Welcome to Camp Simcha

Camp Simcha & Camp Simcha Special

Simcha Magic: Feel It In The Air!

About ParentSpace and our Galleries

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As the session begins, we would like to clarify some things about our Facebook galleries, public galleries on our website, and ParentSpace galleries.

If your child is photo-released “in camp only,” he will only appear in the ParentSpace gallery. Your child will not appear on Facebook, nor on the public side of the site. So if your child is a camper, go ahead and sign up for ParentSpace by clicking “REGISTER” at the top right corner of this page. Not only will you see more pictures (2x more pictures than on FB), but you will also be privy to ParentSpace exclusive videos, a special blog, the daily camp newsletter, camp schedule, and more!

Please note: it may take a couple of hours for your account to be activated, giving us time to confirm who you are. When your account is activated, you will be notified by email.

If you have any questions, comments, requests, or suggestions for our site, please contact webmaster@campsimcha.org

E-mail your Camper!

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Our campers love getting e-mail! To send your camper an e-mail, include his NAME and BUNK NUMBER in the subject line of the e-mail. Please send all e-mails to mail@campsimcha.org. Unfortunately, we cannot download any attachments so please include all content in the body of your e-mail.

For technical assistance, please e-mail webmaster@campsimcha.org

Parting Message from Shira!

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Two weeks sounds like an insignificant unit of time,
Yet these were unlike any other, entirely sublime
In Simcha we laugh and in Simcha we grow,
From tropical beaches to white fluffy snow.
Simcha gave us new wings so that we can fly,
To take home the magic and take everything in stride.
It taught us that when you stumble it’s okay to fall
And given us a family to help us through it all.
It showed us the power we have to create and to mold,
To turn everything around us into gold.
It taught us to put all our differences aside,
that you can see we are all equally special, if only you try.
It taught us to flip all our “can’t”s into “cans,”
With the new confidence achieved by this camp and our friends.
It taught us to use generosity instead of greed,
And sometimes a little Simcha is all you need.
Thank you so much Camp Simcha Special! These lasts two weeks filled me with memories that’ll last a lifetime!

Shabbat in Camp Simcha Special 2015

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Our last Shabbat blog written by our very own, Shira!

As camp is winding down, we have reached our final Shabbat in camp together. After the usual pre-Shabbat pictures, we ate another delicious meal courtesy of our amazing cook, and heard an amazing speech by our very own Rivka Bracha Ross.  Campers and counselors spent the rest of the night spending quality time with each other. On Shabbat morning, a group of early-birds was spotted heading for breakfast in the dining room. After a short break to play Family Fued in our division groups, we went back for lunch (more food). We watched a hilarious skit written by Mrs. K, in which she, Abby, and a group of talented camper actresses flew to Israel with cheese and Gefilte fish cleverly disguised as babies. After airport mishaps and hysterical high-jinks, the actresses took a bow and said “Cheese!” for the camera. Next came an old camp tradition- Bingo! One line, one prize, and dozens of ecstatic campers receiving their prizes. Prizes included barbies, watches, games, puzzles, dolls, and even frog hats! We had an inspiring speech by Vicki Davis, who shared her story of courage through her challenges. There was energy-filled singing led by our very own Elana Bogoff, who was having the time of her life as we danced around her and shook her hand to say “Good Shabbat.” After the meal, we went outside to hear a speech from resident camper Malky, who spoke about her journey with Chai Lifeline, and the incredible family that Camp Simcha Special is. Next, Hindy sang a song she wrote with a current camp alumna, about how her lack of vision has led her to be guided by her heart, viewing life through a  different kind of sight. We finally ended the night with a full on CSSG-style Meleva Malka, with blasting music, insane dancing, and even more delicious food! With fantastic speeches, amazing food, and time spent with our Simcha family, Shabbat in camp is an experience that we will carry with us through the year!

Shabbat Shalom from India!

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After lunch our division heads put on a very cute skit for us with Indian accents! A couple  of staff members performed an incredible Indian dance for the campers. We were then privileged to watch a fantastic show that our very own girls put on! The story of Mulan! Caitlin starred as Mulan! Not only did they act but they also sang and danced! Naomi said it was amazing and the dance to the song “I’ll make a man out if you” was a highlight for her.

