Camp Hess Kramer Gindling Hilltop Camp
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions about Camp@Scripps College
If you have any questions that aren’t answered below, please do not hesitate to reach out to one of our directors who will be more than happy to chat. See you at camp!
Why are we changing locations?
We enjoyed our time at CSU Channel Islands immensely, but due to COVID-19 they have canceled all of their on-campus programming through the spring semester. Out of an abundance of caution, we decided it was best to look elsewhere to make sure that we had somewhere to safely run camp, and we found the incredible Scripps College. Scripps is a beautiful campus with many spaces for all kinds of camp programming. It affords us all of the same luxuries as CSUCI and even adds a few more! We can’t wait to spend the summer at Scripps!
How will camp handle COVID-19?
We are confident that we will be able to run an in-person program this summer that is safe, fun, and meaningful. Throughout the year we have been consulting with health professionals and learning from our colleagues in other states who ran camp in 2020, and we are prepared to take care of your camper and the entire camp community during this challenging time. If it is deemed unsafe to run camp, then we will be transparent and communicate that to you, but at this point we expect that we will all get to be together for Summer 2021 (aka Summer 20-TwentyFUN!).
We are currently working on several models, scenarios, and plans that we will be able to apply to our camp program depending on the prevalence of COVID-19 in our area during the summer. Each plan is flexible and we will be able to move between them leading up to and during the summer as things change.
We anticipate that masks and testing will be part of camp this summer, along with smaller group sizes and changes to the daily schedule. We will be focused on being together, having a wonderful time, and preventing a COVID-19 outbreak, and we will have policies in place to isolate any group that may have potentially been exposed to the virus while still providing them with a positive camp experience.
What is camp's refund policy?
If we have to cancel camp for COVID-related reasons, you can expect a full refund of your camp fees.
If you have to cancel your camper’s enrollment, please refer to the refund policy in the Parent Agreement in the application.
If you have any concerns, please reach out to info@wbtcamps.org or to one of the directors.
Where is Scripps College?
Scripps College is in Claremont, California and is one of the five undergraduate Claremont Colleges.
How big is Scripps College, and will it hold our whole community?
With 4 multiple-story housing buildings, we will have enough space for both camps to run at full capacity. Our new home will continue to have a full staff of medical and inclusion staff as well as counselors, specialists, support staff, senior staff, and directors.
Our actual capacity will be determined by COVID-19 safety regulations, but the campus itself will not limit our capacity.
How is the campus secured?
The campus is monitored 24/7 by campus security and we are in discussion about augmenting the campus security with a security team from Wilshire Boulevard Temple.
What will the cabins/living situation look like?
The rooms that will make a cabin are all adjacent to each other. In most cases, cabins will be organized as multiple rooms of 2-4 campers adjacent to rooms of counselors. That way the counselors are always easily within reach, and the doors are open so the kids are always free to go between rooms. There will not be counselors in campers’ rooms at night but they will be less than a few feet away with their doors open. Having as many campers in a room as possible maintains more of a bunk feel. Therefore the cabin structure will be 8 campers and 2 counselors, with some being slightly smaller or larger based on registration. All showers and bathrooms are private stalls and are right down the hall from all the rooms.
How do we do bunk requests?
You should fill out bunk requests just as you normally would. As in the past, your camper can make bunk requests and we will do our best to put them in the same cabin. There is a chance for them to be in the same room but, as always, nothing is guaranteed.
Will the two camps run separately as they have in the past, or will they run as one camp?
The cabins will be separated by camp: Kramer cabins and Hilltop cabins. Because we’re running our same sessions, the camps will operate on separate schedules, retaining both camps’ individual identities. However, operating our two camps on the same campus gives us a beautiful opportunity to have both communities interact with one another more frequently than we have in the past.
How will my camper get to camp?
It is currently unknown whether COVID-19 restrictions will allow us to transport campers by bus this summer. It is possible that this will be a summer where all campers get dropped off at camp by their parents/guardians. The guidelines and recommendations are developing and we will let you know the best way to get your camper to camp as the summer draws closer with plenty of time to plan your transportation options.
Will there be an opportunity to see the campus?
We are working on setting up virtual opportunities for you and your campers to see the campus and ask the camp team any questions you may have.
How will this summer be different than previous summers?
The truth is - being in a new location and COVID-19 safety measures won’t change how we take care of kids, create fun, meaningful activities, and develop lifelong friendships. We’ll be offering most of the same programs (and some awesome new ones, too!). Our counselor-to-camper ratio will be the same. We’ll celebrate Shabbat. The food will be delicious.
What are the food and dining hall facilities like?
Because of the changing nature of the pandemic, we are still determining the safest and most efficient way to conduct food service. Making sure everyone at camp eats delicious food is of the utmost importance to us!
The Scripps College kitchen staff has our past menus and will work with us to make sure our community enjoys the classic meals we’ve loved for decades (grilled cheese, coffee cake, etc). We will still offer lots of options to accommodate dietary restrictions and we’ll still work with you on an individual basis to make sure any of your child’s dietary needs are taken care of - everybody at camp will be well fed!
Will there be Beach Day?
Because of Scripps College’s location, it is unfortunately not realistic to hold our weekly Beach Day. But, your camper can look forward to fun water activities that we can do on campus!
What activities will you be offering?
Basketball, Soccer, Archery, Gardening, Gaga, Cooking, Dance, Improv/Drama, Podcast, Video, Teva (ropes course), Swimming, Newspaper, Songleading, Rock Band, Ultimate Frisbee, Yoga, Spinning, Beach Volleyball, Mountain Biking, 9-Square, and more to come!
