About Cohen CampsSummer Camps + Programs

Kadima Teen Leadership

Internship and bridge to a staff role

Kadima Teen Leadership at Camps

In Hebrew, “kadima” means “move ahead” and “let’s go!”

The Cohen Camps Kadima Teen Leadership curriculum develops future Jewish community leaders by cultivating real-life, hands-on skills in responsibility, planning, decision-making, teamwork, and communication. It’s our redesigned Counselor-in-Training program–and the critical next step in bringing the benefits of camp forward into adulthood.

  • The heart of any camp is its staff. Kadima experiences better prepare our graduating teens to be excellent camp counselors on Day 1.
  • Kadima training is explicitly designed to build the skills our teens will need in college life and learning, future employment, Jewish community engagement, and citizenship.
  • 21st Century Skills are at the forefront of the Kadima learning program: decision making, self-care, self and social awareness, relating to others with empathy and kindness, resourcefulness, resiliency, grit, and more.
  • Kadima builds teens’ resumes with a counselor-in-training internship.
  • Kadima gives teens a great, fun summer with friends, kicking off the next phase of their lives in a grounded, balanced, rewarding way.
  • The Kadima Yurt Villages and dedicated Kadima space at each camp will provide the community and space to create the full Kadima experience.

Kadima Curriculum

Kadima starts with a curriculum for learning and bonding at camp followed by an internship working directly with campers.

The curriculum focuses on:

Leadership

  • Self-identity, Self-awareness, Perspectives
  • Growth mindset, Problem solving
  • Empathy, Navigating social dynamics in various environments
  • Resiliency, Responsibility, Self-advocacy, Decision making, Feedback
  • Your Superpower, Confidence, Leadership, Community, and the Articulation of one’s journey

Camper Care

  • Ages and stages of campers, Importance of implementing routines

  • Many roles of a counselor—Creating meaningful experiences, Facilitation, Participation, and Engagement in activities and bunk

  • Bridge of camper to CA/CIT to counselor, Being a role model, Boundaries, Bully prevention

  • Understanding developmental differences, Strategies with challenging behaviors (What to do when…), Giving and receiving feedback

  • Emotions management, Communications—intent vs. impact

The Kadima Framework: Community and Growth

A strong curriculum

in communication, teamwork, responsibility, empathy, and time management

Deep, rewarding service experience

with time to de-stress and prepare for senior year

Sustained Jewish connection

while teens are making choices about college and future

Kadima Yurt Village at Camp Tevya

A Day in the Life of Kadima

Assisting with/co-leading camper activities

Certification training (First Aid/CPR/AED, Youth/Teen Mental Health First Aid, and bullying prevention)

Service projects

Camper mentoring in bunks and departments, and at meals

Dedicated, self-directed time for schoolwork and college essays as needed

Reflection with Kadima peer group

Questions?

Families of teens eligible for Kadima, please watch for invitations to information sessions.

Stacey Smalley, Director of Leadership Development + Kadima, welcomes you to contact her by email. You can also reach Stacey at 781.489.2070.

About the Kadima Yurt Villages

Dedicated, eco-friendly spaces

Under construction at Camp Tevya! Now in planning at Camps Pembroke and Tel Noar.

  • Air-conditioned, private housing in low-environmental-impact yurts
  • Community centers at each camp with indoor gathering space for 50+ people
  • Bathrooms
  • Workspace for school + college prep
  • Wi-Fi
  • Kitchenette
  • Senior staff bedrooms
  • Firepit!

See the designs

The drawings below show the Community Building concepts by the Cohen Camps’ architects, and approximately where the Yurt Village will sit at each camp:

Kadima Yurt Village Design Concepts
Kadima Yurt Village design concepts
Approximate Yurt Locations
The approximate locations of each Kadima Yurt Village

Would you like to help support Kadima and the Yurt Villages?

We are grateful for the many leadership donors who have already stepped forward to help underwrite the cost and create this formative experience.

Contribute to Kadima at:

Questions about supporting Kadima?

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Camp affiliations(s)

Women's Journey to Israel

Show me pricing and what's included

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Camp affiliations(s), if any:
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Enroll in just 5 minutes!