Camp Simcha Special Day 11- India

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Welcome to India! Here at camp we had the Indian market! After breakfast campers and staff gathered by our beautiful new creative arts pavilion for a dedication ceremony. With the generosity of the Goldman family, we were able to rebuild an entire candle-making workshop. Candle making is one of Mr. Goldman’s favorite activities and were so grateful that he has shared his hobbies with us! It’s truly an enhancement to the Camp Simcha experience.  Sara and Rina presented Mr. And Mrs. Goldman with a heartfelt poem of appreciation.

We’re so happy for Charna who went up on the ropes course for her first time! She said it was the best thing she ever did her whole life especially that everyone was able to go by themselves! Minchie’s Minions are working very hard preparing for the play they are doing for the camp! Can’t wait to see it! Today we celebrated both Yemina’s and Liat’s birthday! They each got a beautifully decorated cake by lunch! Happy birthday to the both of them! Many more!

Mishie’s Minions also had an awesome time recording in the recording studio today! They recorded a mash up of the songs Stand and Yesh Tikva! Henny and Leah both said it was great!

Sara went in the pool today for the first time in four years! And Chana learned how to back float today! We are so happy for them!

Ending off our day in Alaska

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Wow! What an amazing night activity! Simcha Leiner came and the entire Camp Simcha Special had a spectacular concert! There was singing, dancing, and cheering…the floors were shaking! Heads were bopping up and down wheel chairs where swinging in the air, it was a sight to see! The room was flashing with different color lights and disco balls! Campers faces were glowing! Each girl got blow up microphones to sing on! They also got glow in the dark necklaces! If the concert wasn’t enough, lucky Heroes played a game of glow in the dark football! It was a blast!

What an incredible night… can’t wait for tomorrow!

Continuation of our day in France!

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I see London I see FRANCE… I see a Paris FASHION SHOW! On our visit to France, we HAD to take a stop to have an amazing camper fashion show! The campers prepped backstage, picking out and creating gowns, as well as getting their hair and make up done by professional hair stylists and make up artists! They can also get their nails done (French manicures!) All campers also got beautiful accessories to glorify themselves! The smiles on these awesome campers faces was a sight to see! Some of the campers even got a chance to do their own counselors makeup.

Leah said “This camp always makes me feel like a princess and it’s the perfect place for me… I wish it was longer then two weeks!” Leora exclaimed that she feels so beautiful today. She’s never seen anything like this!

The makeup artists said the best part of doing the campers makeup was watching their faces glow; those shining faces will remain in their minds forever!
The room was lit up with disco balls and flashing lights. We even had our very own Eiffel Tower! Each girl got a chance to walk down the runway with the spotlight and music courtesy of our guest DJ. The girls get to take a bow, do a dance, blow kisses and have fun strutting their new looks! It was an incredible sight to see! Ilana said “the fashion show was so special because everyone has dreams about becoming famous and known, but not everyone gets that chance. So here today, we finally got the feeling that we could be famous and special because the spotlight’s on us and everyone is cheering  for us individually!’

The SIMCHA in the air tonight was indescribable! The happiness and excitement is just soaring through camp!

Day 8- une journée en France

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Today Rivka’s Racers enjoyed a game of archery! Hindy almost got the bulls eye, she was so close! After that we filled up balloons with paint and each camper had to use their arrow and shoot the ballon and let the paint splatter all over! It was definitely messy but loads of fun!

Chaya and Rachelli are professional chefs and super creative.  They told me that slice is their favorite activity and they hope they have it next year also! (slice is an activity where campers bake and cook foods, and there are judges at the end of the activity to announce who’s food tasted the best.)

Another amazing activity that we had today was ropes coarse, everyone got a chance to do it! Campers had an awesome time flying through the trees on the zip line! Were so happy for Sara who decided to go up on the zip line, she hasn’t gone up in four years!

Can’t wait to share our special activity of the day with you!

Camp Simcha Special day 9- France!

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Bonjour, welcome to France! Thanks to our most talented night crew staff who worked many hours last night…the campers walked into the dinning room which had been transformed into little French boutique shops! It was adorable! Campers were given sample tastes of different yummy french pastries! The costumes for today are also a sight to see! We have campers dressed up as the Eiffel Tower, Madeline, artists, fashion models and many more.

We can’t wait for our special surprise for our campers this afternoon!