward to sharing photos and videos with you from the event!