Camp Massad (Manitoba)

Camp Massad (Manitoba)

Camp Massad (Machaneh Massad/מחנה מסד in Hebrew) is a Hebrew-speaking Jewish and Zionist summer camp for campers aged 7 to 16 located at Winnipeg Beach in Manitoba, Canada. The camp was founded in 1953. Leona Billinkoff ("Gveret B") was the first Eemah (camp mother) and administrator, a position which she held until 1978. Along with her late husband Alec, Gveret B kept Massad alive and well during its early formative years. Because of her special role from 1953–1978, she is sometimes considered the camp's founder. She is now a Life Member and strong supporter of Massad. During the 1950s, the late Rabbi Avraham Kravetz used to visit Mrs. Billinkoff at the camp and to assure her that she was "doing God's work".

Jack ("Prak") Boroditsky, who was the program director from 1972–1978, played a major role in the development of the camp's traditions and major programs. Most of the current programs took shape during Prak's years at the helm.

The camp features a kosher kitchen and over 20 acres (81,000 m2) of private forest. Massad boasts a kadoor uf (beach volleyball) court, a large outdoor braycha (swimming pool), a kadoor sul (basketball) court, paved tennis courts and an outdoor stage. Camp Massad is a registered charity and a member of the Manitoba Camping Association. It has received grants for capital projects from the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, the Winnipeg Foundation, the Thomas Sill Foundation, and the Manitoba Community Places Program. It is governed by a volunteer board of directors consisting of alumni and parents of campers. It attracts campers from Winnipeg, Manitoba, other parts of Canada and various cities in the United States. Famous alumni of the camp include Canadian actors Jonas Chernick and David Gale.