For 60 years Camp Massad has been offering children ages eight and up the opportunity to participate in creative and Jewish themed programming in an extraordinary unique, nurturing and fun-filled atmosphere. Now children a little younger can have the opportunity to experience the magic of Massad as well.

This summer, Camp Massad is introducing a one week day camp for children age four to seven. The day camp will be run during the week of July 11-15 on the Camp Massad site at Winnipeg Beach, and will offer campers an age-appropriate sampling of Massad’s interactive, high energy programming.

Massad assistant director Susan Schipper will oversee the day camp, which will be staffed by a team of Massad’s regular counselors. All of  Massad’s counselors are graduates of its extensive three year leadership training program, and have vast experience working with children of all ages and creating and implementing creative programming for them. 

The day camp will operate between 10:30 and 3:30 each day and offer a range of games and activities, among them singing, dancing, music, drama, swimming and sports. A kosher lunch and snack will be served each day. 

The idea for the day camp was brought forward by a board member who knew of many families in the Interlake area who were interested in giving their younger children a taste of Massad. The idea was eagerly embraced by Massad’s board of directors and administrative staff. 

“I'm really pleased that we are able to respond to the request from parents to implement a day camp for young children,” says Massad co-president Mia Elfenbaum. 

“We have an amazing group of counselors who will make sure the campers experience the uniqueness of Massad in an age-appropriate way. The campers will be able to take advantage of our facilities, including our swimming pool, play structures, and indoor and outdoor spaces for sports, drama, art and music.”

Elfenbaum’s enthusiasm is echoed by both Massad’s new program director and new executive director. 

“The Camp Massad experience is so unique that we agreed that we should extend our programming to as many children as possible,” says program director Samara Carroll. 

“We want campers who may not yet be ready for sleep-away camp to be able to experience Massad's amazing counselors, programming, spirit and community!”

In addition to having tons of fun, young campers who attend the day camp also will have the advantage of becoming familiar with the camp site, the programs and the staff. Then, when they are a little older, they will be more than ready to sign up for one of Massad’s longer regular sessions. Massad offers a five day Bisselleh session for eight-year-olds, and two week, three week, five week and six week sessions for older campers.  

“Massad is highly interested in helping younger children experience the atmosphere and excitement of Camp Massad,” says executive director Danial Sprintz.
 “These young children will grow accustomed to camp at a younger age and will be more prepared for two and three week sessions when they get older. Day camp is going to be a great way for kids to dip their toes in the pool of Camp Massad.”

The day camp is not the only new initiative at Camp Massad this year. On June 26, Massad also is offering a one day family camp for parents and their children to experience Massad together. This mini camp is a perfect opportunity for families of new campers, as well as families with children a little too young for Massad, to discover why Massad is a great Jewish summer camp. 

The one day camp will be a microcosm of regular camp. Families will be shuttled out to Massad from the city by bus, and upon arrival at the camp will meet their counselors and be assigned to their cabins. They will then participate in a variety of different program and activities, all of them unique to Massad.

Additionally, families will swim, sing Hebrew songs, learn the steps to in Massad’s famous rikudei am (folk dancing) and eat lunch and dinner in the chadar ochel. They will end the day gathered around a bonfire, before heading back to the city by bus.

By the time they do that, of course, they will have discovered what hundreds of campers and counselors have known for almost 60 years. There is no place like Camp Massad!

For further information or to register for Camp Massad’s day camp or family camp visit www.campmassad.ca or contact the office at [email protected] or (204) 477-7487.