Our Policy
Our Policy
Camper Staff

Camper Policy

Registration
Allergies
Dress Code
Safety
Updates
Visiting Day

Gan Yisroel Chai is an overnight camp geared towards Lubavitch girls from all over the world.

CGI Chai is a place where every child and staff member is energized with chassidishe chayus, positivity, and real growth. Inspired by the Rebbe’s vision for chinuch, our mission is to create an environment rooted in Torah, Chassidus, respect, and Ahavas Yisroel. We are committed to operating with structure, safety, accountability, and clear communication so that camp runs with harmony and joy. Our goal is that every camper shines, every staff member succeeds, and the camp as a whole operates in the spirit of Dirah B’tachtonim.

Our Mission

At Gan Yisroel Chai we are committed to an atmosphere of collaboration where everyone — parents, campers, and staff — contributes to maintaining the high standards and growth achieved in camp.

Every activity, Tefillah, shiur, and meal is infused with the mindset of a Chossid who is focused on the Rebbe’s horaos and inspiration to maximize the power of camp for all. We infuse chayus and joy in every aspect of camp, with only the very best, both b’gashmius and b’ruchnius.

Mindset

Staff

At Gan Yisroel Chai, our staff are everything. They are the ones who make camp the incredible experience that it is. All staff members are to be treated with respect and deference. Any instructions given by any staff members are to be followed without arguing or challenging. Our staff always welcome respectful questions and requests and do their best to accommodate each individual.

Property

All camp property is to be treated with respect. Campers are expected to maintain the cleanliness of their personal space as well as the general tidiness in the spaces used in camp.

Fellow Campers

All campers in camp are to be treated with respect, care, and Ahavas Yisroel as the priority of any interaction between campers. Respecting fellow campers includes respecting their personal property and space as well as their overall dignity and character.

Self

Each camper is to ensure that her behavior and choices reflect the fact that she has a precious Neshama and is a camper in the Rebbe’s jurisdiction. A good set of guidelines for such behavior is outlined above and in the camper handbook.

Seder

In Gan Yisroel Chai, adhering to seder is a priority, and campers are expected to attend all activities, mealtimes, tefillos, and shiurim in a punctual and present manner.

Respect

Tuition

Rates:

Grades 4-7: $2,900
Grades 8-9 (Teens): $3,200
Grade 10: $1,700

That’s it. No hidden fees for luggage, trips, shirts, or lice check.

Registration fee is $350 and is charged upon acceptance and included in the tuition. The rest of tuition is due by June 1. Payment can be submitted all at once, in two installments, or in monthly installments from February until June. Payment preferences are chosen before the application process is completed, and automatic payments are made based on your choices.

If an application is not accepted, the registration fee will not be charged.

How to pay

Registration fee must be paid via credit card on our website. Tuition can be paid by credit card, check, CashApp, or PayPal. Checks can be sent to 478 Albany Avenue #53, Brooklyn, NY, 11203.

Once the registration fee is paid and the applicant is accepted, we won’t be able to refund it after a 24-hour grace period. 

If you pay by check and it bounces, we’ll ask you for a fee of $30 to cover the cost.

We only accept payment in the form of US Dollars.

Click here for our policy for families with alternate payment arrangements.

Registration

Waiting List

If an applicant is not accepted, the parent can choose to place them on the waiting list. If accepted, payments will begin automatically.

Scholarships

If you would like to apply for a scholarship, you will be able to do so when submitting an application. Please see our scholarship page to view how camp determines how to allocate scholarship funds.

Cancellation

Once accepted, if one decides not to come to camp, we won’t be able to refund the registration fee after the 24 hour grace period.
Cancellations after March 1 will incur a $150 cancellation fee.
Cancellations after June 1 will receive a refund of tuition only if the spot is taken by the next applicant on the waitlist (camp-determined only).

We reserve the right to send a camper home during camp for medical, emotional, or behavioral issues. 

We don’t give refunds, reductions, or credit if a camper comes late/leaves early for any reason.

