In short, summer camp for adults. The North American Jewish Adventure Getaway 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 outdoors and explore Judaism in a natural setting. We stay at a summer camp and do all kinds of outdoor activities. The activities change 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, horseback riding, whale watching, trips and tours, dancing, workshops, swimming, campfires, an afternoon of relay races, photography and a few more surprises!
This year's Event runs from Thursday, August 28, 2014 through Monday, September 1, 2014. We'll be staying at Camp Seneca Lake, a kosher camp in Penn Yan, NY, with both standard cabin bunkhouse accommodations and a few additional housing options. The camp is approximately 70 miles from both Rochester and Syracuse. There will be a Post-Trip after to the American side of Niagara Falls for an additional charge.
Registration is now open! Click on the link on the Registration Page.
Please note: Last Minute Rate has the following restrictions:
- Cannot register for any activities that have an upcharge or require a count due to the vendor prior to this date. - Does not include any giveaways like T-shirts or Water Bottles. - Limited to Standard Housing only. - No special requests for special housing or food. - May or may not be included in the Attendee Roster handed out to the Attendees.
The Post-Trip will cost $220.
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 appear when registration opens. 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 e-mail 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.
If you want to take the Mosaic Shuttle Bus from Rochester NY International Airport please plan to arrive by 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 28. The Mosaic Shuttle will leave Rochester Airport at 3:30 p.m. sharp to beat rush hour traffic. Cost is $60 round trip.
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, August 28, 2014.
The bus will leave camp around 10:00 a.m. For the return trip from camp to airport on the shuttle please book your flights after 1:00 p.m. on September 1st at Rochester Airport. We are expecting traffic on this day. For those going on the Post-Trip, please book your flights AFTER 1:00 p.m. on September 3rd.
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 rideshares, 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 15th. The earlier we have your information, the better we can help you get to camp. After August 15th, the registration system will be locked and no further changes can be made externally. After August 15th, please email any change requests to registration@mosaicoutdoor.org
Changes: Please keep your confirmation e-mail handy once you have registered. It will contain a special link to access your account for any changes or updates. If you lose this link you can use the one the registration page, it will just take a few extra steps. Please remember to add flight info, answers to the mixer questions, and any other changes as soon as you have the information available. You will be able to login and make changes up through August 15th. For any changes after August 15th, please contact registration@mosaicoutdoor.org. Please note that as we get closer to the event, the less space will be available for you to make adjustments to your activities or housing. All housing and activities are first come first served, and everything has limited capacity. Do not wait; decide now to ensure you get your first choices. Charges For Any Changes: Please note if you make a change to anything that has a cost attached to it, there will be an 8% charge of the total dollar amount of the modification. This is because our online registration vendor (RegOnline) charges this fee to us. This processing fee will be levied no matter if the change in costs is a debit or a credit. This includes all cancellations as per the policy on the registration page.
People that want to have fun! Jewish adults of all ages from all religious backgrounds, some more observant than others. Previous participants have come from all over the US, Canada, and even Israel and Australia. Over 100 people attend annually.
Most of the cabins have electricity. Please bring battery-operated devices when possible, especially a battery-operated alarm clock. The electrical outlet is not always where you need it.
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.
Camp Seneca Lake overnight accommodations include cabins and bunks, as well as a few private rooms with shared bathrooms. Tenting is also available. See Accommodations for more info.
We suggest bringing your own linens and pillows (or a sleeping bag), as well as an extra blanket in case it is chilly. The camp is in an area that gets warm during the day but can get chilly at night. Pajamas are recommended for warmth and as a courtesy to your bunkmates 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 ensure 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.
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! Bathing suits are a must, too, as the pool will be open on Saturday.
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 and extra batteries. Bug spray and sunscreen. Linens and pillows or a sleeping bag. Extra towels. Additionally, you may want to bring Frisbees, compass, stargazing guides, songbooks, trekking poles, hat, binoculars, field guides (bird/plant/mushroom/mineral), camera, deck of cards, toiletries, required medicines, etc.
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. This year there will be NO vehicles allowed in camp.
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 anytime 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.
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.
Email us at event@mosaicoutdoor.org or call 1-888-MOSAICS for more information.
Back to top