Operations Staff Handbook

2022

Winter Summer
888 Worcester St., Suite 350 306 Oldham St
Wellesley, MA 02482 Pembroke, MA 02359
ph: 781-489-2070 ph: 781-294-8006
fax: 781-489-2055 fax: 781-294-4659
www.camppembroke.org
 Welcome to Camp Pembroke
Summer 2022

Hello and Welcome to Camp Pembroke, Summer 2022!

We are so excited and ready for what we know will be another incredible summer! We hope you
are beginning to settle in and feel at home. While the purpose of this time is to prepare for the
next several weeks, it is our hope that you begin to connect with other staff members. Please
keep in mind that some staff members are new to camp, while others may have been here in
summers past. Pembroke is proud to be an inclusive community. It is our goal to set these
expectations as a staff for our campers and community.
This summer you take on an enormous responsibility: you will be creating and caring for an
environment that is home to other people’s children. We have hired you to be a positive role
model and to put the campers’ welfare above all else. It is expected that you will set an example
of being a model member of our community – demonstrating kindness, respect, empathy,
accountability, teamwork, a positive attitude, and compliance to rules.
This handbook is a guide to the things that you need to know to be a responsible staff member at
Camp Pembroke. Please read this handbook carefully and feel free to refer back to it at any point
throughout the summer.
Being on Pembroke’s staff means you are part of the Pembroke family and community, now and
forever. We are here to support you and help you do your jobs to the best of your ability. We look
forward to working with you!

Warmly,
Amy, Becca,
and Senior Staff

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Table of Contents
The Cohen Camps: An Overview 3
Camp Leadership 5
Staffing 6
Judaism at Pembroke 7
A Day in the Life 8
Logistics 9
A Healthy Camp is a Happy Camp 13
Our Mutual Commitments 13

The Cohen Camps: An Overview

Our staff comes from near and far with a common goal of giving our campers an unforgettable
summer. To do that, we need to understand our common goals, which come from our camp
history.

The Cohen Camps

Camp Pembroke is part of the Eli and Bessie Cohen Camps. 87 years ago, Eli and Bessie Cohen
began a mission committed to strengthening the Jewish people through education and building
a Jewish community. That legacy continues to thrive in three dynamic Jewish summer camps in
New England: Camp Pembroke, Camp Tevya and Camp Tel Noar. The Cohen Camps, shaped by
Eli and Bessie's values and with these goals in mind, have distinct personalities and nationwide
recognition. Today the strength of the Eli and Bessie Cohen Camps is a shared mission and
collective resources that benefit over 1,000 Jewish youth each summer.
Eli and Bessie believed in young people and in their Jewish heritage. They felt that Jewish
education in all its forms was an important means of strengthening the Jewish community. To
that end, they founded Camp Pembroke, an all-girls overnight camp in 1935; Camp Tevya, a
"fresh air" camp for poor inner-city Jewish youth, in 1939; and Camp Tel Noar, a camp for
college students and young adults to spend a meaningful vacation imbued with Zionist spirit, in
1945. In addition to establishing summer camps, they were active in founding synagogues and
day schools as part of this philosophy. Eli and Bessie were passionate about the mission of
Jewish education and Jewish continuity and focused on camping as the primary vehicle to
achieve these goals.
The Cohen Camps are led by the President of the Cohen Camps, Jonathan Cohen. Together, with
the Board of Directors and the year-round team, they are responsible for the overall operations
and policies of the three camps.

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Camp Pembroke
Founded in 1935 as a summer camp for girls, Camp Pembroke is located on Lake Oldham in
Pembroke, MA. We are an all-girls camp with a close-knit community serving a total of 400
campers each season. We have fostered a community living experience since the start. Everyone
in the Pembroke family celebrates one another’s accomplishments and cares about each person
as an individual. In starting Camp Pembroke, Eli and Bessie Cohen sought to create a
community for young girls to develop themselves, experience the joy of their Jewish heritage,
and play. The goal of Camp Pembroke is to help children build character, self-confidence, and
spirit in a fun and safe family environment.

