SANDY AXEL, president of Congregation Neveh Shalom, leads a Batik fabric painting funshop for campers at Camp Gan Israel last summer. Other “Funshops” included scrapbooking, hands-on environmental studies and even how to train a “blind dog.”

Gan Israel adds session for young campers

By Jewish Review

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Responding to the needs of parents of young children, Gan Israel Day Camp-Portland has added an extra two-week session this summer for the community’s youngest campers.

Camp sessions for all ages from 2½ to 11 are slated for June 23-July 3, July 7-18 and July 21-Aug. 1. A fourth session of Mini Gan Izzy was added Aug. 4-15 for campers 2½ to 4.

“The greatest need is for younger kids,” said Rabbi Chayim Mishulovin, who with his wife Simi serves as camp co-director. “There are less options for the young kids and parents have to work. Especially for 2½-year-olds, there aren’t many options for proper day camp. And we offer half- or full-day options with extra care available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.”

Mishulovin stressed that the camp operated by Chabad of Oregon is not just for religious kids, “It’s for everybody.” He said the camp routinely draws children from all the community’s synagogues as well as unaffiliated families.

“The point of the camp is to give children a fun, exciting experience in a Jewish environment that any kid can feel comfortable in,” said Mishulovin. “All the Jewish activities are done in an exciting hands-on ways such as story, song, activity, game, arts and crafts.”

While camp is structured for five-days-a-week participation, a limited number of part-time slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information on CGI-Portland, visit www.CGIPortland.com, e-mail info@CGIPortland.com or call 503-246-KIDS (5437).