Moshava California, a Bnei Akiva of Los Angeles overnight camp in the San Bernardino Mountains currently in the midst of its first session, is concluding the session early after an outbreak of the salmonella virus.
“Recently, a group of 11 campers tested positive for salmonella. Salmonella, as you may know, is an illness that usually lasts 4 to 7 days, with most individuals recovering without treatment,” a statement released July 12 by Bnei Akiva says. “Thankfully, we have had no new cases since last week, and our affected campers are well on the road to recovery.”
The first session was originally scheduled to end on July 17, but will end instead on July 14, as instructed by the Department of Environmental Health of San Bernardino County to allow the site to be “cleared and cleaned,” according to the statement, which is signed by Bnei Akiva of Los Angeles executive director Rabbi Menachem Hecht. The session began June 27. Approximately 180 campers are enrolled in the first session of camp, according to the camp administration office.
Bnei Akiva of Los Angeles is the local branch of the international religious Zionist youth movement. The camp is located in Running Springs, California, in San Bernardino County and serves boys and girls entering 3rd through10th grades.
The second session, slated to kick off on July 27, is scheduled to go on as planned, according to the statement.
“I look forward to a wonderful, safe, healthy and fun continuation of the summer during Session II at Moshava California,” the statement says.
Moshava California, formerly known as Moshava Malibu, previously operated on a property in Malibu. It relocated to Running Springs, in 2014 and changed its name prior to the start of this year's inaugural session. Chabad of California had previously owned the Running Springs property.
Activities at the camp include arts, swimming, horseback riding and more. Jewish content is incorporated into the everyday camp experience as well.
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