Berkowitz Gan Israel is a part of the largest and fastest growing network of Jewish camps in the world.  Gan Israel camps enjoy a well-earned reputation as a trendsetter with innovative ideas, creative programs and new activities being introduced constantly.

A summer at Berkowitz Gan Israel instills pride in our Jewish heritage and the Land of Israel in a fashion that is uniquely ours. Our camp program and activities are imbued with Jewish ambiance and culture. Challah baking, stories, Israeli dance, Jewish and Hebrew songs, group discussions and the most decorative of Jewish crafts, combine to create an atmosphere of Jewish joy, awareness and pride.

Berkowitz Gan Israel offers a 7 week summer program for children ages 2-11.  Parents may sign up for the entire summer or on a weekly basis.  Camp runs Monday through Friday from 9:00 am until 3:15 pm.  A 9:00 -12:30 Toddler Program is available for any child who has turned 18 months prior to June 30, 2009.

Rabbi Ilan Weinberg
Camp Director

More About Our Camp

Staff
The real secret to our success lies in our outstanding staff. Our counselors, each of whom has prior camp experience, are chosen from across the globe for their warmth and ability to understand and care for each child. As a positive role model for your child, they’ll cultivate a friendship that lasts forever. Their devotion to the children is reciprocated by the children’s love for them.

Gan Israel prides itself on its exceptional staff. All staff come with prior camp experience and a desire to work with kids. Bunk sizes are kept small and well staffed. Our camper to counselor ratio is better than 1 staff member to 4 campers.  Each elective is run by professional instructors. 

Our Camp Director, Ilan Weinberg, has many years of day camp experience. He is the leader of our top staff and takes great pride in our on-going, comprehensive staff training program. His extensive experience with pre-schoolers through teenagers makes him a valuable friend and administrator to our camp throughout the summer.

We take great pride in our commitment to recruiting, training and keeping the highest quality staff in the camping profession. Over the years, Camp Gan Israel of Port Washington has always been dedicated to small groups with exceptional staff supervision. This ensures the best possible care, instruction and supervision for our campers. Our counselors are highly trained, dedicated, and experienced.

Sports & Activities
At Gan Israel, campers participate in various sports activities, such as baseball, basketball, football, hockey, kickball, soccer, volleyball and more. Our sports coaches are professional physical education instructors who teach with patience, guidance and encouragement. Our focus on good sportsmanship and self confidence makes everyone a winner!

A wide variety of innovative activities such as a game room with air hockey & real video games, computer lab, weekly MAD SCIENCE, My Day My Way activity electives program, and super arts & crafts projects keep the campers constantly interested and excited.

On The Go
Twice weekly trips feature excursions to children's favorites which include theme parks, zoos, roller and ice skating, museums, bowling, go-carting, miniature golf, fishing, laser tag, rock wall climbing, baseball games, and much more!

Jewish Pride
Gan Israel campers are imbued with a deep sense of pride in their Jewish heritage and a love for the land of Israel. Weekly Judaic themes are taught through exciting activities, stories, songs, games and contests, which are part of the unique Gan Israel experience; in addition to talent shows, Challah baking, Shabbat parties, arts & crafts and cooking. Combined with group discussions and educational programs, these activities bring to life the beauty and values of our tradition.

Horseback Riding

Each week campers in our older bunks, ages 8 – 11, travel to Forest Equine Riding Academy for a full afternoon to learn horseback riding. The trained professionals at Forest provide a small & safe staff to camper ratio as they teach various riding techniques as well as horse care & maintenance.

Swim Instruction

Recreational swimming and water sports, along with structured swim instruction in a full sized swimming pool, are a delightful element of the camp schedule three days a week. All aquatic activities are under constant careful supervision of trained, experienced and certified Red Cross Lifeguards. Safety is our primary concern.

Karate & Power Ten Kid Fit
Campers in our Main Division, ages 5 – 11, look forward to a weekly visit from Shihan (master) Tony Morrison & the amazing staff of TOP GUN KARATE during their weekly karate sessions held right on the camp grounds. Discipline, strength, confidence, work ethic…and a whole lotta fun are just a few of the things our campers gain with Shihan Tony.

Campers in our Mini-Gan, ages 2 – 4 join the fantastic staff at Port Washington’s own POWER-TEN KID FIT once a week for a custom session of play activities designed to build confidence, strengthen coordination, and tune our little one’s motor skills.

Arts & Crafts

Our highly resourceful arts and crafts instructors facilitate children in various innovative projects including ceramics, fabric painting and woodcrafts. Campers will have the opportunity to design and take home some wonderful projects. To add meaning to the arts, some crafts are Jewish oriented such as Shabbat Kiddush cups, Mezuzah cases and Israeli art.

Special Events

Olympic type games, dress up days, comedy skits, talent shows, late nights, bunk competition and auction days are just a few of the programs which challenge the children to develop their innate talents.

Mad Science

Mad Science of Long Island, the worlds leading fun science provider, brings its unique workshops to B.G.I. on a weekly basis, providing our campers with hands-on fun science activities that spark their imagination and curiosity through safe, interactive and educational programs.

T.G.I.F. @ B.G.I.
Fridays are special days at B.G.I. A journey through the shuk (the Shabbat Marketplace) to “buy” all of the ingredients needed for a Shabbat dinner. Each camper is taught how to braid their own challah, which is then baked and taken home for Friday night dinner. Campers always look forward to our Spectacular Shabbat Show and games. Top it all off with a walk to the Kotel, our very own Western Wall, for some Jewish music and dance.

Cooking & Challah Baking
Campers learn to prepare cookies, candies, Challah and other delicious kosher treats…. And of course, they will bring home the recipes and freshly made samples for the entire family to enjoy.

Camp Barbeque & Summer Fest

The Camp Gan Israel summer culminates in our annual Camp Barbeque when our staff and campers together with their families, enjoy a Sunday afternoon of great food & great fun together on our camp grounds.  The Camp BBQ begins with bunk performances & awards and then moves outside for hot dogs & hamburgers with all the trimmings, snow cones, inflatable rides & more!  This year we will be joined at our Camp BBQ by Long Island's own Islanders (hockey) Community Patrol!!