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Where is Camp Mountain Chai located?
Camp Mountain Chai is located in Angelus Oaks, California about 2 hours from both San Diego and Los Angeles. Located at 7500 feet in the spectacular San Bernardino National Forest, the camp is less than a mile from beautiful Jenks Lake.
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Who are the directors?
Alan Friedman our Executive Director brings thirty-two years of successful camping experience to Camp Mountain Chai. His summer camping career began as a child, at the age of ten, when he first attended Camp Mah-Kee-Nac, a private boy's camp in Lenox, MA. Over the next eighteen years, Alan continued to spend his summers at Camp Mah-Kee-Nac, as a camper, CIT, group leader and program director. In 1993, he became its first full-time Assistant Director and in 1999 was promoted to Director. Alan began working as a consultant for CampGroup, the largest group-owner of private summer camps in United States, in 2005. In addition to his camping background, Alan spent ten years working as Senior Youth Group advisor to four different Reform congregations in the northeast.
Alan devotes his time and energy year-round to planning and implementing programs for each summer. Alan is actively involved in the American Camp Association and the Barton Flats Camp Association in Angelus Oaks.
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What distinguishes Mountain Chai from other camps?
Mountain Chai provides a unique summer experience with an emphasis on excellence. Judaism is woven into the fabric of Camp Mountain Chai life as we appreciate the importance of connecting our campers to their rich Jewish heritage while understanding our collective responsibility to make the world a better place. We are proud of our well-rounded program which combines required cabin and elective activities with extensive outdoor opportunities. Experienced specialty staff directs each activity area. Our staff training programs go far beyond the typical one week, pre-camp orientation to include weekly training sessions for all of our staff throughout the summer.
Most importantly, there are two full time, college age counselors who live in every cabin. Their entire responsibility throughout every day is to spend all of their time with their campers. They do not become "specialists" teaching an activity, but rather they participate in all of the activities with their cabin group. Your child's cabin counselors are there for their campers all day long knowing when to cheer them on or when to put an arm around their shoulder if that's what is needed.
With warm days and cool nights, the weather in the San Bernardino National Forest is ideal for summer activities. Your child can comfortably participate in all our outdoor activities, and the fresh mountain air and low humidity enhance indoor activities such as cabin life, theater, creative arts and dining. In addition, Mountain Chai attracts campers from throughout Southern California as well as from other parts of the country and Israel. This allows campers to meet and become friends with children from beyond their own neighborhood.
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What are the session choices?
The camp season operates for five weeks, with a two week minimum stay. Campers who enroll for two weeks may extend their stay for three, four or the entire season. In addition, there is a one week "rookie" camp for new campers entering grades 2-7 for their first summer camp experience.
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How will I know if my child is ready to go to camp?
Each child is different when it comes to being "ready" for camp. Our youngest campers are entering third grade in the fall after their first summer at camp. Indications of camper readiness include: Is he/she looking forward to camp? Are they successful at sleepovers with their friends? The Director would be happy to speak with you about these and other issues to make the best decision for your child and you.
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How do you select the staff?
Camp Mountain Chai takes pride in providing mature, professionally trained staff. We employ numerous teachers and educators with extensive experience working with children. Our cabin counselors are all college age. We personally interview every staff member, and we take pride in the rigor of our interview process. Staff members must have excellent references, impressive experience working with children and a willingness to dedicate their summer to the care and supervision of our campers.
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How do you provide the "right" cabin placement for my child?
Before we make cabin assignments, we take great care to get to know your child's needs and interests. We really listen to what you and your child tell us. In addition, every camper (with help from parents) fills out a camper biography form before arriving at camp. This biography form is very important to us because it lets us know your child's favorite activities and special goals for the summer. It also offers parents an opportunity to share their concerns with us. We review this form with your child's counselors and Head Counselor and use it to help place your child in the best cabin situation.
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What is a typical day like?
