Frequently Asked Questions
Click on the heading to jump to that list of questions below.
- General Questions
- What is Mosaic's Jewish Outdoor Escape?
- Who goes to the Jewish Outdoor Escape?
- How much does the Event cost?
- When can I register?
- How do I volunteer to help at the Jewish Outdoor Escape?
- What is Mosaic Outdoor Clubs of America?
- What are your Covid Policies
- Activities
- What will the schedule look like?
- What is Meet Your Leader?
- Food
- Menu: What's the Food like?
- Kosher: Is the Food Kosher?
- Housing and Camp Details
- What are the accommodations like?
- Do the cabins have electricity?
- Does the camp have cellular reception and/or internet access?
- What is the climate around the camp?
- When do the Sun and Moon rise or set at camp?
- What kind of clothing should I bring?
- Do we need bedding?
- What other stuff should I bring?
- Transportation
- What airport do I fly into?
- How do I get to camp?
- How do I get to the Pre-Trip?
- When should I plan to arrive/and leave by plane?
- When should I plan to arrive/ and leave by car?
- What if I can not make it in on Wednesday or need to leave early?
- Do you need my travel information?
- Registration
- How do I register?
- How do I update my registration after registering for the first time?
- Can I register or pay by phone, email, or snail mail?
- Can I pay in Canadian currency?
- Can participants on the pre-trip stay elsewhere besides the hotel and still participate in the
activities?
- Are there any discounts for seniors or volunteers?
- Leader Info
- Where is the Expense, Leader Debrief, Accident Report, Leader Guidelines, and Incident Reports?
- Where can I find other MOCA/Event forms?
- Miscellaneous
- What if there is a family emergency?
- When does Shabbat start/end for this weekend?
- What are the Torah and Haftarah portions for this weekend?
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General Questions
What is Mosaic's Jewish Outdoor Escape?
In short, it is a summer camp for adults (21 and over). Mosaic's Jewish Outdoor Escape is held every year
on Labor Day Weekend. It allows Jewish outdoor enthusiasts worldwide to spend time with each other, enjoy the
out-of-doors, and explore Judaism in a natural setting. We stay at a summer camp and do various activities,
which vary yearly depending on the locale. About 100 to 200 like-minded Jewish adventurers attend this Event
each year. This year, the Event will include hiking, kayaking, biking, nature walks, trips and tours, dancing,
workshops, swimming, campfires, photography, and a few more surprises!
Who goes to the Jewish Outdoor Escape?
People who want to have fun! Jewish adults of all ages from all backgrounds and levels of observance. Previous
participants have come from the US, Canada, Israel, and even Australia. Over one hundred people attend annually.
The participants at the annual Jewish Outdoor Escape are usually over age 21. The average age range is closer
to 30-60. Singles typically make up the participants, but we also have many couples and parents with their adult
children.
How much does the Event cost?
Add-on costs include upgraded housing, airport transportation, extensions (Pre-Trip), and some activities.
Complete pricing information is available on the Registration page.
When can I register?
Registration will open in Spring 2025 or earlier (TBD). Please see the Registration
page for details.
How do I volunteer to help at the Jewish Outdoor Escape?
Check out the Volunteer page for full descriptions of areas where we seek
volunteers. Then, go to the Contact page to see who oversees each department and whom you should contact.
What is Mosaic Outdoor Clubs of America?
Mosaic Outdoor Clubs of America
(MOCA) integrates Jewish values with an appreciation of the outdoors. It brings together Jewish community
members to celebrate and explore the great outdoors in a social setting. This is achieved by 1) Sponsoring
activities on a national/international scale and 2) Encouraging and facilitating the formation and continuation
of local Mosaic clubs to sponsor local/regional activities.
Mosaic Outdoor Clubs of America is a volunteer-run organization that allows Jewish adults to love the outdoors,
get back to nature, and have fun. With twelve clubs located throughout the United States, Canada, and Israel,
our international non-profit, volunteer-run organization promotes an appreciation of the outdoors, nature,
outdoor skills, and conservation while building Jewish community and continuity.
What are your COVID-19 policies?
Please CLICK HERE to see our COVID-19 policies.
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Activities
What will the schedule look like?
Friday through Sunday will include a mixture of Hiking, Biking, Climbing (high ropes, ziplines), Kayaking,
Canoeing, History Tours, Archery, and more.
Please see the Daytime Activities, Evening
Activities, and Pre-Trip pages for more schedule details.
What is Meet Your Leader?
We will hold a Meet Your Leader Meeting the night before every activity. The meeting will be a chance for you
as a participant to learn some specifics of the activity you will be doing the next day, along with important
updates that may be known now. You will need to attend these meetings. It may mean the difference in your
ability to participate in the activity or not the next day. Therefore, ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY. Activity leaders
have the right to refuse participation to anyone who did not attend said meeting the night before. During these
meetings, the leader will
- Confirm your registration
- Describe the details of the activity
- List all special equipment/gear you should bring to the activity.
- Details of when and where to meet the group in the morning to attend the activity.
- Give yourself a chance to get to know your leader so they are easy to find in the morning.
- You must attend this meeting and inform the leader if you are changing. If you are changing into another
activity, you must also participate in that meeting. Then, after these meetings, you need to let the Mosaic
Event Staff know so they can update the system accordingly.
- Note:
- Change fees will apply to all on-site changes.
- You may be unable to change to the other activity as it may be sold out.
- You may not get any refund for the activity you decided not to attend. Most activities with vendors are
pre-paid with that vendor. Most vendors' refund policies do not allow refunds at the last minute.
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Food
Menu: What's the Food Like?
