The Kadimah Program

At Camp Kadimah, Jewish and secular programming is combined to foster Jewish identity and overall confidence in an active, fun environment. Camp offers a wide variety of specialties including land sports, instructional swimming, water skiing, sailing, canoe and kayaking, drama, arts and crafts, scouting, Israeli song and dance, and other cultural programming. Campers are also able to choose electives “chugim” that rotate throughout the summer.

WATCH: A LETTER HOME

Peulot (activities)

SWIM

Kadimah proudly offers daily swim lessons for all of our campers. We use the Red Cross Swim Kids standard, and offer lessons from Level 1 up to the Bronze Medallion courses for our most advanced swimmers. Lake William is an incredible place to pass your levels and grow increasingly comfortable in the water.

WATER SKI

Whether you’re a veteran skier or a first-timer, our dedicated water ski staff will show you how to ride the wake and speed along Lake William.

SAIL

There’s nothing quite like stepping into a sailboat on a breezy day on Lake William. Our sail staff will show you the ropes (literally), and help campers pass their badges and become expert sailors.

CANOE

What’s better than going for a nice relaxing canoe ride on a warm sunny day? Not much! Learn the tricks of the trade with Kadimah’s fine canoe specialists, who teach campers how to properly paddle, and perform various maneuvers in the water, including T-Rescues and exits and entries.

Kayak/Pedal-boats

Camp Kadimah itself is a beautiful place, but the lagoon really takes the cake. Try racing your friends through the kayak obstacle course or floating beside waterlilies. Also, new for summer 2019, camp will have four brand new four-seater pedal-boats to cruise around the lagoon and take in the Maritime scenery.

Sports

Kadimah’s sports program includes all the classics, including: basketball, floor hockey, softball, tennis, flag-football, ultimate-frisbee, and more. Throughout the summer our campers have the opportunity to learn and refine their skills in each sport, and play in fun filled games.

Bama (במה)

Aaand action! Bama, hebrew for theatre or stage, is Kadimah’s drama program. Learn to improv, build up your confidence in front of a group, and channel your inner Lin-Manuel Miranda with our great Bama specialists.

Mel-Yad

From the hebrew word Melyadai Yad (מלידי יד), meaning “from the hand”, Mel-Yad is Kadimah’s arts and crafts program. Unleash your creativity with various projects throughout the summer (including painting, pottery, tie-dye and much more) and show off your work with our Mel-Yad Expo on Visiting Day!

Rikud (ריקוד)

Think you have the moves like Jagger? Rikud, Hebrew for dance, is the perfect opportunity for our campers to learn all of their favourite Kadimah dances! From the classic box step to the shimmy and shake, we’ve got it all.

Shira (שירה)

Shira, hebrew for singing, is where all the camp classics are taught so all of our campers are ready to join in when we are sitting around the campfire. We cover the oldies as we all contemporary Israeli music. Play an instrument? Bring it along! We love a good jam session.

Tzofiut (צופיות)

Tzofiut, or scouting, is where our campers learn how to survive in the wilderness. Pitch some tents, tie some knots, learn archery, and develop important team-building and collaborative skills in the great outdoors.

Sababa (סבבה)

Awesome, cool, wicked.. Sababa is hebrew slang that can be used in almost any context. Kadimah’s incredible Israeli staff develop and run engaging programs about all things Israel. From cooking Israeli pita and shakshooka, to learning about Israeli society, the Sababa Tent is always an adventure.

Celebrating Shabbat at Kadimah

To many campers and staff, Shabbat is the highlight of the week. Shabbat begins with a camper-led Kabbalat Shabbat (Friday evening) service at the camp’s amphitheatre. Kadimah’s service is geared to the diversity of our camper population: a combination of english and hebrew prayer, along with music, songs and skits, allows campers from all backgrounds to appreciate and participate in this special evening service.

Following Kabbalat Shabbat, the camp comes together for a beautiful Shabbat dinner, where we do the traditional blessings over the wine (grape juice!), challah and enjoy a lovely meal.

After dinner is when the real fun begins. At Kadimah, we have a long-standing tradition that occurs every Friday night, after Shabbat dinner, called Oneg Shabbat. It involves the entire camp dancing and singing a series of songs and performing Kadimah’s classic dances. From the Gibbies to CITs, everyone comes ready to jump, dance, sing and sweat!

On Saturday mornings, Kadimah offers a wide range of engaging Jewish programs run by our Cornerstone Fellows (read about the Cornerstone program below). These 45-60 minute programs provide our campers with a unique way to connect to their Jewish identities, regardless of educational background or experience.

Camp Wide Programs

Maccabia

The 4 day marquee event of the summer. 5 teams compete in our camp wide colour-war. A highlight for campers from Giborim to Machar, and a chance for all sections to come together and participate in competitions including boating, arts and craft, swim, track and field, trivia, and much more!

Richard Siegel Hockey Marathon

In honour of the late Richard Siegel, our Kochotniks and Macharniks compete in a full day ball hockey tournament. With teams for all skill levels, Hockey Marathon is a pinnacle of the summer.

Haganah

This camp-wife event recreates the challenging journey to Israel from Europe in the 1940s, culminating with an incredible celebration upon arriving in the Land of Milk and Honey. Campers from all sections are divided into families where they create elaborate background stories and plan their path to Israel.