Each day of the week has a different schedule. This is what a typical day may be like:
7:45 am Wake Up – Boker T'ov
8:15 am Flagpole – Degel
8:30 am Breakfast
9:15 am Cabin Cleanup - Nikayon
10:00 am Rock Climbing
11:15 am Arts/Ceramics/Woodwork
12:30 pm Lunch
1:15 pm Rest Period – Menucha
2:10 pm Elective 1 – Chug 1
3:20 pm Elective 2 – Chug 2
4:30 pm Canoe/Lake
5:30 pm Shower time
6:20 pm Flagpole – Degel
6:30 pm Dinner
7:15 pm Free Play – Chofesh
8:00 pm Evening Activity
Bedtime depends on activity and age.
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Is there a different schedule on Shabbat?
On Friday afternoon, there are two activity periods rather than the usual three. The final period is used to prepare camp and our campers for Shabbat. The entire camp community participates in Friday night services and then enjoys a very special and traditional Shabbat meal. After dinner, our camp celebrates Shabbat with Jewish songs and Israeli dancing. On Saturday our campers wake up late and gather for Shabbat services after breakfast. Shabbat afternoon is highlighted by special activities when either the entire camp or cabin groups enjoy special activities, often with Judaic content. After dinner, Shabbat concludes with a very beautiful and meaningful Havdalah ceremony in which the entire camp community participates.
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How is Judaism expressed at camp?
Camp Mountain Chai has a mission to combine the experience of living Jewishly within a residential camp environment. Our goal is to establish a community of Jewish youth where we educate campers, allow them to explore their individual and collective Jewish identities, their heritage and their community, while we simultaneously educate them for their role in the larger Jewish community and the world. We do this through exposing campers to their heritage and Israel through prayers in the dining hall, Jewish music, and learning about Israel, Israeli dance instruction, and special programs designed by our staff including the very popular annual Israel Day. On Shabbat, campers participate in services as a community and demonstrate their Ruach (spirit) in Shira (Jewish singing) and Rikud (Israeli dance) performances.
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How is the food and what choices will my child have?
We maintain a Kosher kitchen operated by a number of professional chefs. Our carefully prepared menus are "kid-friendly" and varied. There is always something healthy and delicious to eat.
Breakfast always includes cold cereal and a hot entrée such as pancakes, eggs, or French toast. There is also a breakfast bar that includes an assortment of hot cereals and yogurt. Lunch and dinner entrees include various chicken and beef dishes, and dairy meals like grilled cheese and pizza. At lunch and dinner, there is a salad bar that provides a choice for campers who are looking for an alternative to the meal's main course. If there is a meat meal, there will be a protein-based vegetarian option. At breakfast and dairy meals, fat free, low fat and chocolate milk, in addition to lactaid and soymilk, are available. Special dietary needs or restrictions can be accommodated and should be communicated to the Director prior to camp.
Campers are served a snack in the mid-afternoon and in the evening. Additionally, fresh fruit is available throughout the day.
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Who will take care of my child if she gets sick or is injured?
Camp Mountain Chai's health care staff consists of nurses and physicians that cover our health center 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Prior to camp, the health care staff reviews each of our camper's medical history and
medications. Sick call is held after breakfast and dinner, but campers who are ill are escorted to the health center by their counselor at any time. Children receive routine medications at mealtime and bedtime according to the documentation on their health history.
Parents are always called when a child stays overnight in the health center, needs to see a specialist or needs to be started on prescription medication. The parents or emergency contact is called immediately in the event of an injury. In addition, our campers are checked weekly by our nursing staff to ensure that hygiene and health is maintained.
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How do the campers get to camp?
Bus transportation is available from San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles. Our counselors escort campers on flights from Arizona. A member of our senior staff meets campers at the Ontario and Los Angeles Airports.
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What kind of clothing and equipment should my child bring to camp?