Cohen Camps Mission Statement

The Cohen Foundation Camps enrich children’s lives by encouraging Jewish youth to be
comfortable and confident in themselves so that they can connect positively with others and the
world in which they live. We are a community of positive role models who help our youth
explore their Jewish identity and experience the joy of their Jewish heritage. Our campers and
counselors leave camp determined to sustain Judaism and the Jewish people and are committed
to contributing responsibly to their world.

Inclusion Statement
Cohen Camps is proud of our ever-developing legacy of encouraging members to embody their
strengths that we make real everyday by the commitments that we offer to our community. With
each passing year, we are an increasingly supportive and embracing community that is excited
to provide an environment to grow and celebrate one another.
We welcome all who wish to join our community, and we celebrate the diversity of campers, Dor
L’Dor, Kadima, families, staff, visitors, and guests. Jewish and interfaith families, people of
color, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals, people with disabilities, and
individuals of all ages and faiths are part of our family.
We are striving to become an increasingly inclusive and welcoming environment for our
community, strongly affirming the value of inclusivity in all areas of camp life and culture. In all
of our programs, we are dedicated to learning and growing in ways that foster values and
encourage unity within a diverse community.
We also acknowledge that even within our warm and inviting surroundings, Camp Pembroke is
made up of individuals who are similar, but also unique. It is our hope that together we can
ensure that Camp Pembroke encourages meaningful participation and creates a warm sense of
community for all of us. And when we stumble, because sometimes we are not sensitive, we are
committed to learn, invest, and reflect more deeply into the values we strive to uphold.
As a community, we know that an important aspect of inclusion is continually reflecting and
evolving as we go. If an issue that is not aligned with our culture and values comes to your
attention, we expect to respond. You are always encouraged to communicate with us if you have
concerns or if there is someone you would like to better support or include.
We are determined and inspired about our diverse community, and we look to enhance our ways
to become an even more intentional and inclusive community celebrating uniqueness through
respect, empathy, appreciation, understanding, compassion, and warmth.

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 Cohen Camps Community Values
Be Kind and Understanding
Celebrate Differences
Promote Teamwork
Accept Responsibility
Build and Empower Jewish Leaders
Cultivate Independence and Confidence
Demonstrate Compassion, Patience, and Love

Who’s Who at Camp Pembroke

Camp Leadership
At camp, you have several resources. All of these people are here to help make sure that your
experience at camp is successful! We refer to this group of people as Senior Staff.

Amy Coran: Co- Becca Goldman: Co- Caryn Grozalsky: Marissa Brockman:
Director Director Assistant Director Program Director
Kevin Fisher: Raven Coward: Jules Lilienfeld: Maddie Alford:
Program Coordinator Community Care Social Worker/ Community Care
Director/ Wellness Wellness Team Coordinator/
Team Wellness Team
Sara Leef: Lower Deb Hickey: Middle Alanna Gold: Middle Melissa Ginsberg:
Camp Head Camp Head Camp Head Head of Upper Camp
Counselor (2nd-5th Counselor (6th & 8th Counselor (7th grade) (9th & 10th grade)
grade) grade)
Carrie Cohen: Head Melanie Lieberman: Jamie Rodriguez: Joel Seidner: Head of
of Athletics Head of Pool Head of Waterfront Arts & Crafts
Stacey Wein: Head of Yatzalet Vasquez: Amanda Lewis: Head Eugenia Gerstein:
Drama Head of Nature of Dance Music Director
Zac Gondelman: Mariana Quechotl: Josh Conescu: Head Chanit List: Head of
Song Leader Head of Media of Jewish Life & Yearbook
Learning
Jen Faber: Staff Rachel Niemiec: Andi Velasquez: Kylee Chizmar:
Experience Nurse Practitioner Nurse Nurse
Coordinator
Nida Tejada: Nurse Fabienne Josa: Nurse Ally Chase: Nurse Howard Brown:
Kitchen Manager
Jae Erwin: Head Chef Noah Binder: Special Monica Rodriguez: Jody Spear: Office
Diets Chef Production Chef Manager
Barbara Gallinaro: Rachel Spear: Office Dana Desrochers:
Office Staff Staff Facilities Director

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Health Center
Our Health Center at camp is overseen by Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses. Their job
is to help keep our camp community healthy. They do this by administering daily medications,
seeing campers and staff during health calls, and caring for everyone in camp’s safety and well-
being. There are always nurses on duty during the day, and there is one nurse on duty every
night. This nurse is asleep but has a phone near them that staff can call in case medical support
is needed.

