by jwhitesman | Jun 19, 2022 | Camps & NFTY, For the Blog, Friendships, Leadership, Summer, Traditions, Why Camp
You know you’re doing something right when children are excited about a road. It’s literally just a road. It’s not Main Street at Disneyland (although to many it feels like it). To some, Jordan Road is simply a few miles of winding pavement connecting the...**Camp Kalsman’s CIT (Counselor in Training) program for 11th graders **
Campers currently in 11th grade can spend the summer as a Counselor in Training (CIT). During the first two weeks of this program, Machonikim will spend their mornings learning leadership, communication, collaboration, and programming skills. Their afternoons will be spent enjoying all the great fun programming Camp Kalsman has to offer! In the last three weeks of the Machon program, our counselors in training move into cabins with younger cabins to gain hands on experience as leaders at camp, while still experiencing the afternoon activities as campers. Machon campers take a trip off camp between sessions Aleph and Bet. Learn more about the Machon program and application process.
12 days, 2 or 3 Weeks for 6th and 7th Graders
Spending 12 days, 2 weeks or 3 weeks together means these campers will try out even more activities and experience even more community building and fun during their time at camp. Daily unit programs give campers the chance to explore their favorite activity areas on camp. All Tzofim three week campers will have the opportunity to try out the Giant Swing and the High Ropes Course during their time at Kalsman. Daily Jewish experiences help build Jewish identity and lifelong community.
12 days, 2- or 3 Weeks for 4th and 5th Graders
2 weeks not enough? Current 4th and 5th graders can join us for Kochavim for 12 days, 2 weeks or a 3 week program that allows campers to experience even more of what camp has to offer. During daily unit programming, Kochavim campers will also have the opportunity to spend time at the URJ Camp Kalsman Alpine Climbing Tower, farm, art room, and so much more. A special half hour of bunk time allows these campers to build lifelong friendships with their cabin mates. Daily t’filah (prayer) and shira (song session) help Kochavim campers build their Jewish identity and learn about what it means to be part of a Jewish community. Kochavim campers will experience an on camp overnight in one of Camp Kalsman’s beautiful campsites. Time at camp will allow your Kochavim camper to develop strong bonds with their cabin, unit, and camp. They’ll leave camp with a bigger Jewish community than ever before!
2 Weeks for 4th and 5th graders
A 2 week option for current 4th and 5th grade campers, Nemerim campers will have the opportunity to dive more deeply into activities that they love. During the daily unit program block, Nemerim campers spend time at the Alpine Climbing Tower, farm, art room, and so much more. Daily t’filah (prayer) and shira (song session) help Nemerim campers build their Jewish identity and learn about what it means to be part of a Jewish community. A special half hour of bunk time allows these campers to build lifelong friendships with their cabin mates. Nemerim campers will experience an on camp overnight in one of Camp Kalsman’s beautiful campsites. At the end of the 2 weeks, Nemerim campers will come home saying, “I LOVE BEING JEWISH!”
1-Week for 3rd and 4th Graders
Nitzotzot campers currently in 3rd and 4th grade have the option of coming to camp for 8 days (7 nights) in Bet. Nitzotzot campers have two electives, daily free swim and unit programming in addition to daily t’filah (prayer) and shira (song session) with all of camp. All Nitzotzot campers will experience a cookout and s’mores with their cabin. Nitzotzot campers experience the magic of Jewish camp in everything they do.
1-Week for 1st and 2nd Graders
Coogarim campers currently in 1st and 2nd grade join us at camp for 8 days (7 nights) in Bet sessions. While at camp, Coogarim campers get to experience the best that Kalsman has to offer! Coogarim campers have two electives, daily free swim and unit programming in addition to daily t’filah (prayer) and shira (song session) with all of camp. All Coogarim campers will get will be treated to a cookout and s’mores with their cabin. Coogarim campers will pray, learn, and live in a Jewish setting with other campers from throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Director, Marketing & Communications
(Pronouns: She/Her/Hers)
Rachel has been a part of the URJ West Camps team since 2016, as the Associate Director for 6 Points Sports – CA as well as for Camp Newman. She is excited to now be supporting both West Coast camps: Kalsman and Newman as the Director of Marketing and Communications. Rachel earned Masters in Jewish Non-Profit Management along with a Masters in Public Administration from USC and following graduate school, worked for BJE: Builders of Jewish Education and American Jewish Committee (AJC) in Los Angeles.
Although she never went to Jewish summer camp growing up, she fell in love with Jewish camp in 2003 when she applied to be a counselor at Camp Swig. For the next three summers at Camp Newman, she served as Rosh Eidah (Unit Head) for Hagigah and Hevrah and then as Avodah Director in 2006. Rachel met her husband Rich at Camp Swig in 2003 and in the off-season they live in Austin, TX with their children, Jack and Ash, and their dog, Boone.
All forms necessary for your camper(s) will be listed on your Forms Dashboard within your account. Please note that if you stop in the middle of completing one of the forms, what you have already entered will NOT be saved. It is important that you be prepared in advance to complete the forms.
