Midwest Camp

Chicago, IL

August 19-21, 2022

What to Expect

Campers

CAMPERS

Nai Campers Camp Nai Nai Nai is for anyone ages 21-39 who wants to experience the joy, beauty, and silliness of Jewish summer camp! We invite you to come as you are and find your most authentic self. Whether you are Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, just Jewish, “Jew-ish”, all of the above, or none of above, Camp Nai Nai Nai is where we sing the wrong words to the right songs, together making up our own lyrics and rules as we go along! Everyone can sing along to the “Nai Nai Nai…” part of the song.

Camp Nai Nai Nai is an inclusive space for people of all sexual orientations, ethnicities, races, genders, colors, religious creeds and accessibility needs. Everyone is welcome.

Activites

Activities

Camp Nai Nai Nai is a choose your own adventure experience. Each day we’ll offer a variety of creative (and unusual) playshops from which you can choose — or opt out. We call our activities “Playshops” because there is no “work” at Camp Nai Nai Nai, and you’re encouraged to pursue your interests, indulge your curiosity, and try something new. Below is a small sample of the many, many activities planned for camp:

Accommodations

Bunk Cabins

Each cabin has 5 – 10 bunks (10-20 beds) with shared bathroom and shower facilities. You can choose to be in a boys-only, girls-only, or co-ed “genderful” cabin. We’ll do our best to accommodate roommate/group requests.

Deluxe Room

Each room has two twin beds and a private bath, with access to a central kitchen equipped with stove, microwave, and refrigerator. Deluxe rooms are double occupancy. You may request a roommate during registration or be paired with your new camp bestie based on age & gender.

Wondering what you should bring to camp? Here is our 2020 Packing List for Camp Midwest!

Food

This won’t be your typical camp food! Our camp chefs work hard to create menus that are filled with healthy, diverse menus that are super tasty to boot! We’ll have meals that are a twist on old camp classics, but with upgrades for our adult palettes.

At Camp Midwest we use only certified Kosher meat and do not mix milk with meat. You can expect that no milk or milk derivatives will be used at a meat meal. We do not use separate dishes, cutlery, or serving pieces.

Our culinary team will work with each camper to ensure that any dietary restrictions are accounted for. Gluten-free? No problem. Not so great with dairy? You’ll be great with the options at camp! You’ll have the opportunity to indicate your dietary restrictions when completing your registration form.

Programs

The best part of camp is the people. From color war to storytelling ‘round the campfire to dance parties, our daily camp-wide programs will bring us together for memorable community moments. There is a fun, and possibly wacky, camp program planned for each evening.

One of the highlights is a camp-wide festival, where we’ll dance, chill, eat, drink, and celebrate. Explore the featured carnival activities with your friends such as live music, a 3D photo booth, lawn games, face-painting, glow in the dark things, inflatables, and plenty of drinks and snacks.

Staff

Camp Counselors

Camp Counselors help you figure out the ins and outs of camp, introduce you to fellow campers through wacky games, lead activities during the day, and make sure you’re having an amazing time at night. Our counselors are active members of their own local Jewish communities, as Moishe House residents or MHWOW hosts, so when you’re back from camp you’ll have ample opportunities to stay in touch!

Camp Specialists

Camp Specialists are outstanding Jewish educators who come from all over the country to lead our activities and programs, using their unique passion (be it dance, art, theater science, singing, or yoga) to explore Jewish identity, build Jewish community, and demonstrate that there are many ways to NAI!

Come back soon to see who will be joining us this year!

Core Camp Team

Lisa Klig, Camp Director

Lisa Klig has been the Director of Camp Nai Nai Nai since 2018. Before joining Moishe House, she led her own initiative, Mishpucha, creating immersive experiences from Russian-speaking Jewish (RSJ) families and worked as the Program Director at COJECO, the umbrella for the RSJ community in New York. She loves to play charades, organize Google spreadsheets, and sing loudly off key by the campfire. Reach out to her at lisa.klig@campnainainai.org with any questions!

Transportation

GETTING TO CAMP

Camp Midwest is based at OSRUI in Oconomowoc, WI, just a couple of hours north of the windy city, Chicago, IL. Check back for arrival and check-in times!

Camp Bus

Ride to camp in style on one of our camp buses. Kick back and relax for a stress-free ride to camp, or start the party early and get to know your fellow campers en route to camp.

More details to come…

Confirmation of all meeting points and specific instructions will be sent directly to travelers in advance of camp. Times and locations are subject to change.

Parking Pass

If you prefer to drive with friends or want flexibility in timing, grab yourself a parking pass! Parking is limited, so all parking passes must be purchased prior to camp. If you do not purchase your parking pass and show up to camp without one, we cannot guarantee parking will be available or you will have to pay an additional fee for last minute parking. Please do not drive to camp without purchasing a parking pass for your car.

CARPOOLING

Need a ride or have a few empty seats in your car? We’ll send out a ride-sharing document prior to camp to help campers share the journey. Plus, you’ll help contribute to an environmentally friendly experience by limiting the number of cars on the road and lessening our carbon-footprint.

Brought to you by

Founded in 2006, Moishe House started when four Jewish 20-somethings began hosting Shabbat dinners in Oakland, California, for their friends and networks. Through the support of several early funders and a snowballing interest from Jewish communities, we have become a global leader of Jewish life for young adults. Our model trains, supports and empowers these leaders as they create meaningful experiences in their local communities for themselves and their peers by engaging 60,000+ unique participants in 25+ countries on an annual basis.