About Kayitz

The adventure never ends at the one-month sleepaway camp for boys entering 6th to 9th grade. Known simply as “Kayitz,” it welcomes your son into a family of 240 campers and counselors from communities around the country. Every day is packed with everything from Torah study, recreational activities, competitive sports leagues, and our signature trips and unforgettable excursions.

Our counselors are chosen for their ability to relate to campers in an inspiring, nurturing, and caring manner. Located on the beautiful HTC campus in Skokie, Illinois, campers live in an air-conditioned dormitory and sleep in clean and comfortable rooms each connecting to a bathroom. Our delicious meals are served in our spacious dining room. Each meal offers several choices and is guaranteed to put a smile on every camper's face.

Wholesome values. Derech eretz. Small town friendliness. Fun.

Our Campers

Our favorite part!

Yeshivas HaKayitz campers are boys who have completed grades 5-10 who are excited about a traditional camp experience that also supports their Torah learning and social growth. Kayitz campers are always eager to make new friends and connections that will last a lifetime!

Our Sports

Get your game on! Sports facilities second to none

  • 2 Full-size indoor gyms
  • 3 tennis courts
  • 3 softball fields
  • 2 volleyball courts
  • 3 Outdoor basketball courts
  • Football Field
  • Soccer field
  • Indoor game room
  • Indoor Mini basketball court
  • Brand new blitzball field
  • Tchoukball field
  • Floor hockey rink
  • Archery Range
  • Paint ball shooting gallery
campers playing baseball
campers playing basketball

Our Trips

Our signature evening trips and weekly full-day trips are legendary - New trips added each year!

  • Six Flags Great America
  • Go-carting
  • Water parks
  • Sand dunes
  • Lake shore biking, pedal-karts, or hiking
  • Navy Pier, Extreme Seadog
  • Dave and Busters
  • Tactical Laser Tag
  • Downtown Chicago
  • Baseball game
  • Trampoline Park
  • Lake swimming, Speed boating, tubing
  • Ropes course
  • Top Golf
  • Adventure Island Inflatable Obstacle Course
camper at a theme park with a teddy bear
camper playing golf
kids playing on rafts in a lake

Our Camp Schedule

See last year’s exciting camp schedule to get an idea of what’s in store.

Our Staff

Role models that campers look up to

Our experienced counselors and head staff pride themselves on relating to campers in an inspir­ing, nurturing and caring manner. Each staff member is chosen for the unique talents that he brings to camp. The bulk of our staff were Kayitz campers themselves.

campers and staff around campfire
camp staff at A and W

Our Rebbeim

Teachers that inspire campers

Our camp model is to create an authentic Yeshiva environment where talented Rebbeim bring Torah study to life and challenge campers to think and grow. Morning shiurim include Gemara, Mishna, Parsha, and Halacha. Rebbeim participate with their campers in sports-like shiur activities during the mid-morning break.

Our Directors

50 years of combined experience

Rabbi Uri Zimmerman, our camp director, brings dedication, leadership, and a deep love for the campers to every part of camp life. Having started as a camper himself, he has remained an integral part of Kayitz ever since. His boundless enthusiasm, sharp wit, humor, and creativity are truly legendary. Rabbi Zimmerman and his wife Dina, who serves as our camp’s nurse practitioner, both reside in camp during the session, creating a warm and welcoming environment for all.

Rabbi Yosef Polstein, our devoted and energetic Camp Rav and Director Emeritus, is a beloved presence at camp. Each day, campers look forward to his inspiring stories and Divrei Torah. He also oversees the entire Torah Study curriculum and its dedicated Rebbeim. With a Master of Science in Counseling from National Louis University and over 40 years of experience, Rabbi Polstein ensures that both campers and staff have a deeply enriching and fulfilling camp experience.

Contact

For more information and to learn more about Yeshivas HaKayitz please contact:
Rabbi Yosef Polstein, Director of Admissions
224-406-8908 or yhk@htc.edu

Mrs. Penina Olstein, Registrar
516-477-0778 or kayitz@htc.edu

Rabbi Uri Zimmerman, Camp Director
773-814-7763 or urizimmerman@gmail.com