Office
The Office is the hub of administrative support at camp. Our office is managed by Jody Spear
and supported by Barbara Gallinaro and Rachel Spear. This dynamic team answers phone calls,
over sees incoming & outgoing mail daily, manages Canteen, orders all office supplies and are
the friendly faces that greet all visitors.

Staffing
Each summer we craft a diverse staff of counselors, operations staff, program supports, camper
care professionals, social workers, and health center staff to ensure that our community has all
the resources necessary. We provide a mandatory, week-long, and robust training for all staff
employees. Topics include but are not limited to health center and safety procedures, emergency
protocols, the social and emotional needs of campers, child abuse prevention and mandated
reporting, self-care, how to facilitate activities, safe food service, role modeling positive
behavior, and inclusion. Our approach in all our training is values based and experiential. All of
our staff are hired following our multi-step hiring process that include interviews, CORI, SORI
and reference checks.

Departments
In addition to being a bunk counselor, each counselor is also part of a department:
Athletics/Tennis, Pool, Waterfront, Arts and Crafts, Drama, Media, Nature, Jewish Life &
Learning, Dance and Music. By taking a role in a department, counselors have the opportunity
to work with all campers in camp and alongside counselors who they do not live with in a
cabin. Department Heads are responsible for supervising their program, overseeing the
schedule, teaching classes, supporting campers and staff, and evaluating their staff.

Operations Staff

Kitchen
Camp Pembroke maintains a kosher kitchen. A kosher kitchen means that we do not mix meat
products and dairy products. The kitchen staff is made up of a Kitchen Manager, 1 Head Chef, 1
Special Diets Chet, 1 Production Chef and 14 Operations staff members. For your safety, no staff
is allowed in the “back of the kitchen” (behind the kitchen counter). If you need something in
the kitchen, please ask one of the kitchen staff to assist you.

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Maintenance
The maintenance team is made up of 4 Operations staff members and their supervisor Dana
Desrochers, who is our Director of Facilities. Dana works all winter long to help keep camp
looking great for the summer. He works with us to help maintain, clean, fix, and set up camp
properly. He is in camp to assist us, not do our dirty work. It is each of our responsibilities to
clean up our mess and keep camp clean. If something needs to be fixed in your cabin you should
write down the concern on the maintenance list in the Head Counselor ’s cabin. To ensure that
everything gets completed, it’s important that requests are made in writing only.

Housekeeping
The housekeeping team is made up of 4 Operations staff members and they are supervised by
Jody Spear, our Office Manager. The housekeeping team sanitizes bathrooms throughout camp,
including bunk bathrooms and cleans common buildings in camp, like the Lodge. All
housekeeping requests should be filtered through Jody or the Directors.

Counselors
Our counselors have been chosen based upon their experience with children, their love and
enthusiasm for camp and the special skills they can offer our camp community. We are
counting on them to make this the best summer of each camper’s life.
If at any point, you have questions or concerns about your job description or what
is expected of you, please see Amy & Becca.

Judaism at Pembroke
Our Values
At the Cohen Camps we seek to nurture a love of being Jewish and an ongoing desire to be
involved in and to contribute to Jewish life.

We view Judaism not just as a rich heritage but as a powerful tool for personal growth – a set of
values and practices which helps build one's character, mind, and spirit, which helps everyone in
their own unique way, understand themselves and the world around them. A strong Jewish
identity grounds young people contributes to their confidence and sense of self-worth and
informs the choices they make.

We view Jewish community as joyful, dynamic, and creative. Positive Jewish values infuse
everything we do as a community – from the dining hall to the bunks to the playing fields.

We embrace Jewish community as a wonderfully colorful mosaic which supports a range of

beliefs and practices around a common core of values and commitments. We honor each
camper's unique place in the community and support their personal exploration of their
Jewishness as we cultivate their feeling part of something larger. We do not tell campers how to
be Jewish; we empower them to discover that for themselves.

