ABOUT US

Camp Bob Waldorf is a nonprofit camp that provides a safe, nurturing environment where children learn to be creative, responsible, and thoughtful individuals.

Each year more than 1200 youth from the Greater Los Angeles area participate in one of Camp Bob Waldorf’s summer or weekend camp programs.

Activities and experiences are grounded in four important values – Community, Inclusion, Identity, and Respect – which campers put into practice each day while they learn new skills, develop their interests and make lasting memories.

Camp Bob Waldorf is nestled on 112 acres in the Verdugo Hills of Glendale, just 15 miles from Downtown Los Angeles.

CAMP BOB WALDORF: JEWISH CULTURAL SESSION

Camp Bob Waldorf: Jewish Cultural Session is a pluralistic camp for Jewish children

CAMP BOB WALDORF

Camp Bob Waldorf is a non-sectarian camp for children in underserved communities

Camp Bob Waldorf is accredited by the American Camping Association, which verifies our compliance with over 300 nationally recognized standards for operation. Camp Bob Waldorf is owned and operated by Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles, a 100-year-old nonprofit organization that provides a range of innovative, impactful programs to assist youth in achieving their full potential.

STAFF

Camp Director

Simon Hansen

Simon has been a lover of Camp for over 25 years. He is fortunate enough to have had experience in leading camp teams, designing programs and sharing camp joy for all of those years!

He and his wife, Kimberley, and their 2 dogs, Atticus and Finch, love living at Camp and being able to meet all of the exceptional campers and their families.

When he is not in the office you will find Simon out and about wandering among the Oak and Sycamore trees or in the Gaga pit honing his skills.

Simon loves the fact that CBW is a place that kids from all walks of life can come to and feel safe, try something new, make new friends, and have an AWESOME time while doing it.

Favorite breakfast food: Toast with butter and vegemite please

Lyric to live by: “There’s a Starrrmaaan waiting in the sky, He’s told us not to blow it, ‘Cause he knows it’s all worthwhile”

Phone:323-456-1158

Assistant Camp Director

Ben Farris

Ben has been a camp fanatic since he was 11 years old. Even more than that, camp has been in his family for decades. His grandfather was the Camp Rabbi at Camp Swig in the 1970’s. Ben was lucky enough to attend Camp Swig/Newman as a camper and staff member for 11 years. He also served as the Assistant Day Camp Director for Camp Menorah in Redondo Beach

He and his wife, Sarah, and their dog, Stevie, are so excited to be part of the Camp Bob Waldorf community.

Ben has a passion for sports, including disc golf and volleyball. He is thrilled to be able to share all that camp has to offer to the families and campers who come here.

Favorite breakfast food: Croissant sandwich

Quote to live by: “If not now, when?”

Phone: :818-658-7156

Hospitality and Facility Director

Christopher Bennett

Chris comes to our camp team with a wealth of managerial experience in several areas.

Growing up in the San Fernando Valley, Chris spent years of his youth attending and working for a local Summer Camp before transitioning to the Restaurant Industry. He received his B.A. from Cal State University of Northridge (CSUN!) where he amassed his education and passion for Business Management.

A self-proclaimed “social-butterfly”, Chris claims to be able to spark up a conversation with anyone he meets! Give him a call and find out for yourself!

Chris has a great passion for all sports, being active, music, and Indian cuisine.

Favorite Breakfast Food: Toasted Bagel with Cream Cheese

Favorite Quote: Anything worth doing, is worth doing right.

Phone:818-201-3176

Program Director

Javier Cervantes

Javier is a camp professional and former little that is excited to join the CBW team. He received his B.A. in History and a minor in film from UCLA. Prior to Camp Bob Waldorf, Javier was a fishing guide at Bruin Woods, and a camp assistant/survivor coordinator at UCLA Recreation Summer Camps. More recently, Javier was the Social Benefit Director at Vault Prep (a social benefit company in Santa Monica). He is excited that he has now come full circle and will begin this new journey as Camp Bob Waldorf’s Program Director. Javier enjoys playing and watching baseball and quidditch, hiking, and watching movies.

