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?

Summer camp is an incredibly fun and meaningful opportunity for children. OSRUI is unique because of its focus on Jewish learning, intertwining the development of Jewish identity with all the joys of summer camp. At OSRUI, campers will learn to become more independent, confident, and resilient as they form meaningful friendships and participate in activities that range from art to climbing to aquatics. Our superstar staff create an open and accepting environment that allows campers to be the best versions of themselves. Your child will be welcomed into the strong, supportive Jewish community at OSRUI, and they will love returning to this special place summer after summer.

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 

READINESS FOR CAMP

We can’t wait to welcome your child to camp and we want their OSRUI experience to be great. As you think about your camper’s readiness for camp, we encourage you to consider the questions below. We also invite you to be in touch with our team by phone at 847-509-0990 to talk more about how we can facilitate a successful summer. If this isn’t the right summer for your child, we have wonderful family programs throughout the year that can introduce you to OSRUI and allow you to feel more prepared 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?
Both Lina Wallace, Senior Assistant Director, and Mollie Flink, Community Care Manager, are poised to have in-depth conversations with prospective and enrolled families to discuss readiness. Our team recognizes that each camper is unique, and therefore needs an individualized plan to prepare for success. Lina and Mollie will work with you and your child, along with family members and community professionals, to facilitate appropriate support at camp.  

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!