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We understand Jewish life as an ongoing process: we stand on the shoulders of our ancestors,
draw from the wisdom, and experience we've inherited, and try to create a world of Jewish
meaning we're proud to pass on to the next generations.

We view Jewish life as deeply connected to the broader world – with an ultimate goal of helping
to improve and perfect the world.

Shabbat at Camp
Shabbat is a very special time of week at camp. It is a time to rest, reflect and reset. We observe
Shabbat in several different ways at camp, through services, meals, singing and dancing.
Shabbat is an important part of our camp’s culture. Shabbat begins Friday at sundown and ends
Saturday at sundown.

A Day in the Life

Please always remember that the safety of our campers and staff is our priority. We care about
you and it is important that policies are followed for your safety. In order to maintain a safe
community, you must keep in mind the following practices and policies at all times.

Workday
Your workday begins at breakfast each day. Housekeeping and Maintenance will have a checklist
of jobs that need to get done each day, plus anything new that comes up that needs to be
cleaned, fixed, or set up as needed. Kitchen will also have daily jobs and the Kitchen team will be
divided into groups to work as shifts. There will be work for you to do in the evenings after you
eat dinner, and there will be some nights that you will be “on call” to help with things in
camp. Please plan accordingly.

Mealtimes and Food

Operation Staff is on a schedule different from the rest of camp and meals are eaten prior to
camper’ meals. You must attend meals as there will not be food available to you at other times.

• Breakfast:
• Lunch:
• Dinner:

Camp Pembroke is a Kosher camp – this means we do not mix dairy with meat and observe a
few other restrictions as well. In order to preserve this special Jewish law at camp, we do not
allow any food to be brought into the dining hall or public places from outside restaurants or
stores. You may only bring in dairy snacks for yourselves and these items must be stored in your
living space and never eaten in front of campers, in the kitchen or in the dining hall. Meat and
non-Kosher food may not be brought into camp under any circumstances. Please be respectful
and abide by these rules.

The food that camp purchases and stores in the kitchen is not for personal
consumption. You cannot prepare your own personal meal using the food or
supplies that camp has purchased.

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Staff Living
All Operations Staff members live in the KB Cottage, located near the front of camp. Everyone is
provided with linens and toiletries. There are designated rooms for staff that identify as male
and staff that identify as female. We want everyone to feel comfortable in their summer home,
so please be considerate of others. We are a small community and noise travels far. Please keep
noise to a minimum as people are sleeping nearby. Please keep your living space and the
common areas clean.

Staff Clothing
While you are on duty and working you must wear a staff shirt. All staff clothing will be given to
you when you arrive at camp. If you need extra clothing, please check in with Amy or Becca.

Footwear
When you are working, your shoes must cover your toes (such as sneakers or work boots).
Sneakers must be worn when participating in athletic activities.

Golf Carts
There are 3-4 golf carts at Camp Pembroke: one for the Health Center, one for Senior Staff, and
one for operations staff. They are all to be used for camp business and not for personal use. The
first golf cart is reserved at all times by the Health Center. This one is for use by the nurses to
respond to medical situations, transport campers, and for medication distribution. Everyone
riding in the golf cart must be seated properly in a seat with arms and legs inside the golf cart.
There is no standing on the golf cart or sitting on other’s laps on the golf cart. It must be driven
at a slow speed and returned to the designated parking.

Camp Maintenance Truck

The camp maintenance truck is only to be used on campus and only for camp business. All
passengers must be sitting in a designated seat. No one may sit in the back of the pick- up truck.

Logistics
Mail
If friends or family want to send you mail, they should address it as follows:
Your Name
Camp Pembroke
306 Oldham Street
Pembroke, MA 02359

Camp Devices
There are two computers available, located in the quiet lounge in the Lodge. These are shared
computers so please be conscious of the amount of time you are using these devices and the sites
you are visiting. Please do not download anything, including movies or music on these
computers.

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WiFi
WiFi is available to staff at the Lodge and the front of camp. WiFi log in information is available
with the Office Staff- please just ask them!

