B"H

Camp Gan Yisroel Sydney

Overnight Winter Camp 2026

Parent & Camper Handbook

Dear Parents,

Welcome to Camp Gan Yisroel Sydney Overnight Winter Camp 2026!

We've planned a fun-filled Winter holiday — a camp experience that your child will never forget.

Our dynamic staff has worked hard to ensure that your child will have a warm, caring environment, creative and fun activities, exciting trips, and a whole lot more.

Our first and foremost priority is the safety of your child. Please read all the material below, as it contains important information about Camp Gan Yisroel. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions.

Best wishes for a healthy and enjoyable camp!

Sincerely,

Elimelech Levy & Avremi Joseph

Chabad NSW Youth Director & Camp Director

Thank you to Chabad Youth Melbourne for their help with this handbook.

Please safely park (away from the bus area) and walk your children to drop them off and sign them in. All children must be signed in by CY staff prior to entering the bus. 

Campers may only be released to a parent or person authorised to pick up the camper. Please advise the camp office or your child's counsellor if a different person will be collecting your child.

Chartered buses will transport children to and from the camp location using a professional bus service. 

The camp will be held at a location disclosed only to registered parents via email. Facilities include a Shul, commercial kitchen and dining room, and plenty of indoor and outdoor space for a wide variety of activities.

Boys Camp

Our Bochurim Staff are Shluchim in Yeshiva Gedolah (Melbourne) and Yeshivas Levi Yitzchok — Smicha Program (Sydney). All hold Working With Children Checks and basic First Aid certification, and bring a wealth of experience from Jewish holiday camps in Melbourne and overseas.

Girls Camp

Our Girls staff are Mussia Vigler (USA), Fraidy Barash (USA), and KTC Year 12 Girls  (Sydney). All hold Working With Children Checks and basic First Aid certification, and bring a wealth of experience from Jewish holiday camps in Melbourne and overseas.

Campers will be reminded to stay extra careful with hand washing, using hand sanitiser, and following hygiene guidelines at all times. All campers should apply sunscreen in the morning and will be reminded to reapply during the day.

Any camper or staff member who has experienced fever, vomiting, cough, diarrhoea, loss of taste or smell, or other Covid-19-type symptoms will be asked to be tested. If that test is negative, they may remain in camp.

A qualified first aider is on site at all times. Some staff have also been trained as swimming lifeguards. The Camp Committee has secured independent health professionals to run a special training program before camp covering First Aid, CPR, and anaphylaxis management.

All vehicles transporting children carry first aid supplies. A first aid kit is taken on every excursion and hike.

Camp provides 3 meals and snacks each day. All meat products are Glatt Kosher and all dairy products are Cholov Yisroel. Soy milk and rice milk are available for intolerant children. Light snacks and water are available all day. For special dietary requirements, please communicate these at time of booking.

Boys Camp

Mountain Biking, Bushwalking, Farbrengens, Soccer Leagues, Colour War, and much more!

Girls Camp

Canoeing/Kayaking, Bushwalking, Farbrengens, Giant Swing, High Ropes Course, Colour War, and much more!

All activities are on site. There are no off-site excursion trips planned for Winter Camp 2026. There are no swimming pool activities; Girls Camp includes kayaking. Please send bathers, a towel, and water shoes.

Camp Gan Yisroel does not allow mobile phones or electronics at camp. We do not assume responsibility for any such items. A camper may obtain permission from their counsellor to use the counsellor's phone if necessary. If parents need to reach their child, please contact the Camp Directors.

All medication must be identified in the enrolment form and handed to the Camp Chaperone, Mrs Sarah Chanah Sufrin or Avremi Joseph, at the bus departure point.

• Label all medication with the camper's name and include administration instructions.
• Medication must be in original packaging with the pharmacy label displaying your child's name.
• Loose tablets or expired medication will not be accepted.
• Medication will only be administered with written parental permission or with approval of a medical practitioner in an emergency.

The following items are strictly prohibited. Any item found will be confiscated and not returned. Camp staff have the right to search campers' luggage.

• All playing cards
• Chewing gum
• Cigarettes / vapes
• Fireworks / fire-making devices
• Knives
• Laptops
• Non-Jewish books / magazines
• Red Bull or other high-energy drinks
• Shaving cream
• Phones, iPads, tablets, smart watches, and similar devices
• Water guns
• Alcohol
• Non-kosher or non-Cholov Yisroel foods
• Nuts
• Any other dangerous item

Any costs that may occur as a result of injury, illness, or reckless damage caused by your child must be paid for by the parents of the child in question.

