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The Blue Star Experience

Sixty-four Years of Vibrant Family Leadership

Herman and Rosalie Popkins For three generations authors have noted that Blue Star has been a thread woven consistently in the tapestry of the Jewish American experience. The vision of a purposeful, child-centered world conceived in 1948 by Herman Popkin and his brothers, Harry and Ben, has been exceeded by the reality that is Blue Star today. For the past sixty-two seasons the Popkin family has nourished this original vision. They happily acknowledge that their aspirations for the camp experience are greater than a safe vacation with friends in the natural world. Blue Star is a camp community that encourages young people to make the world a better place.

Understanding & Building Community

Some children have stronger thumbs from playing computer games than legs from playing in their neighborhoods. Many kids have simply lost access to enough free time in a safe community needed for a well balanced life. Children are often constrained by the requirements of family, schools, peers and technology.

Blue Star offers campers a time to grow, imagine and discover - which helps protect them from some of the toxic elements of our culture. The essence of childhood flourishes at Blue Star where we create a safe community of interdependent friends led by compassionate adults.

Contemporary Jewish American Values

Jewish American Values Blue Star’s “Living Judaism” program integrates Jewish values, culture and traditions into powerful programs that teach and uplift. Life at Camp is infused with positive Judaic elements such as music, Tzedakah projects and inspiring Oneg Shabbats. Weekly Friday night and Saturday morning services held in our Elmore Solomon Chapel are creatively led by campers and feature their poems, prayers and songs. Havdalah services mark the end of Shabbat and the beginning of another joyful week at Camp.

An experiential and hands-on approach to Jewish practices has made Blue Star one of the most important influences in the formation of Jewish identity in our campers and staff. Community service is an important element of the Judaic experience at Blue Star. By learning about and participating in Tzedakah projects, campers gain an awareness of global issues and develop their sense of citizenship. At Blue Star, Jewish Dietary Laws are observed and Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutoring as well as Hebrew lessons are offered.

Providing “Roots” & “Wings”

Roots and Wings Now more than ever, parents are seeking reliable partners to assist their children in reaching successful maturity. Blue Star is committed to the concept that the most important developmental advantages parents can provide for their children are “roots” and “wings.” “Roots” connect them to their history, traditions and family. “Wings” are for discovering horizons and meeting the challenges that face maturing young people. At Blue Star, we encourage children to explore their roots and spread their wings!

Discovering Individual Strengths & Making Friends

Individual Strength We capture the attention of young people when they are the most open-hearted and can appreciate the power of friendship as well as personal accomplishment. Our camp experience is based on challenge, risk and adventure.

The Blue Star schedule is structured but allows campers to choose some of their daily activities on an individual basis. Our wide range of electives encourages campers to pursue new interests and master skills.

Guided by caring counselors in cabin groups, campers are encouraged to become more independent while learning to respect the needs of others. Living with "cabinmates" cultivates social skills and leadership. A Blue Star summer will always include a great deal of fun and friendship as well as experiences which contain opportunities to learn resiliency, resourcefulness, and trust.

The Benefits of Six Small Independent Camps

Benefits of Six Camps Blue Star is uniquely designed to give our campers the best of both worlds: a comfort zone based on age and gender as well as access to abundant camp-wide resources. Our six independent camps encourage an intimate camp experience. Each Camp has its own leadership and dedicated counseling staff. The age and ability of each group dictates schedules and programs that are socially and developmentally accessible to campers.

Each camp’s separate schedule includes swim, athletics, two elective activities, mealtimes and evening programs that are customized to their individual group. As children mature, more challenging and adventurous activities are offered, thereby enabling campers to enjoy a complete camper career at Blue Star.

Each week all six camps join together for fun camp-wide events such as BBQs, Carnivals, Song Fests, Concerts and Performances which give campers opportunities to enjoy being part of the larger Blue Star family.

Our Setting - Inspiring Wonder in the Natural World

Blue Star Camps Settings

Our private 500 acre estate located just outside of Hendersonville, NC is a sanctuary from the stresses of the real world. Nestled in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, Blue Star’s specially-designed campus as well as the surrounding area is a catalyst for discovery and adventure. Blue Star takes advantage of the world-class rock-climbing, white-water boating and mountain biking available nearby. Campers enjoy miles of mountain trails and spectacular waterfalls in the adjoining 10,000 acre DuPont State Forest.