About
Our Starter Session is a five night camping experience for first time campers to get a taste of what overnight camp is all about. Starter Session Campers participate in all regular camp activities including evening programs, campfires, and cabin activities. They get to experience a full week of camp choice activities, choosing three camp activities and one Judaics activities from our 100+ options.
Dates
Starter Session campers arrive Sunday June 23, 2024 and depart on Friday June 28, 2024.
Who Can Attend?
The Starter Session is open to all first-time Camp Ben Frankel participants who are rising 2nd-6th graders (1st-5th grade in the 2023-2024 school year).
Where Will Campers Sleep?
Starter Session campers sleep in cabins with other campers their age and the counselors for their bunk. Each cabin will have a mix of Starter Session, two-week Rookie, and four-week Full Session campers. Our cabins are all air conditioned and have electricity. Bath houses with showers, toilets, and sinks are a short walk from each cabin.
Can I See A Packing List?
What Is The Cost?
Our Starter Session is $1,175.00. We also have financial aid applications, which you can request by emailing info@campbenfrankel.org.
How Does Transportation Work?
Our campsite is located in Makanda, IL, about two hours from St. Louis and five hours from Chicago. You can drive your camper to camp or we have a camp bus to and from St. Louis and Chicago.
What Is The Food Like?
We provide three meals and three healthy snacks each day from our full kosher kitchen. Our camp is nut-free and we can easily accomodate camper allergies and dietary restrictions such as vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free.
If My Child Loves It, Can They Extend Their Stay?
Yes! If your camper wants to stay, you can choose to have them extend to our two-week Rookie Session or four-week Full Session.
How Do I Sign Up?
Click the button below!
Where Can I Get More Info?
Our full Parent/Guardian Starter Session Manual can be found here: CBF Starter Session Parent/Guardian Manual 2024 [published] – Google Docs
You can also reach out to our Camp Director, Aaron Hadley at aaron@campbenfrankel.org or our Assistant Camp Director, Sarah Sherer-Kohlburn at sarah@campbenfrankel.org with any questions.