Thinking About Camp?

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Welcome home to Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute!
We are so excited that you are considering OSRUI as your camper’s home away from home.

Dear Families,

Welcome to our family – we can’t wait to share the joy and happiness of camp and Judaism with you and your camper.  Having grown up at camp as a camper and staff member, I know firsthand the power of OSRUI.

When you entrust your children to us, they will have the time of their life, develop new skills, and are a part of a warm, welcoming, Jewish, community.  In today’s world, camp is more important than ever before. Camp is a place where we get to create the world we strive for. Our campers build relationships face-to-face at camp, coming together to laugh, play, sing, and support each other. At OSRUI, we live the Jewish values of Ometz (Perseverance), Kavod (Respect), Tsumet Lev (Really Listening), Derech Eretz (Doing the Right Thing), Chesed (Kindness) and so many more!

The staff and I are eager to create a magical experience with and for your family. Please be in touch with me or any of my colleagues to explore how OSRUI can become a part of your family.

L’shalom,

Beth Rodin
Director

Activities

There are so many things to do all summer long!

Request more info

Like what you see and want to learn more?

Tour camp

Interesting in seeing OSRUI? Join us for a tour and meet with one of our Directors!

Webinar

Want to learn more about camp from home? Join us for a prospective family webinar via Zoom!

Welcome Home!

Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI) is an open and safe Jewish community dedicated to welcoming and valuing every individual. Since 1952, we have welcomed tens of thousands of campers to our community, creating memories and friendships that last a lifetime. Once you’ve spent a summer at OSRUI, you are a part of our camp family forever. 

We recommit ourselves daily to growing this intentional camp community and tending to its roots: openness, inclusivity, sensitivity, Jewish tradition, and the belief that we are all B’tzelem Elohim – created in God’s image. OSRUI is a place where each community member is safe, able to enjoy all that we have to offer, and have the opportunity to become the best versions of themselves.  

Click here to read more about our commitment to being a camp for everyone. 

Why choose OSRUI?

Camp is fun! Located in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, our campers enjoy engaging activities and programs, develop life-long friendships, and live with a super-star staff that acts as role models, living Jewish values-not just teaching them. We know they’ll take these values home with them at summer’s end. Our open and accepting environment allows each of our individual campers  to form incredible bonds together and to be the best versions of themselves. Our programs and camp traditions create an outstanding environment for our camp community to immerse themselves in Reform Jewish traditions.

How To Prepare as a Parent or Guardian

As exciting as it is to send your child to summer camp, the process can be overwhelming and lead to some degree of anxiousness. We feel it is important to make sure our circle of support extends beyond the campers to the parents and guardians. 

Prior to camp we will help guide you with packing lists questions and connecting you to other camp families.  Our Health Center Staff and Camp Care Team will be in contact with you to discuss any medical or special needs your camper may have. 

Once your child arrives at camp our staff will make sure all their needs are met and they have a successful session.  During the session you are more than welcome to reach out and check in with us.  We will be happy to give you an update on how your camper is doing. 

Our camp family is always available to help ensure that your entire family has a memorable summer experience 

FAQs AS FAMILIES ARE CONSIDERING CAMP

We can’t wait to welcome your child to camp and we want their OSRUI experience to be great. As you think about camper’s readiness for camp, we encourage you to consider the below questions and we invite you to be in touch with our team by phone at 847-509-0990 to talk more about how we can make your camper’s experience at camp successful. If this isn’t the right summer for your child, we have lots of great family programs throughout the year where your family can get to know camp as you consider OSRUI for next summer.

Does your child want to come to camp?
Often when kids come to you with a desire to go to overnight camp, it’s a sign that not only are they interested in attending but that they are ready. Asking them about why they are interested will often give you the information you need to feel ready to take this step! 

Has your child demonstrated success with sleepovers and falling asleep without your assistance?
We encourage campers to practice 
sleeping away from home before camp. Let your child practice with sleepovers with family members and with friends, as this will give your child the confidence needed to feel positive about sleeping out of the home, and it will help you rest easier too! 

Is your child able to independently conduct tasks of daily living (brushing teeth, getting dressed, showering, putting away cloths, putting on sunscreen, serving themselves food, etc.)?
Your child will return home with much greater independence but should arrive at camp willing, with prompting and reminders, to do many of these things. Our staff is there to help every step of the way, but we also expect that campers are able to manage these tasks at an age-appropriate level. These are great tasks to practice at home as you gear up for the summer!
 

Does your child sleep through the night without nightly accidents?
If your child has accidents on occasion, we can work with you to put a plan in place that your child feels comfortable with and that can work at camp. This is more common than most think and we can help create a plan that is discreet and supportive to your child. 

How can we help?
Lina Wallace is our year-round Assistant Director focusing on Wellness. Mollie Flink, LCSW, is our Community Care Manager. Both Lina and Mollie are poised to have in-depth conversations with prospective and enrolled families to discuss readiness and to prepare for success, recognizing that each camper is a unique individual. They, in partnership with our intake team, will talk to family members, professionals, and work with you and your child to make sure camp is prepared for what they might need.  

During the summer, our Camp Care team is made up of made up of mental, social and emotional health professionals who know camp and know kids. They work seamlessly with parents, counselors, and campers to ensure a positive experience for all. They can communicate with families throughout the summer to collaborate in real time and discuss issues as they arise. The Camp Care team works in partnership with counselors and parents in advance of and during the summer to support kids to have the best possible experience!

Please contact us at osrui@urj.org or 847-509-0990 to have a conversation about your child’s readiness for camp!