Camp Canadensis

Camp Canadensis is a seven-week, co-ed, overnight Jewish camp located in the Pocono Mountains region of Monroe County, Pennsylvania, US. Camp Canadensis is made up of campers primarily from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania; however, there are campers coming from other nearby states. Facilities include a 75 acre private lake, indoor and outdoor hockey rinks, a 2500 sqft gymnastics room, indoor, and outdoor basketball courts, two heated pools, a 9000 sqft art center, a high ropes adventure course, a low ropes team building circuit, a 40 ft high rock wall, horse stables, a golf range, an all-weather outdoor amphitheater, and 16 tennis courts, 12 of which are lit for night use.

At Canadensis, their goal is "to create an environment that is emotionally, physically and socially safe for campers and their parents in a first-rate facility".

Canadensis is an American Camp Association accredited camp.

History
Camp Canadensis was founded by William "Uncle Bill" Saltzman in 1941, and was named a Pioneer of Camping by the American Camp Association. He owned and operated the camp until his death in 1997; in his later years, his son Stevan co-operated the camp. After Bill's death, Stevan operated the camp until his death in 2000. Since then, Stevan's sister Terri Saltzman has owned and operated the camp.

Recent years


In 2000 Canadensis built a 9000 sqft art center; The Sylvia Saltzman Art Center is divided into six different rooms for a variety of art programs: The Art Shack (general crafts, drawing, painting, jewelry-making, tie-dyeing, etc.); Woodworking; Ceramics; Photography (black & white, and digital); Glass Fusion; and Fashion Design.".

In 2008 Canadensis built an outdoor amphitheater. Aunt T's Amphitheater overlooks Lake Lenape and serves as the venue for the camp's morning lineup, as well as a variety of evening programming.

Other recent additions to Camp Canadensis include an indoor, all-weather, basketball court, and newly renovated horse stables.

The camp's new website was designed by Philadelphia graphic designer Andy O'Dore.

Out-of-camp trips
Canadensis Senior Campers embark on four different multiple-day, out-of-camp trips to various locations. Traditionally, the trips visit the same destinations each year. Canadensis lower seniors spend 3 days and 2 nights in Lake Placid, New York, each summer. Campers visit the Olympic Training Center, and take part in a variety of Olympic Attractions. Canadensis upper seniors spend 3 days and 2 nights sightseeing in Boston. Although the exact details change every year, common attractions include a Boston duck tour, lunch at Fire and Ice, Quincy Market, and a tour of Harvard University. Super seniors spend 4 days in Niagara, and take part in traditional tourist attractions, such as Maid of the Mist. In 2010, the Niagara Falls trip also included a Cleveland, Ohio, component, so campers could experience the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Canadensis CITs (counselors-in-training) spend 5 days at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. In 2009 Canadensis introduced an optional college tour trip for their oldest campers, visiting Penn State, Franklin and Marshall, and Lehigh University. In 2010 the trip featured a series of New York schools.

Traditions
Color War has been a cherished tradition at Camp Canadensis since its establishment in 1941. It unfolds over the course of five days, during which the entire camp community divides into two teams, engaging in spirited competition encompassing both athletic and artistic pursuits. These two teams are led by individuals holding the esteemed titles of CIT Captains, CIT Lieutenants, Counselor Captains, and CIT leaders. To attain these roles, a staff member or Counselor-in-Training must exhibit exceptional dedication and exceptional leadership qualities that extend beyond their core responsibilities during the summer.

Originally, Color War was a unified competition, but in 1966, it was restructured into two distinct events: the Athletic Competition and the Sing Competition. Historical records, as indicated by the plaques displayed in the main office, show that Color War was scored as a single event with a single victor until 1965. From 1966 to 2006, separate winners were crowned for both the Athletic and Sing Competitions. However, beginning in 2007, Color War reverted to its original format, with a single winner determined across all competitions.

Camp Canadensis also upholds other cherished traditions, such as celebrating Independence Day with hotdogs and fireworks. Additionally, as a grand finale to the summer, all campers and staff members partake in a memorable trip to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom

Recreation unlimited
Before and after the 7 Week Camp Program, Camp Canadensis rents its facility to a variety of outside groups. Recent groups include The Philadelphia Folksong Society, Girl Scouts of the USA, and Running Works, Community Middle School's Outdoor Education program, and Radnor Township School District, as well as multiple Marching Bands from bordering states.