Will there be Maccabbiah/Pioneer Days (color wars) and last night Banquet?
No - those are canceled (*wink!*).
How can I get more information?
Feel free to reach out to our assistant directors Gaby (gaby@wbtcamps.org) and Jonah (jonah@wbtcamps.org) or our director Seth (seth@wbtcamps.org) at any time!
- Which camp is right for my child?
- If my child doesn't attend any "formal" Jewish educational programs, will they be comfortable at Camp?
- Where do campers come from?
- What happens if my child is homesick?
- Can I speak to my child on the phone during the summer?
- What kind of food is served at Camp?
- Are scholarships available? How can we qualify?
- Can we see Camp before we sign up or before our children attend in the summer?
- What if my child has medications?
- Is Camp fun?
- How do we get in touch with you?
Which camp is right for my child?
At both camps, the ratio of campers to staff is the same, the food is the same, the activities are the same, and both staffs are trained under the same administration.
CHK is home to 280 campers plus staff per session. If your child wants to be in a bigger group setting where there are three units for different ages, you should sign them up for Camp Hess Kramer. At CHK, campers sit with their cabins at every meal, and evening programs are done with their unit or age group exclusively.
Gindling Hilltop Camp has around 120 campers plus staff per session. If you are looking for an intimate setting for your child where they know every other camper at camp, then GHC is for you. At Gindling Hilltop Camp, all evening programs are done as an entire camp community, and because of the size, meals are “open seating” where campers can sit with different (or the same) friends at every meal.
Many campers in the past have gone to both camps over the course of their time at Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps, and for some families the decision of which camp to attend may come down to something as simple as scheduling their camper's session during the summer.
If my child doesn't attend any "formal" Jewish educational programs, will they be comfortable at Camp?
Our campers come from a wide variety of Jewish backgrounds. Some come from Jewish day schools, some from two-night-a-week religious school, and some have no “formal” Jewish education. The beauty of camp is that everyone feels comfortable. By living in a Jewish environment for a period of time, any and all Jewish practice “feels” natural and it is not awkward at all. We are very aware of our campers' diverse backgrounds and ensure that all of our practice and education is appropriate and accessible to everyone in our community.
Where do campers come from?
The majority of our campers come from the greater Los Angeles area, with significant numbers attending camp from San Diego, Orange County, Arizona, Las Vegas, and Northern California. In fact, campers come from more than 65 different congregations from all over North America! Camp Hess Kramer and Gindling Hilltop Camp are a community service of Wilshire Boulevard Temple.
What happens if my child is homesick?
One of the main focuses of staff training is understanding the child’s feelings in their first 24 hours of a session, and how that time parlays into the rest of the camper’s time at camp. We know that by ensuring the child feels comfortable with where he is sleeping and eating, only then can he get comfortable with camp as a whole. When dealing with homesickness, our counselors know how important it is to listen to campers' concerns while at the same time encouraging them to continue to participate fully in camp. The more time the camper spends at camp doing those things they cannot do at home and things they have never done before, the less time they have to think about home. But don’t worry, they will not forget about their parents!
Can I speak to my child on the phone during the summer?
Camp was created to be an oasis from the everyday world. We strive to create a community where everyone grows and matures while at camp. One of the ways that campers do this is fully investing themselves in their community, and relying on themselves—with the guidance of our staff—to make their own decisions, find their way with their friends, and become confident in themselves. By not allowing campers to speak with their parents, we believe that campers find a sense of independence, maturity, and self-confidence. We do encourage parents to be in touch with our staff whenever they wish to talk about their child’s progress or just to “check in."
What kind of food is served at Camp?
Our campers love the food at camp. We are proud and happy to boast that our food service is run by a graduate of the Culinary School of America who has earned the title of Certified Executive Chef. Our meals are healthy, plentiful, and full of options. We serve all our meals “Kosher style,” which means that we will not serve pork or shellfish, nor will we mix milk and meat. We do not serve Kosher meat, and we maintain only one set of dishes and cookware. If your child is a vegetarian or lactose intolerant we always have these options available. We are constantly updating our menu, but we have everything from pizza to BBQ to Hawaiian chicken to grilled cheese and tomato soup. Read more about our food here >
Are scholarships available? How can we qualify?
Scholarship is available on a need-basis through a separate application. As part of the scholarship program we strive to partner with the parents, other temples, federations, and organizations to ensure participation. As much as we have campers that can go to camp without scholarship, we have campers that need assistance. Campers and staff do not know or care who attends on scholarship and who does not. To receive a scholarship application, please indicate your desire on the camper registration form.
Can we see Camp before we sign up or before our children attend in the summer?
What if my child has medications?
Camp has two nurses and a doctor or nurse practitioner who have specific hours for health calls for campers and staff. The health center at camp carries most over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl, etc. For prescribed medications, we have found that pre-packaging medications is the best possible solution. WellspringRX provides an easy service that dispenses, packages, and ships medications directly to camp. This pre-packaging program is in compliance with all regulations regarding medication for camps. To Register your medication with camp. Go to WellspringRX.com
If your doctor is NOT licensed in the state of California, please log into your camp minder account to fill out the Medication Administration form to insure our nurses can properly medicate your camper.
Is Camp fun?
How do we get in touch with you?
We’re always here to answer your questions! Please feel free to be in touch with us at info@wbtcamps.org or by phone at (213) 388-2401. We’re looking forward to serving you this summer.