When you’ll hear from us

We are so excited for the summer, as we are sure your daughter is, too! With BH so many applications coming in, there is a lot of technical work to take care of. You can expect to hear back from us on January 18 — כ”ט טבת.

We reserve the right to decide who goes in each bunk. No acceptance will be contingent on a specific bunking request. 

Waiting list

If a registered camper decides not to attend, her spot will be offered to the next applicant on the waiting list. Because of this, we’re unable to provide an exact timeline for when a waitlisted applicant may receive an update as it depends entirely on openings that may occur.

We hope to be able to accommodate every girl who wishes to join camp, and we appreciate your patience and understanding throughout this process.

Bunk Requests

While we cannot guarantee all bunk requests will be honored, we make the effort to include at least one request in the bunk of each camper. If there is a large group of girls coming together, they will likely be divided. Even if a camper only makes one request and we recognize that it will not be beneficial to the bunk structure, we reserve the right not to honor the request.

Our goal is to bring girls together. If a parent/guardian feels that their child should not be with a specific camper for a valid reason, we will discuss the concerns and see what solutions can be offered. While we cannot guarantee it, we will make an effort to honor that request.

Once in camp, we do not make switches to bunks.

Acceptances

If a camper has any type of allergies we must be informed about them before camp. Please fill out the relevant information in the medical form. We will reach out to discuss the best way we can accommodate the allergies.

We cannot take responsibility for anaphylactic allergies.

  • Lactose Intolerance/Dairy Allergy

    • Camp has almond, soy, and rice milk available

    • Any dairy meals will have a dairy-free option

    • Regretfully, we cannot take responsibility for a dairy allergy and therefore will not be able to accept campers with anaphylactic dairy allergies

  • Celiac/Gluten and Wheat Allergy

    • We will have a full menu for those who need gluten-free food that has been kept separate from any gluten products 

  • Sesame

    • If applicable, we will have sesame-free options available

  • Nuts

    • Unfortunately, camp will not be able to be nut-free. Camp cannot take responsibility for anaphylactic nut allergies.

For the campers who require food substitutions including gluten-free options and dairy-free cheese, there is a $250 fee to cover the added expense of specialty food and staff effort to keep the food safe and appetizing for your daughter.

Allergies

All campers and staff receive 8 camp shirts to wear each day of camp. The cost is included in camp tuition. Wearing the camp shirt is mandatory every day besides for Shabbos.

Campers must dress in accordance with the following dress code. In Gan Yisroel Chai, the clothing must look like this:

  • No changes may be made to the camp shirts, including cutting or writing on them for the duration of camp.

  • Shirts cover the collarbone and elbows fully without tugging. Keyholes are closed properly.

  • “Oversized” short-sleeved t-shirts will not be allowed.

  • Skirts cover the knees fully while sitting and dancing, with no slits or openings even below the knee.

  • Clothing isn’t tight or form-fitting.

  • Legs fully covered at all times without gaps anywhere. Socks on top of leggings must be crew length or higher (no ankle socks).

  • Fishnet or lace tights are not allowed.

  • Nightwear is completely Tznius and the standard of Tznius is maintained inside the bunkhouse at all times.

  • Shabbosdike clothing is worn on Shabbos, giving extra honor to our queen.

  • One-piece bathing suits at the pool. Fully Tznius outside of the pool gates.

  • No nail polish or stick-on nails allowed.

  • No beads, cornrows, or hair dye in hair.

If a camper has an article of clothing that isn’t part of our dress code, we will hold on to it until the end of camp.

Tip: try on the clothing you plan to bring to camp before packing it to make sure it still fits and follows the guidelines of camp’s dress code.

Dress Code

To ensure every camper can participate fully and enjoy her summer, a basic level of daily nutrition is essential. Campers who do not eat adequately often feel unwell, lack energy, and have difficulty enjoying the program. For this reason, all campers are required to eat three meals each day.

