Gan Israel is part of the largest and fastest growing network of Jewish day camps in the world. Gan Israel enjoys a well-earned reputation as a trendsetter with innovative ideas, creative programs and new activities.
 
Many a child has been known to wait all year to come back to Gan Israel!  Camp will have two divisions. Kiddie Camp for boys and girls ages 3-4 and our Older Division for boys and girls ages 5-10. Campers enjoy a wide range of exciting activities and field trips in a warm and vivacious atmosphere. Camp Gan Israel is like dozens of specialty camps all rolled into one. Sports. Art.
Science. Magic. You name it, we’ve got it. We enjoy a well-earned reputation as a rendsetter.
We work hard each year to incorporate innovative ideas, creative programs, and brand new activities to make Camp Gan Israel the absolute BEST summer program available ANYWHERE!
Our camp is the summer home for St. Louis' finest coaches and instructors. They'll work with your child to learn new skills, broaden their horizons, and develop self-esteem. Together, they’ll turn each day into an adventure. In a single day, your child could learn how to survive in the wilderness, fly a model rocket, create a ceramic masterpiece, and take a cooking lesson. All while enjoying lots of stories, songs, making new friendships, and experiencing the joy of their Jewish heritage.
 
Our fast growing Kiddie Camp offers a wonderful opportunity for youngsters 3-5 to have their first experience in a real summer camp. The children are guided in organized activity, play & social skills by certified, loving, patient and caring staff. Emphasis for this age group is placed on both indoor and outdoor activities in a specially designed preschool setting. Each new week focuses on a different Judaic theme that is brought to life through art, stories, games and fun! Your child will also receive the best professional instruction and most exciting activities that
St. Louis has to offer. Staffed by experienced counselors. Our kiddies are growing fast, this is the place to be!  
        
Our picturesque camp site at, serving both camp divisions, contain beautiful facilities,well suited to a full program of sports, games, crafts, dramatics and other enriching camp activities. Our experienced staffers work to develop skills, confidence and a sense of fair play within each child.

The real secret to our success lies in our outstanding staff!

Our specialists are complemented by a team of counselors painstakingly chosen from hundreds of applicants from across the U.S. They must be trained in first-aid, CPR, and possess the ability to love and nurture each individual child. The result is a team that is energetic, fun loving, attentive, and guaranteed to keep your kids stimulated and growing with each passing day. It is no wonder our campers return day-after-day, summer- after-summer.

This website will provide you with all necessary information regarding camp. However if you have any concerns, questions or suggestions, please feel free to call.

Sincerely,

Chanala Rubenfeld

The Camp Director

More About Our Camp

“No one puts more care into the care of your child.”

Gan Israel is much more than a physical break from the school routine and winter activities. It’s a comprehensive program designed to strengthen the body and soul. It provides your child with a rich and wholesome summer vacation of fun and excitement along with friendship and meaningful educational experiences. 

Staff

Child development is the most significant ingredient in a healthy camp experience. This is why our staff is the real secret to our success. Our experienced counselors are known for their personal warmth and ability to care for each child as an individual. Many staff members return year after year, lending experience and continuity to all programs. Each counselor is a role model for our children, promising them friendship which will last forever! Their love for the children is surpassed only by the children’s love for them.

Culture 
Gan Israel campers are imbued with a deep sense of pride in their Jewish heritage and a love for the land of Israel. Weekly Judaic themes are taught through exciting activities, stories, songs, games and contests, which are part of the unique Gan Israel experience. Combined with group discussions and educational programs, these events bring to life the beauty and values of our tradition.  

Transportation

Transportation from University City will be available for an additional fee. Further details to come!

Lunch

Camp Gan Israel will provide a hot lunch for your child every day! This is included in the tuition. Please click here for our lunch menu.

Activities & Special Events 
We are pleased to annouce the return of an updated and more sophisticated Create-a-Camp. Campers will have the option three times a week to choose from different clubs which ones they would like participate in. Campers must choose their clubs for Create-a-Camp before camp starts. They can choose from Drama, Science Adventures, Chef's Kitchen, Sports Leagues and many many more. More information to come! These clubs will last for one hour each session. Any child that does not wish to participate in a Club will continue with regular camp activities.

Drama - The children will learn how to put on a play from beginning to end with a professional Drama teacher. They will design their own costumes, practice their parts, create props and backdrops, create the musical accompaniment and will get to perform for the entire Camp Gan Israel family.

Chef's Kitchen - The children will learn with a master Chef how to cook a full four course meal from soups to desserts. They will create their own cookbook. Additionally, they will learn how to set a table and proper dinning edicite. The culmination will be preparing a grand dinner for the Camp Gan Israel Family.

Science Adventures - The children will explore and take part in all kinds of science experiments with a Science Lab Educator. They will learn about the stars and get a chance to gaze at them and recognize the differences in the stars. They will explore the ins and outs of different animals as well as have the chacne to make their own science creations such as silly puddy and slimy goop.

Sports Leagues - This will be an intense sports session with teams, competitions and awards. Sports Leagues will be instructed by a sports professional.

Our weekly program is enhanced with sports instruction, movement classes, carnivals, dress-up days, overnights,  hiking, bunk competition, Shabbos parties, Challah baking, and .. oh... so much more. Under the direction of our experienced crafts director, campers will have the opportunity to design and take home some wonderful projects.

Trips On The Go 
Gan Israel’s “Trip Days”, which are well known, are geared to the children’s interests, are scheduled a few times a week and feature excursions to many local attractions.