Long before the first camper arrived at Camp Coleman, our staff were already hard at work preparing for an incredible Summer 2026.

Staff Orientation began in waves, starting on May 18 when our housekeeping, maintenance, and kitchen teams arrived to help ready camp for the busy season ahead. Their hard work laid the foundation for everything that would follow, from preparing cabins and facilities to ensuring every corner of camp was ready to welcome campers home.

On May 25, our supervisors, programmers, specialists, and international counselors arrived, bringing new energy and excitement to camp. They spent the week participating in trainings, preparing program areas, building relationships, and getting ready for the summer to come.

The final wave of staff arrived on May 31, when our domestic counselors joined the team. With everyone finally together, camp truly began to come alive. As excitement filled every corner of camp, our staff was ready to embark on a week of training, preparation, and community-building as they prepared to welcome campers home for an unforgettable Summer.

Throughout Staff Orientation, our team participated in a variety of trainings, workshops, and hands-on learning experiences designed to help them create a safe, inclusive, meaningful, and memorable summer for every camper.

This year’s orientation focused on strengthening our camp community through leadership, creativity, inclusion, and intentional connection. Staff members explored topics ranging from camper care and safety protocols to restorative practices, communication skills, and creating welcoming environments where every camper can thrive.

Some of the highlights included:

Restorative Justice

Through thoughtful discussions and practical training, staff learned how to approach conflict as an opportunity for growth, understanding, and repair. These sessions reinforced our commitment to building a camp culture rooted in respect, accountability, and community.

Health, Safety, and Security

Our staff received extensive training on health center procedures, emergency protocols, risk management, and camper well-being. These sessions ensure that our team is prepared to provide a safe and supportive environment throughout the summer.

Inclusion and Belonging with Keshet

Representatives from Keshet joined us to facilitate important conversations around LGBTQ+ inclusion and belonging in Jewish communities. Staff explored ways to create affirming spaces where every camper and staff member feels seen, respected, and valued for exactly who they are.

Creativity with the Jewish Studio Project

We welcomed facilitators from the Jewish Studio Project, who introduced staff to creative and reflective practices that encourage curiosity, self-expression, and deeper connection. Through an immersive, colorful arts experience, staff explored the power of creativity, self-expression, and imagination. The session celebrated the uniqueness of every individual and highlighted how embracing different perspectives and ideas helps build a stronger, more connected camp community.

Improv and Team Building with Dad’s Garage

Staff members also participated in an engaging improv workshop led by Dad’s Garage. Filled with laughter, collaboration, and quick thinking, the session encouraged staff to step outside their comfort zones, build trust, and embrace the unexpected—skills that are invaluable in the dynamic environment of camp.

Building Relationships and Camp Community

Beyond the formal trainings, orientation provided countless opportunities for staff to connect with one another, build friendships, and develop the strong sense of teamwork that makes Camp Coleman such a special place. Through shared experiences, discussions, and camp traditions, our staff began creating the foundation for an unforgettable summer.

As Opening Day arrived, our team was prepared, energized, and ready to welcome campers home.

We are incredibly grateful for the dedication, passion, and hard work our staff bring to Camp Coleman. Their commitment to creating meaningful Jewish experiences, fostering friendships, and helping campers grow is what makes the magic of Coleman possible.

Summer 2026 is officially underway, and we can’t wait to see all that this amazing community will accomplish together.

Summer 2026 officially began with excitement, laughter, and the joyful energy that only Opening Day at Camp Coleman can bring.

From the early morning hours, camp was buzzing with activity. Staff members were on the road to airports, decorating the Chadar ochel (dining hall), preparing cabins, and putting the finishing touches on camp, all in anticipation of welcoming campers home.

