Camp Kinder Ring

Camp Kinder Ring is a Jewish Summer camp located in Hopewell Junction, New York. It is run by The Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring.

About

Kinder Ring was founded in 1927 by The Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring following the loss of its previous summer camp, Camp Kinderland (then also located at Sylvan Lake), to the Communist-affiliated International Workers Order. Camp Kinder Ring has many families which have been attending for up to 4 generations. The camp offers campers a wide array of activities such as sports, arts and crafts, and lake activities while also educating them about Jewish traditions and culture. Many campers and staff return year after year due to the emotional attachment they feel with the camp, the greatest example being beloved waterfront head Joel "The Hawk" Hochheiser, who has been working at the camp for nearly 50 years.

"Camp Kinder Ring is a nonprofit 501(c)(3)."

"Camp Kinder Ring is Accredited by the American Camp Association"

Traditions

Kinder Ring's traditions include 4th of July carnival, KR of the Week/Year, Maccabean Games, Olympics, Torchbearer, Behind the Scenes, all-whites shtiller ovnt (Yiddish for "silent evening") to celebrate the Friday evening advent of the sabbath, and the setting of candles onto Sylvan Lake symbolizing the end of another summer. Other traditions include popular Jewish singers like Rick Recht. New traditions are created every year, evident by the first annual KR Softball League during the summer of 2006.

Maccabean Games

Maccabean Games, or Mac Games, are held every year in the first half of the summer. Campers are split into two teams named after important and influential Jews in history. Over the course of 4 days, campers compete against one another. The emphasis of Mac Games is team spirit, teamwork, and fun, rather than winning. Past Mac Game teams have included Sholom Aleichem, Marc Chagall, Abba Kovner, Hank Greenberg, Sandy Koufax, Steven Spielberg, Bette Midler, Henrietta Szold, Bella Abzug, and Simon Wiesenthal.

Olympics

Olympics are held every year in the second half of the summer. Campers are split into teams named for two countries. Over the course of 4 days, campers compete against one another. As always, emphasis is based on team spirit, teamwork, and fun, rather than winning. Olympics hold the most famous events in camp, the Rope Burn, the Decathlon and the Triathlon. Past Olympic teams have included Ireland, Argentina, Poland, Monaco, England, Spain, and Kenya.

Torchbearer

This KR tradition was started in 1971. It is known as the greatest honor one can receive at Kinder Ring, showing one's love and dedication to Camp Kinder Ring. During the Opening Ceremonies for Olympics, past Torchbearers come back to camp to help pass on the honor. Every summer a Torchbearer is named before the entire camp and lights the Olympic flame, as in the real Olympics. Some past Torchbearers are Joel "The Hawk" Hochheiser, "Cathy Murphy", Seena Parker, Kayte McGinlay , Michael Baran, Dr. Barney Zumoff, Marc "Z" Zelmanowicz, Ruth Baran, Barbara Levine and Josh Stone.

KR Landmarks

The tradition of Camp Kinder Ring can be seen in the places in camp which make it so special. The Shack and the Clubhouse, the Jewish Heritage Palace, and Social Hall are well known as older distinct places in camp. These are joined by the newer landmarks, including the Adventure Center, Water Trampoline, the Iceberg, and the recently renovated lower basketball courts.

Administration

Director: Irene Drantch

Asst. Director: Vicki Windman

Head of Boys Side: Norm Levine

Head of Girls Side: Ilene Joachim

Structure

The camp is broken down into boys side and girls side, with each having its own distinct set of staff. Each "half" of camp is led by a Head Counselor. The head counselor is assisted by an Assistant Head Counselor. There are then 8 divisions, each led by a Groupleader. The groupleader has a staff of counselors, typically between 6 and 9 strong.

Summer 2007 Groupleaders:

Sophs: Michael Dawson and Laura Spencer

Juniors: Ricky Posner and Lauren Friedlander

Ultras: Zach Levine and Stacie Millman

Inters: Ben Browning and Emily Carpenter

Seniors: Eric Teisch and Jackie Friedlander

Supers: Scott Goldstein and Alyssa Hochstein

Teens: Marc "Z" Zelmanowicz and Lindsay Heit

Workgroup: Danny Lange and Nancy Sackstein

Assistant Head Counselors: Jeff Rothman and Bonnie Seidel

Summer 2006 Groupleaders:

Sophs: Sam Ross and Melissa Stein

Juniors: Zach Levine and Jessica Gutman

Ultras: Eric Teisch and Jackie Friedlander

Inters: Danny Lange and Emily Carpenter

Seniors: Scott Goldstein and Kayte McGinlay

Supers: Jared Finkelstein and Stacie Millman

Teens: Ricky Posner and Lindsay Heit

Workgroup: Greg Schwartz and Nancy Sackstein

Assistant Head Counselors: Marc "Z" Zelmanowicz and Sam Fishman

Summer 2005 Groupleaders:

Sophs: Eric Teisch and Kayte McGinlay

Juniors: Jordan Braver and Steph Slome

Ultras: Adam Tatz and Emily Carpenter

Inters: Danny Lange and Jackie Friedlander

Seniors: Mike Tirrell and Nancy Sackstein

Supers: Scott Goldstein and Stacie Millman

Teens: Ricky Posner and Lindsay Heit

Workgroup: Marc "Z" Zelmanowicz

Assistant Head Counselors: Noam Ben Tov and Sam Fishman

Famous Alumni

Barbara Boxer: U.S. Senator from California, cameo in Curb Your Enthusiasm

Todd Sloane: Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol

Jonathan Dankner: Actor- Catch Me If You Can

External links

* [http://www.campkr.com Camp Kinder Ring Official Website]
* [http://www.circle.org/ Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring Website]