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Welcome to our Camp Ben Frankel website! My name is Aaron Hadley and I’ve had the privilege of being Camp Ben Frankel’s director since 2017. I passionately believe that summer camp helps kids thrive – now so more than ever before. At CBF we work hard to build a place that is welcoming to anyone in search of a loving Jewish community. We want campers to thrive. We want our staff to thrive.
We believe that begins by creating a place that helps everyone feel truly safe, accepted, and loved and then giving them the chance to share and create incredible experiences with their camp family – and to leave filled with joy, happiness, and Jewish pride.
Aaron “H” Hadley
Director
The key to an amazing camp experience
Executive Director
After a 20 year hiatus, Aaron rejoined Camp Ben Frankel in 2017 and has overseen its growth into an industry-leader with a reputation for programmatic and operational excellence.
Assistant Director
Sarah first attended Camp Ben Frankel at age 11 in 1999 and she returned for many summers as a camper, counselor, division head, and leadership team staff member. She is thrilled to have returned…
Co-Director of Camp Operations
Kernel first came to Camp Ben Frankel as a camper in 1986, from the town of Danville, Illinois. He stayed at camp until 1995, transitioning from camper to counselor.
Co-Director of Camp Operations
Graph grew up in Danville, IL in the early 1980s and first attended CBF from 1992 to 1997. He started as a CIT, then joined the waterfront staff for many years, and finally served as CIT counselor in 1997.
Dir. of Camper Care and Inclusion
Jarred serves as Camp Ben Frankel’s Director of Camper Care and inclusion. He is a social worker who received his MSW from Loyola University Chicago. Jarred has worked in clinical and school settings for 10+ years.
Director of Health and Safety
Cyndee served as the Director of the Center for Jewish Learning from 2007-2020, and the Director of the Saul Brodsky Jewish Community 2015-2020 at the Jewish Federation of St Louis, Missouri.
Community Care Director
Farrah joined Camp Ben Frankel in 2022. Prior to that she spent many summers as counselor, drama specialist, unit head, and Judaics director at Camp Judaea, Camp Sabra, and The J Camp KC. Farrah graduated from..
Staff Care Director
Laura grew up in St.Louis, MO and entered into the world of summer camp at Camp Ben Frankel in 1991. Her experiences at CBF were the start of a 16 year relationship with summer programs and leadership training through organizations..
CBF was rated #1 in parent satisfaction amongst 100+ North American Jewish Camps
Members of our staff and board of directors attend training conferences throughout the year to continually improve by learning from best practices, strengthening our programs, and studying emerging trends.
All of our staff complete a rigorous screening and training program that includes interviews, reference and background checks, 30 hours of pre-camp online training, plus 1-2 weeks of on site training before campers arrive.
Camp Ben Frankel participates in the Cornerstone Fellowship, a program that offers Jewish educational training and professional development to exemplary returning camp staff.
Camp Ben Frankel’s mission is to create a welcoming, inclusive, lifelong community for Jewish children, teens, adults and families of all backgrounds.
Our parent satisfaction survey scores rated Camp Ben Frankel #1 amongst 100+ participating North American Jewish camps in the following categories:
At CBF we combine the wisdom of industry best-practices, decades of experienced leadership, strategic partnerships, and an open-minded approach to develop programs and activities that meet or exceed the high expectations of our campers, parents, and camp staff. Safety comes first. Camp Ben Frankel is proudly accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA).
We work closely with strategic partners whose missions and values align with ours to help better serve our community. Partners include the Foundation For Jewish Camp, JCamp180, Keshet, StandWithUs, Jewish Camps USA, Life and Legacy, and Jewish Federations across the country. In October 2020, we were presented with the JCamp180 Outstanding Board Leadership Award.
We believe that the single most important key to ensuring that campers thrive is having great camp staff. If the staff are talented, passionate, responsible – and fun! – they’ll keep kids safe and provide a summer experience that provides lifelong happy memories.