Chabad Youth NSW maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding the possession, use, or distribution of drugs, alcohol, vaping products, or any other harmful or illicit substances at any of our programs, including overnight camps, day camps, after-school activities, weekend programs, and excursions. This policy applies at all times, including during transport and overnight stays.

What Is Prohibited

• Use or possession of illicit drugs, alcohol, vapes, or tobacco/nicotine products.
• Being under the influence of any prohibited substance while participating in any Chabad Youth NSW program.
• Distribution or sharing of such substances with other participants.

Consequences

• Immediate expulsion from the program.
• Parents/guardians will be contacted immediately and must collect their child at their own expense.
• No refund will be issued for dismissal due to breach of this policy.
• Future participation may be restricted depending on the nature of the breach.

Room & Bag Checks

To protect the wellbeing of all participants, Chabad Youth NSW staff reserve the right to conduct room, bag, or locker checks at any time without prior notice. By enrolling your child, you provide consent for these checks to be conducted discreetly and respectfully by authorised staff if deemed necessary.

Chabad Youth NSW is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all its employees, members, visitors, volunteers, and particularly children. We are committed to implementing the ten Child Safe Standards.

Child Safe Standards

• Child safety is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
• Children participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
• Families and communities are informed and involved.
• Equity is upheld and diverse needs are taken into account.
• People working with children are suitable and supported.
• Processes to respond to complaints of child abuse are child-focused.
• Staff are equipped with knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe.
• Physical and online environments minimise the opportunity for abuse to occur.
• Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is continuously reviewed and improved.
• Policies and procedures document how the organisation is child safe.

Staff Conduct

• No one-to-one unsupervised situations with children at any time.
• No unauthorised transportation of children.
• No contact with children outside programs unless authorised by coordinator or parent.
• Language must be encouraging, affirming, and free of discriminatory or inappropriate content.
• No inappropriate physical contact of any kind.
• Photography of children only with the Director's prior approval and in an appropriate context.

Reporting

Rabbi Elimelech Levy is the nominated supervisor responsible for all child protection matters. An independent person, Avremi Joseph (23 Council Street, Bondi Junction), is appointed to handle allegations of abuse. If there is reasonable suspicion of abuse, police will be contacted immediately: Waverley Police 02 9362 6399 | Chabad Youth 0433 549 190.

Full Child Safe Policy available at: https://www.cyn.org.au/media/pdf/1234/pahT12340812.pdf

Please ensure all items are clearly labelled with your child's name, including socks and underwear. Unlabelled clothing will not be returned as lost property.

• Pyjamas (2 pairs)
• 2 white Shabbos shirts
• Shabbos suit / Shabbos hat
• Warm jacket / coat
• Pants
• Warm jumpers
• Raincoat
• Appropriate underwear
• Shirts / T-shirts
• Socks
• Sneakers
• Waterproof closed shoes, Crocs, or swim footwear
• Swimming bathers (for kayaking)
• Yarmulke
• Tzitzit
• Tefillin (if over Bar Mitzvah)
• Tissues
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Towels (2)
• Sleeping bag
• Pillow
• Fitted sheet
• Toiletries
• Siddur / Chitas
• Water bottle (2 refillable bottles recommended)
• Torch (optional)
• Camera (optional)

All boys are expected to wear a Yarmulke and Tzitzit at all times.

Please ensure all items are clearly labelled with your child's name, including socks and underwear. Unlabelled clothing will not be returned as lost property.

• Lunch for day of departure
• Pyjamas (2 pairs)
• Jacket
• Warm jumpers
• Raincoat
• Appropriate underwear
• T-shirts
• Skirts
• Socks (crew socks may only be worn with leggings; sockettes not permitted)
• Leggings
• Bathers and swim towel
• Tznius bathrobe or cover-up
• Shabbos outfits
• Sneakers
• Gumboots and beanie
• Waterproof gloves and shoes
• Waterproof pants and jacket
• Sun hat
• Towels
• Sleeping bag or blanket
• Pillow and pillowcase
• Sheet
• Toiletries (including sanitary pads for girls in Grade 5 and up)
• Tissues
• Siddur
• Torch
• Camera (optional)

ONE piece of luggage per person under the bus, plus ONE small carry-on bag (with your lunch for the day of departure).

Please do not bring water — plenty will be available at camp. Campers are advised to bring 2 refillable water bottles.

Please pack enough clothing for the entire stay as there is no access to washing facilities.

All children must bring suitable fire-evacuation clothing: closed shoes, long pants, and a wool jumper.

We take our responsibility to deliver services in a safe, nurturing, and protective environment very seriously. Everyone who works here does their best to ensure children and young people are protected from harm. If you are unhappy with how you or your child are being treated, please tell the Chabad Youth Director or a head staff member immediately.