Frequently Asked Questions
For Camp Tel Noar Parents
Where is Camp Tel Noar located?
Camp Tel Noar is located in Hampstead, NH, approximately a 1-hour drive from downtown Boston; 20 minutes from Andover, MA; a 30-minute drive from Manchester, NH; and a 1 hour-drive from Portsmouth, NH.
How will I know if my child is ready to go to camp?
Each child is different when it comes to being “ready” for camp. Our youngest campers are entering third grade in the fall after their first summer at camp. Indications of camper readiness include: Is he/she looking forward to camp? Are they successful at sleepovers with their friends? The Director would be happy to speak with you about these and other issues to make the best decision for your child and you.
Where do your campers come from?
Although the majority of our campers come from the New England area, we also have campers who come to camp from throughout the United States. We have had campers come from Europe, the Caribbean, Costa Rica and Israel too.
How are campers assigned to bunks?
Campers are placed in their bunks based on the grade they are entering in the upcoming school year. Campers fill out a Bunk Request Form listing campers that they wish to be placed with. We make every effort to honor at least one such request per camper.
How long is the camp season?
Campers may choose to attend our camp for one 3 ½ week session beginning in late June, one 3 ½ week session beginning in late July, or for the full 7 week season. Our staff insures that second session campers, whether new or returning, integrate as well into the camp community as do those who arrive at the start of camp in June.
How do we select our staff?
Our camps seek staff with enormous care. Many of our staff members grwo up at Tel Noar and have completed our Counselor-In-Training Program. Additionally, we search for individuals who love children and will serve as strong role models. Each staff member must complete an extensive application process including a personal interview. We thoroughly screen all staff and perform background checks on each staff member on our team.
How do you train your staff?
Being a counselor at our camps is a very demanding job as counselors are responsible for our campers 24 hours a day except for their day off. Every staff member participates in a weeklong training program prior to camp, and we also provide in-service training workshops throughout the camp season. We also offer an extensive CIT Leadership Training program for campers who have finished their 10th-grade year in school and have special off-season and in-camp training sessions for our Junior Counselor staff.
How many counselors are in a bunk?
Each bunk has between two and four counselors living in the cabin depending on the number of campers assigned to a bunk and the age of those campers. Our camper/counselor ratios meet or exceed The American Camp Association and State of New Hampshire standards.
Where do staff members come from?
A very high percentage of our staff grew up as campers at our camp. Former campers go through a formal training program as CIT’s and additional in-service training as Junior Counselors prior to becoming counselors. In addition, a handful of staff members are from abroad including new and returning staff from throughout Canada, the UK, and Israel. Our Israeli delegation is an integral part of our community and comes from our long standing relationship with the Jewish Agency.
How does the daily program work?
We offer a diverse and active program because we believe in exposing all age groups of campers to a variety of skills. At camp we schedule 6 periods each day. Our staff is comprised of excellent instructors in waterfront/swim, athletics and other land sports, arts and crafts, drama and Judaic culture. We encourage our campers to set goals with their counselors. Many of our campers successfully complete levels within our certified programs. Assigned activities and popular electives are set up to cater to the needs of each age group. The younger campers have a more structured program with a few elective choices and their learning experience is diverse. Popular electives include Land Sports, Water Sports (sailing, boating & canoeing, windsurfing, and waterskiing), Performing Arts (drama, dance) and Fine Arts (Arts and Crafts, photography). Camping programs are enjoyed by all age levels. We create a nurturing environment in all these activities. Each summer we add something new to our schedule of activities. Please click activities.
My child plays a musical instrument. Will he or she get to practice it at camp and perform?
We encourage your child to bring his or her musical instrument to camp to practice and to perform during one of our camp talent shows or during one of our Shabbat services.
Does my child have the opportunity to join teams and participate in a competitive environment?
In addition to the annual Color War competition, campers can try out for inter-camp competition teams in Volleyball, Newcomb, Softball, Basketball, Swimming, Tennis, and Water Sports. All of our teams are co-ed. For our youngest unit, we attempt to have all of the campers play on the teams for which they try-out. We always try to include as many campers as possible on our teams.
Does my child get to travel out of camp for trips?
Yes, each session all campers will be treated to one day trip and one evening trip. Some trips are for the entire camp, while others may be organized by unit. In recent seasons, trips have included water parks, roller skating, bowling, baseball games and theater productions. New creative trips as well as favorite traditional ones are planned for each summer. Other special trips may be arranged for children who have participated in a special elective or who compete on one of our sports teams.
What is an average day like?
Is there a different schedule on Shabbat?
On Friday afternoon, campers have two periods rather than the normal three. The final period is used to prepare camp and our campers for Shabbat. The entire camp community participates in Friday night services and then enjoys a very special and traditional Shabbat meal. After dinner, our camp celebrates Shabbat with Jewish songs and Israeli dancing. On Saturday our campers wake up late and gather for Shabbat services after breakfast. A Kiddush follows services and precedes lunch. Shabbat afternoon is highlighted by special activities when either the entire camp or bunks participate in outdoor and indoor activities, often with Judaic content. After dinner, Shabbat concludes with a very beautiful and meaningful Havdalah ceremony in which the entire camp community participates.
How is Judaism expressed at camp?
