PA CGI Gains Popularity

Triblive

From petting zoos and performing arts to basketball and baking, students at Camp Gan Israel were filled this summer with enrichment, education and enlightenment about the Jewish heritage.

For six weeks, more than 100 campers from the Fox Chapel area, North Hills and Squirrel Hill participated in a slew of sports, arts and field trips to regional attractions.

“They did neat science experiments, made jewelry and put on a big show,” said Nikki O’Gorman, communications director for Chabad Fox Chapel, which founded the camp. “We’ve done all these amazing things right in Fox Chapel’s backyard.”

In its eighth year, the camp based at O’Hara Elementary School is enjoying its most successful enrollment. Camp director Shternie Rosenfeld credits the family atmosphere, along with the excitement of themed activities each week.

“Children have the opportunity to bond with other kids of the same age,” she said. “Campers’ days are filled with games, song, laughter and lots of camp spirit. A busy schedule of academy instruction and fun and exciting trips await the children.

“Our counselors are role models who create meaningful and loving friendships that can last a lifetime.”

Rosenfeld has extensive experience teaching Judaic studies to high school students, as well as directing summer camps across the world. She is director of the Fox Chapel Community Hebrew School and received her bachelor’s degree in teaching in Bournemouth, England.

Camp is split into three academies, including sports, arts and performing arts. Each division is filled with activities that teach skill building, sportsmanship and confidence.

“In the performing arts, students could do things like drama workshops, juggling and gym,” O’Gorman said.

Sara Eckelberry, head of programming, has a master’s degree in arts management.

She called on her diverse background that includes puppet making and teaching to provide challenging activities for the campers.

Students traveled off campus twice a week to learn about local attractions in Pittsburgh, O’Gorman said.

“We’ve taken field trips to local spots, such as Kennywood, the Pittsburgh Zoo and even Petco at Waterworks,” she said. “The Petco field trip was through an organization called Field Trip Factory where counselors took the kids to the store and taught them about how to be a great pet parent while checking out all of the different animals.”

There were plenty of visits to camp, too.

“We’ve had some crazy-incredible entertainers like Billy Heh, a very popular local magician,” O’Gorman said.

Wild World of Animals brought reptiles, birds and even a tiger to the camp. A performance by Yamoussa Camara and friends from Camara Drum and Dance got the kids moving. Barnyard Petting Zoo brought a pony.

“It really has been such an incredible journey,” O’Gorman said.

Combined with the sports and shows, O’Gorman, said Jewish culture is explored, not necessarily through studies, but through lessons, she said. Students present a mock wedding where they learn about the Torah, and they bake challah every week to eat on the Sabbath.

“There is tradition infused in the programs,” she said.

“The main goal is to enrich their lives.”