They’re sure getting a lot of press these days. And why not? Tomorrow is their grand opening: they will be the first Jewish environmental sleepaway camp, welcoming the first session of “134 campers from 17 states and 4 countries with smoothies from a bicycle-powered blender, solar-oven cooked snacks from our farm, live music, campfires and more.”
Sounds pretty great to me! Read more about Eden Village Camp below the jump.

Press Release:
The Launch of Eden Village Camp – first of its kind in the Jewish world: New sleepaway camp with progressive and environmental approach!
June 30, 2010, Putnam Valley, New York
Eden Village Camp, a brand new, first-of-its-kind non-profit Jewish environmental overnight camp for 3rd –12th graders, opens its doors for its pioneer summer on Wednesday, June 30, 2010. 134 campers from 17 states and 4 countries have registered – double the camp’s initial projection.
Located 50 miles north of NYC, the 248-acre camp aims to be a living model of a thriving, inspired, sustainable Jewish community, grounded in social responsibility and a vibrant spiritual life. “We’re using Jewish means to universal ends,” said Yoni Stadlin, who founded and directs Eden Village together with his wife, Vivian Stadlin.
Eden Village has garnered tremendous backing from the Jewish community. The camp received a competitive $1.1 million grant from the Foundation for Jewish Camp and Jim Joseph Foundation, and is supported by the UJA-Federation of NY, Natan, and hundreds of individual donors.
The UJA-Federation of NY has provided Eden Village with its site along with a $1.6 million renovation, including a new greenhouse, with additional work slated for the coming two years. 18 solar panels will be installed this summer, thanks to the UJA’s Greening Fellowship and NYSERDA.
The directors bring extensive backgrounds in education and public interest law. The program teaches Judaism through growing and harvesting organic produce, caring for goats and chickens, enjoying Kosher organic food, learning natural science, outdoor living skills, herbalism, arts, music, yoga, swimming and more.
Eden Village renews Jewish wisdom that speaks to the environmental concerns today’s young people care about, creating a substantive, relevant Judaism that is attracting youth from a broad range of Jewish backgrounds. With their zero-waste goal, emphasis on developing youth leadership skills, focus on healthy living and dynamic approach to Jewish education, Eden Village supports campers in simultaneously transforming the world and themselves.
Numbers of interest:

• One farm with… 14 laying hens; 1 milking goat producing 1/2 gallon of milk a day; 2 kid goats; 1 lop-eared bunny; 30 varieties of vegetables; 5 permanent no-till raised beds; 1 composting system (producing finished compost in less than two months!); 34 types of medicinal plants; 5 bunk-side snack gardens (“bunk beds”); Shabbat, Cholent, and Jewish Calendar gardens… staffed by 1 farm manager, 2 apprentices, 2 Jewish Farm School directors, 1 master herbalist and 1 farm educator.
• Ten local CSA shares, our 2-acre farm, and organic suppliers providing all produce. Organic, kosher, local dairy & eggs; other kitchen purchasing is all natural, organic & local when possible, and minimally processed.
• One hybrid camp car.
• ZERO “disposable” tablewares; all recycled paper goods; computers with highest environmental ratings; natural cleaning products, bug spray and sunscreen.
• 100% of footballs, soccer balls, frisbees, and basketballs from Fair Trade Sports; 100% organic cotton shirts, sweatshirts, and polos.
• One Sefer Torah from Temple Beth Shalom in Mahopac, NY.