What is Mosaic Outdoor Clubs of America? What is Mosaic's Jewish Outdoor Escape? Who goes to the event? What are the details for this year? How do I register? How much does it cost? What does the schedule look like? How do I register? How do I volunteer to help out at the Jewish Outdoor Escape? What are the Release of Liability, Publicity Release, Medical Release andCode of Conduct? How do I get there? When should I plan to arrive by plane? When should I plan to arrive by car? When should I plan to fly home? What if I can't make it in on Thursday, or need to leave early? Do you need my travel information? Do the cabins have electricity? Does the camp have cellular reception and/or internet access? What are the accommodations like? What's the food like? Is the food Kosher? What if there is a family emergency? What kind of clothing should I bring? What other stuff should I bring? What should I bring my stuff in? Communication Access Realtime Translation What if I have more questions?
Mosaic Outdoor Clubs of America is a non-profit organization focused on bringing Jewish adults together where they can experience and explore the outdoors and the Jewish experience, history and background in environments that promote Jewish learning, continuity and community. Mosaic has more than 15 clubs in the United States, Canada and Israel. Visit the main MOCA website at www.mosaicoutdoor.org.
In short, summer camp for adults. Mosaic's Jewish Outdoor Escape is held every year on Labor Day Weekend. It gives Jewish outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world the opportunity to spend time with each other, enjoy the out-of-doors and explore Judaism in a natural setting. We stay at a summer camp and do all kinds of activities which vary every year depending on the locale. About 100 to 150 like-minded Jewish adventurers attend this event each year. This year, the event will include hiking, kayaking, biking, nature walks, trips and tours, dancing, workshops, swimming, campfires, photography and a few more surprises!
People that want to have fun! Jewish adults of all ages from all religious backgrounds, and levels of observance. Previous participants have come from all over the US, Canada, Israel and even as far as Australia. Over 100 people attend annually.
This year, we start with an amazing Pre-trip in Philadelphia starting on Tuesday, September 1st. The Main Event runs from Thursday,September 3, 2015 through Monday, September 7, 2015. Then finish your vacation with a paddle down the Delaware River Monday, September 7th through Tuesday September 8th. For the Main Event we'll be staying at Camp JRF (Jewish Reconstructionist Federation), a kosher camp in Newfoundland, PA, with both standard cabin bunkhouse accommodations and premium housing options. The camp is 107 miles from Times Square, NYC and 131 miles from Philadelphia Airport, and 103 Miles from the Newark Airport, NJ.
Check out the details on the Registration Page. Then go to the bottom of that page to click on the link to register.
Full pricing information is available on the Registration Page.
Please see the Daytime Activities pages and the Evening Activities page to get a sense of the schedule.
Go to the Registration Page and click on the link. That will take you through the registration process. Be sure you've looked through all of the activity options on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday pages before you register, so you can get through the process before it times out!
During the registration process, you will be given an opportunity to specify exactly what you want to volunteer for. Alternatively, you can email event@mosaicoutdoor.org.
All participants must sign the waiver form before attending the event as part of the registration process. This clarifies everyone's roles and responsibilities. Signing the form (or agreeing to its terms electronically) is a requirement for participation in the event. Mosaic also wants to be able to use pictures taken at the event on our website, in printed material and in general publicity. Your signature on the form (or agreeing to its terms electronically) indicates your understanding that some pictures may be used in this manner.
This year we are providing transportation from Newark, NJ Airport (EWR). For those going on the Pre-Trip only you will be flying in and out of Philadelphia Airport (PHL). Please see the Transportation page for more information.
If you want to take the Mosaic Shuttle from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) please plan on arriving by 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 3rd. You must pick up your luggage and plan to meet the Mosaic Shuttle for a 3:06 p.m. sharp departure to camp. When booking your flight, please allow enough time to pick up your luggage and get to the meeting place in Terminal A (TBD). The Mosaic Shuttle will leave Newark Airport at 3:06 p.m. sharp to beat rush hour traffic.
If you are coming in early for the Pre-Trip arrive at the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) anytime on Tuesday, September 1st. The group will meet for dinner nearby the hotel we are staying at New Harmony Vegetarian Restaurant around 6 pm. We recommend you arrive in time for dinner, but you are welcome to join us anytime that night. There is public transportation to get you from the airport to the hotel. Exact details can be found on the Pre-Trip page.
If you plan on coming to the main event and you are driving, please plan to arrive between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2015.
The shuttle to Newark airport and NYC will leave camp around 11:00 am. For the return trip from camp by plane please arrange your flight home after 3 pm from the Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
The shuttle back to Philadelphia Airport will leave camp around 11:00 am. Please book your flight back home from Philadelphia Airport after 3 pm. Please note that is for only people who participated on the Pre-Trip. Mosaic will not provide transportation to Philadelphia to anyone else.
That’s okay with us; we’ll leave the light on for ya’. Unfortunately, you'll have to make your own travel arrangements. Please let us know the details. There are no discounts or refunds for late arrivals or early departures.
