🌞 Camp Gan Israel NJ Staff Manual 2026

NJ Youth Camp Standards Edition

🎯 Camp Mission & Goals

Camp Gan Israel strives to provide every camper with a fun, safe, active, nurturing, and inspiring summer experience while helping each child develop confidence, friendships, Jewish pride, and strong personal character.

At Camp Gan Israel every child is SPECIAL.

• S — Show me that you recognize me for who I am.
• P — Praise my achievements and growth.
• E — Encourage me daily.
• C — Create opportunities for success.
• I — Invest time in listening to me.
• A — Appreciate my unique talents.
• L — Lead me to become a better person and Jew.

👩‍🏫 Staff Expectations & Professional Conduct

• Attend all orientations and meetings
• Arrive on time and ready for camp duties
• Dress appropriately and modestly
• Maintain active camper supervision
• Treat campers and staff respectfully
• Follow all NJ Youth Camp Safety Standards
• Sign in each morning
• Place cell phones in designated phone holders during camp hours

Staff Hours: 8:45 AM – 3:45 PM

Strictly Prohibited:

• Weapons
• Illegal drugs
• Alcohol
• Smoking or vaping
• Unsafe behavior
• Verbal or physical abuse

❤️ Camper Discipline Guidelines

Campers should always be treated with dignity, patience, consistency, and kindness.

DO:

• Be firm, fair, and calm
• Encourage positive behavior
• Redirect negative behavior appropriately
• Use respectful language
• Ask for help when needed

DO NOT:

• Use corporal punishment
• Humiliate campers
• Use profanity
• Deny food, water, or bathroom access
• Use physical force unless necessary for immediate safety

🛡️ Child Protection & Abuse Prevention

Camp Gan Israel maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding child abuse or neglect.

• Not being alone with campers 
• Maintain appropriate boundaries
• Report suspicious behavior immediately
• Follow supervision requirements at all times

NJ Child Abuse Hotline:
1-877-NJ-ABUSE (1-877-652-2873)

⚠️ Sensitive Topics Policy

Staff should avoid discussing sensitive personal or controversial topics with campers.

• Drugs
• Alcohol
• Sexuality
• Politics
• Private staff matters

☀️ Daily Camp Procedures

Arrival Procedures

• Attendance is taken immediately
• Campers are directed to their assigned groups
• Medications are turned into the Health Director

Dismissal Procedures

• Campers remain supervised until pickup
• Campers are released only to authorized adults
• Staff escort campers safely to pickup areas

👥 Camper Supervision Ratios

🚌 Off-Site Trips & Public Interaction

• All campers must have assigned buddies
• Buddy checks occur regularly
• Staff must supervise at all times
• Emergency forms accompany trips
• Campers may never wander alone

💊 Health & Medication Procedures

• Medications must remain in original containers
• Only authorized personnel may administer medication
• All medication administration must be documented
• Staff must report illness symptoms immediately

🧼 Communicable Disease Procedures

• Frequent handwashing is suggested
• Sick campers/staff may be isolated pending pickup
• Contagious illnesses must be reported immediately

🔍 Staff Screening & Background Checks

Camp Gan Israel complies with all applicable NJ Youth Camp background screening requirements.

• Criminal background checks
• Sex offender registry checks
• Reference verification

🚨 General Safety Policies

• Closed-toe shoes are required
• Horseplay is prohibited
• Hydration breaks are mandatory
• Unsafe behavior must be addressed immediately

🏊 Aquatics & Waterfront Safety

• Lifeguards must be present
• Buddy checks occur every 10 minutes
• No running or horseplay
• Life jackets required for boating activities

🚐 Transportation Safety

• Seat belts must be worn
• Campers remain seated
• Vehicles may never exceed capacity
• Staff supervise campers during transportation

🚨 Emergency Procedures

Emergency procedures are reviewed during orientation and practiced throughout the summer.

🔥 Fire Emergency Procedures

1. Evacuate immediately
2. Walk calmly in single file
3. Leave belongings behind
4. Take attendance immediately
5. Await further instructions

⛈️ Severe Weather Procedures

• Move indoors immediately during lightning
• Suspend outdoor activities
• Maintain supervision indoors

🔒 Lockdown Procedures

1. Secure rooms immediately
2. Keep campers quiet and away from windows
3. Lock doors when possible
4. Wait for official clearance

🔎 Missing Camper Procedures

• Notify administration immediately
• Conduct head counts
• Search assigned areas
• Contact authorities if necessary

🩹 First Aid & Injury Procedures

• Only authorized personnel administer first aid
• Wear gloves when handling bodily fluids
• Keep other campers away from injury scenes
• Document injuries promptly

📝 Accident & Incident Reporting

All incidents, injuries, illnesses, behavioral concerns, and safety issues must be documented promptly and reported to supervisors immediately.

📞 Parent & Media Communication

Only designated administrators may communicate with parents regarding emergencies or speak with media representatives.

Staff Agreement

I have read and understand the Camp Gan Israel Staff Manual and agree to follow all camp rules, policies, safety procedures, and supervision expectations throughout the summer.