Loving the leagues

Stellar sports program enhances Simcha Day Camp

Issue of August 8, 2008

To children, summer is all about happiness and fun, and Simcha Day Camp certainly lives up to its name, as hundreds of young campers are having the time of their lives this summer at the Far Rockaway camp.

Young boys from all over Nassau County, Brooklyn, Queens and even Israel have flocked to Simcha Day Camp’s sprawling 10-acre campus since 1991 to participate in not only a regular day camp, but an exceptional sports leagues program as well.

“The simchadic ruach is a constant theme throughout the summer, literally palpable in the air,” observed head counselor Rabbi Baruch Bender. “Simcha Day Camp is a place which is constantly moving.”

In a typical day, campers’ schedules are jam-packed with regular activities, in addition to special trips and events. But at Simcha Day Camp, the highlight of the summer is leagues, which have become an exciting daily event, with both campers and community members involved and with a rooted interest in the success of the numerous teams.

Ordinary day camps often have leagues, in which campers from each bunk are divided into teams that compete in tournament-style sporting events. But Simcha Day Camp has taken this concept a step further, as it has involved the local community in its sports program. Leagues and teams are sponsored by local businesses, with each camper receiving his own special jersey.

The camp originally started out with three leagues, one each for campers entering third or fourth grade, and one for those entering grades five through seven. Each league has eight teams, totaling close to 100 players. But by popular demand, the camp was soon forced to open the Suit Central league for incoming second graders since the campers’ older brothers were telling them what a great time they were having.

The team sponsorships help support the community by paying for scholarships for campers.

“The stores are incredibly loyal, giving a small amount of money to help kids go to camp,” said Rabbi Mordechai Burg, learning director of the camp and a division head.

The Jewish Star’s team is in the Gourmet Glatt incoming third graders’ league.

The spirit of the program is apparent when talking to campers. Each has absolute confidence in his team and trust in his teammates. Yaakov Buff of Long Beach is known as a great player for his team, Mr. Music, which won the “World Series” held in the first half of the summer.

“My team won it for me,” Buff said, giving all the credit to his teammates.

Teammate Yonatan Strauss of Kew Garden Hills said that making the World Series was his favorite part of leagues. Menachem Kovitz of Far Rockaway noted his love of baseball and his conviction that his team, the Carlos and Gabby’s Cowboys, is “going all the way.”

But sports skills aside, what really distinguishes Simcha Day Camp are its campers and their sterling attributes.

“The beauty of Simcha Day Camp leagues is the beautiful display of midos and supportive nature of the coaches,” explained division head Rabbi Netanel Gralla. “Leaders of the camp cannot say enough about the quality of the campers.”