We work hard to ensure that our staff have a great experience, are treated well, and meet our high standards for excellence.
Staff satisfaction survey scores rated Camp Ben Frankel one of the best Jewish camps to work at in North America
Campers with disabilities, LGBTQ+, Jews of Color, immigrant families, Russian speaking Jewish families, interfaith families: we are firmly committed to an ever-evolving culture that is inclusive and welcoming.
Honor Heritage. Respect Tradition. Build Pride.
Camp Ben Frankel is an inclusive, pluralist Jewish community. We welcome campers from all Jewish backgrounds. We nurture a connection to Israel and impart the beauty, meaningfulness, and relevance of Judaism and Hebrew into our campers’ everyday lives.
Each morning, campers can choose from different options for services. Examples include a communal service in Hebrew, an English teaching service, guided meditation, nature exploration, a percussion service, a jogging service — and more. The goals are to empower campers with the freedom to explore, learn, and find meaningfulness in a safe and encouraging atmosphere. Campers and staff who are interested are encouraged to learn how to lay tefillin, wear a tallis, and to daven.
We have a kosher kitchen and celebrate Shabbat and other Jewish holidays that fall during the session. Motzi and Birkat are recited at every meal.
Camp Ben Frankel is proud to use one of the 1564 scrolls that survived the Shoah (the Holocaust). Thanks to the Memorial Scrolls Trust they have been carefully restored and loaned to Jewish organizations all over the world. Our torah originated in Brno, Moravia and is scroll MST#188 helps our community learn the joy of shabbat at our weekly camp shabbat services as well as during camp at special camper bar and bat mitzvah celebrations.
To learn more please visit the Memorial Scrolls Trust website.
We nurture a proud connection to Israel through special programs and daily activities that teach campers and staff about the religious, historical and cultural importance of Israel to the Jewish people. Our camp community includes Israeli campers and counselors from the Jewish Agency for Israel.
At our camp we are committed to providing our campers and staff with the tools and knowledge they need to develop a lifelong appreciation for the country and its people.
Camp Ben Frankel’s mission is to build a lifelong camp family for Jewish children from all backgrounds to explore their identities in an inclusive and welcoming environment, one amazing summer at a time.
By providing a rich and engaging program that combines Jewish values and traditions with fun and educational activities, CBF seeks to instill a sense of pride and belonging in its campers. Through positive role modeling, mentoring, and guidance, the camp’s staff work tirelessly to inspire campers to become leaders and to make a positive impact in their communities.
We use training, experience, and good judgment as guides towards the primary responsibility of ensuring each camper’s physical and emotional safety.
We endeavor to create an environment where every camper makes friends through fun and joyful experiences.
We provide opportunities for each camper, from any Jewish background, to create meaningful Jewish experiences to ensure they feel positively connected with Judaism, tikkun olam, and Israel.
We support and celebrate each camper’s individual needs by valuing diversity, guided by the belief that every Jewish child deserves a welcoming Jewish community that supports their emotional, physical, and financial needs.
We create an environment that welcomes curiosity and embraces innovation by supporting campers as they develop the skills of independence, responsibility, confidence, and resilience.
We encourage campers to feel immersed and present in camp’s rich experiences in order to appreciate the unique community and activities that camp offers.
We aim to build a lifelong community of campers and staff who respect and support one another through open communication, respectful debate, and shared experiences.
Embracing diversity and practicing acceptance are essential. We promote mutual understanding and empathy.
This, in turn, leads to more harmonious and productive relationships in our camp.
Health and Safety is always our first priority. We follow recommendations by leading experts like the CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics, the Association of Camp Nurses, and the American Camp Association.
Each week campers choose 4 electives from a combination of classic camp activities and an array of innovative options powered by the creativity of our staff. Our counselors thoughtfully plan the curriculum with the help of experienced educators to ensure activities are high quality and fun.
Our aquatics program is a great way for campers to enjoy swimming, splashing, and safely playing in the water. Water safety always comes first and includes an instructional swim program. Activities include swim instruction, free swim, aquapark, water aerobics, canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, fishing, and more.
