In the three years since the Camp Gan Israel of Greenwich, Connecticut, was established, co-director Maryasha Deren, and her husband, Rabbi Yosef, have seen the enrollment of local Jewish children rapidly grow from 50 the first year to more than 150 so far this year. Providing an action-filled five week experience, combining swimming, horseback riding, karate, and day trips with Jewish learning, Camp Gan Israel is now the most popular Jewish summer program in Greenwich.

"We had a young girl who started in our program last summer and was very unhappy about having to come to a 'Jewish camp' while all her friends were enrolled in 'fun camps,'" relates Maryasha. "By the last day of the season she was insisting her parents immediately sign her up again for this year's session. She told her mom she wanted to be the 'best Jew' that she could."

The Camp Gan Israel network was established by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson of righteous memory, who instructed that summer vacation was an especially effective time to teach children about their heritage and reinforce educational values in a relaxed setting. The lessons learned by youngsters in the camp atmosphere makes a stronger and more enduring impact on them, and campers discover that Jewish education offers an exciting way to spend a summer day.

Each week Camp Gan Israel concentrates on a different theme: Jewish holidays, Israel, Mitzvot, with special daily activities that emphasize the weekly motif.

"We believe in a real hands-on and authentic experience," explains Rabbi Deren. "We don't just talk about how Torah scrolls are written, we take the kids to watch a scribe at work. During the Israeli kibbutz segment, the kids themselves see how cows are milked and wheat is planted."

"And sometimes," adds Maryasha Deren, "a child's summer camp experience can motivate his siblings and parents to become more involved with education and Mitzvot throughout the year."