Cell Phone Use

Staff are allowed to have cell phones at camp; however, many plans have limited or no service at
all. Cell phones may not be carried and may never be used while you are on duty. They are not to
be used or in view of campers at any time. While on duty, cell phones should remain in your
rooms.
When you arrive at camp, please let your families know that you have arrived safely. Please
remember, to dial the Police or Fire Department in the United States you dial 911 – do not dial
those numbers in error or the emergency response units will come to camp.

Curfew
In order to ensure everyone at camp gets enough rest, curfew at camp is 12:30am. This means if
you are returning from your day off, or leave camp during a night off, you must be back in your
living area by 12:30am.

Time Off and Signing Out

When you are off duty, or on your day off, staff is permitted to leave camp. There are bikes
available for you to borrow and take into town to get snacks or a coffee. When you leave camp
during the day, you must sign out and back in at the main office.

Visitors
In light of Covid-19 we have a restrictive visitor policy. Staff members may not invite any visitors
onto campus without prior approval from Amy or Becca. Any approved visitors must sign in and
receive a visitors’ badge at the front office.

Pets
While Camp Pembroke is an animal friendly camp, bunk counselors and Operations Staff may
not bring pets or animals into camp. Many of our senior staff members have their personal pets
on site. Please check with the animal’s owner before approaching the pet or removing them from
their home base.

Vandalism and Graffiti

Writing on walls, cubbies, mattresses, or any camp property is strictly prohibited. There is a
charge to all campers and staff who write on camp property.

Fire Hazards
No lit candles or burning incense are allowed in the bunk area. No matches or lighters should be
in the cabin under any circumstances.

Staff Swimming
All counselors, operations staff and senior staff will be swim tested during staff week to assess
confidence in the water. Use of aquatics facilities, waterfront, and pool may only be used doing
approved times with the permission and supervision of the pool and waterfront directors and
lifeguards must be present.

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Valuable Items
Camp cannot be held responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged valuable items left in the bunk
or your vehicle. There are lockers located in the Lodge where you can store valuable items. If you
would like a locker, please request a personal lock from the office. We strongly recommend that
you keep valuable items in your locker.

Laundry
Laundry is sent out once a week on a pre-scheduled day and will return the following day. You
will get your own laundry bag with your name on it when you arrive at camp. This is the only bag
that can be sent to the laundry service. When it is your laundry day, please bring your laundry
bag to the porch of the Health Center before breakfast. It will be dropped back off the next day
in the same place for you to pick it up.

If for any reason a staff member needs to do laundry outside of their assigned laundry day
please check in with Amy or Becca to make arrangements for the dirty laundry to be done as
soon as possible. We do have access to laundry machines in camp, however, it is important that
you check in with someone prior to doing laundry to know which machine to use (and also so
that someone can help you keep it going during the day).

Food, Glorious Food

Camp Pembroke is a kosher camp, which means there are certain rules that our kitchen follows
when preparing meals and ordering food. The noticeable differences you will see at camp are
that we do not serve meat and dairy at the same meal, and we do not serve pork or shellfish.
When we are on a trip, campers and staff should only eat dairy products. When staff are on their
day off, they may eat however they choose!

Allergens
We are a nut aware camp, which means we do not serve any nut products in camp. In order to
keep our community safe, please do not bring any products or food back into camp that contain
any nuts or contain any traces of those allergens. If you choose to store a food item in your
personal locker in the Lodge and you want help determining if it is safe to be in camp, please ask
someone on Senior Staff for help! We respectfully request that when you are on your free period
or if you are returning from your day off, that you not eat any nut products, including coffee with
almond milk or nut flavored coffee. Members of our community have fatal allergies and
is our responsibility to keep everyone safe.

Special Diets
Many campers and staff have food allergies and dietary restrictions or preferences that require
their food to be prepared and served separately. If you have any food allergies or specific dietary
needs, please be sure to notify Amy or Becca if you have not previously indicated this on your
Health History form.