Campers arriving by air were greeted by Camp Coleman staff and traveled to camp on chaperoned transportation, while families driving to camp checked in at White County Middle School before boarding buses for the final short leg of their journey. Throughout the day, excitement filled the air as campers reunited with old friends, met new ones, connected with their counselors and specialists, unpacked their bags, and settled into their summer homes. Smiles stretched from ear to ear as campers explored camp, found their bunks, and eagerly anticipated all the adventures that await them in the weeks ahead.

As buses rolled onto campus, counselors, supervisors, and unit heads filled the pathways with cheers, songs, and excitement. The moment campers stepped off the bus, they were welcomed with the warmth, enthusiasm, and spirit that make Camp Coleman feel like home. Whether helping a camper find their bunk, introducing cabinmates, or offering a reassuring hug, our staff worked tirelessly to ensure every camper felt comfortable, included, and ready to jump into camp life.

The excitement continued into the evening as campers and staff gathered for their first meal together as one Camp Coleman community. The chadar ochel (dining hall) quickly filled with conversation, laughter, and stories as new friendships began to form and old friendships picked up right where they left off.

 Following dinner, everyone gathered for our Opening Prep Rally, where the energy in the room was contagious. Campers learned Coleman cheers, sang camp songs, met their supervisors, and began building the spirit and excitement that make camp so special. During the rally, Camp Director, Amy Smyler McFarland, shared her vision for the summer and introduced Camp Coleman’s four core values, which will guide our community throughout the season. As campers cheered, danced, sang, and celebrated together, it was clear that Summer 2026 was off to an incredible start!

And the excitement is only just beginning. On Monday evening, the entire camp community will gather for one of Coleman’s most treasured traditions: the Torah Pass. As the Torah moves from unit to unit, campers and staff will celebrate the value of L’dor Vador—passing Jewish traditions, values, and community from one generation to the next—as we continue to officially open Summer 2026 together.

The summer we have all been waiting for is finally here, and we cannot wait to watch our campers learn, grow, laugh, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Welcome home, campers. 💙

This Thankful Thursday, we are incredibly grateful for the members of the Camp Coleman Leaders Council—a dedicated group of former Camp Committee Chairs whose wisdom, experience, and unwavering love for Camp Coleman continue to strengthen our community.

The Leaders Council serves as a valuable resource for camp leadership. Amy, our year-round team, and current members of the Camp Committee regularly seek their advice, perspective, and support. Their guidance has helped Camp Coleman navigate both opportunities and challenges, including playing an invaluable role during the acquisition of the additional property adjoining our campus. Their deep knowledge of Camp Coleman and commitment to its future help ensure that our beloved home away from home remains strong for generations to come.

Recently, when we approached the Leaders Council about helping us build excitement and momentum for our Fill My Bunk Campaign, several members immediately stepped forward with an extraordinary act of generosity. Together, Robyn and Jay Gellman, Myra and Mark Wolfson, Wendy and Raymond Capeluto, and Lauren and Todd Gordon created a $6,000 matching gift challenge to inspire our community and help more campers experience the magic of Camp Coleman.

Thanks to the generosity of our Coleman community, we have already raised $55,000 toward our $60,000 Fill My Bunk goal. With the campaign continuing through June 7, 2026, we are within reach of not only meeting our goal but surpassing it if we can fully unlock this generous $6,000 match.

There is still time to join these incredible leaders and make a gift that helps fill our bunks with more campers, more laughter, more fun, and more memories. Every gift, no matter the size, helps ensure that more children can experience the friendships, confidence, Jewish identity, and lifelong memories that Camp Coleman provides.

To the members of our Leaders Council, thank you for your leadership, your guidance, your generosity, and your belief in Camp Coleman. Your continued commitment helps ensure that the Coleman magic remains strong today and for generations to come.

We are truly THANKFUL for you. 💙

P.S. Thanks to our Leaders Council Match, every gift made through June 7 will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $6,000! Help us finish strong and Fill My Bunk! 