We combine skill instruction with the freedom and support to experiment and be expressive. Some examples include cooking, painting, ceramics, pottery, bracelet making, jewelry making, tie dye, beading, drawing, crafting, origami, and much, much more.
Our campers and staff love unleashing their imaginations and putting their minds to work while gaming. We offer role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Always popular: strategy games like Settlers of Catan, Magic The Gathering, Pokemon, and more. We also offer classic board games like chess, which experienced a surge of popularity in 2020. Like our other activity areas, we are always developing more activities for this program and welcome suggestions!
Camp is one of the best places to unleash your imagination in a safe and supportive environment. Whether embracing your creativity or getting a standing ovation during a performance, here are some example activities that campers can choose from: acting, improv, musical theater, dance, book club, creative writing, comic books, camp newspaper, guitar, ukulele, singing, rock band, song writing, percussion, music appreciation, song leading, and much more.
We offer a variety of creative STEM activities and projects for campers. Examples include robotics, model rocketry, coding, physics, Rube Goldberg machines, and more. This activity area is always evolving.
One of our core values is “creating immersive experiences” and we love to make the most out of our natural surroundings and help campers foster a relationship with the environment. Programs include high ropes, climbing, teams course, hiking, camping, outdoor cooking, survival skills, archery, fire building, scouting, and more.
We love sports at CBF! Our programs combine a focus on teambuilding, skill-building, sportsmanship and respect led by skilled role models. Campers can choose from basketball, baseball, softball, personal fitness, yoga, meditation, martial arts, ping pong, spike ball, Dude Perfect, cross country, ultimate frisbee, tennis, volleyball, soccer, frisbee golf, football, relay races, capture the flag, and much, much more.
Want to know more about Camp Ben Frankel? Join our mailing list!
618-235-1614
3419 W. Main St., Belleville, IL 62226
Executive Director
After a 20 year hiatus, Aaron rejoined Camp Ben Frankel in 2017 and has overseen its growth into an industry-leader with a reputation for programmatic and operational excellence. Prior to CBF, he oversaw the nationwide operation of 100 camps serving more than 6,100 children as Chief Operating Officer of Camp Kesem National, a charity for children touched by a parent’s cancer. He helped build the world’s largest peer support service for cancer fighters as Director of Operations at Imerman Angels Cancer Support and spent eight years as the Associate Director at B’nai B’rith Beber Camp in Wisconsin. Aaron has been a featured speaker at conferences and invited to provide continuing education for teachers.
Assistant Director
Sarah first attended Camp Ben Frankel at age 11 in 1999 and she returned for many summers as a camper, counselor, division head, and leadership team staff member. She is thrilled to have returned to CBF where she oversees camp’s operations and programming.
Sarah graduated from Barnard College with a degree in both Jewish Studies and Women’s Studies. She received her law degree from Washington University in St. Louis and has practiced both civil and criminal defense litigation. Sarah taught Hebrew school for many years in New York, Columbia, MO and St. Louis.
Having grown up and attended synagogues in Edwardsville and Alton, IL, and St. Louis, MO, Sarah is familiar with our federation and camp communities.
Co-Director of Camp Operations
Kernel first came to Camp Ben Frankel as a camper in 1986, from the town of Danville, Illinois. He stayed at camp until 1995, transitioning from camper to counselor. In 2014, Kernel returned home to CBF in 2014 an alumni reunion, and subsequently joined CBF’s leadership team in 2017.
While not at camp, Kernel lives in Seattle, WA with his wife Kathy, where he teaches international studies, comparative government, and psychology at the International Community School in Kirkland, WA. He has been a middle and high school teacher since 2001, holding teaching certificates in social studies and instrumental music.
Kernel holds a master’s degree in curriculum development and instruction, and is nearing the completion of a PhD in Educational Foundations where he specializes in teaching through social justice. Kernel is also an active performing musician as a jazz saxophonist.