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Guidance and Conduct
Our staff set the example and expectations for our community. Challenging situations may arise
during the course of the summer. If there is ever a conflict with another staff member or in your
department, we hope you will take advantage of the many resources available to you in camp-
Howard, Jae, Noah, Amy, Becca, Caryn, Jody or Dana. Asking for help is a sign of strength!
It is important that everyone in camp is treated with the respect they deserve. Please ensure
your behavior is in line with the values we hold at Pembroke. The following actions are never
tolerated:

• Hitting, pushing, grabbing, threatening or intimidation

• Use of physical punishment, including running laps or push-ups
• Yelling or shouting inappropriately
• Removing any form of food from a camper as punishment
• Name calling or any form of ridicule

Camp Pembroke and the Cohen Camps take inappropriate behavior and acts of bullying
extremely seriously. Please seek out a member of Senior Staff if you observe or hear of a
situation that does not align with our goals and values.

Inappropriate Language
Campers return home every summer learning lots of new things. One thing we prefer them not
to learn is curse words or any inappropriate language. Please make sure that in your cabin and
activity areas campers (and staff) are using kind words and language. It is also important that
you are careful about your music selection.

Mandated Reporting and Training

Sexual abuse harassment is something that we take very seriously at camp. Through proactive
hiring processes and intensive training, all staff members at Camp Pembroke will receive
training on how to identify and report any instances of sexual misconduct. There will be
opportunities for confidential sharing throughout camp. All staff members employed by Camp
Pembroke are Mandated Reporters and will receive training on how to appropriate make a
report.

Important Rules & Regulations

Smoking, Liquor and Drugs
Camp Pembroke is a non-smoking facility, per the state of Massachusetts. If a staff member
smokes cigarettes, they can do so on their own time, off camp property. Smoking marijuana and
vaping are also strictly prohibited on camp property or while working.
Alcohol is not permitted on camp property at any time, under any circumstances. This includes
private vehicles on camp property, even if you are of legal age.
When you return from a day off or night out, you must be prepared to interact with campers and
staff and handle any situation that may arise. If it is suspected that you are under the influence,
your employment may be terminated.

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Please note that the Directors have the right to search your housing, vehicles, and personal
belongings if suspicious activity is reported. Please do not give them a reason to do so.
All staff members have signed a contract and policies agreement stating that engaging in any of
the behaviors above may result in immediate dismissal.

A Healthy Camp is a Happy Camp

We are fortunate to have an amazing Health Center staff that is dedicated to keeping our
community healthy and safe. Our Health Center is made up of a talented and skilled group of
Nurses and Nurse Practitioner(s).

Health Call
Routine health calls are scheduled for after breakfast and after dinner. Staff may visit the
Health Center during these regularly scheduled health calls. If you are scheduled to work during
these times, please check in with your supervisor. Staff should limit the times they go to the
Health Center to these times unless it is an emergency. If you become sick or injured during the
day, please check with your supervisor before visiting the Health Center.

Medication
Operations staff members may keep their personal medication in their room, or in the health
center if they choose.

First Aid Kits

There are first aid kits available at every department area in camp and in all camp buildings.
Please be sure to bring your first aid kit to the Health Center for a refill when items are running
low.

Self-Care
Being an Operation Staff is challenging. It is physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding,
and it is important that our staff take care of themselves in order to maintain the stamina
needed for this job. This includes getting enough sleep, eating healthy, drinking water, and
receiving emotional support. If there is a time that you feel unable to do your job due to
physical, emotional, or health reasons, please communicate with your supervisor.

Our Mutual Commitments

Our responsibility to each of our staff members is to assist you in having an enjoyable and
rewarding summer experience in which you grow personally and professionally.

To that end, we encourage open and honest communication among all staff members. If you are
in need of help, have a personal situation that affects your happiness or ability to perform your
duties, or if you feel you are being mistreated in some way, please let someone know. We will do
our very best to help you sort out the problem.

In exchange, we expect you to conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the mission of Camp
Pembroke and The Cohen Camps and to carry out your job responsibilities as
defined. Whenever you feel that we have been unclear, or if you are uncertain of a rule,
procedure, or specific responsibility, please seek out a member of Senior Staff.

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We believe that in making and honoring our commitment to each and every staff member, you
will, in turn, make and honor your commitment to us. We look forward to working together to
make a positive, lasting impact on the Camp Pembroke 2022 campers. We can’t thank you
enough for sharing this experience with us.

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