JEWISH CAMP IS WORTH IT. NEED HELP AFFORDING IT

JEWISH CAMP IS WORTH IT.
NEED HELP AFFORDING IT?
DISCOVER BUNKCONNECT.
BunkConnect is the easiest way to find great summer experiences for first-time campers at special
rates. We match eligible families with available overnight camp sessions, priced from 40-60% off.
www.BunkConnect.org
M AG A Z I N E
MOMENT
2 01 5
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or many families, attending Jewish summer camp is considered a rite of passage. It’s a time to explore
new activities while experiencing independence from parents and a time to reconnect with old friends
while making new ones. Summer camp also lets kids create Jewish memories in an informal setting,
away from the rigors of the classroom. While traditional residential and day camps offer incredible
experiences, they are not the only Jewish options for kids and teens. Today’s summer landscape includes specialty
camps where kids can immerse themselves in a particular area of interest like science, cooking or sports. Jewish
travel opportunities abound, and family camps offer the chance to spend quality time together. The common thread
throughout these summer programs is the experience of being part of a larger Jewish community.—Suzanne Borden
Camp Airy and camp Louise
Situated in the rolling hills of Western Maryland, Camp Airy for boys and Camp Louise
for girls provide overnight camping for Jewish children. Together, we are the only brother-sister Jewish overnight camps in the country. With grade levels spanning 2nd-12th, we
make sure to provide new opportunities that
challenge campers to reach new heights. Our
dynamic program includes: extreme sports,
skate boarding, go karts, paintball, arts and
crafts, drama, dance, music, outdoor living,
swimming, etc. Rookie camp now available
for campers entering grades 2 or 3.
Call 410-466- 9010, email airlou@airylouise.
org, or visit airylouise.org to learn more.
See ad on page 63
Camp Pembroke,
A Cohen Camp For Girls
The only all-girls, trans-denominational
Jewish camp in New England, Camp Pembroke is a unique sisterhood and spirited
community. Located near Cape Cod, Pembroke offers a classic summer of fun, sun,
arts, performance and sports in a special
world totally devoted to empowering each
young woman. Here, your daughter will delight in the freedom and self-confidence to
be herself, try new things, and cheer on others, too—whether on the water, field, court,
or stage. She’ll love Pembroke’s new, airy, visual-arts studio, camp shows and more. Specialty programs include horseback riding,
ice skating, and golf. Through it all, girls
experience joyful Jewish life and learning as
a source of shared values and traditions. We
are one of three Cohen Camps, led by three
generations of steadfast family leadership,
and capped by Dor L’Dor, an Israel leadership program for Cohen Camp teens. Sibling discounts and first-time camper grants
available. ACA-accredited. Tours all year.
Location: Lake Oldham Pembroke, MA
Participants: Girls, ages 8–16
Contact: 888 Worcester Street, Suite 350,
Wellesley, MA 02482
781.489.2070
pembroke@cohencamps.org,
camppembroke.org (Facebook & blog, too)
See ad on page 62
Camp Tel Noar,
A Nut-Free Cohen Camp
Spirited and NUT-FREE, Camp Tel Noar
offers a summer of fun, forever friends and
confidence, all infused with Jewish living and
values. We invite your child to join Camp
Tel Noar’s co-ed, close-knit community for
an exhilarating summer: arts & crafts, athletics, visual & performing arts, water sports
on Sunset Lake and in our new pool, a full
gamut of electives, inter-camp competition,
special events, trips and more. Located just
an hour from Boston or four from NYC,
Camp Tel Noar is trans-denominational and
kosher. Jewish choices and values inspire our
community all week, especially on Shabbat,
through song, dance, and tradition. We are
one of three Cohen Camps, New England
Jewish overnight camps led by three generations of steadfast family leadership, capped by
Dor L’Dor, an Israel leadership program for
Cohen Camp teens. Two-week option, sibling discounts and first-time camper grants
available. ACA-accredited. Tours all year.
