About Habonim Dror Camp Moshava

Affiliation
Camp Moshava is a nonprofit camp for boys and girls ages 9 to 15 (entering 4th grade), sponsored by the Habonim Dror Youth Movement and is affiliated with Na'amat USA and the Labor Zionist Alliance. Camp Moshava has served the Baltimore-Washington area for more than 60 years and is one of several North American Habonim Dror camps.

Philosophy
Our philosophy is inspired by the ideals of the kibbutz in Israel. We emphasize sharing, inclusiveness, creativity, and responsibility to the community. Each child is respected for his/her own unique trait and abilities. Campers come away from their Moshava experience with heightened self-esteem and a new Moshava family of friends.

Location
Camp Moshava is located on 260 acres near Bel Air, Maryland, approximately 25 miles northwest of Baltimore.

Facilities
Younger campers stay in rustic cabins, while our older camper live in large platform tents. Meals are shared in our spacious kosher dining hall. Other facilities include an arts and crafts building, a library, and a large covered activities pavilion.

Staff
A select staff of experienced counselors from the leadership corps of Habonim Dror assures careful and individualized supervision. All are college students or graduates. Many are the graduates of the Habonim Workshop in Israel and have participated in intensive leadership training programs. Shlichim (educational emissaries) from kibbutzim in Israel create a living link between the campers in America and their "chaverim" in Israel.

Hebrew (Ivrit)
Campers develop a love for the Hebrew language through our informal educational program. Hebrew is part of the daily camp routine and so becomes an important and natural part of each camper's life.

Kupa/Shituf (Sharing)
Moshava, like all Habonim Dror camps, operates on a system of sharing called kupa. More than any other element of the program, kupa represents our entire outlook on life at camp. Cooperating and helping one another are the basic values by which we live: share the buildings we use, the food we eat, the very ground we walk. And because each person at Moshava has a share in the camp, we also share the responsibility for its upkeep, for the work that needs to be done, for the smooth functioning of the summer community. And, of course, we share in the fun!

Twenty-five dollars ($25) per 4-week session from campers' tuition is put into the kupa fund. Part of this fund is used to establish a central canteen from which campers can draw small personal necessities such as toiletries, stationery, etc. The fund can also be used for special treats as decided by the campers. Occasionally, special activities beyond the regularly planned program may be funded in part by Kupa.

This system of kupa functions in accordance with Habonim Dror idealogy and policy. All campers should be prepared and willing to participate in such a system when they come to camp. It is a system whereby we practice the art of living together under the principles of cooperation, friendship, and equality. We share experiences together... successes and failures. Administration of kupa is democratically run by the campers themselves, and decisions regarding the use of kupa funds are made by them through their representatives on specially elected committees.

At the beginning of each camp session, madrichim (counselors) spend a great deal of time explaining the details of the kupa among the chanichim (campers), but a basic understanding of the above principles before camp will help new campers understand and be prepared for kupa at camp.

Kibbutz Life
Life at camp emulates life on kibbutz. Campers are members (chaverim) of camp and learn to enjoy the privileges as well as the responsibilities associated with membership in a democracy. One example is our weekly camp-wide assembly (asefat chanichim) to discuss and decide upon issues affecting their stay at camp. Our campers learn that their opinions not only count but are as important as those of the counselors (madrichim) and even the camp director (Rosh Machaneh).

Shabbat
Shabbat is a true celebration of Jewish life at Habonim Dror Camp Moshava. Early each Friday afternoon, campers begin special preparations to greet Shabbat. Kabbalat Shabbat precedes a traditional Shabbat dinner which is then followed by Israeli singing and folkdancing. Shabbat day is enhanced with special and creative services and activities. Shabbat ends with a Havdalah service under the stars, and later that night, the weekly campfire (medura).

Shickvah List (Age Groups)

Amelim	Entering 4th and 5th grade
Chotrim	Entering 6th grade
Tzofim	Entering 7th grade
Solelim	Entering 8th grade
Bonim	Entering 9th grade
Bogrim	Entering 10th grade
MBI (Machaneh Bonim in Israel, a national program)	Entering 11th grade
Madatz (Madrichim Tzi'irim, literally "young counselors", counselors-in-training)	Entering 12th grade

Food
Habonim Dror Camp Moshava takes great care in providing nutritious and varied kosher meals to our campers. Vegetarian meals are provided as well. In addition, there are many opportunities for treats, birthday celebrations, and goodies for special occasions.

Moshava will not accept any food sent to campers for reasons of Kashrut and health standards. We ask that parents, grandparents, and well-meaning friends follow this policy.

Chevra (Friends)
Chevra is part of what makes Camp Moshava special. It means friendship, community, group spirit, mutual respect and responsibility. People you meet in Habonim Dror become life-long friends. In our Jewish community, there are thousands of alumni who attribute their identity as Jews and their connection with Israel to Habonim Dror.

Shira & Rikud (Singing & Dancing)
Exposure to Israeli songs and dances is very important to us. We teach new ones and repeat old ones, and involve our campers in musical activities throughout the day. Campers love to show off new songs and dances at each sessions' Visitors' Day program.

Chinuch (Educational Program)
Creative activities and informal discussion of topics related to Jewish history, social justice, Zionism, and Israel foster positive attitudes and better understanding of our heritage and our role as Jews. We incorporate Ivrit (Hebrew) into every facet of our program so that campers become accustomed to using Hebrew words freely and easily throughout the day. In addition, we emphasize creative expression, and have several opportunities (such as "musicale" and Saturday night Medura, campfire) for campers to demonstrate their many talents.

Tzofiut (Scouting)
Outdoor living and hiking help campers develop an appreciation of nature. Our program features overnight campouts and day trips to nearby parks. We provide informal instruction in scouting skills and nature study.

Chugim (Interest Groups)
Activities geared to the special interests of each camper are an integral part of our program. These activities include: nature study, sports, first aid, drama, singing, guitar, dancing, arts and crafts and more. Our campers decide which chug they want to join to enrich their specific interest.

Anafim (Projects)
Each day, campers engage in a fun activity of their choice such as dance, singing, chess, drama, guitar, arts and crafts, sports, and others. This is the time when counselors share their unique talents with campers.

Avodah (Work Projects)
Each child's sense of belonging to the camp community is enhanced by his/her active participation in daily work projects. Campers choose their avodah from a selection which includes carpentry, painting, landscaping, recycling, the care of small farm animals, gardening, and more. This builds a sense of mutual responsibility and cooperation, and is a wonderful outlet for campers' creativity. In addition, all members of the Moshava community (campers and counselors) have turns working in the dining hall, helping set tables, serving food, and cleaning up. This fosters a spirit of family closeness and communal responsibility while encouraging independence.

Sports

Campers are instructed in a wide variety of group sports, including basketball, softball, volleyball, and soccer.
Many games are non-competitive so that campers of all skill levels can enjoyably participate.

Swimming
Campers swim in our 2 large pools. We offer both instructional and free swimming under the supervision of certified lifeguards. Campers can also enjoy boating and tubing on our own lake and in local streams.

For more information contact Tammy Schmidt, Mosh Registrar,
301-593-7533 or 1-800-454-2205, or email at moshava@aol.com