Camp Dror, an OU Israel project, is a truly unique 2 ½ week summer experience in Israel. A sleep-away camp for youth entering grades 6-10.
Because it is located in the majestic Golan Heights, campers enjoy a wide variety of activities including hiking, kayaking, swimming and other sports. They also learn and have volunteer chessed projects. The experienced staff provides a warm atmosphere and develops a deep and lasting connection with the campers.
“We were originally attracted to Camp Dror because it’s an OU Israel project,” says Danny Swirsky who has had two sons at the camp. The Swirsky family made aliyah in 1994 and has been living in Bet Shemesh since 1998.
“We like the fact that Camp Dror isn’t too big. It’s more heimish than other camps,” he says. “It isn’t a Torah camp and it’s not a Sports camp. It’s a Summer camp where davening and sports are part of the regular day. That’s the way it should be.”
The Swirskys had a memorable Camp Dror experience during the summer of 2014. Their son’s birthday was during camp and it was his bar mitzvah. His “official” bar mitzvah was planned to be in Bet Shemesh after camp.
“We decided to surprise him on his birthday. It’s was wonderful,” Swirsky says. “Our son had prepared the Torah reading for that Thursday morning. The kids and the staff really got into it. Someone brought out a guitar. The kids started dancing. They threw candy. It was really leibidich,” he says. “That’s Camp Dror.”
Since its establishment in 1995 by OU Israel and NCSY, campers from Israel and around the world have spent meaningful summers on the beautiful campuses. Many campers continue on as counselors.
Camp Dror strives to strengthen the campers’ Jewish and Zionist values throughout the summer. There is a comfortable, open atmosphere that encourages campers to grow in their own way.
“One of our son’s favorite things about Camp Dror is that he meets kids from all over: from Efrat, from Ra’anana, and from abroad,” Swirsky says. In fact, campers come from diverse background: Israeli homes, Anglo homes in Israel and from abroad. This encourages them to learn about other cultures and to appreciate their own.
There are separate camps for boys and girls. Both camps are in the Golan Heights. The boys’ camp is located in Chispin and the girls’ camp is located in Keshet.
Dates: July 7 – July 23, 2015
Price: $1,495 (or equivalent in Israel Shekels).
Early Bird Special: $1,380 until April 20.
For more information and to register: http://www.campdror.com
Email: campdror@ouisrael.org
Telephone: +972-2-560 99114 (Shlomit)
The words of this author reflect his/her own opinions and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Orthodox Union.