Camp Blog

Tuesday July 20

DATE: July 23, 2021

Welcome back to Sugar Grove, PA!! This session we will be learning about The Oral Law in our Moshevet Torah shebe’al Peh  -תורה שבעל פה , studying the years of our Tana’im (Rabbis of the Mishna) and Amora’im (Rabbis of the Gemara).  The history and Torah we learn will be as memorable as the friendships and the fun – because it will be REAL! Experiential education is at its best here in Machane Stone 🙂 Come see….

The chanichim (campers) stepped off the bus this afternoon and met their counselors and bunk, and then they met… Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai, the famous Rabbi (1st century CE) who “saved” our religion as the Romans were about to destroy the second Beit HaMikdash (and with it the focus of our religion and nation). He (technically, a Rosh Eidah dressed up in ancient garb) demanded “Give me Yavneh and its sages” (we had a microphone and hundreds watching…back in history it was just a small group of Rabbis and the Roman Emperor Vespasian) This line is one of the most famous sentences in history and led to the continuation of Judaism through learning Torah and developing halacha in the Batei Midrash (Study Houses/Yeshivot) of Eretz Yisrael and then, eventually,  Bavel.

And with that dramatic presentation, the campers entered the world of Oral Law and some of the famous personalities, cities, and religious writings – all reflected by the bunk names this session: Eidah Aleph bunks are Hillel, Shamai and Rabbi Akiva.  Eidah Vav – Rabbi Yochanan, Reish Lakish, Rav and Shmuel. Then we have cities and parts of the Mishnah for Eidot Bet and Gimmel (Yavneh, Nezikin etc) and Eidah Daled are the two Talmuds – Bavli and Yerushalmi, as well as Mekhilta and Tosefta, some additions and later collections to the Oral Law. The campers have already learned so much just by hearing and seeing these bunk names.

Everyone unpacked, got cozy, started to learn each other’s names and enjoyed yummy chicken and rice and veges for dinner. Can’t wait for the first day – so much to write home about already!

Kaytana has its own topic for their two-weeks here, also accompanied by lots of skits and experiences that will bring it all to life. They are making their way from Avraham to Yehoshua (individual becoming a nation), so they began by “meeting Avarahm” who was smashing idols (pinatas!!) and leaving for Eretz Yisrael. They joined him on a wagon ride and got to know him a little…

They unpacked, played on the swings and climbing structures outside their bunk, ate dinner and went to bed. They are so excited to be at camp and feel so grown up! They will have shiur, clean-up and 8 peulot (activities) each day (one of which will always be showers, don’t worry!!), just like the big kids!!

Machal arrived and was whisked off to their own campus at the end of camp! We won’t be seeing them until Shabbat. They began their month today by receiving their מספרי ברזל – the numbers that they will say as they “count off” each time they take attendance.  Their name and that number will appear on their “dog tag” which they receive at the end of the month, a little bit of Israeli army to take home with them…after a month which feels like basic training 😉

Registration for summer 2025 opens 10/1/24 for returning families, 11/1/24 for new families.

Please contact Randi Mashmoor with any questions at:

or 440-465-5486. Thank You!

Staff application opens on 11/17.

New camper application opens on 11/1. Returning campers can register now.

Available positions for Summer 2024 are very limited! Click on the button below to apply.

We are no longer accepting applications from current 11th graders.

For questions, please email:

Registration for summer 2023 is now closed. There are a few select spots remaining.
Please contact Randi Mashmoor at:

or 440-465-5486. Thank You!

About the Chanukah Raffle

Dear Camp Stone Community,

It is an incredible feeling to reconnect with everyone once again at the beginning of our 2021 camp season.

We are writing to you today, first and foremost, to express tremendous gratitude.

Hakarat HaTov, literally “recognizing the good”, is an important and fundamental principle in our community. We, at Camp Stone, want to express our Hakarat HaTov to everyone receiving this email for your unwavering support, especially this past summer. Whether you provided financial assistance through your donated tuition dollars, participated in Indoor World, or connected with the Camp Stone community in other ways, together we had an incredibly successful, albeit different, summer experience.

There is no substitute for being in Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania, and this summer, B’ezrat Hashem, we will be back at Camp Stone, in person, in full force.

To achieve that goal, we must continue to ensure the financial success of our home away from home that we all know and love so deeply. The logo on top, featuring the slogan “Stone. Forever.” also features a Ner Tamid, an “eternal flame.” The year 1969, etched into the logo, is the year camp was founded. Symbolically, the overall image represents the idea that Camp Stone began many years ago and must endure forever, always burning brightly, and always an integral part of our collective conscience.

On that note, we are excited to announce that our annual Chanukah Campaign will be a raffle taking place over all 8 nights of Chanukah with prizes for both campers and parents/alumni!!

Please go back to the web page  to purchase raffle tickets and help us achieve 100% participation from our entire camp community!

Looking forward to being in touch with all of you in the near future.

Sincerely,

Yakov & Estee, Co-Directors