Messianic Camping for Jewish children and youth in California and New York State

<h2 style="text-align: center;">You can help send a child to Camp Gilgal</h2>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a class="blue-button" href="/camp-gilgal/send-a-child-to-camp-gilgal/">Support ›</a></p>

Camp Gilgal

<h2>About</h2>
<p class="p-3">Camp Gilgal was established by Jews for Jesus in 1991 to provide a unique opportunity for children of Jewish believers (including families where only one parent is Jewish) to learn about their Messiah and heritage with other children with a similar background.</p>
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<h2 class="mb-4">Programs and dates</h2>
<p><a class="dark-blue-button" href="/camp-gilgal/camp-gilgal-west/">‹ Camp Gilgal West</a>    <a class="dark-blue-button" href="/camp-gilgal/camp-gilgal-east/">Camp Gilgal East ›</a></p>
<h2 class="mb-4">Gilgal Gazette</h2>
<p>The Gilgal Gazette is published by Camp Gilgal campers for Camp Gilgal campers and their families and friends</p>
<p><a class="yellow-button" href="http://jforj.org/campgilgal/">Read the Gilgal Gazette ›</a></p>


<h2>More about Camp Gilgal</h2>
<p><span class="pop-up" data-target="modal-faq"><a class="yellow-button" href="#">Common questions from parents</a></span>     <span class="pop-up" data-target="modal-testimonies"><a class="yellow-button" href="#">Camper Testimonials</a></span></p>


<h2 style="text-align: center;">A Letter From Our Director</h2>
<p>It is with a heavy heart that we have cancelled our Camp Gilgal 2020 summer season due to COVID-19. We are disappointed to not be able to move forward with our 30th camp season, but confident that this is the best decision for our campers, parents and staff for this summer.</p>
<p>Over ten years ago, we developed a child protection policy for our programs for children and youth. In it we state: <i>Our commitment is to nurture and protect those entrusted to our care.  We will adhere to this Policy even if it means altering or cancelling a program.  Safety comes first and our schedule will never override safety.</i> We’ve never had to cancel a program for safety concerns, but we believe it is our duty and responsibility to do so in light of our current situation.</p>
<p>“Behold how good and how pleasant it is when God’s people dwell together in unity!” (Hinei Ma Tov from Psalm 133:1) is a song we regularly sing during camp. Though we won’t be able to sing this song together in person this summer, we continue to stand with our campers and families in any way we can. Our in-person summer sessions of camp are being cancelled, but our desire and commitment to see new generations of Jewish believers in Messiah remains. Please let us know if there are specific ways that we can extend care to your family.</p>
<p>This is a time of change and of impacted schedules, but the words of Joshua 1:9, our Camp Gilgal theme verse, are as true now as they were for God’s people as they prepared to cross the Jordan River and set up camp at Gilgal:</p>
<p><i>Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.</i></p>
<p>Please be in touch with us with any questions, concerns or prayer requests. We are praying for you at this time.</p>
<p>In our Messiah,</p>
<p>David “Moose” Garrett</p>
<p>Children and Youth Ministry Director</p>


<h2 style="text-align: center;">Common Questions From Parents</h2>
<h4>What is Camp Gilgal and why should I send my child there?</h4>
<p>Camp Gilgal was established by Jews for Jesus in 1991 to provide a unique opportunity for children of Jewish believers (including families where only one parent is Jewish and also non-Jewish families at Messianic Congregations in community with Jewish camp kids) to learn about their Messiah and heritage with other children with a similar background. When campers don’t have to explain the identity piece (how can you be Jewish and believe in Jesus?) questions of faith are able to rise to the surface. </p>
<h4>What about my child who has never been away from home before? What if they don’t know anyone?</h4>
<p>Most children attending Camp Gilgal for the first time don’t know other campers, and many haven’t been away from home before. They’ll be in good company, and they will have experienced “homesickness experts” in many of our staff who used to be campers. We have seen every kind of homesickness and have walked campers (and their parents!) through it. Our experience has been that kids and teens bond and adapt quickly.</p>
<h4>Is my child ready for Camp Gilgal?</h4>
<p>You know your camper best, but we have some helpful benchmarks. Can they take a shower and get dressed by themselves? Have they had successful sleepovers? It might be a challenge (even for teen or adventure campers) but challenges aren’t bad, they are opportunities for growth and we strive to provide a supportive environment for growth.</p>
<h4>What if I can’t afford to send my child to Camp Gilgal?</h4>
<p>We are committed to making sure that finances are never the only reason a camper doesn’t attend Camp Gilgal. We’re willing to work with any family who wants to send their child to camp. There are creative ways to make it happen: paying in installments, assistance from relatives and/or local congregation/fellowship, garage sales, children working to earn money for camp and partial scholarships for those in need. We want to help! Please don’t let finances be the reason you don’t consider Camp Gilgal for your camper.</p>
<h4>Will my child be safe at Camp Gilgal?</h4>
<p>We treat and care for our campers the way we would if they were our own children. Obviously, no guarantees can be made, but our camp staff does everything that we can do to make sure that everyone is safe and has a good time. We operate with child protection policies and safety plans that are reviewed annually by our insurance company and regional authorities.</p>
<h4>Will my child have fun at Camp Gilgal?</h4>
<p>We hope so! What makes Camp Gilgal unique is that we want to create a space for Jewish believing kids to grow in their faith and meet other people like themselves&#8230;but we also want to have a really good time! Activities (especially the spiritual ones) are planned with the age group of campers in mind so that camp is fun and engaging and just for them. In fact, we strive to make Camp Gilgal so much fun that the campers can’t wait to return.</p>
<h4>Will Camp Gilgal work for my child’s unique situation?</h4>
<p>Get in touch with the camp director for your region and <a href="/staff-page/?firstname=David&amp;lastname=Garrett">let’s talk about it</a>. Because we’re a small niche camp, we have a lot of flexibility to provide accomodation where it is possible. Here are some situations we’ve dealt with at Camp Gilgal: bed wetting, asthma, allergies and other medical conditions (including dietary restrictions), those who can’t swim and some with learning disabilities. We can’t say that we can handle every situation, and camp might not be the right fit for every child every year, but don’t dismiss the idea of sending your child to Camp Gilgal because of _____. Let’s talk it over first.</p>
<h4>What about food? </h4>
<p>No treif (pork or shellfish) is served at Camp Gilgal. If your child has dietary restrictions or food allergies let us know and we will work to make accomodations with our host camps for your child. For all campers we provide reminders about eating a variety of food and drinking plenty of water.</p>
<h4>I love Camp Gilgal, but I’m too old to be a camper and I don’t have any campers to send. What can I do?</h4>
<p>There are lots of opportunities to help! You can give to the <a href="/camp-gilgal/send-a-child-to-camp-gilgal/">Camp Gilgal scholarship fund</a> to help make attending Camp Gilgal possible for a family in need. There are also opportunities to drive to help with camp transportation and you can send mail (we love mail!) to encourage the campers and staff. Get in touch with one of the camp directors and we would love to help you find the right opportunity to get involved.</p>
<h4>Can I visit Camp Gilgal?</h4>
<p>We’re working on having virtual tours of Camp Gilgal available (for East and West), look out for that by 2021! But for the safety of campers we don’t have in-person visiting days. </p>
<h4>Can I call my camper?</h4>
<p>There are so few technology-free spaces and we try to protect camp as one of them. Campers surrender their phones on the first night of camp and are returned as they are packing up. There are ways that each camp provides for parents to stay connected to what is happening at Camp Gilgal (blog, private instagram, daily email updates, etc.) You can always be in touch with the director if you have questions or if there is an emergency.</p>
<h4>How can I be in touch with my camper?</h4>
<p>MailCall!!! Campers love sending and receiving mail! This can be an especially great way for extended family members to provide support to first time campers, make sure that they are receiving lots of mail and care.</p>


