Why Kadimah?
Deciding which summer camp to send your child to is a big decision, and we know that you’ll have many questions leading up to that decision. To help with the choice, we’ve identified three main factors prospective families often consider:
Safe and Healthy Environment
Camp Culture
A Place to Grow & Create Lifelong Friendships
Finding a camp that is a great fit for your child can be challenging, especially so if you’ve never been to the camp you’re considering. This is why we have year-round staff who are happy to answer any and all questions. What really separates Camp Kadimah is its community; when you come to Kadimah, you are entering a new family that stays with you long beyond your years as a camper. Kadimah has proudly served Canada’s Jewish Maritime community since 1943, and today is cherished as a second-home for Jewish children from around the globe. Each summer we welcome campers and staff from across Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia and Israel. It is our goal that our campers not only have the time of their lives while at Kadimah (although this is high on the list), but to concurrently instill in them important Jewish values, strong ties to Israel and provide to them the unique opportunity to explore Canada’s beautiful east coast.
Sessions
PJ Goes To Camp Day
Sneak Peak
Taste of Kadimah
Kadimah Intro Program
Full Summer Program
Sections
Camp Kadimah has five camper sections, divided into junior camp (Giborim, Goshrim and Kochot), and senior camp, which includes Machar as well as our Counsellor in Training (CIT) program. The sections are listed below, from youngest to oldest campers.
Giborim
(Grades 1-3 / Ages 7-9)
“Gibby! Gibby! Gibby! Oy! Oy! Oy!” The rallying cry of our youngest campers. Giborim is Hebrew for “heroes”, and to us at Kadimah, that’s exactly what they are. With a playground, gaga pit and tetherball court right next to the cabins, “Gibbieland” is the most happening place in Barss Corner. We proudly maintain a camper to staff ratio of 3:1, ensuring our Gibbies are always supervised.
Goshrim
(Grades 4-5 / Ages 10-11)
Maybe the most rambunctious and spirited of all our sections, our Goshies live in, you-guessed-it, “Goshieland”! Complete with activity courts and tetherball, the Goshrim section is home to the renowned “Goshie Bridge” (Goshrim means Bridge Builders in English). With their staff at their sides, Goshies can often be seen playing floor hockey, beading, and singing the loudest in the Chadar (the dining hall).
Kochot
(Grades 6-7 / Ages 12-13)
As the oldest section in junior camp, our Kochotniks can participate in all of our marquee events, such as Hockey Marathon, house-leagues and the Junior Camp Play. The Kochot section is epitomized by strength and might (Kochot is Hebrew for The Strong after all), and with their staff by their sides, they are encouraged to push their boundaries and become young leaders.
Machar
(Grades 8-9 / Ages 14-15)
Camp Machar. It’s more than just a section. With a deep history and meaningful traditions, the oldest camper section at Kadimah is founded on the principle of family and shaping our leaders of tomorrow; Machar is Hebrew for tomorrow. A summer in camp Machar includes special thematic programming and allows our eldest campers to practice leadership, communication and collaborative skills. while uniquely separate from the rest of camp in some respects, Macharniks play an integral role to the Kadimah program, with frequent and meaningful interactions with our younger campers.
CIT (Counsellors in Training)
(Grade 10 / Age 16)
The CIT program was developed to build the leadership skills we look for in our future counsellors, and is broken down into three core areas: placement, specialty, and Hadracha. Placement allows our CITs to walk in the shoes of our cabin-staff, working hand-in-hand with a cabin’s counsellors from wake-up to bedtime. Specialty provides our CITs with the chance to work on a specialty area of their choice, from waterski, to arts and crafts (called mel yad) or sports. Finally, Hadracha is a specially crafted leadership training program where our CITs participate in interactive and meaningful activities and sessions surrounding programming, camper care, and the general development of skills that they will need to succeed both as camp counsellors, and beyond. A highlight of the CIT program is the week long trip through the Canadian Maritimes.Kadimah In The City
We may only be at camp for 6 weeks each year, but the Kadimah fun can be experienced all year round. Kadimah In The City (KITC) provides an opportunity for both returning and new campers to connect with the Kadimah community during the off-season. For new campers, KITC is the perfect opportunity to meet future fellow campers and feel at home at Kadimah well in advance of setting foot in Barss Corner. KITC events happen each off-season in both Halifax and Toronto.
Current parents will receive an email approximately one month before a scheduled event with an e-invitation link. If you are a prospective parent and wish to attend future KITC events, please email us and we will happily add you to our list.
Past KITC events have included: bowling, rock climbing, laser tag, and team games.
TRAVEL
For Maritime campers, Camp Kadimah charters busses that pick up the campers from a central location in Halifax.
For campers from Toronto, camp begins in the airport with a group flight which enables campers to travel together alongside staff chaperones.
For campers from elsewhere across the globe, please reach out to office@campkadimah.com to align transportation that coordinates with our pre-existing airport or city busses.
Airfare is not included in camp tuition
Kadimah Scholarship Fund
For over 75 summers, Camp Kadimah has been the setting for incredible memories and the starting line for lifelong friendships. For some families, Camp Kadimah is home to three generations, while others are just beginning their history there. Either way, Camp Kadimah prides itself as being a place of magic, warmth and Jewish cultural inspiration. Our hope is that every Jewish child who aspires to go to camp will be able to have that experience. Camp Kadimah’s Scholarship Fund was established with the vision of helping Jewish children attend Kadimah who may otherwise not be able to do so. The scholarship fund prioritizes the needs of Atlantic Canadians through the Leventhal Fund. As a whole, the scholarship fund helps to offset registration costs for families whose financial situation makes it difficult to afford the full camp fee. Prospective families are welcome to email: scholarship@campkadimah.com to request more information about receiving a need-based scholarship.
Camp Kadimah’s Scholarship Fund is made possible by the generous support of the following organizations and individuals.
Private Donors
Partner Grants
If your child is a first time camper at Jewish overnight camp, you may be eligible to receive up to $1000 off your camp fees. Camp Kadimah is proud to be associated with the following incentive grant program:
House Visits & Camper Ambassadors
A member of our leadership team will come to your home and present all the information (including pictures and videos) that you and your prospective camper need to know about our camp. Of course, we will also gladly answer all the questions you have. We are committed to making new campers feel at home well before the summer even starts. If you decide to commit to Kadimah, new campers will have plenty of opportunities to socially integrate ahead of camp through both Kadimah In The City events and a camper ambassador. Our camper ambassadors are our trusted “veterans” (they have at least two summers at Kadimah under their belts), and we will match you with someone who is the same age and gender (i.e., in the same section) as your new camper.