More than 350 campers and staff are spending the summer on CGI Chai’s newly developed grounds, as the camp moves ahead with plans for a winterized dining hall and commercial kitchen projected to cost approximately $1.5 million.

The first weeks of the summer have brought CGI Chai’s new property fully to life, with more than 350 campers and staff now filling the grounds each day.

For the camp’s leadership, seeing the property in active use has marked the culmination of months of preparation and a major step in CGI Chai’s continued growth. Campers are settling into the new surroundings, forming friendships and taking part in a summer designed to strengthen their Chassidishkeit.

One parent said that her daughter’s “whole Chassidishkeit is fueled by CGI Chai,” describing the lasting influence the camp has had on her life.

In the month leading up to the summer, CGI Chai invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in preparing the property. Sections of the septic system were upgraded, the electrical infrastructure was expanded, the grounds were improved, and numerous additional projects were completed in time for the campers’ arrival.

Work has continued even after camp opened. Mezuzos are being placed throughout the property, and a new high-quality public address system has been installed.

With the new grounds already operating near capacity, the camp is now preparing for its next major stage of development.

This week, CGI Chai representatives met with contractors to begin planning a winterized dining hall and commercial kitchen. The proposed building will include a spacious dining room, a fully equipped commercial kitchen, storage space, and accommodations that will allow the campus to host programs beyond the summer months.

The project is expected to cost approximately $1.5 million.

Camp leadership said the expansion will help turn the property into a sustainable year-round campus while improving the experience for campers and staff. The additional capacity is also expected to help CGI Chai serve more families and expand the number of scholarships available to those who cannot afford the full cost of camp.

Those interested in supporting the project or learning about partnership opportunities can contact [email protected] or visit Cgichai.com/partnership.