<h2 style="text-align: center;">Camper Testimonials</h2>
<p>&#8220;Camp Gilgal is more exciting every year &#8212; new people, new food, new adventures and new challenges. I love Camp Gilgal and you should try it too.&#8221;<br />
&#8212; Tali B., Evanston, IL</p>
<p>&#8220;I remember watching the sunset and then seeing shooting stars. I had never seen anything like that before. I also know at Camp Gilgal I can ask serious questions about God and about being Jewish.&#8221;<br />
&#8212; Ben N., Princeton, NJ</p>
<p>&#8220;We do cool stuff at Camp Gilgal. It&#8217;s a great place to hang out and worship God.&#8221;<br />
&#8212; Zach D., Citrus Heights, CA</p>
<p>&#8220;While at Camp Gilgal, I learned what it really means to be loved by God and to be forgiven.&#8221;<br />
&#8212; Jasmine M., Levittown, NY</p>
<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s really, really fun. I made a lot of friends and I especially like the horseback riding.&#8221;<br />
&#8212; Zhava K., San Diego, CA</p>
<p>&#8220;The week I spent at Camp Gilgal changed my life. I&#8217;ve started up an outreach ministry at my school and it&#8217;s doing great.&#8221;<br />
&#8212; David B., Coral Springs, FL</p>
<p>&#8220;Camp Gilgal is even better than a puppy!&#8221;<br />
&#8212; Michael J., Bloomington, IL</p>
<p>&#8220;Camp Gilgal is only four months away. I can hardly wait! I look forward to it all year. It&#8217;s the highlight of my year. How old do you have to be to be a tribe leader? Because after I&#8217;m too old for camp I want to be a tribe leader. I could not go a year without going to Camp Gilgal.&#8221;<br />
&#8212; Tamara R.</p>
<p>&#8220;I have to tell you this past camp was awesome. I made the best of friends and I hope we stay close forever! Thanks so much for all the hard work you do towards camp. It&#8217;s paying off well. Camp has changed my life and I&#8217;m hoping my kids can go to Camp Gilgal too!&#8221;<br />
&#8212; Rachelle R., San Diego, CA</p>
<p>&#8220;After two weeks, camp feels like home. The first time you come to camp you get a little homesick but by the time you go home you are campsick, missing camp. The only thing you miss from home is your bathroom. If you want to go to camp, this camp is the camp to go to.&#8221;</p>
<h4>Here’s a letter we received from the parents of one of our campers:</h4>
<p>“Camp Gilgal has truly been a blessing to our entire family. Thank you for the investment in our son’s life. We believe we will see the fruit of your labor more clearly as the years go by and perfectly when we stand before God’s throne.</p>
<p>“In a world where teens battle to discover who they are, Camp Gilgal’s staff shows the love of Messiah. The genuine and godly care has shaped our son’s identity and the community of young people you serve. Our son will carry Camp Gilgal’s imprint well into adulthood.</p>
<p>“Keep up the good work. We love you and may God bless all your endeavors on behalf of the kids.”<br />
— Pat and Sandi</p>


Camp Gilgal

Messianic Camping for Jewish children and youth in California and New York State

You can help send a child to Camp Gilgal

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