Eli and Bessie Cohen founded the Cohen Camps with a mission to combine the experience of living Jewishly within a residential camp environment. Our goal is to establish a community of Jewish youth where we educate campers, allow them to explore their individual and collective Jewish identities, their heritage and their community, while we simultaneously educate them for their role in the larger Jewish community and the world. We do this through exposing campers to their heritage and our Israeli mission through daily prayers in the dining hall, culture classes, Jewish music, learning about Israel, Israeli dance instruction, and special programs designed by our staff including the very popular annual Israel Day. On Shabbat, campers participate in services as a community and demonstrate their Ruach (spirit) in Shira (Jewish singing) and Rikud (Israeli dance).
My child will be a Bar/Bat Mitzvah this fall. Is there an opportunity for supervised practice?
We offer supervised Bar/Bat Mitzvah practice for children becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah in the Fall following camp. To set up supervised practice sessions, call the Cohen Camps office prior to camp to request a Bar/Bat Mitzvah practice form. Call the Director for further details.
Where will my child live during the summer?
Camp Tel Noar was originally founded as a camp for young adults preparing to make Aliyah. As a result, the majority of our 21 cabins have real windows and ceilings; and all have electricity, and full bathrooms and showers. Additionally, our youngest campers live in cabins called chugs. The chugs are a suite of three cabins built around a central lounge with storage and a fireplace. Campers use the chugs to play games, read, and socialize with campers of different ages.
Tell me about the food.
We maintain a Kosher kitchen operated by a number of professional chefs. Our carefully prepared menus are “kid-friendly” and vary. There is always something healthy and delicious to eat.
Breakfast always includes cold cereal and an entrée such as pancakes, eggs, or French toast. There is also a breakfast bar that includes an assortment of hot cereals and yogurt. Lunch and dinner entrees include various chicken and beef dishes, and dairy meals like grilled cheese and pizza. At breakfast and dairy meals, fat free, low fat and chocolate milk, in addition to lactaid and soymilk, are available.
At lunch and dinner we have a salad bar and a pasta bar that provides a choice for campers who are looking for an alternative to the meal’s main course. Desserts baked fresh by a professional baker are also popular at camp. If there is a meat meal, there will be a protein base vegetarian option. Special dietary needs or restrictions can be accommodated and should be should be communicated to the Director prior to camp.
Campers are served a healthy snack in the mid-afternoon and often in the evening. Additionally, fresh fruit is available all day.
What facilities do you have for health care?
Camp Tel Noar employs full-time nurses who live at camp and handle all health care issues for campers and staff throughout the summer. This includes a daily Health Call and dispensing of daily medications. We have physicians on call only a short drive away. In case of emergencies, there are several major hospitals in the area. Should your child spend time in the Health Center overnight or require medical attention from a physician, you will be notified.
How do we communicate with our child during the season?
Campers are required to write a letter home at least three times each week. Campers receive mail from parents, relatives and friends Sunday through Friday. You can also write emails to your children through Bunk1.com. Campers will be allowed to send one fax home per week and can receive faxes from parents. At the beginning of each session you will hear from your child’s counselors telling you about their activities and experience at camp. An important part of the camp experience is developing a sense of independence. Our experience has shown that phone calls to campers can be upsetting to the child. Please do not call camp and ask to speak with your child. Children are not allowed to initiate phone calls, even when out of camp on field trips. On camper birthdays, they are permitted a short phone call home only. Please call the camp office to schedule a convenient time. Parents can also see daily pictures and read a periodic newsletter about the camp activities on
Bunk1.com.
When will elective descriptions and request forms be sent out?
Elective forms will be sent out in May to campers whose tuition payments are up-to-date and whose required forms have been submitted.
When are bunk assignments available?
Parents whose accounts are paid in full and who have submitted a signed and completed “Health History and Examination Form,” copies of their health insurance cards, emergency information forms, and confidential forms will receive their child’s bunk assignment card by mail after June 1st. Please do not call the camp office for bunk assignments.
Is the information on the Confidential Form really kept confidential?
Yes, Confidential Forms are only seen by the Camp administrative staff, who share only what is necessary and appropriate with individual counselors. We respect the confidentiality of the information shared and use the forms only to ensure that your child’s individual needs are met. Please share your requests regarding your child’s activities and any specific issues he or she may have on the Confidential Form. It will be a great help to us in our relationship with him or her.
What do campers wear at camp?
Campers wear comfortable, casual clothes to participate in daily activities. Our footwear policy recommends that campers wear comfortable shoes, like sneakers, or “Teva-style” sandals with straps on the ankles. Camper’s families will receive a catalog from Amerasport for a variety of clothing options. There are many garments from which to choose but each camper is only required to purchase two shirts that they will use for inter-camp activities, trip days, and camp pictures. As part of our Shabbat environment, on Friday evening and Saturday morning campers wear blue and white or all white outfits. A nice, but not elaborate, outfit should be packed for each end of session banquet.
I am excited about your camp. Do you offer tours?
We look forward to having your family visit camp this summer with your son or daughter. Please schedule a tour while camp is in session. Call the main office in Ashland, MA (508.881.1002) until June 15 to make a tour reservation or after that date call the camp office directly (603.329.6931). We do not offer tours on Shabbat.
What are the camp rates?
I’d love to enroll my child in your camp. What is the application procedure?
In late October, applications are sent out to campers who attended camp the previous summer and to those who have asked for an application by either touring our camp or calling the Cohen Camps office in Ashland. Returning campers and their siblings are processed first, followed by new campers who are children of camp alumni and campers switching from one Cohen Camp to another, and then new camper applications. Enrollment begins in early November. Parents are notified in December on their enrollment status for next summer. Camper registrations fill quickly. We encourage all interested families to apply promptly and pay attention to enrollment deadlines.
Can I email the camp Director directly?
