Conference taveng::bagels

    If you mean a religiuos camp then the following won't help.
    
    The Workman's Circle(Arbeiter Ring), is an organization in NY that
    runs camps(maybe only one by now). They were originally a Jewish 
    Labor Union, that became a fraternal organization, and some people
    in it are fairly political.
    
    They have a camp in upstate NY on Sylvan Lake, in Hopewell Junction.
    They are headquartered in New York City.

    Well, It's been a long time since I've gone to a camp, but I can
    recommend ones that I've heard good things about.
    
    First:  Camp Young Judaea, Amherst, NH.  It's not formally affiliated
    with the Young Judaea movement (Hadassah).  There's a winter office
    in the Brookline area.  When I was there (17-19 years ago), the
    program was decent, the food was kosher, and the facilities were
    great.  A friend of mine was a program director at the camp as recently
    as 3 years ago.  She also spoke very highly of the camp (and of
    course, the program).
    
    When I was going, CYJ was having inter-camp programs with other
    camps in the area (Tel Noar, Yavneh, Tevye).  I know absolutely
    nothing about these camps.
    
    Another one you might try out is Laurelwood in Madison, CT. (203)
    421-3736.  I have not attended the camping program, but Connecticut
    Region USY has its Summer Encampment there at the end of the season.
    The food is Kosher (I don't know who supervises), the facilities
    are wonderful.  It's definitely worth a visit to check it out. 
    Madison, CT is about 30 miles south and slightly east of Hartford.
        I don't believe that the camp population is exclusively Jewish.
    I don't know how this affects Jewish programming at the camp.
    
    Lastly, ever considered Camp Ramah in Palmer, MA? Camp Ramah has
    a winter office in Brookline on Harvard Street.  Judaic content
    is excellent.  Over the years, several USYers that I know of have
    gone through Camp Ramah and they come out with a wonderful
    (Conservative) Jewish background.  For a Conservative Jewish summer
    experience, it seems to be the best around.

    I remember that there were two camps in Maine, Naomi and Joseph.
    I can't say whether they still exist or not.  Perhaps you could
    contact the Jewish Community Council in Boston.
    
    David

    How old are your kids? 
    
    How religious are you, and are you looking for for your kids this
    summer?
    
    re -2
    
    Camp Young Judaea was a great camping experience for me.  I was
    there for 10 summers (from camper to counselor).
    
    At Camp Ramah and Camp Yavneh your kids will pray everyday.  At
    Tel Noar, Tevya, and CYJ (see above) they will observe Shabbat.
    Camp Naticook is also in that 1-hour-from-Boston-in-Hew-Hampshire
    group, and is about 70%, if my memory serves me correctly, Jewish.
    
    I suggest the Jewish Advocate for listings of camps, as well as
    other Jewish publications. 

    I would highly recommend Camp Yavneh in Northwood, N.H.  Jewish
    children of all different backgrounds attend (Reform, Orthodox,
    Conservative) and this diversity allows children to experience all
    facets of Judaism (at their own will,  of course).  They have a winter
    office at Hebrew College on Hawes St. in Brookline, MA ,  and I
    strongly encourage you to contact them for more information if you want
    your children to have an enriching social as well as religious
    experience this summer.  Members of my family have been attending the
    camp for many years (siblings, cousins, uncle, etc.) and we all differ
    in our Jewish religious observance,  and all of us are extremely
    satisfied with the Camp,  its activities and staff. 

    Dave,
    
    I live a half mile from CYJ, a beautiful place, on the shores
    of the lake.                 
    
    If you decide to bring your children to CYJ [and anybody else
    coming this way], I'd love to meet you. I invite you to stop at 
    our house for refreshment...the road to CYJ goes right past my
    house. 
    
    Shalom,
    
    Irena
     

RE: .-1
	Sorry, too late. We visited CYJ (and Tel Noar) a couple of weeks ago.
CYJ looks like a lovely camp to me but my wife was turned off by the grafitti
on the cabin walls and by a few other minor items.

RE: .*
	Thank you for all your replies. I had already known about several of
those camps but some were new to me. I also thought it would be good to have
your personal endorsements entered in BAGELS for other parents who might also
be looking.

Dave

   Dave,    
       
    	>Sorry, too late. We visited CYJ (and Tel Noar) a couple of weeks ago.
>CYJ looks like a lovely camp to me but my wife was turned off by the grafitti
>on the cabin walls and by a few other minor items.
 
Bear in mind that, come spring, there is a tremendous amount of activity
at the camp, painting, repairing and sprucing up...you may have seen
the camp at a bad time, the lull before it comes alive again. 
    
    Well, anybody else that comes this way, the invitation still stands.
["Open heart, open home' ;^)]. 
    
    Irena
            

       Dave,    
       
>>    	>Sorry, too late. We visited CYJ (and Tel Noar) a couple of weeks ago.
>>  >CYJ looks like a lovely camp to me but my wife was turned off by the 
>>  >grafitti on the cabin walls and by a few other minor items.
>>   
>>  Bear in mind that, come spring, there is a tremendous amount of activity
>>  at the camp, painting, repairing and sprucing up...you may have seen
>>  the camp at a bad time, the lull before it comes alive again. 
    
    First, the graffiti is a tradition at CYJ.  My name should even
    be up there somewhere in bunk 9.  Some names up there were old when
    I went to the camp.  Your children will probably love writing their
    names on the walls.
    
    As far as the painting, sprucing, etc., very little is done to the
    bunks themselves other than a thorough cleaning.  The litany of
    names are permanently inscribed on those walls.  I hope they are
    never desecrated by a good paint job.

My twins finally made it to CYJ this August. I am happy to report they had
a very good time there.

For those of you who may be interested, the camp director, Mr. Rottman, is
retiring at the end of this year.

Dave

    Dave,
    
    I am new to the notes conference(and to Digital, June '92) and I just
    say your note on camps.  I wish I could have seen it when you put it
    in.  I live in Atlanta, Ga now, but I grew up in Peabody, Mass. 
    Growing up my mother got remarried and when my parents went on their
    honeymoon, the kids went to camp.  I was 7('71) and I was not thrilled
    about being away from mom for a month.  I eventually got over it and
    went back year after year(10 to be exact).  I went to Camp Joseph and
    Camp Naomi for 5 years and I loved it.  I made great friends and I
    remember crying when the summer was over, cause I did not want to go
    home.
    
    My mother was not happy one summer when the board broke on the swimming
    dock & I fell through it, so she checked out other camps and I
    eventually went to Camp Lakeridge in Waterville ME.  It was a smaller
    camp, and not as jewish as Naomi & Joseph, but it was great fun.  I
    have great memories of camp and when I eventually have kids (I am 29
    and still single), they will be going to camp.  It is a great learning
    experience and I think kids learn independance.
    
    I am happy parents still send thier kids to camp and I hope yours
    enjoyed it as much as I did.
    
    Regards
    Bryna Gesson DTN:343-1048

Indeed, they enjoyed it very much and are planning to go back next summer.

Dave

    Food for thought.
    
    Because camp is most kids' favorite Jewish experience, and Sunday
    school is kids most detested Jewish experience, my new synagogue
    decided to dispense with weekly Sunday school and instead have a
    monthly all-afternoon camp on a Sunday, capped with a parents and kids
    potluck dinner!
    
    The 9-12 year old kids will also have a weekday afternoon Hebrew lesson
    plus Bar/Bat Mitzvah prep as the time approaches.
    
    There are lots of creative proposals for our monthly camp, including
    special t-shirts!
    
    L