Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful answers here!
If you have questions not answered below, please contact us. We’ll be delighted to chat.
Community
Tel Noar campers come from all over the Northeast and throughout the United States. While many live in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, they come from California, Florida, Israel, and many other places, too.
Tel Noar is pluralist and trans-denominational, so our camper families engage in a wide range of Jewish practice and observance. They may affiliate with synagogues or Jewish communities of any denomination – or not affiliate at all. They may send their child to Hebrew School or to Jewish day school – or Camp Tel Noar may give their child their only “formal” Jewish experience. They may consider their home Jewish or interfaith. Everyone is welcome here. What all our families share: an appreciation for the transformative, lifelong effect that Jewish camping can offer their child’s emotional, spiritual and social growth, and the foundational values it provides.
We work very hard to integrate each child into their bunk and the entire camp community. With get-to-know-you games and plenty of opportunities to build rapport as a group and one-on-one, it takes very little time–sometimes just hours–for our campers to feel they are part of the Tel Noar family.
We also encourage campers to get to know other new or returning campers before the summer. Contact us for more information.
Bunk Life
Bunks are grouped by school grade. You can request that your child be in a bunk with up to two specific friends (in the same grade), and we strive to honor at least one such request per camper. For our younger campers, our unique chugs (cabins) connect three bunks together in a shared common space, so chances are your children will have ample opportunity to spend time with their friends even if you do not make specific requests. Because community is so important here, we carefully structure each bunk to integrate all campers and enable everyone to discover new friends, too. Rest assured that in our small, close-knit community, your child will enjoy friends both new and old!
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 standards. We train each counselor extensively in helping new campers settle into camp life.
Our unique cabins connect three bunks with a shared common room and extra-large bathroom with showers. They are comfortable in a classic New England style, with bunkbeds and storage shelves for each camper.
Special Activities
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, use the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Request Form on your Family Login dashboard.
Yes, if they want to. Yet what many parents tell us they love about Tel Noar is that there is no pressure to win, prove, or perform. We work hard to build a camp culture where participation is the focus.
The whole camp takes part in the annual Color War competition, which includes Color War “Quicketitions” that are fast, low-stakes challenges sprinkled throughout the day so each camper can shine. We also run a Mini Maccabiah, so that younger campers become the stars of their own day, complete with goofy team names, cheers, and games designed just for them.
Interested 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.
Travel
Most campers arrive by car. Camp Tel Noar is conveniently located in Hampstead, NH in the southern part of the state.
Approximate driving times:
Boston, MA: 1 hour
Hartford, CT: 2 hours
NYC: 4 hours
Philadelphia, PA: 6 hours
Campers traveling from further away may fly into Manchester, NH. With prior notice, we can arrange for a staff member and a safe, reliable van to meet them at the airport for pickup. Please contact the office to discuss your child’s specific travel needs PRIOR to making any travel arrangements.
Address for your GPS:
167 Main Street, Hampstead, NH 03841
New Hampshire is a beautiful destination at every time of year. Visiting the White Mountains, the many lakes, charming cities and towns, or New England’s coastline are all great options!
Communications
Completing your family’s first online application for Camp Tel Noar will create your Family Login account. Once enrolled, you’ll use your Family Login to complete forms and download the packing list.
Each week your camper is at camp, you’ll receive a weekly email from the leadership team sharing all the excitement that took place in the previous week.
All summer, your Family Login and the Campanion app are your gateway to photos, videos, and the previous weekly camp updates. You can even send one-way emails to your camper (we print them out here; no waiting for the mail to arrive!)
Campers are required to write a letter home at least three times each week. You can send them mail and small packages (no food or candy), which we distribute Sunday through Friday.
Year-round, stay in touch with camp happenings on Facebook and Instagram. Please also read our blog for more insight into camp news and philosophy.
Yes, Camper Care Profiles 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 physical health, mental health, and social support needs are met. Please share your requests regarding your child’s activities and any specific issues they may have on the Camper Care Profile, and please be as candid as possible. It will be a great help to us in our relationship with them.
Packing for Camp
Campers wear comfortable, casual clothes to participate in daily activities. Our footwear policy requires that campers wear footwear appropriate to their activity, such as sneakers for tennis.
As part of our Shabbat environment, on Friday evening and Saturday morning everyone wears blue and white clothing. Campers like to dress up a little for the end-of-session banquet in a nice but not elaborate outfit. You’ll find a recommended list of clothing at your Family Login for enrolled campers.
Our online camp store offers fun Camp Tel Noar gear such as t-shirts and sweatpants. Each camper needs two Camp Tel Noar t-shirts to wear for inter-camp activities, trip days, and camp pictures. Tel Noar gear also makes a great gift!
Have more questions?
Camp Director Aaron would be delighted to chat. Please schedule a time for a phone or Zoom call at your convenience.