Favorite breakfast food: Hashbrowns! (extra crispy)

Quote to live by: “Anyone can die, but few have the courage to live”

Phone:323-456-1167

Program Coordinator

Davina Valenzuela

Davina was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley; she is enthusiastic about promoting positive change through knowledge. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Cal State Northridge and has two Associate of Arts in Sociology and Social Behavior from Moorpark College. After graduating in early 2020, she decided to spend her time indoors utilizing her makeup certificate and found a new passion for fitness. After two years of the pandemic, Davina decided to return to the place that was special to her as a kid and joined the Camp Bob Waldorf team. She enjoys spending her days planning and preparing an unforgettable summer.

“Growth occurs when one goes beyond one’s limits. Realizing that is also part of training” – Itachi Uchiha

 

 

Phone:818-658-7158

Registration and Outreach Manager

Sofia Varona

Sofia is a Los Angeles native who is passionate about helping youth find resources and opportunities that will help them thrive now and in the future. She received her Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Studies at Cal State LA with an emphasis in Directed Elementary Subject Matter. Although she decided not to go into teaching after all, shortly after graduating she began her journey in the non-profit sector at the Center for the Arts Eagle Rock where she was a summer art camp counselor. Since then she has worked at various organizations and is happy to join Camp Bob Waldorf and looks forward to helping families access the wonderful experience camp has to offer to youth in the LA area.

“Though we tremble before uncertain futures, may we meet illness, death and adversity with strength. May we dance in the face of our fears” -Gloria Anzaldúa

Favorite breakfast food: pancakes!

Phone:323-456-1162

Registration and Outreach Associate

Guadalupe Muñoz Zaragoza

Guadalupe has been involved with camp organizations since 2018. She started her camp journey at UCLA where she received her B.A in Sociology and minor in Chicano Studies. She started off her camp journey as a camp counselor, to head counselor to now session program director. She loves working with kids and loves giving back to the community. She thinks it is important to give opportunities such as affordable camp and other resources to kids and parents that may not have been able to before. Guadalupe enjoys watching shows and movies, and is always down to have a Harry Potter, Marvel, and/or Disney marathon.

Favorite Breakfast Food: Chocolate Chip Pancakes Topped with Strawberries

Top 3 Music Artists: Sammy Johnson, Ed Sheeran, Bad Bunny

Phone :323-456-1142

Camp Assistant

Amanda Gough

Amanda is a camp enthusiast born and raised in Southern California. She is currently working towards her Bachelor of Arts in Music Industry Studies at Cal State Northridge. Her dedicated work ethic and creativity are now being siphoned towards helping to provide the completely unique and life changing experience that Camp Bob Waldorf can be for the youth of Los Angeles.

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent” Eleanor Roosevelt Favorite

Breakfast Food: Breakfast Burrito

Phone:818-658-7152

Executive Chef

Alfred Aguilar

Facilities Coordinator

Lynn Dutson

Lynn loves working at Camp Bob Waldorf because of the opportunity to work both indoors and outdoors. “I love it when the kids are here! We do a ‘Golden Broom Award’ for the campers who take the best care of their cabin at the end of each session. It’s great to see them taken ownership of a place they get to call home.” Lynn loves to see their smiling faces, knowing that they’re having fun in a safe environment that we provide and take care of for them.

Favorite Breakfast Food: Egg and cheese breakfast burrito! (Not too spicy)

Facilities Assistant

Brian Sapp

Brian is a man of few words.

Facilities Team Member

Elvis Torres

TOURS AND EVENTS

Throughout the year we hold events and tours for prospective campers, groups and alumni.

If one of the dates below does not work for you please feel free to get in touch directly at registration@campbobwaldorf.org

FOUNDATION FOR CBW

“Camp Bob Waldorf changed my life when I was 8 and 9 years old and had no idea what direction my life would take. The Foundation ensures that the camp is here for kids like me forever.”
Sandy Sigal, VP of the Foundation for Camp Bob Waldorf and former camper

The Foundation for Camp Bob Waldorf was established in 1962 to provide ongoing operational funding for Camp Bob Waldorf and guarantee its existence for generations to come. Over the past 80 years, thanks in part to The Foundation for Camp Bob Waldorf, more than 60,000 underserved children have benefited from attending our Camp.

