Parent Thanks “Not Typical” Yeshivas Kayitz

Dear Editor,

Over the last few months there have been a series of letters and articles published on COLlive bemoaning the lack of sufficient numbers of camps and summer programs. They shared the pain that parents feel when their child is ‘left behind.’ The letters expressed the frustration of parents trying to find programs suitable for their child; appropriate programming that would be the right fit, ranging from kids/ teenagers some that need a daily schedule heavy on sports and those who would like a good old-fashioned yeshiva style learning program.

Many of the readers chimed in with their own experiences and added to the frustration of the current feeling that the “system” is at over-capacity and nothing seems to be done about it. I would like to share one big development which will signal encouragement that things are turning bright in the area of new programs. And this is not a temporary fix or a mediocre one-off summer program- this a bona fide response to a pressing need in our community. This I discovered last Sunday during a visit to the YK Program in Lakewood, PA.

With that being said, I will be frank: I was not pleased to receive an email from my son’s summer camp that yes, there would indeed be a visiting day after all. In fact, I believe the worst kept secret amongst parents is how glad they are that visiting day has been canceled due to Covid (yay, please keep deferring visiting day until the summer of ’28 😊).

In any event, as any good parent would, my wife and I, with younger children in tow, made the 3 + hours’ drive up to the Poconos on Sunday morning to show up for my son and I must say, wow! Kol Hakavod! Upon arriving at the newly renamed Yeshivas Kayitz Program (formerly YKK) it was quickly apparent this was not another typical “Yeshivas Kayitz.”

Here’s why.

At the gate, we were greeted personally by Rabbi Yossi Langsam (of last summer’s Covid- Camp Saginaw fame) who handed us a color map of the campsite. All locations of interest were represented by coded icons and aside for all the many beautiful amenities that the camp has including a gorgeous lake with boating, and the many sport fields etc. etc. there are a few highlights that I would like to share. On site at YKP were no less than 3 full Botei Midrash – One each for 8th grade, Mesivta and Zal age bochurim. Each Beis Hamedresh was fully stocked with seforim and outfitted with ice cold AC for the comfort of the bochurim learning inside. The administration successfully recruited world class Magidei Shiurim. For example, on the grounds I met Rabbi Fishel Oster, who is known for his crystal clear daily Daf and sicha shiurim. What I believe makes YKP unique is that this is not your typical CGI camp with a small older bochurim division bolted on to be the token learning group of the camp. This is a large scale program with the capacity to house hundreds and hundreds of boys and bochurim who would like to spend their summer growing both spiritually and materially.

In a manner fitting the Rebbe’s call that both the physical and spiritual be first class, it was very enjoyable to see a canteen the size of a restaurant with 2 separate ordering stations for Milchigs and Flieshigs and each with a fully loaded menu. There was plenty of seating space for the whole family; to sit and enjoy time together. With all of the sports league games the boys have access to extra fuel. The program in general had the feel of being well balanced in its delivery of both fun and learning equally.

There is plenty more to write about but I think the takeaway to share is that there are active members of the community who are indeed building new and improved programs and if this trend continues, we will all be better off for it.

As a special mention of Hakaros Hatov, this is the same administration that put together a camp last summer at the height of Covid which allowed all the kids to escape the hot city last summer. A special hat tip to the Board of Directors of Oholei Torah, Rabbi Yossi Langsam, and director Rabbi Levertov for pulling it off yet again. Ashreichem! Thank you!

Warmly,
A Thankful Parent