Yes. Please be sure to provide your travel information so we know when and where to find you! We make every effort to make sure everyone is taken care of. This includes rides shares, Airport Shuttles, and matching people with similar travel plans to cut down our carbon footprint as well as create camaraderie among fellow travelers.
If you don't have the complete picture now, that's okay. Just go back into the registration system and put it there once you do. Please be sure to complete the form before August 16th. The earlier we have your information, the better we can help you get to camp. After August 20th, the registration system will be locked and no further changes can be made externally. After August 20th, please email any change requests to registration@mosaicoutdoor.org. Please note there will be an $18 charge per change request once we lock out the system.
All of the cabins have electricity, but please bring battery-operated devices when possible, especially a battery-operated alarm clock. The electrical outlet is not always where you need it so we suggest you bring a power strip and extension cord. Use of a power strip will allow the other people in the cabin to share use of electricity as there may be only one outlet available.
Internet access: Wi-Fi is available in some parts of camp.
Most cellular companies have reception in camp to some extent, but it has been known to fade in and out. Please see the emergency contact FAQ for information about reaching you at camp. We suggest leaving your cell phone off while in camp as the battery tends to drain out fast due to connection issues.
Camp JRF overnight accommodations include deluxe hotel-style guest housing, regular guest housing, cabins and bunks. Tenting is also available. See Accommodations for more info.
We suggest bringing an extra blanket in case it is chilly. The camp is in an area that gets very warm during the day but can get chilly at night. Pajamas are recommended for warmth and as a courtesy to your bunk-mates as well.
We provide mostly healthy choices, and will make every attempt to accommodate special dietary needs. There are often a lot of vegetarians, so non-meat choices will be available at every meal. We have reviewed the menus with the camp in advance to make sure that there is something for everyone. It is important that you carefully denote your dietary restrictions and allergies on the registration form. For full day events, we make brown bag lunches; plenty of snacks will be provided.
The camp food is prepared to a Reconstructionist Kosher standard. The camp has separate dishes for meat and milk, but does not require that all food items used in the camp have a hechsher on the label. They use their judgment as to what items need and do not need a hechsher. There is no mashgiach in the kitchen.
If this is not sufficient for your level of observance, Orthodox-standard Kosher food is also available at an additional cost. If you prefer food prepared according to stricter Kosher certification and oversight, we will be bringing in food from Jewish Resource Center of the Poconos. The woman who does the cooking for the Jewish Resource Center will prepare our meals in advance, deliver them wrapped and they will be heated at camp. The additional cost for this option is $30.
We certainly hope this isn't necessary, but, in case of an emergency, the phone number to call is: 1-888-MOSAICS. We will provide additional emergency contact information after you register.
The weather this time of year is usually on the warm side during the daytime, and comfortable to cool at night. We suggest you come prepared for both warm and chilly weather. Probably shorts and T-shirts during the day and possibly jeans and a fleece at night. Dressing in layers is a great way to be prepared. Bring hiking boots and appropriate clothing for a rustic, camp environment. Bathing suits are a must, too, as the pool will be open on Saturday and there will be opportunities to get wet on some activities as well.
Appropriate gear is required for all activities. Activity leaders may exclude participants from an activity if they determine the individual is improperly attired. Example: Hiking boots or hiking shoes are required on all full day and/or moderate-difficult rated hikes. Please make sure you 'break in' new footwear before the event.
Highly suggested items: a day pack or fanny pack that can hold lunch, water bottle or hydration pack, and other miscellaneous gear. Flashlight (head lamp if you have one) and extra batteries, bug spray, sunscreen, linens, pillows, and extra towels. Additionally, you may want to bring Frisbees, compass, stargazing guides, trekking poles, hat/caps, binoculars, field guides (bird/plant/mushroom/mineral), camera, deck of cards, board games, toiletries, required medicines, etc.
Musical instruments and songbooks are a big plus at the camp fires.
Guess where those cute little suitcases with wheels don't work very well? Yep, you got it, a summer camp. The suitcase works fine; just don't expect the wheels to be too effective. Many people will pack their stuff in soft-sided duffel bags or backpacks. This also makes loading the buses easier. In most cases, the buses will NOT be able to pull up near the cabins, so you may have to carry your bags a little bit. NO cars will be allowed to park within the camp. All cars are required to park in specified parking lots. They most likely will not be close to your cabin.
HOWEVER, if you arrive between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Thursday evening ONLY, you will be able to drive up to your cabin to offload and then move your car to one of the assigned parking lots. If you arrive any time after 6:00 p.m., you will drive directly to the parking lots and will need to carry your own stuff to your cabins. This may be a long walk depending on where your cabin is.
For the people arriving by bus - we will help, but expect to carry your own stuff, and pack accordingly.
This year, we're trying something new Labor Day weekend. It was pointed out to us that there are often attendees who could benefit from having a CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) reporter during some of the activities. For those who don't know, a CART reporter is a person who translates spoken language to text on a screen for the benefit of those who cannot hear the spoken word. Obviously, we will not have it available at the off-site activities such as hikes and bike rides, however, we plan to have it available during the evening presentations.
Email us at event@mosaicoutdoor.org or call 1-888-MOSAICS for more information.
Click here to go to Register