Bringing Fresh Energy & Tradition to Camp Ideal’s 71st Year
Meet Kim Cossman: New Director of Camp Ideal, Lifelong Michiana Resident, and Dedicated Educator
I have lived in the Michiana area my entire life. I am married to Dan Cossman, and we have four children: Abbee LaPlace, Sarah, Dagan, and Gideon Cossman. I am fortunate to be the daughter-in-law of Nate and Linda Cossman. Our family includes two dogs, a Great Dane named Domer, and a bullmastiff named Irish, whom Dan humorously calls our livestock.
I spent 14 wonderful years as a Girl Scout leader for both Abbee and Sarah and also served as the Community Coordinator organizing numerous events for the Girl Scout community. These years were filled with memorable camping trips, field trips, and earning many badges and awards.
After dedicating my time to raising my children, I re-entered the workforce with the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation. I worked as an Educational Assistant and later as a Kindergarten Activity Aide. These experiences inspired me to return to school and pursue a degree in Elementary Education at IUSB, focusing on Early Childhood Education. I enjoy being a student again, even though it’s humbling to realize I am old enough to be the other students’ mother. I take pride in setting a positive example for my children about the importance of learning.
In my limited spare time, I enjoy reading and playing games with my family. We are a laid-back family who loves spending time at home together. I am a devoted Notre Dame fan, and my family knows that fall means football season for me.
I am thrilled to be this year’s Camp Ideal Director! Can you believe our camp is celebrating its 71st year? While I have big shoes to fill, I am confident I will bring organization and a fresh perspective to camp. We will continue our cherished traditions like the Intergenerational Luncheon, Maccabiah Day, and IDF Day. Additionally, we will explore new field trips and offer different choices for the campers this summer. Our schedule includes Art n’ Archery on Mondays, trips to Fullers Beach on Tuesdays, wacky or water-filled Wednesdays, off-campus field trips on Thursdays, and Shi’Shuk and Shabbat discussions on Fridays. We will make the summer of 2025 full of camping fun, complete with singing great camp songs along the way.
I am fortunate to work with Omer this summer as our Israeli Emissary and Senior Camp Counselor. He brings valuable knowledge and leadership to camp, and many campers already know him from Hebrew school, FEAST at Sinai, or last year’s camp season. I am excited to learn from and collaborate with him.
I am also blessed to have Judy managing the kitchen for Shi’Shuk and our Intergenerational Luncheon this summer. We all know how delicious Judy’s treats are, and I am eager to see what she creates for this year’s Shi’Shuk. She will also oversee our Intergenerational Luncheon Cookout on July 16th. Last year’s luncheon was record-breaking, and I hope to see even more of our community join us for a nostalgic walk down memory lane or lunch with our campers. The campers truly appreciate seeing their loved ones for lunch. More information will follow soon.
This spring, Moshe and I are planning a Camp Ideal Reunion for past campers of all ages. If you are a former Camp Ideal camper or counselor, please join us to reconnect with friends from your camp days. We will have some camp activities for you, and you can see how camp has evolved. You can even sign your child or grandchild up for camp. More details about this fun event will be shared soon.
Registration will begin shortly, if it hasn’t already by the time you read this article. Sign your campers up early to enjoy the early bird discount. Camp will have two three-week sessions this summer, and we are going to have a blast. Like our Camp Ideal song says, “We welcome you to Camp Ideal, we’re mighty glad you’re here.”
See you this summer at camp!
Kim Cossman
Director of Camp Ideal
574-233-1164 x1807
Camp@TheJewishFed.org