Camp Shomria

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Camp Shomria is the name used by several Jewish summer camps associated with the Hashomer Hatzair Progressive Zionist youth movement in North America. At present Hashomer Hatzair North America operates two Camp Shomrias, one at Perth, Ontario which has been operating since the late 1950s and takes campers from Canada and parts of the United States and an older camp at Liberty, New York in the Catskills that was founded in the 1940s. Since 2003, Camp Shomria Liberty has included Israeli Arabs, Israeli Jews and Beduoins amongst its roster of campers in an attempt to break down barriers between Israeli Jews and Arabs. [1]. Although founded in the 40's, the actual site was once a kibbutz training facility, which was founded in the early 1900's.

[edit] Groups (kvutzot)

The camp is divided into kvutzot, or groups. The names are taken from kibbutzim in Israel, such as Galon, Harel or Sasa. The campers are split into two age groups, with three years in each. Campers older than twelve are in Tzofim, while younger children are in Chalutzim. Counselors-in-training are in a group of their own called Kibbutzi, or Yedid. Sixteen and older is Hadracha, or staff. An age group is not allowed to use their kvutza names until they reach Kibbutzi/Yedid.