NFTY STR Spring Kallah

Dear parents, teens, and synagogue professionals,

NFTY-Southern Tropical Region is hosting an in-person Spring Kallah weekend retreat at Riverside Camp & Retreat Center in Fort Denaud, FL the weekend of April 8-10!!! This event is a teen-powered weekend open to participants in grades 8 through 12. Join us for a retreat full of exciting programs, meaningful tefilah experiences, and lots of camp fun with new and old friends. Read below for more information, including how to register!

We are moving forward with the planning and running of this weekend program with the understanding that the health and safety of our participants is the highest priority. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we get closer to the event.

This event is being run by NFTY and Camp Coleman, with programming powered by the NFTY Southern Tropical Regional Board.

B’Shalom,

Rabbi Andrew Terkel

NFTY South Area Manager – Dallas, TX Office

[email protected]

(254) 410-6703

Links to download URJ health and wellness policies for overnight in-person events:

Short term camp based overnight programs FAQs

Immersive Operations – URJ Vaccine Statement 2022

FAQ’s

Cost: The early bird fee is only $250 through February 23rd, after which the regular tuition is $275 until March 9th when registration closes.

Scholarship: Check with your congregation to see what scholarship funds are available and if additional funds are needed please email Adam Griff [email protected]

Transportation: The event begins on Friday, April 8th at 5:00pm and concludes Sunday, April 10th at 10:00am.  Teens are NOT permitted to drive themselves to the event.

Please be in touch with your home congregation about possible transportation plans from congregations to Camp Coleman. Transportation is NOT included in the registration fee.

Meals:  All meals will meet dietary needs as much as possible including gluten free, dairy free, and vegetarian. Please be sure to indicate your teen’s most up to date dietary needs in their registration.

Vaccines: Vaccines against COVID-19 continue to be developed and approved (including emergency use) and will become increasingly available during 2022. As different subgroups of people are able to obtain access, vaccination is required at age eligible levels as authorized by the Food and Drug Administration. All members of the NFTY community are required to seek out the vaccine and, when available, to complete the relevant vaccination series including available booster doses at least two weeks prior to joining the camp community.

How Do I Register?

1. Registration must be completed through the CampInTouch parent/guardian account
2. Go to: https://urjcoleman.campintouch.com/ui/forms/application/camper/App
3. Complete the Parent/Guardian Information Fields
4. Indicate 2022 under Season
5. Complete initial information about the participant
6. Select “Begin Application”
7. Under Year Round Programming & Retreats, select “NFTY-STR Spring Kallah at Riverside Camp April 8-10”
8. Complete application
9. For NFTY events, the deposit is the full cost of the event. The full amount will be charged to the payment method you choose when registration closes on March 9th.

You are registering to reserve your spot. Full tuition will be collected on March 9^th.

What to bring? A more detailed packing list will follow once you register, so please stay tuned.

• KN95 Masks – 3 masks per day. With the exception of meals and bedtime, participants WILL BE wearing masks indoors at all times.
• Warm Sleeping Bag, Pillow and Towel
• Toiletries (toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, soap, etc.)
• Clothes appropriate for the event, weather, and being outdoors
• A water bottle: NFTY cares about the environment.  Please bring a reusable water bottle to decrease the number of disposable cups we use.
• Please leave at home anything you would be devastated to lose. NFTY, Camp Coleman, and the Union for Reform Judaism are not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
• NFTY policy is for teens to be responsible for their own medication at events.  If your teen needs help with their medication, please let us know.

Safety: Above all else, the safety and well-being of all the participants is foremost.

We will have an overnight security guard making sure we’re safe. We will have appropriate staff in all sleeping areas where teens will be, ensuring the health and safety of all participants. As they become available from the URJ medical team, COVID protocols will be communicated.

What is NFTY?  NFTY has been the brand of teen engagement for the Reform movement for centuries. NFTY is a movement that builds strong, welcoming, inspired communities through teen-powered engagement. Together, we pursue tikkun olam (repairing the world), personal growth, youth empowerment, and deep connections, all rooted in Reform Judaism. What makes NFTY different than other youth organizations are our 13 Principles. When you register, the teen and parent both agree to these ideals.

NFTY events maintain high expectations of being a caring and safe community. To this end, each participant and parent will sign off on the NFTY Brit K’hilah, our code of conduct.

What is a Kallah? A Kallah is an overnight experience  that includes engaging programs, activities, and opportunities to meet other Reform Jewish teens. These activities also include Shabbat services, character and relationship building programs and a social action component.

For more information contact:

For general questions: Rabbi Andrew Terkel, NFTY South Area Manager [email protected] (254) 410-6703

For questions about CampInTouch, registration, billing, scholarship, etc: Adam Griff, Coleman Associate Director [email protected] (770) 671-8971

For questions about programming: Jessie Schwartzman, Teen Engagement Coordinator, [email protected] (770) 671-8971

Yael Litwak, NFTY-STR President, [email protected]