Once you have submitted a form, you can review the information that you entered but you cannot edit it. You will have to get in touch with us if you want to change the information. For example, if you signed up for a Bus home and you want to cancel it or change to a different bus, please send an email to campnewman@urj.org or call 415-991-0259 for additional instructions.
Camper Information Form: Must be completed for each individual child attending. This is information that will be very helpful for the camper’s counselors to have. It will contribute to the best summer possible. Please note: there is one section for your CAMPER to complete.
Camper Photo: Upload a current photo of your camper and click “Submit Form”.
Must be completed for each individual child attending. The Health Forms are a combination of online forms:
As well as forms you will need to download, print, complete and upload back to your account. Please note that each camper’s forms have a unique bar code – print each form individually for each camper, do not copy!:
Must be completed for each individual child attending. You will need to download, print, complete and upload back to your account. Please note that each camper’s forms have a unique bar code – print each form individually for each camper, do not copy!:
Business Manager
(Pronouns: She/Her/Hers)
Casey is excited to be joining the Business Systems team and supporting camp behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly! In her free time, Casey enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, going on walks outside and cheering on the Texas Longhorns!
Rabbi Ilana Mills joined the Kalsman team after spending three summers in senior leadership roles at Kalsman. She brings a passion for camp and learning everywhere she goes. Rabbi Ilana is a true product of the Union for Reform Judaism, having worked at four of the URJ summer camps, worked for the Religious Action Center, served as a NFTY regional advisor and was on NFTY North American board a hundred years ago. Rabbi Ilana served as a congregational rabbi in Paradise Valley, AZ after being ordained from HUC-JIR for four years. At her congregation, she spear-headed creating a new high school program and innovative programming for the religious school.
Rabbi Ilana grew up in Sherman Oaks, CA, but moved East for college. She received her B.A. in Religious Studies from Franklin and Marshall College. She received her Masters in Hebrew Letters, Masters in Jewish Education from HUC-JIR. Rabbi Ilana currently lives in Sacramento with her husband and three kids. She loves to hike, ride bikes and cook. Nothing is sweeter to her than leading services in her hiking boots with over 200 campers and staff.
Administrator
(Pronouns: She/Her/Hers)
Lisa Kama began her journey with the URJ West Camps at Camp Newman in the summer of 2015, when she first came to camp to volunteer for a few weeks in the Welcome Center. As the years went by, she began spending more and more time at camp, until she joined the year-round team in the fall of 2021 as Administrator. Lisa grew up attending Jewish summer camps and never quite got enough of it, so being back at camp feels like the perfect fit.
Lisa lives in Pleasanton, California with her husband Alon and her two sons, Geffen and Mattan. She is active with Congregation Beth Emek and loves creating Jewish community wherever she goes. Lisa earned her undergraduate degree in sociology from Brandeis University and her graduate degree in social work from the University of Haifa. In her free time, Lisa loves jigsaw puzzles, reading, and traveling with her family.
Director of Development
(Pronouns: She/Her/Hers)
Originally from the Bay Area, Ariel is thrilled to be back home and joining the URJ West Prior to this role, she worked a fundraising and marketing consultant for organizations focused on social impact, including non-profits, tech companies, and think tanks. Before that, she spent 5 years at BBYO working in fundraising and community engagement throughout the West Coast. She continue to be inspired by the URJ West Camp community. The impact that Newman and Kalsman have made on everyone who gets to experience our programs is exceedingly clear. She looks forward to working with our campers, our families, our community partners, and our funders in order to ensure a strong future for our West Coast camps!
Assistant Camp Director, Staff Engagement
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
asymons@urj.org
Since 2003, Aviva dreamt of living “summertime forever” — and now that dream has come true! A Pittsburgh-er at heart, Aviva found her love of Judaism in the Pocono Mountains at URJ Camp Harlam. This passion grew at Muhlenberg College, where she majored in Jewish Studies and received her Prekindergarten – Fourth Grade Teaching Certification.
Aviva stretched her mid-western roots to the West Coast in 2018 to pursue a Dual Masters Degree at HUC’s Zelikow School of Jewish Nonprofit Management and USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. She began her career as the Director of Member Engagement at Congregation Beth Torah in Overland Park, Kansas. (Go Chiefs!)
When not eating s’mores or Israeli Dancing at Porter Creek, Aviva can be found biking to local farmers’ markets, watching competitive cooking shows, and frequenting The Container Store.
Director of Development
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
akurland@urj.org
Originally from the Bay Area, Ariel is thrilled to be back home and joining the URJ West team. Prior to this role, she worked as a fundraising and marketing consultant for organizations focused on social impact, including non-profits, tech companies, and think tanks. Before that, she spent 5 years at BBYO working in fundraising and community engagement throughout the West Coast. She continues to be inspired by the URJ West Camp community. The impact that Newman and Kalsman have made on everyone who gets to experience our programs is exceedingly clear. She looks forward to working with our campers, our families, our community partners, and our funders in order to ensure a strong future for our West Coast camps!