Camp George FAQ
While this website provides a lot of information, you may have many more questions. Below are the answers to a few commonly-asked questions. Please email us at: campgeorge@urj.org or call (416) 638-2635 us if you have a question that is not answered here.
What is the history of URJ Camp George?
Since 1951, when the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) opened its first camp in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, Reform Jewish camping has been an integral part of the Reform Jewish experience in North America. For years without a camp at home, dozens of Canadian campers would travel each summer to one of the URJ’s eleven premier camping facilities throughout the United States. In 1999 a fifteen-year-old dream became a reality when the URJ opened its first and only Canadian camp – Camp George.
Since 1999 Camp George has served thousands of campers and has played a significant role in the strengthening of the Reform Jewish movement in Canada. Camp George enables Canadian Jewish youth to participate in Reform Jewish camping while enjoying the beauty and serenity of the Northern Ontario camping experience. At Camp George, Jewish youth from all over Canada and the United States participate in a unique camping experience that blends the best of Reform camping with the historic traditions of Ontario camping. Within this community participants forge life-long friendships and experience a truly transformative Jewish experience.
Does Camp George offer financial assistance?
Yes, Camp George strives to assist families to help make camp accessible for all. This means working with our families, partnership organizations and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, to access financial support to offset the cost of Camp. The fee assistance process takes each family’s individual circumstances into consideration. The process is completely confidential and varies depending on where a camper resides. Please click here to learn more about our scholarship opportunities.
What happens if my child gets sick at camp?
See our Health Centre page: https://campgeorge.org/health-care-at-camp/ for more information on our medical policies!
What if my child has special dietary needs or food allergies?
Camp George is peanut and tree-nut free, and seed sensitive. All food is ingredient kosher and nut-free. We are able to accommodate a variety of food needs including allergies and sensitivities. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free meals are always available. We do our best to accommodate campers with special food needs. Please click here to view more information about our food at Camp.
How does my child get to and from Camp George? What about their luggage?
Information will be sent to families regarding details about our transportation service and luggage drop off. For more specific questions reach out to campgeorge@urj.org
Can my child request to bunk with their friends?
Campers can request 2 friends to bunk with. Once you are registered, this question is asked as a part of the Camp forms. We guarantee to honour at least one request. Please remember that one of our goals at Camp is for every camper to make new friends and uphold our values of Kehila and inclusivity.
When is Visitor's day?
We have one visitor’s day for each session. Information about each visitor’s day will be sent to families prior to that day.
Do you offer B’nai/Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutoring?
Yes! At Camp George, we have Bnai/Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutoring support, and we offer one-on-one tutoring if your b’nai mitvah is before January of the following school year. Each week, a member of our education faculty will meet with the camper once. All materials should be sent with your child to camp. Camp’s Jewish Education program is designed to review and practice with the campers.
How do you celebrate Camper’s Birthdays at Camp?
Birthday celebrations at camp are AWESOME! Counselors make every effort to ensure the day is special for your child. Camp honors each birthday with a sing-along at meals, cake for their cabin, and celebration. Campers are also allowed to call home on their birthday so their family can wish them a happy day!
Where are your campers from?
Camp George’s campers come from all over North America and Israel. Majority of our campers are from the Greater Toronto Area. The other communities that we draw campers from are part of the Northeast lakes region: Ontario Canada; northern New York; Cleveland, OH, and its suburbs; and Erie, PA. As well as other areas in Canada like British Columbia, and Quebec!
What is your cell phone and technology policy?
Camp George does not allow any devices that are able to connect to wifi. Portable devices, tablets and cell phones (with SIM cards) are not allowed in camp for campers at any time. These items will be taken away and returned at the end of the camper’s session (see memo re: electronics in camp). Please adhere to this policy.
How do you hire and train your staff?
We are fortunate to have 90% of our summer staff team who have grown up in our Camp George community. They have also completed our Counselor in Training CIT program, a full summer leadership program of hands-on learning and placements with cabins and specialty areas. These staff have grown up living the values of Camp George and now to give back to the place that’s given them so much. We also hire staff internationally from Israel, UK, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, and more to add to our cultural diversity and camp experience.
All staff is personally screened and selected by one of our camp directors to ensure the highest standards are met. Every staff member requires a background check and must be certified in CPR and First Aid at a minimum. A large amount of our leadership team is also Mental Health First Aid Certified (MHFA). Before camp begins, all staff participate in an intensive staff training program in addition to ongoing training throughout the summer, that covers topics including but not limited to: Camper care, mental health, emergency procedures, programming, DEI Diversity Equity and Inclusion training, and much more!
How do you handle diversity and inclusion at Camp George?
The make-up of the Union for Reform Judaism and our programs is as diverse as our population, therefore our communities represent that vibrant and unique fabric that makes up the Reform Jewish community. Through our policies and our programs, we work to reflect the URJ’s core value of Audacious Hospitality. We stand for a Judaism that is inclusive and reflective of a wide range of identities.
Please click here to view our page on the “You Belong” initiative here at Camp George.
Please click here to view our Gender Inclusive Practices & Policies.