Join our leaders and make a gift today

This Thankful Thursday, we are filled with deep gratitude for Marcia and Scott Weber, whose love, dedication, and generosity have shaped Camp Coleman in extraordinary and lasting ways. 

Marcia’s Coleman journey began in 1998, when she first arrived as a camp nurse—and what followed was 26 summers of unwavering care for our campers and staff. From the early days of loading wagons full of medications and transporting them across camp in the rain, to building systems that ensured every camper received exactly what they needed, Marcia approached her role with precision, creativity, and heart. But what truly defined her time at Coleman was her philosophy: she “adopted each camper as her own,” offering the same protection, honesty, and love she would give her own children. 

And she lived that every single day. Whether it was turning a broken arm into a positive experience by helping a camper get a special “Batman cast,” making hospital visits feel less scary with a stop at Dairy Queen, or staying through the night in the emergency room so a staff member wouldn’t be alone during a frightening medical situation—Marcia was always there. When a bus carrying campers was involved in an accident, she immediately rushed to the scene, ensured every child was accounted for, and personally called each parent. Her care extended far beyond the health center—it was woven into the fabric of camp itself. 

For the Weber family, Camp Coleman became their Jewish home. Their children grew up at camp, forming lifelong friendships—so much so that their son stood at his wedding with eight of his Bonim bunkmates by his side. Camp wasn’t just a place they attended; it was a place that shaped who they became. In one especially meaningful moment, Marcia and Scott chose to forgo her nurse salary one summer to send another child to camp who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to attend—changing that camper’s life forever. 

Scott has been a devoted partner in this journey, sharing in Marcia’s deep belief in the power of camp and the importance of giving back. Together, they live the values of tikkun olam, ensuring that others can experience the same joy, growth, and belonging that Camp Coleman has given their family. 

Today, their commitment continues in a powerful and lasting way. Marcia and Scott have made an incredibly meaningful gift toward the future renovation of Camp Coleman’s Health Center—helping us begin the process of reimagining it as a comprehensive Health and Wellness Center. This vision will bring together the physical, mental, and emotional care of our campers under one roof, allowing us to care for the whole camper in deeper and more intentional ways. 

For Marcia, whose life’s work has been dedicated to caregiving and the well-being of others, this project is especially meaningful. Her decades of experience at Coleman uniquely inform this vision—one that will ensure campers feel safe, supported, and cared for in every sense of the word. 

We are profoundly grateful to Marcia for her extraordinary dedication to the health and wellness of our community, and to Scott and the entire Weber family for their continued generosity and commitment to Camp Coleman’s future.  If you want to learn more about the intended renovations to the health center, please reach out to our Director of Development, Jennifer Siegal-Miller, JD, at Jsiegal-miller@urj.org.  

Marcia and Scott, thank you for the countless ways you have cared for this community—and for helping ensure that the Coleman magic continues for generations to come. We are truly THANKFUL for you. 

This Thankful Thursday, we are filled with gratitude as we honor someone whose love for Camp Coleman can be felt in every corner of camp — from the pool, to the Hillman, and especially at the hockey pavilion — Rabbi Bradd H. Boxman. 

Since 2009, Rabbi Boxman has served as the spiritual leader of Congregation Kol Tikvah in Parkland, Florida, bringing wisdom, compassion, and a deep commitment to Jewish life to everything he does. But at Camp Coleman, we know him for something just as special — his joyful presence, his boundless energy, and his genuine love for being with our campers. 

You can find Rabbi Boxman right in the middle of the action — jumping into the pool with our campers, making LaB (our Jewish education program) fun and engaging, or most often, at his favorite place on camp: the hockey pavilion. While he brings his rabbinic knowledge to camp each summer, he also brings something uniquely his own — a passion for roller hockey that has become part of the Coleman experience for so many campers. 

Rabbi Boxman doesn’t just teach — he connects. He plays. He shows up. And in doing so, he helps create the joyful, relationship-centered environment that defines Camp Coleman. 

