New Camp’s Focus: Bicycling

Machane Heights Day Camp

The United Lubavitch Yeshiva in Crown Heights has announced the opening of a new day camp that will operate at the 570 Crown St. Yeshiva for boys ages 11-14 in grades 6-8.

The camp director will be Peretz S. Blasberg, who for the past five years has been the principal of the English Program during the afternoon session of the Crown St. yeshiva.

The head counselor will be Dovid Blasberg, who has years of experience in both camp and administrative positions. Eliyahu Davis, the yeshiva administrator, will be the Health Director.

All staff has been vetted to insure a healthy environment will be established both in gashmius and ruchnius. We have proper chassidishe mashpiyim to help with organizing a proper chassidishe camp.

The camp aims to fill a need among older boys in grades 6, 7 and 8, who have little or no programming for them if they are not going to overnight camp.

“Many boys have already made their summer plans, going to this or that camp. Machane Heights Day Camp offers those boys who will not be going to a sleep away camp, or will be going only for the second session, a great option while they remain in Crown Heights,” says Blasberg.

“We are a Chassidishe camp that emphasizes proper and safe bicycling etiquette; the theme for Machane Heights Day Camp is “Safe Summer Cycling.”

Many activities will fill each day for the campers: Davening, learning, breakfast, shiurim, learning, lunch, meaningful arts & crafts, sports, swimming, excursions, Shabbaton, field trips, night activities, barbeques; full week – Sundays included.

Safety must be taught, say directors, and campers will spend a meaningful summer learning the proper care and use of bicycles as we use our bikes to move about to our several activities in the several locations.

Included in the unique summer curriculum will be time learning; learning Torah and learning life skills; the kinds of skills every young person would be happy to acquire; and done in a fun way.

The camp will be centered at the United Lubavitcher Yeshiva, 570 Crown St. in the heart of Crown Heights; hence the name: Machane Heights.

Program Dates, Times:

We are scheduled for five weeks of Day Camp this year; weekly participants or full session:
Day camp: July 1 (Monday, 23 Tammuz) – August 2 (Friday 26 Menachem Av), 2013, 8:15am – 4:00pm
Night camp activities: 2 or more times a week we will have night sessions, 4:00pm – 9:00pm

Program Fees:
Non-refundable $50 deposit upon registration.
Bicycle rental, including helmet and lock: $125;
activities fees: $100/week or $75/week for full five week registration.
Register by May 19 and receive a bicycle or save $75.

Although we begin davening at 8:30, campers are expected to be in the shul at the yeshiva at 8:15 to prepare properly for davening. We will offer a small snack before davening; breakfast after davening (and a short shiur). We will then spend our morning learning. After a wholesome, early afternoon lunch, we begin our varied camp activities for the rest of the day.

Using our bicycles, we will travel to the several parks in the area: Lefferts Park; Rochester Park; Wingate High School Park; and Prospect Park. We will ride our bikes for a maximum of 15 – 20 minutes before breaks. We will teach the proper use and safety regulations that makes biking a fun and exciting year round activity. Where practical, we will use our bicycles for our field trips and excursions around the city. We are planning an exciting Shabbaton (not obligatory), surprise destination! And our night camp activities include barbeques, sports, fabrengens, and extended day trips.

Financial aid/partial scholarships may be available.