The camp staff will provide all meals. This is basic camp food, with a menu TBD. Past entree entries have
included falafel, chicken, beef, salad bar, etc. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free meals are available for
those who request them via their registration. Please take a look at the Food page for more details.
Kosher: Is the Food Kosher?
See more information on the Food
page
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Housing and Camp Details
What are the accommodations like?
We will stay at the camp, which includes overnight accommodations in staff /guest housing, bunk cabins, and a
bring-your-own tent. All Cabins have showers and bathrooms within the cabin. See Accommodations for more information.
Do the cabins have electricity?
All the cabins have electricity, but the number of outlets is limited. When possible, please bring
battery-operated devices, especially a battery-operated alarm clock. Extension cords and power strips are highly
recommended.
Does the camp have cellular reception and/or internet access?
Internet access: Limited Wi-Fi is available in some parts of the camp.
Cell coverage could be better.
What is the climate around the camp?
Temperatures:
On Friday, August 29, the temperature in Milford typically ranges from 58°F to 76°F and is rarely below 48°F or
above 85°F.
For reference, on July 19, the hottest day of the year, temperatures in Milford typically range from 61°F to
82°F, while on January 30, the coldest day of the year, they range from 18°F to 34°F.
Precipitation:
On average, there is a 27% chance that more than 0.04 inches of total precipitation will fall in Milford
throughout the day on August 29, all of which can be expected to be rain.
The year's highest daily chance of precipitation is 38% on June 8, and its lowest chance is 21% on January
29.
Precipitation is most likely between 2 PM and 3 PM and least likely between 7 AM and 8 AM.
When do the Sun and Moon rise or set at camp?
Sunrise on Friday, 8/29/2025, is 6:23 am, / Sunset is 7:36 pm
Moonrise on Friday 8/29/2025, is 12:53 pm (daytime), / Moonset is 10:17 pm
The moon will be in the first quarter phase on Friday, 8/29/2025
| Planet Rise/Planet set, Friday, 8/29/2025 |
|
| Planet |
Rise |
Set |
Meridian |
Comment |
| Mercury
|
Sat 5:14 am |
Sat 7:09 pm |
Sat 12:12 pm |
Slightly difficult to see |
| Venus |
Sat 3:42 am |
Sat 6:09 pm |
Sat 10:56 am |
Good visibility |
| Mars |
Sat 9:36 am |
Sat 9:00 pm |
Sat 3:18 pm |
Average visibility |
| Jupiter
|
Sat 2:12 am |
Sat 5:06 pm |
Sat 9:39 am |
Fairly good visibility |
| Saturn |
Sat 8:30 pm |
Sun 8:19 am |
Sun 2:24 am |
Perfect visibility |
| Uranus |
Fri 11:03 pm |
Sat 1:39 pm |
Sat 6:21 am |
Average visibility |
| Neptune
|
Sat 8:28 pm |
Sun 8:27 am |
Sun 2:27 am |
Difficult to see |
What kind of clothing should I bring?
Please have a look at the What to Bring page for details.
Do we need bedding?
You will need a pillow, sleeping bag, sheets, and blankets. Bedding and towel packages are available for rent.
Please see the What to Bring page for more information.
What other stuff should I bring?
Any gear needed for specific activities, including a day pack or fanny pack that can hold lunch, a water bottle
or hydration pack, and other miscellaneous equipment. Please see the What to Bring
page for more information.
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Transportation
What airport do I fly into?
Newark Liberty Airport (EWR): Please see the Transportation page for more
information.
How do I get to camp?
See the Transportation page for more information and other options
How do I get to the Pre-Trip?
Please see the Pre-Trip page.
When should I plan to arrive/and leave by plane?
Please see the Transportation page.
When should I plan to arrive/ and leave by car?
Please see the Transportation page.
What if I can not make it in on Wednesday or need to leave early?
That is okay with us; we will leave the light on for ya'll. Unfortunately, you will 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. Please take a look at the Transportation page for more
information.
Do you need my travel information?
Yes. Please 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 ride shares, Airport Shuttles, and matching people with similar
travel plans to reduce our carbon footprint and create camaraderie among fellow travelers.
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Registration
How do I register?
Go to the Registration page. Read the valuable info on that page. You will find
the link to the registration website at the bottom of that page.
Note: Spend time deciding on your activities for each day BEFORE registering.
How do I update my registration after registering for the first time?
Do you change your mind or want to go back to look at something during your registration? Then click on the
progress bar on the top right corner of registration. Then click the page in question to revisit the page and
make your changes. Please remember to make your first choice before you choose another one.
Can I register or pay by phone, email, or snail mail?
No. All Registrations MUST be done online via the registration website. If you have difficulty completing your
registration, please contact us, and we will be happy to assist you. Please be considerate, as we are
volunteers.
Can I pay in Canadian currency?
No. All registrations will be made in USA currency.
Can participants on the pre-trip stay elsewhere besides the hotel and still participate in the activities?
Yes, you can. There is a "no hotel" option for registration which includes:
- MOSAIC administration fees.
- Tuesday night dinner
Are there any discounts for seniors or volunteers?
There are no discounts for seniors or volunteers. However, transportation is free if you would like to volunteer
as a van driver to and from the Event (which does not include driving to the activities).
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Miscellaneous
What if there is a family emergency?
We certainly hope this is unnecessary, but the phone number is 1-888-MOSAICS in an emergency. We'll be
sure to provide additional emergency contact information after you register. You can find more details under Contact.
Shabbat
Candle Lighting Times
Friday - 7:18 pm - Candle lighting
Saturday - 8:17 pm - Havdalah
Torah
Parashat Shoftim 5782
Torah Reading: Shoftim: Deuteronomy 16:18 - 21:9
Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12 - 52:12
Customs via Chabad.org
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