Location: Sunset Lake, Hampstead, NH
Participants: Coed, ages 8–16
Contact: 888 Worcester Street, Suite 350,
Wellesley, MA 02482
781.489.2070
telnoar@cohencamps.org, camptelnoar.org
(Facebook & blog, too)
See ad on page 62
CAMP TEVYA, A COHEN CAMP
A spirited, co-ed, Jewish overnight camp,
Camp Tevya offers a summer of fun, selfconfidence and “forever friends” with sports,
arts and activities from waterskiing to tennis
to soccer to talent shows, all under the tall
pines of Lake Potanipo. Our counselors encourage our campers to take chances, to try
new things, and to experience the satisfaction of accomplishment and community every day. Field, court and water sports, visual
and performing arts, a full gamut of electives, inter-camp competition, field trips and
more. Located just an hour from Boston or
four from NYC. Trans-denominational and
Kosher. Jewish choices and values inspire
our community all week, especially on Shabbat, through song, dance, and tradition. We
are one of three Cohen Camps, led by three
generations of steadfast family leadership,
and capped by Dor L’Dor, Israel leadership
program for Cohen Camp teens. Sibling
discounts and first-time camper grants available. ACA-accredited. Tours all year.
Location: Lake Potanipo, Brookline, NH
Participants: Coed, ages 8–16
Contact: 888 Worcester Street, Suite 350,
Wellesley, MA 02482
781.489.2070
tevya@cohencamps.org, camptevya.org
See ad on page 62
January/February 2015 / Moment
57
Powered by
values
JCC Camps
build confident kids,
friendships, and
Jewish connections
that last a lifetime.
With more than 135 day camps and 23 overnight
camps, our family of JCC Camps is the largest
network of Jewish camps in North America.
“Day school may
be where my kids
developed their
Jewish head, but
JCC camp is where
they discovered
their Jewish heart.”
“I spend nine
months of the
year looking
forward to my
‘summer life’.”
Karen B., camp parent
Sarah, 9-year-old camper
Find your camp
Learn about JCC camps at jcccamps.org, and check out
our overnight camps below.
JCCs of North America overnight camps:
Berkshire Hills Emanuel Camps
Copake, NY
bhecamps.com
Camp, Inc.
Boulder JCC, Boulder, CO
campinc.biz
Camp Tawonga
Groveland, CA
tawonga.org
JCC Maccabi Sports Camp
San Francisco, CA
maccabisportscamp.org
B’nai Brith Camp
Portland, OR
bbcamp.org
Camp Interlaken
JCC of Milwaukee, Eagle River, WI
campinterlaken.org
B’nai Brith Jewish Community Camp
Kenora, Ontario
bbcamp.ca
Camp JCA Shalom
Malibu, CA
campjcashalom.com
Camp Wise
Mandel JCC of Cleveland
Chardon, OH
campwise.org
JCC Ranch Camp
Robert E. Loup JCC of Denver
Elbert, CO
ranchcamp.org
Camp Barney Medintz
Marcus JCC of Atlanta, Cleveland, GA
campbarney.org
Camp Livingston
Bennington, IN
camplivingston.com
Capital Camps & Retreat Center
Waynesboro, PA
capitalcamps.org
NJY Camps
Milford & Lakewood, PA
njycamps.org
Camp B’yachad
JCH of Bensonhurst, Medford, PA
jchb.org/camp-b-yachad
Camp Mountain Chai
Angelus Oaks, CA
campmountainchai.com
Emma Kaufmann Camp
JCC of Greater Pittsburgh
Morgantown, WV
emmakaufmanncamp.com
Pinemere Camp
Stroudsburg, PA
pinemere.com
Camp Chi
JCCs of Chicago, Lake Delton, WI
campchi.com
Camp Sabra
St. Louis JCC, Rocky Mount, MO
campsabra.com
JCC Camp Kingswood
JCCs of Greater Boston
Bridgton, ME
kingswood.org
Call your local JCC/YM-YWHA or JCC Association at (212) 786-5093, or email jcccamp@jcca.org.
To find your nearest JCC day or overnight camps, visit jcccamps.org.
Surprise Lake Camp
Cold Spring, NY
surpriselake.org
Tamarack Camps
Ortonville, MI
tamarackcamps.com
Camp Shomria
THEY SEE
FREE SWIM.
YOU SEE
FRIENDSHIP.
Camp Shomria builds lifelong friendships.
Camp Shomria is a six week co-ed summer
camp program for 4th-10th graders. Led
by experienced staff, Camp Shomria provides a secular Jewish experience focusing
on community, leadership and youth empowerment. As a Zionist youth movement,
we understand the importance of the connection between the Diaspora Jewry and
Israel. This includes building a cultural
connection to Israeli society through activities like Rikkudei Am (traditional folk
dance) and Shira (singing) and by incorporating a wide range of Hebrew terminology. Youth-led programming encourages
campers to explore their community and
the world through secular jewish values.
Other camp activities include: swimming,
overnight hikes, arts and crafts, sports,
bonfires, singing and dancing, nature programs, canoeing and tubing. New campers may attend our summer ‘Try it Out’
program or join our year round activities
including winter and spring camps. For
all these reasons, our 100-year motto remains: “Camp Shomria- more than just a
summer camp!”
