Summer Camps

Beth Tikvah offers camps for grade school and preschool children.

Confidential Application for Camp Financial Aid -- OSRUI Summer 2012

Camp Tikvah

Where can your 1st through 6th grader grow Jewishly and socially in a warm and nurturing environment during the summer? Camp Tikvah! There is simply nothing else like our day camp. (Children should be incoming 1st graders to incoming 6th graders--with the exception of incoming kindergarteners who have older siblings who are also enrolled in camp.)

Camp Tikvah enjoys the excellent facilities of Beth Tikvah Congregation for its camp program. The two or four week program gives campers a unique and enjoyable Jewish experience.

Camp Tikvah runs two 2-week sessions. Enroll your child in one or both sessions. Camp is a full day experience with drop-off at 9:00 am and pick-up at 3:00 pm.

1 week sessions are available upon request.

Camp Tikvah 2012 dates:

TBA

Building social and group interaction skills is a key component of the camp, and campers expand their abilities to relate to others with caring, respect and, most importantly, an awareness of Jewish values.

Each summer focuses on a different Jewish theme. Some past themes include Tzedakah, Israel, Mitzvot, One World - One People, and Torah Stories.

Be challenged. Each summer our campers enjoy a variety of activities - sports, cooking, art, songs, services, Israeli dancing, daily swimming at Seascape pool, games and field trips. Also, the children conduct a special Friday night Camp Shabbat service for the entire Temple. Some past field trips have included Lincoln Park Zoo, Jelly Belly Factory, Foster Ave. Beach, Chicago Botanical Garden, Navy Pier, Bahai Temple, Spertus Museum, Barrington 30, Northwest Home for the Aged, United Center, Chinatown, Garfield Park Conservatory, Kohl Children's Museum, and Seascape.

Have fun, make friends, and learn with a dedicated camp staff. Rachel Cole, Director of Camp Tikvah, and her staff of senior counselors, song leader and junior counselors strive to meet the individual needs of every camper. With our low camper to counselor ratio, each child has a chance to develop a special relationship with our staff. The success of Camp Tikvah is based on a program designed to build confidence and self-esteem.

Download an information and registration form. Send completed form with $50 deposit to Beth Tikvah Congregation or drop off at the Temple office.

Registration forms have been previously mailed out. Remember that Beth Tikvah members pay a lower rate than nonmembers.

Further Information. Contact Rachel Cole or the Rabbi by calling the Temple office at 847 885-4545. For more information or recommendations, contact past campers! We hope to see you there!

Beth Tikvah Congregation Early Childhood Center Summer Fun Camp - a JCC affiliate

We are here to provide young children with a small, safe and nurturing community to discover, meet new friends and have fun! We want your child to have an extraordinary summer filled with spirit, tradition, friendships and celebration! That's why we call it Summer Fun!

We provide summer fun for children 2 to 4 years old by September 1, 2012, and we offer many different scheduling options. Visit the Early Childhood Summer Fun page for more information about schedules and pricing.

Contact the center director at 847-885-4545 with questions, to request more information, or to schedule a tour. We can't wait to spend the summer with your child!

OSRUI

OSRUI (Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute), which was the first URJ (Union for Reform Judaism) camp in North America, continues to be the pride and joy of the Reform Movement's summer camps. As a member of the URJ, Beth Tikvah's youths are entitled to early registration and reduced fees compared to non-URJ congregations' youths. Since some camp sessions fill up very quickly, be sure to register early so you are not disappointed.

OSRUI offers many different sessions, catering to various tastes and ages. The sessions are geared to children entering 3rd through 12th grades and range in duration from 2 to 7 weeks.

The OSRUI program is a life altering experience for many campers. The focus on Jewish learning cements our children's Jewishness while the group experience forges lifelong friendships. And, of course, swimming, sports, and other activities provide a fun-filled experience.

The Beth Tikvah family tries to make the OSRUI experience affordable for all our youths. The following assistance is available:

Hillel Gamoran Campership Fund
This fund was established to honor Rabbi Emeritus Hillel Gamoran for his 34 years of service to Beth Tikvah. Each Beth Tikvah Religious School student completing 8th grade is eligible to receive a $450 campership to attend OSRUI.

Ahava Campership Fund
The Ahava Campership Fund was established by Margie and Earl Stone in loving honor of their parents, Dolly and Merwyn Dan. The purpose of the fund is to provide camperships for Beth Tikvah children to attend the Chalutzim program at OSRUI and to attend any of the OSRUI summer camp programs with the help of financial need camperships.

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
Donations are made to this fund to thank the Rabbi for his efforts in performance of clergy duties. Some of the funds are used for OSRUI scholarships.

Sisterhood
Sisterhood supports the Beth Tikvah youth who attend OSRUI by providing scholarships for every entering 6th grader who attends a camp session. Sisterhood also gives every attending youth a special Beth Tikvah/OSRUI t-shirt that they proudly wear at camp.

Temple Budget
The Temple demonstrates its support by including money in the annual operating budget for youth scholarships to OSRUI. Contact the Rabbi for further information or to request financial assistance.

Beth Tikvah strongly supports Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI), the fabulous Reform Movement's summer camp in beautiful Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. For more information, see the OSRUI multi-color brochure, which is available around the first of the year, or view the website www.OSRUI.org