The Foundation for Camp Bob Waldorf is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID 95-6127224) that operates as a restricted endowment fund. Its board of directors approves monthly allocations to cover camp operating expenses, and also raises money to fund camp programs.

For more information on The Foundation for Camp Bob Waldorf, please contact Brianne Bear at (323) 456-1144 or bbear@jbbbsla.org.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HEALTH & SAFETY

Q: Is there medical staff at camp?

We have a registered nurse on our campsite at all times to administer medication and provide care for our campers and staff, as well as a local physician on call who serves as our medical advisor. It is camp policy for the nurse to contact the parents/guardians of a camper in the event of physical injury, fever over 100 degrees, or if the camper needs to spend the night in the nurse’s office. The nurse will also contact the parents/guardians if a camper needs to be transported to urgent care or the emergency room. The nurse may also call to check in about medications or medical information in their files.

Q: How will my camper take their medication?

All medication must be controlled and administered by the camp nurse. Campers may only keep epi-pens, inhalers, and certain topical creams, but only after they have checked them in with the nurse.

EMOTIONAL CARE

Q: What happens if my camper experiences temporary moments of sadness (ex: misses home)?

Sleeping away from home is one of the most important growth experiences provided by a residential summer camp. But we recognize that most children miss home at some point. That’s why we train our staff members to help children through this challenge by creating a personalized plan for each camper who needs our support.

Q: How does the camp approach bullying?

We do not tolerate bullying at Camp Bob Waldorf. Our core values of community, inclusion, and respect require that members of the Camp Bob Waldorf family treat each other with kindness and compassion and honor each other’s differences. We train staff members to be proactive in creating a bully-free environment and responsive to campers who exhibit any signs of bullying or being bullied. Additionally, campers are encouraged to be “upstanders,” serving as advocates for each other. Campers who bully others – verbally, emotionally, or physically – will be asked to leave.

FOOD

Q: What’s the food like at camp?

Our Executive Chef and dining staff prepare three healthful meals and three snacks each day. Food is plentiful and well-balanced, and menus are designed to appeal to the palettes of our campers. Examples of what we serve include:

  • Breakfast: Cereal, Scrambled Eggs & Hash Browns, Bagels, Pancakes, French Toast, Fruit, Juice, Milk
  • Lunch: Tuna/Egg Salad/Sunbutter & Jelly Sandwiches, Turkey/Chicken/Veggie Wraps, Pizza, Grilled Cheese, Taco Bar, Spaghetti, Salad Bar
  • Dinner: Grilled Chicken, Meatloaf, BBQ Turkey Burgers & Hot Dogs, Stir Fried Chicken & Veggies, Tortellini, Grilled Veggies, Salad Bar, Rice, Fruit

Q: Is the food kosher?

All Jewish Cultural Session programs adhere to a level of kashrut that reflects our pluralistic approach to Jewish living and is based on a needs assessment conducted among our families.

  • Animal products considered treif are never served – pork/pig products, shellfish
  • All beef and poultry products are purchased from a kosher provider
  • Meat and milk products are never combined in a meal

Please note that our kitchen is not under rabbinic supervision and that we use one set of cooking utensils and dishes. We encourage you to contact our office with any questions.

Q: What if my camper has dietary restrictions or food allergies?

We regularly offer alternatives for vegetarians and vegans, as well as gluten-free and dairy-free options. Our chef can also accommodate a range of other food allergies when given proper notice.  Our staff communicates about food allergens so that campers know what they can and cannot eat. Camp Bob Waldorf is a nut-free environment.

TRANSPORTATION

Q: How do kids get to and from camp?

Campers are dropped off and picked up at our facility in Glendale by a parent or guardian. We do not offer bus transportation.

PACKING LIST

Q: What does my camper need to pack for summer camp?

Below you will find the suggested packing list for summer camp. If you have any questions about what to pack, call us at 818-957-4900

CBW Summer Camp Packing List (En español)

CELL PHONES & TECHNOLOGY

Q: Will my camper have access to their cell phone?

Camp provides the opportunity to unplug and take a “screen vacation.” Campers may bring a digital camera or non-internet iPod, but all other technology, including tablets and Apple Watches, is prohibited and will be confiscated. In cases of an emergency, parents/guardians can always reach a director on an emergency line.