As Rabbi Boxman prepares for retirement, we also mark the end of an era at camp. The summer of 2025 was his final summer serving on faculty, and while we will deeply miss his presence, the spirit, energy, and love he brought to Coleman will continue to live on in the memories of every camper he inspired. 

In a reflection of his lasting impact, Rabbi Boxman has made a very generous gift to support the reinvigoration of the hockey pavilion — ensuring that this beloved space continues to be a place of laughter, connection, and camp magic for generations to come. 

If you would like to honor Rabbi Boxman’s incredible dedication and love for Camp Coleman, we invite you to join him in supporting the hockey pavilion renovations. Your support will help carry forward the joy and memories that Rabbi Boxman helped create in this special place. Please use the link below to make your donation in Rabbi Boxman’s honor. 

 Give in Honor of Rabbi Boxman

This Thankful Thursday, we are overflowing with gratitude for someone whose energy, leadership, and love for camp have left a lasting mark on generations of campers and staff — Rabbi Adam Miller. 

Rabbi Miller, Senior Rabbi of Temple Shalom in Naples, Florida, has been a beloved member of the Camp Coleman faculty since the summer of 2011, missing only two summers — once to welcome his son Eli into the world, and summer 2020. Camp is truly a family affair for Adam: his twin sons, Jonah and Gabriel (18), will both be on staff this summer, and Eli (12) will be part of the Nachshonim Unit. All three are life long Colemanites!  

Adam LOVES camp — and not just because he gets to pull out the letter lotto! Camp is woven deeply into the fabric of his life, both personally and professionally. He met his wife, Jennifer, in 1997 at URJ Green Family Camp, and in the early years of his rabbinate, he served on faculty at URJ Eisner Camp and URJ Crane Lake Camp, building lifelong friendships and mentorships along the way. As Adam often says, one of the greatest perks of being a rabbi is getting to come to camp FOREVER. 

And when he arrives at Coleman each summer, he dives in headfirst. (Which at 6’6” is a big dive!)  Whether he’s dressed in a foam-covered lab coat or rocking a sparkly purple jacket as his alter ego Apollo Starshine, or building sand castles in the sand for Tefeliah-palooza, Rabbi Miller brings an unmatched joy and creativity to LaB. He makes learning so fun that campers are genuinely disappointed when there’s no LaB on Shabbat. Adam is at his happiest being silly, playful, and fully present with campers — and after more than a decade at Coleman, he has had the privilege of watching so many of them grow up before his eyes. 

But Rabbi Miller’s impact extends far beyond the summer months. Since 2020, he has served as Chair of the Faculty Advisory Board, offering invaluable partnership and guidance to camp leadership. From helping navigate engagement during COVID, to strengthening relationships with clergy across the region, to reimagining Jewish education at camp — including the creation of LaB and expanded electives — Adam has been a trusted thought partner every step of the way. His generosity with his time, insight, and leadership has helped shape the Coleman experience in profound ways. 

Adam’s generosity also extends beyond his time and energy. Through meaningful contributions — from enhancing camp spaces like the Hillman and staff lounge, to supporting staff onegs, scholarships, and ensuring that every camper who wants to attend Camp Coleman can — he continues to invest deeply in our community. Since his arrival at Temple Shalom, the number of campers from his congregation has more than doubled, a true testament to his passion and advocacy for camp. 

After six years of dedicated service, Rabbi Miller is stepping down as Chair of the Faculty Advisory Board. While we will miss him in this role, we are so grateful for all he has given — and we know his impact will continue to be felt for years to come. 

But don’t worry! Apollo Starshine isn’t stepping away from Coleman – he cannot wait to be a part of our faculty for summer 2026 and beyond!   

Rabbi Miller, thank you for your joy, your leadership, your generosity, and your unwavering love for Camp Coleman. 

We are truly thankful for you. 

