Birthdays at Camp

Quick question: how many people can say 300 people sang "Happy Birthday" to them on their actual birthday? At CYJ, that's just a regular Tuesday.

What actually happens on my camper's birthday?

We don't do quiet birthdays around here:

  • Morning mifkad (flag raising): the birthday girl or boy gets called out in front of the entire camp, everyone sings, and they "skip around the flagpoles" — solo, or with an entourage of friends if they're feeling it

  • A special birthday photo during the day, posted online so you can see the moment too (and maybe forward it to grandma)

  • Dinner: the whole camp sings again — yes, again — cake makes its grand entrance, and there's one more victory lap around the dining hall

  • After evening activity: cake goes to the cabin for the real celebration, just their bunkmates, cake, and whatever chaos comes with a birthday party in the cabin.

I've watched this happen for so many summers and it still gets me every time — there's something about 300 people singing off-key together that never gets old.

Can I send a birthday package?

Yes! One birthday package is allowed — the single exception to our otherwise strict no-packages rule (because a kid should at least get a present on their birthday, even if the rest of the summer is package-free). Check our package rules for the labeling and addressing details so it actually finds them.

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