Be”H Camp GrowTorah 2024 will be held:
August 19–23, 2024
&
August 26–30, 2024
9 AM–3 PM
Ages: 5–10 years old*
Camp Tuition: $425/week**
*Please note: GrowTorah will not be able to provide transportation in 2024. However, all registered households will receive access to a platform they can use to arrange carpooling with other families in their area.
Camp is held on the grounds of our partner Rockland Farm Alliance’s largest farm project,
Cropsey Community Farm
220 S Little Tor Road, New City, New York 10956
We are proud to bring you Camp GrowTorah. Campers will explore, play, create, and learn on the property’s many acres of land, including cultivated fields and farm animals.
We’ll bask in nature’s glory as we connect with the Torah in meaningful, personal, and joyous ways, exploring lessons from the weekly parsha through farm chores, artistic expression, and nature crafts. Specifically, we will immerse ourselves in the Torah values of environmental stewardship, compassion for creatures, charity, and more.
Our staff of educators and counselors will lead children through farming workshops, natural tie-dying, planting and harvesting, crop sampling, tea-making, besamim-bundle-making, bug hunts, raw cooking activities, nature walks, arts and crafts, and highly interactive organic agriculture education. Our Torah lessons will be integrated into many of these activities, highlighting inspiring Halachik scenarios unique to farm life, with lessons that apply in everyday life.
At the end of the week, each junior farmer takes home their field journal, recipes, farming knowledge and a deeper understanding of where food comes from and how it gets to our tables. Campers will also harvest their own bouquet of flowers to bring home for Shabbos.
*4-year-olds entering Kindergarten in Fall 2024 are also eligible for Camp GrowTorah.
**Due to the incredible generosity of the Mina Gillers Memorial Fund, Camp GrowTorah is available on a sliding scale of $110–$425. Our team is devoted to creating an incredibly meaningful, fun, and safe experience for your children, and we have been working very hard to plan accordingly. With that said, we invite you to select your preferred program pricing on the sliding scale provided during registration, reflecting our mission to make camp as accessible as possible for all. (Tuition is valued at $425 per camper.)
Additional scholarships are available: please contact us for more information.
Daily Schedule (subject to adjustments)
9:00 – 9:15 Arrival on the Farm
9:15 – 9:30 Shacharit in the fields
9:30 – 10:15 Farm Chores and Gardening Activities
10:15 – 10:45 Snack and Animal Care
10:30 – 11:15 Nature Arts & crafts
11:15 – 11:45 Foraging Walk
11:45 – 12:45 Raw Cooking, Lunch and bracha party
12:45 – 1:30 Field Games
1:30 – 2:30 Special Activities/Workshop
2:30 – 3:00 Snack and Closing Circle
Meals
Students are asked to bring a bagged lunch with them each day. Please do not send meat lunch since snacks are often dairy.
GrowTorah provides 2 kosher snacks per day. These snacks will combine produce harvested from the farm along with staples such as fruit, rice cakes, popcorn, crackers, tortilla chips, etc.
On Friday, there will be a special Shabbos party at the end of the day!
We can accommodate any food restrictions, please include details on the health form. Your child's health and safety is our top priority.
Camp GrowTorah Frequently Asked Questions
What is the daily schedule like on the farm?
Sample Daily Schedule (9:00 am – 3:00 pm)
9:00 – 9:15 Arrival on the Farm
9:15 – 9:30 Shacharit in the fields
9:30 – 10:15 Gardening Activities
10:15 – 10:45 Garden-fresh snack
10:45 – 11:15 Farm Activities
11:15 – 11:45 Nature Arts and Crafts
11:45 – 12:45 Lunch (Bracha Party) and Free Time
12:45 – 1:30 Sprinkler and field games
1:30 – 2:30 Special Farm Activities
2:30 – 3:00 Snack and Closing Circle
Can my child register for both weeks of camp? Camp GrowTorah is two one-week programs. Campers cannot sign up for both weeks.
What medical infrastructure does Camp GrowTorah have? First aid supplies are available and Hatzolah is nearby for any emergencies. Please ensure that you complete the medical information on our registration form in complete detail.
What are the camp’s hours? Can I pick my child up early? Campers arrive promptly at 9:00 am and are picked up at 3:00 pm. We are happy to accommodate late dropoffs and early pickups, provided that you communicate clearly with our staff so we are prepared to greet you.
Is Camp GrowTorah offering bussing in 2024? No, GrowTorah will not provide transportation in 2024. However, all registered households will receive access to a platform they can use to arrange carpooling with other families in their area.
Is Camp GrowTorah held during inclement weather? Camp GrowTorah runs every day, rain or shine. Campers should dress for the weather and plan to be outdoors for most of the day. Please pack a change of clothes daily and be sure to supply children with rain gear in the event of a surprise shower.
What is Camp GrowTorah’s dress code? We will be spending nearly all of our time outdoors. As such, your child must be dressed appropriately. These clothes will be getting dirty (because we are farming), so please don’t send in anything that you would be sad to see stained. Below are guidelines to keep your child comfortable and safe: hat, breathable clothing, closed-toed shoes (sneakers or lightweight hiking boots), and socks. Sleeveless tops are not permitted. Long pants are encouraged to prevent scratches and bug bites; if your child insists on shorts or a skirt, longer socks are required.
How can I see and learn about what happens at camp? At the end of each day, you will receive an email with a description of the day’s activities, a link to photos, and other important information.
Do you provide food and water to campers on the farm? Please send your camper with a dairy lunch each day with ample snacks. In addition, we offer water, a variety of fruits, veggies, and other snacks throughout the day.
Do I need to check my child for tick or other bug bites? Please make sure to check your child for ticks every night. Here you can find instructions on where to check for ticks. For more information about ticks in general, you can read more here. Although we have not experienced many issues with ticks and mosquitos on the farm, please send in bug spray if your child is sensitive to mosquitos or other bug bites.
What does my child need to bring to camp? Please send your child to the farm with the following each day: a clean, reusable water bottle; a filling dairy lunch and extra snacks; sunscreen & bug spray; full change of clothing; towel; sunhat.
Will you ensure my child wears sunscreen? Sunscreen should be applied before arrival at the farm each morning. We will make sure to reapply throughout the day.
Are tips allowed for staff? Tips (or gratuities) are not expected but are always welcome. At the end of the week you will receive a list of the names and roles of all staff should you care to express your gratitude to them with messages or additional gratuities.
What is your refund policy? If your plans change, email camp@growtorah.org up until two weeks before the beginning of your camp session to receive a full refund.
How do I contact Camp GrowTorah if I have additional questions? Email camp@growtorah.org with any questions related to camp before it begins. All registered households will receive contact information for staff onsite.
Click the button below to register for Camp GrowTorah. If you have any questions, or encounter difficulty completing the form, please email camp@growtorah.org.
Are you 16+?
Love being outdoors?
Want to have a blast learning and teaching Torah this summer?