Israel Day

A combination of camp-wide programs and sectional activities that celebrate the wonders Israeli society and culture have to offer. Run by our CITs and Israeli staff members, campers participate in a number of events including classic Israeli folk dances, pita making, and trivia, with the day culminating in a camp-wide carnival and Tel-Aviv beach party.

Tripping Program & Out Trips

Each section participates in an overnight camping experience during the summer. These overnights take our campers under the stars and around the campfire for an evening filled with songs and s’mores.

With so many campers coming from outside the Nova Scotia, Camp Kadimah has the opportunity to offer the experience of exploring the Canadian Maritimes. For Giborim, Goshrim, and Kochot, day-trips involve an adventure to the beach followed by ice cream in Lunenberg (a UNESCO heritage site). The Machar section travels to Halifax for their day off and visits local historic sites like Pier 21 and Peggy’s Cove.

For CITs, during the four days of Maccabia, this section participate in a 5 day trip throughout the Maritime provinces.

Typical Day

7:40am - Wake Up
8:00am - Mifkad (flag pole)
8:15am - Breakfast
8:50am - Make Your Bed!
9:15am - Peulah 1 (Arts)
10:00am - Morning Snack
10:30am - Peulah 2 (Sports)
11:30am - Peulah 3 (Swim)
12:35pm - Lunch
1:15pm - Rest Period
2:15pm - Peulah 4 (Boating)
3:00pm - Afternoon Snack
3:30pm - General Swim
4:30pm - Chugs (choice activity)
5:15pm - Free Time / Showers
6:00pm - Mifkad
6:15pm - Dinner
7:15pm - Evening Programs

PARENT FAQ

1WHAT DO I DO IF MY CHILD HAS MEDICATION?

Please ensure that all medications are listed clearly on all the health and medical forms. All medications will be collected from campers and stored in the infirmary for distribution. All medications must be clearly labelled and sufficient quantities must be packed to last the entire duration of the summer.

2IS THERE A DOCTOR AT CAMP?

There is a doctor and two nurses on-site at all times.

3HOW ACCURATE IS THE PACKING LIST?

The packing list is an accurate guide for the summer. Quantities may vary depending on whether your child is at camp for 2 weeks, 4 weeks, or 6 weeks. No fancy clothes are necessary, but campers may wish to bring a collared shirt or sun dress for our end of summer banquet.

4CAN MY KIDS BRING FOOD AND CANDY TO CAMP?

Almost all campers arrive at camp on Day 1 with a small stash of candy. On the first night of camp, each cabin takes part in cabin-wide a candy party. Instant friendships are developed and this inviting atmosphere sets the tone for the upcoming summer ahead. Please be reasonable when packing treats and remember we are kosher and nut-free camp. After the first night candy party, cabins are checked and any leftover food/candy is removed. Please do not mail any food in packages.

5DO MY KIDS NEED MONEY?

Camp Kadimah covers all costs on all out-trips from camp. For CITs, who participate in a 5-day trip throughout the Canadian Maritimes, it is recommended they bring $50-$100 of spending money for souvenirs and snacks.

6WHAT TYPE OF ELECTRONICS ARE ALLOWED?

Camp Kadimah is a screen-free environment. This means no devices with screens are allowed at camp, such as: ipod touch, ipads, and game consoles. Please do not send cell phones to be used as music players. The only acceptable device is an iPod shuffle or comparable music player without a screen. We are proud to be a screen-free environment thats allows campers to disconnect from the rapidly growing digital world and spend time being present with friends at camp.

7HOW DOES LAUNDRY WORK?

Camp laundry is picked up on Friday, and returned the following Friday. Thus, full summer campers, will need to pack two weeks worth of clothing.

8WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS FOOD ALLERGIES / DIET RESTRICTIONS?

Camp Kadimah is an entirely nut-free and kosher camp. Please list all allergies and/or dietary restrictions on your camper application and we will help identify the best solution for your child.

9HOW DO I CONTACT MY CHILD AT CAMP?

Parents can write both letters and emails through CampInTouch to their child while at camp. Mail is delivered daily to campers during rest period (after lunch).

10HOW OFTEN SHOULD I EXPECT TO SEE NEW PICTURES & VIDEOS OF CAMP?

Videos are uploaded to our Vimeo channel every Friday before Shabbat. Approximately 100 pictures are uploaded to your CampInTouch account at the conclusion of each day. Please do not expect to see your child in a picture every day, but our photography team works diligently to ensure multiple appearances weekly.

11WHAT DOES CAMP LOOK LIKE?

Look at a map of camp

The Cornerstone Fellowship Program

Kadimah is a proud participant in the Cornerstone Fellowship program. Being a part of the Cornerstone Fellowship includes attending a 5-day seminar in the spring, and bringing new ideas, programs and initiatives back to camp. At the Cornerstone Seminar, 400 staff members from Jewish camps across North America come together for workshops, song sessions, and campfires, learning from seasoned faculty and from each other. Fellows share “magic” and ideas among their camps, creating a new type of camp community.

CLOTHING

Camp Kadimah proudly offers a wide-range of CK ‘swag’. We encourage all campers to wear Kadimah clothing loud and proud during the year. Camp Kadimah operates a seasonal online clothing store each spring. All families have the opportunity to order clothing prior to the beginning of camp. Clothing is also available for purchase at camp on Visiting Day.