First Time Jewish Summer Campers at Blue Star Camps

Welcome to Blue Star!

Being a Blue Star camper is all about making friends, trying tons of cool activities, and having the time of your life! We really care about each camper and go out of our way to make sure that you feel comfortable and happy, and that you are enjoying everything that Blue Star has to offer. Our goal is simple; to ensure that you have a fun, exciting, and awesome summer away from home. As you embark on your Blue Star adventure, know that you can rely on us to be there for you every step of the way!

We can't wait to meet and learn more about you. Until then, we thought you might find the following commonly asked questions helpful. If you have any other questions, you can always email us at directors@bluestarcamps.com. We would love to hear from you!

Frequently Asked Questions
About Being a Blue Star Camper

What is "Blue Star Magic"?

"Blue Star Magic" is a special, unique feeling a person gets (be it camper or staff, old or young, boy or girl) when being at Blue Star. It happens when a person feels totally comfortable and happy, and has a strong sense of belonging in the Blue Star community. It is often brought on by an appreciation of the beautiful surroundings, the many fun activities, and the wonderful spirit of friendship at camp. Blue Star Magic is easier to experience than to describe, but you will know it when you see it and feel it!

Is Blue Star a big or small camp?

Blue Star is big and small at the same time. Blue Star is made up of six smaller divisions that group campers based on their grade in school and whether they are boys or girls. Each camp has its own area on our campus and a different schedule. All of the individual groups come together for big camp-wide events during the week such as carnivals, songfests, performances, and friendship services. At Blue Star, you get the best of both worlds because you get to experience being part of a big and small camp at the same time!

What are the six camps at Blue Star?

The divisions at Blue Star are:

Juniors-boys and girls going into the first, second and third grades
Pioneer Girls- girls going into the fourth, fifth and sixth grades
Pioneer Boys-boys going into the fourth, fifth and sixth grades
Senior Girls- girls going into the seventh, eighth and ninth grades
Senior Boys- boys going into the seventh, eighth and ninth grades
Teen Village-boys and girls going into the tenth, eleventh and twelfth grades

Will I be able to see my friends or family members in other camps?

Chances are you will bump into your brothers, sisters, cousins or friends who are in different camps just walking around campus, before or after meals, and at camp-wide events. You can also visit them during your twilight hour (free time) and send them in-camp mail.

What kinds of activities can I do at Blue Star?

During a regular day at Blue Star, you will go to two elective or "Options" activities. We have over thirty different "Blue Star Options" to choose from including ceramics, rock climbing, tennis, mountain bikes, riflery, arts and crafts, and many more. To see a full list of the "Blue Star Options," click here.

The rest of the day consists of an individual camp activity, an athletics/fitness session, swimming, meals, shower time, rest hour, and one hour of "twilight" (better known as camper free time).

Other activities Blue Star offers are private horseback and tennis lessons, full-day waterskiing trips, hiking and swimming at the nearby waterfalls in DuPont State Forest, and an expedition to the top of Mt. Pinnacle, the area's highest mountain. Campers who take mountain biking, rock climbing, or canoe/kayaking option often have the opportunity to test out their skills on the nearby trails, rivers and mountains.

Each day ends with an awesome evening program such as an ice-cream pool party, Casino Night, or a scavenger hunt. No two evening programs are alike, so you can expect to do something different every night of the week!

Do I get to swim and do other waterfront activities at Blue Star?

Younger camps have instructional swim and free swim each day. Older camps have one free swim session a day either at the lake or pool. There are a ton of activities to participate in at the pool and waterfront. We have two slides, a gigantic blob, a blue mat to "hang out" on in the middle of the lake, paddle boats, water bikes, and inner-tubes, as well as a volleyball net for water volleyball games.

Does Blue Star have any Special Days?

A special day at Blue Star is one where we don't follow our normal schedule. On Friday nights and Saturdays, we celebrate Shabbat. On Shabbat, you will have services, a special brunch of bagels with all of the fixings, as well as a big beach party with a DJ. Sundays are also often special days such as Carnival Day, where we host a camp-wide carnival with booths, rides, cotton-candy, and a dunk tank! At some point each session, which always remains a secret, we have a camp-wide competition day, one of the highpoints of the summer. Also, each camp has trip days when they either visit a nearby attraction or have their "overnight" at camp.

Do I go to my "Blue Star Options" with my cabin group?

No, you get to select the "Blue Star Options" you want to attend on your own, as does everyone else in your bunk. You will attend your Options with other campers in your age group, which will give you the chance to meet campers outside of your cabin and make more new friends.

What kinds of trips do we take?

Each age group takes two trips out of camp and does an overnight in camp. Most age groups go whitewater rafting or to an amusement park. We also take trips to state and national forests, the movies, roller-skating, bowling, the local nature center, and an arcade with laser tag, a rock climbing wall, and other cool activities.

Where do Blue Star Campers come from?

Our campers come from all over the United States, but most of our campers are from the Southeast. We also have campers from all of the other regions in the U.S., as well as from England, Israel, Mexico, and France.

Can you tell me more about the counselors and other staff?

In order to give you the best activity instruction and the most personal attention, we have two sets of staff at Blue Star. Activity Specialists teach you everything they know about their areas of expertise and help you to reach your goals, be it kayaking in white water or hitting the bull's eye at archery. Counselors live in the bunks and go to activities with you. Their job is to make sure that you are feeling great and enjoying your camp experience. All of the staff at camp will be like big brothers and sisters to you and will be there to support you in any way they can!

What is the food like at camp?

Blue Star's meals are quite yummy (which you will like), kosher, and very nutritious (which will appeal to your parents). We have you in mind when we plan our summer menu. That means you can expect hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, grilled cheese, chicken and other delicious "kid foods." We offer many choices so all our campers can find something they like at every meal. We offer a full salad bar every day at lunch and dinner, and PB & J at every meal. We have fresh fruit at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We also have a cereal bar, as well as toast with jam, at every breakfast, in addition to that day's hot dish, such as pancakes, French toast, or scrambled eggs. In case you need a "late night snack," we serve cookies and milk every night before lights out. If you have any special dietary needs, we can and do offer other options.

Where is Blue Star?

Blue Star is in Western North Carolina, just outside of the town of Hendersonville. We are located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Our camp is home to the highest mountain in the area, Mt. Pinnacle. See where Blue Star is on a map.

Is camp as much fun as you say it is?

Yes!

What do I do if I have more questions about camp?

If you have more questions, ask your parents to contact us or you can email us directly at directors@bluestarcamps.com. We will get back to you with an answer as soon as possible