Chabad of Orange County offices received a special request via email which sparked the interest of Camp Gan Israel directors, Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston. A mother from Boca Raton, Florida requested a Camp Gan Israel of Orange County t-shirt for her son Ari, age six.
“Our recent move from New York to Florida had been a hard one for our son with speical needs,” wrote the mother. “Although we would like him to be educated in a Jewish day school, the public schools in our area offer special therapies.” She explained that although Ari cannot attend the Camp Gan Israel in Florida due to his therapies, she is embarking on a project to “collect as many Camp Gan Israel t-shirts from around the world as possible.” The goal of this project, explained Ari’s mom, would be to provide a “Gan Israel experience” by motivating her son on a daily basis: Each new day Ari would wear a different Gan Israel t-shirt, each new day he would be introduced to new experiences and types of learning.”
“I thought we could take this one step further” says camp director Chana Burston, who, with her husband Rabbi Pesach, is running the fourth summer of Camp Gan Israel in Washingtonville. “We met with the six-year-old campers and told them about Ari and his special needs. They were excited to design a card for him, which would be sent to Ari with a picture of their bunk and a camp t-shirt in his size.”
At Camp Gan Isreal, campers enjoy excursions to children’s favorites including theme parks, mini-golf, go-carting, berry picking, bowling and more. Judaic themes are taught through innovative activities, stories, songs and games which bring to life the beauty and values of the Jewish tradition. Professional instruction is offered in various areas, including karate, yoga, gymnastics, painting, sports and dance. Olympic type games, drama, auction days, bunk competition, balloon sculpting, talent shows, hiking, dress-up days and late nights are just a few of the programs which challenge the children to develop their innate talents.
This summer, campers once again participated in a “Chai-a-thon” fundraiser to bennefit Chai Life Line, an organization which aids children who are terminally ill.
Camp Gan Israel is part of the largest and fastest growing network of Jewish day camps in the world and enjoys a well-earned reputation as a trendsetter with innovative ideas, creative programs and new activities. Geared for Jewish children of diverse backgrounds and affiliations, Chabad of Orange County runs a Gan Israel summer day camp as well as a Winter Camp over the winter school break, for children ages 3-13.
to number 7 summer is still in session ! it would be amazing if you would be able to join in helping ari in his summer adventures. the blog has all the info and u can email me at [email protected] . thank you again to everyone for their chizuk . myganizzyboy.blogspot.com
Check the blog the info is there…
http://myganizzyboy.blogspot.com
thank you to every one for their support.
Ari-
We may have never met you but you sure are lucky to have such a special Mommy.
Her Fans in Nevada
WOW! Just read the blog and saw all the pics. Ari mom- you are doing such an amazing job with your son!!! and kudos to all the awesome gan izzys out there!!!
It was a amazing camp at chabad of orange county you can see pictures here
http://chabadorangecounty.com/campganisraelarchives.html
i wanted to take this time to thank chabad of orange county for including ari in their camp gan israel. they went beyond human kindness to ensure that ari was a part of their camp- they even sent ari a picture with the healine Ari this is your bunk! they really are amazing shluchim. to check out ari’s adventures this summer you can check out his blog. myganizzyboy.blogspot.com
I worked for the shluchim in orange county and they do a great job. Thankfor all your hard work together with its founders rabbi meri and rivkie borenstien who work days and nights to do the rebbes work in orange county