Got Questions? We are delighted that you are considering a summer camp experience at Eisner Camp. Below are answers to many commonly asked questions. If you would like any additional information please email or call our office.

Who comes to our camp?
While a great many campers come from the greater New York and Boston areas, we have campers from all over the Northeast. In addition, we have campers from as far south as Florida and as far west as Colorado. Most of our overnight campers are members of Reform Jewish synagogues. Campers range from ages of 8 to 17, and are between 2nd and 12th grades. For families that live in the Berkshire Mountains for the summer, we also offer the Eisner Day Camp for children ages 3-8 who are no longer in diapers.

What is the food like?
The food is great! It is kid friendly, healthy and served kosher style, which means we do not serve milk and meat together. Each day’s breakfast includes a favorite such as pancakes, French toast, oatmeal, waffles, eggs or croissants. Cold cereal, fresh cut fruit, Greek yogurt, milk and orange juice are also always available. For lunch, some favorites include pizza, macaroni and cheese, chicken tenders, grilled cheese sandwiches, and meatball subs. For dinner, some favorites include baked ziti, spaghetti and meatballs, brisket, chicken wings, and turkey dinner. At both lunch and dinner, fresh salad, peanut butter and jelly, fresh fruit, and vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free alternatives are always available. We offer salad/breakfast bars at every meal. Campers enjoy a weekly outdoor barbeque with burgers and hot dogs. We strive to serve all of our campers’ dietary needs by offering a wide variety of meal options. We provide a safe environment for campers with food allergies and always have a complete list of ingredients of our meals on hand. Please call our office to discuss any specific food questions.

Who will be taking care of my child?
Our staff has been carefully selected by our camp directors. All staff members participate in an intensive training program before our campers arrive. This on-site training includes workshops led by our camp directors, outside professionals, and industry experts. Our bunk counselors are Jewish college and university students who bring abundant warmth and energy to our camp community. Our various sports, aquatics, arts, adventure and nature specialists are both college and graduate students from all over the world who share their particular areas of expertise with our campers. Each and every member of our staff is American Red Cross certified in CPR. A rotating group of dynamic rabbis, cantors and educators from our URJ congregations comes to camp to teach, worship and have fun with our campers. These faculty members join our community for one or two weeks at a time. Our education faculty is an essential part of the Reform Jewish community at camp. Approximately 35 energetic Israelis join our staff each summer as well to bring the Israeli culture to camp. They work as sports and nature specialists, bunk counselors, art specialists and more. They organize our annual Israel Day program, teach us Hebrew, and add an Israeli “flavor” to everything we do at camp.

What is the counselor-to-camper ratio?
Generally, we have at least one counselor for every five campers in each cabin. We position counselors to sleep in each of the corners of the cabin to ensure that campers can easily locate a counselor at night. We take great pride in our quality camper supervision; whenever campers are in their cabins, a counselor is there too. At night, when campers return to their bunks to go to sleep after their evening program, a counselor remains in the bunk to supervise the campers. All general counselors sleep in the cabin with the campers.

What medical facilities do you have at camp? What happens if my child gets sick?
Our goal at camp is to maintain your child’s health. Our wonderful 24-hour Health Center is staffed by registered nurses and a physician, all of whom live on camp property. Our Health Center is equipped with supplies to deal with minor injuries and illnesses. Our medical staff coordinates and monitors all daily medication distribution along with any as-needed medications directed to campers. All over-the-counter or prescription medication (except in certain instances like asthma inhalers, nose sprays and creams) are locked in our infirmary and only available to campers as distributed by our medical staff. We have a great relationship with our local emergency service departments. If necessary, the local hospital is a five-minute drive from camp, and emergency services are available immediately.

Do you do laundry at camp?
Laundry is sent out once each week at camp (no additional fee). On the first day of the session, each camper receives an individual laundry bag. Each week, campers fill their bags and in 24 hours, we return their bags with clean folded clothes.

How do you deal with safety and security at camp?
We take safety and security at camp very seriously. All of the camp directors participate in extensive professional training to handle minor and major safety and security situations. In addition, all of our summer staff are trained to manage and handle safety and security situations during our pre-camp orientation. During the summer, we have 24-hour, on-site security staff that monitors and keeps camp safe. Access to camp is restricted and available only through a security gate. All visitors must sign in before entering the site.

Where is Eisner Camp located?
Eisner Camp is located in Great Barrington, a small town in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts.

What are the cabins like?
All cabins have indoor plumbing with toilets, showers and sinks. Campers and staff sleep on bunk beds (all top bunks have bed rails). Storage units (cubbies) are provided in every cabin for campers to store their belongings. Campers participate in keeping their bunks clean each day, and camp’s housekeeping staff clean all of the bathrooms on a regular basis.