Our kitchen prepares meals for a large number of campers, and we are unable to accommodate individualized menu preferences. If your daughter is a selective eater, we strongly encourage you to discuss a plan with her before camp to ensure she can meet her nutritional needs and has appropriate backup options if necessary.

If a camper’s picky eating is significant, please consider whether this is the right summer for her to attend, and whether it may be beneficial to work on her eating habits before camp begins.

If eating challenges arise during camp and the level of accommodation required becomes unsustainable, we may need to reassess whether the camper is able to remain in camp.

Thank you for your understanding and partnership in helping every camper have a healthy and successful summer.

NUTRITION POLICY

All of our staff are trained in the best practices of child abuse prevention. We have developed a protocol together with our advisory board to ensure all campers’ personal safety is upheld and respected.

Personal Safety

The optimal camp experience is undisturbed by outside visitors. For some, visitation can negatively affect their camp experience.

Exceptions are made for unique circumstances, including Bas Mitzvahs or health reasons.

For safety reasons, any visit needs preauthorization. Unauthorized visitors will be turned away.

Visiting Day

Updates to Parents/Guardians

We send all acceptances and updates to parents/guardians via the email submitted in the application form, so please use an active email address when submitting the application. 

If you’re not on the email list and you want to get updates, please make sure to include your email address in the parent profile on your portal.

Once we open applications, the only way to apply is by filling out the application form until the very end and clicking "submit." If you call us to say your daughter wants to come but do not register, it’s not an application.

If for whatever reason we decide that an applicant is not the right fit for our camp, we reserve the right to refuse acceptance. 

By applying, both you and your daughter agree to follow all rules of Gan Yisroel Chai if accepted.

Important Notes

Camper Handbook

Staff Policy

Acceptance
Compensation
Job Description
Dates

Acceptance

We’re looking for girls who are responsible, warm, chassidish, caring, and fun to join our team of staff. Good communication skills and positive energy are priorities for us.

After carefully considering each application, we will choose the staff that best fit the criteria and needs of camp. We will notify all applicants of their acceptance status via email.

Counselors: In the application, we ask who you want to be a counselor with. However, you may apply alone if you don’t have a co in mind.

We do take bunk requests into consideration, but we reserve the right to make the final decision of which bunk each set of counselors gets.

Compensation

Our staff are our everything. We treat our staff with the utmost respect and regard and we are there for them at every step of the way. Besides the incredible support they can expect, they also receive weekly gifts and other surprise treats throughout the month. Staff programs and after-hour events are scheduled often, and staff t-shirts are also provided. 

Staff housing is comfortable and clean, and we make sure our staff are well-fed. Pay is $250 for counselors of main camp, kiddie camp, and lifeguards, and $500 for teen division for the month.

We contribute $100 toward the flight ticket expense of any staff member. Receipts must be submitted by the given due date to receive compensation.

Dates

Before camp starts, we have a special staff orientation and training program. All staff members are required to be there, and we will only be accepting staff who are able to make it to the training.

Featured
Headstaff and Kiddie Camp Counselors arrive First Session
Jun 29
Headstaff and Kiddie Camp Counselors arrive First Session
Counselors and Lifeguards arrive First session
Jun 30
Counselors and Lifeguards arrive First session
Headstaff and Kiddie Camp Counselors arrive Second Session
Jul 28
Headstaff and Kiddie Camp Counselors arrive Second Session
Counselors and Lifeguards arrive Second Session
Jul 29
Counselors and Lifeguards arrive Second Session

Job Description

We are looking to accept staff members who are able to be in camp for the entire duration of the session. If a staff member needs to come late to, leave in the middle of, or leave early from camp, she must inform camp when she applies. Camp will discuss with her the necessary logistics to see if we can accommodate her.

Click here to view staff job descriptions

Being a דוגמא חיה

Our staff at Gan Yisroel Chai make a priority of being a דוגמא חיה. They recognize that the campers all want to be like them and therefore make sure their behavior is always fitting for the campers to imitate.

Staff Handbook