This Thankful Thursday, we are shining our spotlight on someone who quite literally keeps Camp Coleman standing strong — our incredible Facility Manager, Carlos Hester. 

Since 2015, Carlos has poured his heart, soul, hands, and unmatched dedication into caring for our beautiful home away from home.
Quite simply, no one cares for Camp Coleman the way Carlos does. He doesn’t just maintain camp — he protects it, strengthens it, and nurtures it. 

A proud Cleveland, Georgia native, Carlos lives right here on camp property with his beloved puppy, Athena. When he’s not ensuring every inch of camp is in top shape, you might find him enjoying a ride on his motorcycle — but most days, you’ll find him somewhere on property, tools in hand, making Coleman better than it was the day before. 

During the off-season, while most of us are counting down the days until summer, Carlos is hard at work behind the scenes. Whether he’s building a new retaining wall by hand, crafting new cabin steps, maintaining and manicuring our grounds, or coordinating the many contractors and workers who come and go, Carlos ensures that when campers arrive, everything is ready. 

Much of this important work is made possible through the generosity of our community. Capital improvements, repairs, and upgrades throughout camp are funded in large part by dollars raised specifically to strengthen our facilities. Every retaining wall, repaired cabin step, improved pathway, and refreshed building reflects not only Carlos’s skill and care, but also the investment of donors who believe deeply in preserving and enhancing Camp Coleman for future generations. 

And when summer begins –  Carlos shifts into an entirely different gear. Alongside his dedicated team — Darrell and Brandon — he is everywhere. Responding to everyone’s maintenance requests. Fixing what breaks. Preventing what might break. Quietly making sure every detail is handled so our campers can focus on singing, swimming, dancing, laughing, and growing. 

The magic of Camp Coleman doesn’t just happen. It takes people who believe deeply in this place. People who see every nail, every step, every field, every cabin as part of something sacred. 

There is no way we could create the Camp Coleman experience without Carlos. His dedication, pride, and tireless work make excellence possible every single day. 

Carlos, we are THANKFUL for you. Thank you for caring for our home so that generations of campers can create memories within it. 

This Thankful Thursday, we pause to say a heartfelt thank you to a very special group within our Camp Coleman community: the generous donors who have chosen to support camp through monthly recurring gifts. 

These individuals and families have made an intentional commitment to Camp Coleman, providing steady, reliable support we can count on month after month. Their consistency allows us to plan responsibly, respond to needs as they arise, and sustain the programs, scholarships, facilities, and staff that make Coleman such a powerful and transformative place for our campers. 

We are deeply grateful to our current recurring donors: 

Rabbi Joui Hessel

Eric and Erica Kuniansky

Rachel Merritt

Karen and Ralph Morris

Ellen Petracco

Evan and Rebecca Reiss

Robert and Gail Reiss

Jared Sobelson 

Because of you, Camp Coleman can think not just about today—but about what camp will look like years from now. Monthly giving helps smooth the ups and downs of seasonal fundraising and creates a strong financial foundation that strengthens everything we do, from expanding access to camp through scholarships to maintaining the spaces and traditions that generations of campers call home.  

Setting up a recurring gift is simple, but the impact is profound. These gifts add up in powerful ways and reflect a deep belief in Camp Coleman’s mission and values.  

If you are inspired by this group of dedicated supporters, we invite you to consider joining them by starting a monthly giving plan. For example: 

• A gift of $36 a month—just over a dollar a day—adds up to $432 a year, providing meaningful, sustained support for camp. 
• A gift of $150 a month reaches $1,800 annually, qualifying you for membership in the Chai Society, where donors make a significant impact on scholarships and the future of Camp Coleman. 

Whether your monthly gift is large or small, the consistency of your support makes a lasting difference. Visit our website coleman.org for more information.   

To our monthly donors—and to those considering becoming one—thank you for your generosity, your trust, and your commitment to Camp Coleman.

We are truly thankful for you.