Camp Blog

Wednesday Aug 20

DATE: June 20, 2018

In Machane Stone, the chanichim start their day (after mifkad, tefillah and breakfast, of course) with shiur. Each group is small, with just 6-8 kids. Today, they spent time getting to know each other and their shiur teacher (a member of our beit midrash or another staff member that asked to teach shiur) and then they learned about Dreyfus and Herzl and their very strong ties to the Jewish people, althought these men were not religious. The chanichim talked about the question of Judaism being a nation and/or a religion and what each of those elements means. The shiur teachers add in charades and games to keep it relevant and fun!

The day continued with 3 peulot before lunch and then another two peulot, followed by shekem (treats from canteen!). In the evening, there was one more activity before they had the fair of chugim where everyone learned about the “electives” we offer here in camp a few times a week. Activities are both standard (horseback riding, high ropes course, ceramics and basketball) as well as special treats (baking, bracelet making, guitar lessons and kipa making) and then…we have the zany: Chavaya Yisraelit, Book Club and Chai Tea and Things that Rhyme with Orange! Ask your child(ren) what chug he/she/they chose.

Tonight’s night tochnit was by eidah, as each age group continues to bond and get to know their Roshei Eidah. Every group will have a game to help them feel more comfortable and just have some good ol’ fun.

Note: the “no phones at camp” policy is the BEST thing ever! You should see these kids talking, playing and running around 🙂 This morning, before official kima (wake-up over the loudspeaker), many kids were outside playing and talking!

Kaytana learned about Avraham and Sarah’s tent and the mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim. They baked brownies and had some stations around camp where they gave them out to passers by. Kaytana is everyone’s favorite group now 🙂 These young campers look so cute and are loving their counselors and the non-stop fun here! They had no night tochnit tonight, because they are tired!! Once they get used to the schedule, they will have a peulah after dinner just like “the big kids”.

Machal was out of camp today (what else is new?) on a 12-mile hike in the Allegheny National Forest, on the west bank of the Allegheny River. The water was a little too cold for tubing, but they all had fun just being together and getting to know their special, extremely talented and experienced staff. Tonight they sleep out at the Buckaloons Campgrounds there…  just 20 minutes away…ssshhh, don’t tell them 😉

And THAT was all just Day 1. No wonder they sleep for days when they all get home 😉

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!

All Meet the Director events have been postponed until further notice. 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