We dress informally at Camp, and it is not necessary to buy new clothing for your child. Camp is primarily an outdoor setting, and simple and modest clothing is the most appropriate. Girls usually wear T-shirts or blouses with casual shorts, pants or skirts or sundresses. Boys usually wear T-shirts with shorts or pants. High-heeled shoes, designer clothes and expensive jewelry are neither necessary nor encouraged. We strongly discourage campers from wearing "inappropriate attire": Clothes that are intentionally tight or revealing should be left at home. The camp supplies equipment for most activities. We encourage your child to bring his or her musical instrument to camp to practice and to perform during one of our camp talent shows or during one of our Shabbat services.
Your child is welcome to bring personal items, but please be aware that the Camp is not responsible for loss or damage of personal belongings.
All clothing and personal belongings should be clearly marked with the camper's full name. A complete list of clothing and equipment will be sent prior to camp.
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How will my child's laundry get done?
Campers should have enough clothing with them to last at least 10 days. Linens and laundry are sent out of camp once a week and returned washed, dried and folded the same day. It is important to label clothing and equipment with the camper's name to properly identify each item.
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How will I stay in touch with my child?
Camp offers kids and parents the chance to develop a rarely practiced skill - letter writing. We strongly recommend that parents write to their campers multiple times a week. A card, letter or e-mail, arriving regularly, does more for camper morale than anything else. One-way e-mailing service is available for parents to communicate with their children. Emails are printed daily and distributed with the regular camper mail. The user and password access codes are sent to each family prior to the start of camp. The camp tries to ensure that campers write letters or postcards to their parents at least twice each week. Their letters or cards from Camp may be short, but they will be regular.
Can parents call the camp to check on their children?
Parents are welcome to call the Camp during the summer to find out how their children are doing. After we receive your call, a director will call you back that day. A director will always call a parent if there is a particular concern or unusual homesickness.
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Can I visit my child while they are at camp?
While parents and other family members are welcome to bring campers to camp and to pick them up at the end of the session, parents and other visitors are not permitted to come to camp during the Camp sessions.
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What is the right reason to choose a camp?
The single most important word to keep in mind is QUALITY. This means quality of care; quality of facilities and their maintenance; quality of staff, programs and instruction; and quality of the directors. Experienced leadership is a key ingredient found in the best camps.
People who care and who couple thoughtfulness with expertise define excellence at Camp Mountain Chai.
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Do you offer financial assistance?
Yes. Financial assistance is available. There is a space on our registration form that indicates a request for financial assistance. Once your completed camper application and deposit are received, we will send you the necessary financial assistance forms. All financial assistance applications are treated confidentially and reviewed thoroughly by a committee. Financial assistance is determined by the "full picture." Camp Mountain Chai partners with congregations in giving fee assistance and recommends talking with a local Jewish Federation in your geographic area. For more information, please call the camp office.
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How can I get more information about camp?
We want to get to know each of our campers before they enroll at camp and meet families at numerous presentations and open houses during the fall and winter. Some families take the opportunity to schedule a tour of camp during the summer; most do not.
Please call with any questions or to schedule a summer visit or fall get-together.
Winter Office:
4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037
phone: (858) 535-1995
fax: (858) 535-0440
Summer Office:
42900 Jenks Lake Road, Angelus Oaks, CA 92305
phone: (909) 794-3800
fax: (909) 389-1148
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How can I support Camp Mountain Chai?
Camp Mountain Chai is a non-profit organization. We took on significant debt at the time of the purchase of the Camp after careful consideration of the potential risks and benefits - the positive impact of the camp on the community far outweighed the risks. In September 2008 we launched a fundraising campaign with two primary goals: (1) debt retirement; and (2) several exciting new construction projects. We encourage you to take part in our big plans for the future and to support Camp Mountain Chai.
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Is my contribution to Camp Mountain Chai tax deductible?
Yes. Camp Mountain Chai is an IRS designated 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
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