Co-Director of Camp Operations
Graph grew up in Danville, IL in the early 1980s and first attended CBF from 1992 to 1997. He started as a CIT, then joined the waterfront staff for many years, and finally served as CIT counselor in 1997. In the summer of 2017 Graph returned to Camp Ben Frankel as a guest instructor for science and ultimate frisbee, then as Co-Director of Camp Operations in 2018.
Professionally, Graph works as technician in a biomedical research lab at Wake Forest University Medical School. There, he has helped developed vaccines and is currently working on a drug to reduce/eliminate the formation of kidney stones.
Graph also participates in numerous sports such as disc golf, ultimate frisbee, kickball, and dodgeball and enjoys spending time with his corgi mix, “Honey.”
Dir. of Camper Care and Inclusion
Jarred serves as Camp Ben Frankel’s Director of Camper Care and inclusion. He is a social worker who received his MSW from Loyola University Chicago. Jarred has worked in clinical and school settings for 10+ years. In his clinical practice, he has worked with a diverse clientele, specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy for depression and anxiety. Additionally, he has worked as a school social worker in the Chicagoland area, as well as with Zion, Illinois School District 6.
Jarred has his Masters Degree in Elementary Education from DePaul University, and was a seventh and 8th grade teacher in the Chicago Public School system. He joined Camp Ben Frankel in 2019 and is thrilled to continue helping children and staff thrive at camp! In his free time, he enjoys book collecting, writing and playing basketball.
Director of Health and Safety
Cyndee served as the Director of the Center for Jewish Learning from 2007-2020, and the Director of the Saul Brodsky Jewish Community 2015-2020 at the Jewish Federation of St Louis, Missouri. In addition to her administrative role she taught classes throughout the community and supported collaborative Jewish professional councils that serve the community.
Cyndee has a great passion for Jewish Ethics and the rich Jewish tradition of Mussar which she teaches in the St Louis community to adults and teens.
Prior to her career as a Jewish educator, Cyndee worked for 12 years as a Neonatal Intensive Care nurse and Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist at Wyler Children’s Hospital in Chicago and St. Louis Children’s Hospital where she focused on staff nurse support and education and family education. She utilizes her nursing skills today as the Director of Health and Safety at Camp Ben Frankel and has worked as a school nurse at the former Solomon Schechter Day School in St Louis.
She and her husband Ken are the proud parents of 5 children, and 1 grandchild.
Community Care Director
Farrah joined Camp Ben Frankel in 2022. Prior to that she spent many summers as counselor, drama specialist, unit head, and Judaics director at Camp Judaea, Camp Sabra, and The J Camp KC.
Farrah graduated from The University of Arizona with a degree in Judaic Studies and Political Science. She received her Masters in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis and studied at the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem as a Wexner Graduate Fellow/Davidson Scholar. Farrah is also a 200 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance.
When not at camp, Farrah works as a Social Worker at Rosehill Elementary School. She loves campfires, coffee, reading, sunny days, and going to Kansas City Current games with her family.
Staff Care Director
Laura grew up in St.Louis, MO and entered into the world of summer camp at Camp Ben Frankel in 1991. Her experiences at CBF were the start of a 16 year relationship with summer programs and leadership training through organizations like Camp Thunderbird, Adventures Cross Country, and National Outdoor Leadership. She worked at B’nai B’rith Beber Camp in Wisconsin for three years as a councilor, CIT director, and unit head.
Laura graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Secondary Education and earned her Masters in Education with an emphasis on Teacher Leadership from the American College of Education. She taught abroad, in an IB program, in Bangkok Thailand for four years before moving back to Colorado where she now lives with her husband and children. Laura taught Secondary Social Studies, with an emphasis on cultural human geography, humanities, and government, for 12 years in both Cherry Creek and Jefferson County School districts. Laura has held a variety of leadership positions as department coordinator, new teacher mentor, curriculum development, and an instructional coach.
In her free time Laura loves traveling, outdoor adventures, yoga, board games, and playing with her kids.