Sephardic Adventure Camp.org

Here you will find the answers to most of your important questions. Of course, if you need any further information, feel free to Contact Us at any time.

Q1	What makes Sephardic Adventure Camp unique?
Q2	How long does Sephardic Adventure Camp last?
Q3	What is your camper to counselor ratio?
Q4	Is Sephardic Adventure Camp a religious camp?
Q5	Where are your campers from?
Q6	How do we communicate with our children during the summer?
Q7	Do kids get to leave camp at all during the summer?
Q8	What are the qualifications of your staff?
Q9	What is the age group for campers attending Sephardic Adventure Camp?
Q10	How are campers assigned their bunks?
Q11	What about medical facilities and personnel?
Q12	What if my child has no camping experience?

A1	What makes Sephardic Adventure Camp unique? We believe that the best way to strengthen a child's Jewish background is to provide a Jewish playground. SAC can be your child's Sephardic Jewish playground. Situated in the beautiful Northwest and surrounded by the Cascades and the Olympic mountains, we combine the best in American camping with a strong love for the Sephardic tradition. We offer children a summer filled with fun, friendships, laughter, excitement, adventure, and learning. Sephardic Adventure Camp provides a safe and healthy environment in which Jewish youngsters can explore and enjoy their world, while learning about their heritage and developing their senses of creativity, sportsmanship, and individuality.
A2	How long does Sephardic Adventure Camp last? Camp will be in session for 18 days, including two Shabbatot, beginning June 20 and ending on July 7.
A3	What is your camper to counselor ratio? Our ratio is typically 4-5 campers for every counselor.
A4	Is Sephardic Adventure Camp a religious camp? Yes it is. Sephardic Adventure Camp is a program run jointly by Cong. Ezra Bessaroth and Sephardic Bikur Holim Congregation, two orthodox Seattle synagogues rich in Sephardic tradition. Prayer services are held everyday, and Shabbat is strictly observed. All the food is certified kosher and is prepared in the camp's kitchen, which is supervised by our mashgiach and under the direction of the orthodox rabbinate of both synagogues. Rabbi Benzaquen and Rabbi Cohen-Scali, in addition other religious leaders from the Seattle Sepharduc community, all participate in many religious (and non-religious) programs with the children throughout the camping session.
A5	Where are your campers from? While most of our campers reside in Washington, we do get campers from all around the United States, particularly California and Oregon. We tend to also enroll campers from New York, Florida, Canada, and Israel.
A6	How do we communicate with our children during the summer? Sending mail or care packages early is a good idea to ensure your child will receive them on time. If you prefer not take any chances, you may address your correspondence to the camp and give it to one of our camp directors before the first day of camp. They will make sure your child will receive the mail on whichever day(s) you prefer, just as if it came in the mail. The mailing address to camp during the summer only is: SAC, c/o Camp Bishop, 1476 W. Lost Lake Rd., Shelton, WA 98454.
A7	Do kids get to leave camp at all during the summer? Field trips are planned and vary from year to year. In the past, these trips have included overnights, trips to a water theme park, hiking, boating, and sightseeing.
A8	What are the qualifications of your staff? We have an experienced, mature staff, most of whom are former SAC campers and well known to us. They include specialists in music, swimming, archery, sports, arts & crafts, and teffilot (prayer). Our staff is committed to ensuring each camper has a safe and exciting summer, while at the same time serving as fine, personal examples of dedicated Sephardic Jews.
A9	What is the age group for campers attending Sephardic Adventure Camp? Sephardic Adventure Camp serves campers who will be entering Third through Eleventh grade in the school year following the current summer session.
A10	How are campers assigned their bunks? Campers are divided into bunks, first by gender and then by age group. The following grades are grouped together: entering Third and Fourth graders; entering Fifth and Sixth graders; entering Seventh, Eighth and Ninth graders; followed by our Counselors In Training, who are entering Tenth and Eleventh graders. We also take requests from parents and campers, if the age difference is not too far off.
A11	What about medical facilities and personnel? Sephardic Adventure Camp has a small clinic with a trained medical person on premises at all times. In an emergency, we will transport your child to the nearest medical facility or call 911. There is a hospital within 15 minutes of the camp.
A12	What if my child has no camping experience? First-time campers (and his or her parent) are often apprehensive about their first experience at sleep away camp. Not to worry – our experienced counselors will be there to help guide them. Reassuring your child before camp about the positive experience he or she is bound to have (making new friends, enjoying the outdoors, participating in fun activities, etc.) is also a big help.