424 W 33rd St. Suite 150
New York, NY. 10001
campshomria.org
See ad on page 64
in North America, boasting a network of
over 135 camps in 35 U.S. states and five
Canadian provinces. Our camps feature
caring, well-trained, experienced directors and staff members who are dedicated
to making your child’s JCC camp experience the best of their lives. JCC camps
are values-based communities, providing
excellence and variety in activities and
program, while instilling in each camper
a strong identity and the positive impact
and connection to their Jewish community and the world around them. At
JCC day camps, whether your camper
is learning archery, horseback riding,
boating, ceramics, baseball, swimming,
climbing or any number of other specialties they’re doing it in an environment
designed to provide significant growth
in self-esteem, peer relationships, independence, and leadership. After attending a JCC day camp, your child will have
new skills, life-long friendships, a stronger Jewish identity, a deeper connection
to Israel, and a lifetime of memories. To
learn about the JCC day camp nearest
you, contact your local JCC.
(212) 786-5093,
jcccamps.org
email jcccamp@jcca.org
See ad on pages 58–59
JCC Maccabi ArtsFest™
Foundation for
Jewish Camp
WE SEE
ONE HAPPY CAMPER.
Ziplining. Waterskiing. Singing under
the stars. Jewish overnight camp is a
chance for kids to explore who they are
and who they want to become—while
having the summer of their lives.
Campers are bunkmates and team
players, artists and athletes, creative
problem-solvers and blossoming
leaders. With over 150 traditional and
specialty options, there is a perfect
Jewish camp experience for your child.
First-time campers, get up to $1000 off
with OneHappyCamper.org or special
rates through BunkConnect.org!
OneHappyCamper.org
The Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC)
is the only public organization dedicated solely to nonprofit Jewish overnight
camps. FJC employs a variety of strategies
toward a single goal: to increase the number of children in Jewish summer camps.
To this end, the Foundation creates inspiring camp leaders, expands access to and
inten­sifies demand for camp, and develops pro­grams to strengthen camps across
the Jew­
ish spectrum in North America.
Through strategic partnerships on local
and national levels, FJC raises the profile of Jewish camp and serves as a central
resource for par­
ents and organizations
alike. One Happy Camper, the Foundation’s largest program which provides
need-blind grants to chil­
dren attending
Jewish overnight camp for the first time,
has sent 50,000 children to Jewish camp
since 2006. FJC works with more than 155
camps, 73,000 campers, and 11,000 counselors across North America each summer
to further its mission.
jewishcamp.org
See ads on left and page 56
JCC Day Camps
JCC day camps are the preeminent pluralistic Jewish day camping experience
60
January/February 2015
JCC Maccabi ArtsFest™ is a weeklong
arts experience for creative Jewish teens
ages 13-17, featuring workshops in Acting/Improv, Rock Band, Dance, Musical
Theater, Visual Arts, and Culinary with
some of the leading artists in each field
incorporating community service, social
activities, and themes of Jewish heritage,
community, and Israel. ArtsFest offers
intimate master classes during the day
and the largest Jewish teen block party
at night. The program culminates in
an exciting final showcase, where each
specialty will share their creations with
participants and invited guests. If your
teenager has a love of the arts, for making new friends and connecting to the
larger Jewish community, then this premier program can cultivate those interests. In addition to daily arts exploration,
all participants take part in JCC Cares, a
program in which the teens give back to
the larger community, bringing the value
of tikkun olam, or repairing the world, to
life. JCC Maccabi ArtsFest™ will be held
in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., August 9-14.
Contact your local JCC for more information; or contact the JCC Association
at artsfest@jcca.org. You can also visit our
website at jccmaccabiartsfest.org for application and specialty information. Can’t
wait to see you in Fort Lauderdale!
See ad on pages 2, 58–59
Best summer,
every summer!
Save $1000 this summer!
Jewish Overnight Camp
Pocono Mountains
215-ITS-CAMP
WWW.PINEMERE.COM
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 / Moment
61
JCC Maccabi Games™
Since 1982, the JCC Maccabi Games have
brought together Jewish teens from around
the world for a week of Olympic-style athletic competition. If you have a passion for
sports, making new friends and connecting to the larger Jewish community, then
this premier program is the one for you.
In addition to daily athletic competition,
all participants participate in JCC Cares, a
hands-on volunteer effort through which
all JCC Maccabi participants give back to
the larger community, bringing the value
of tikkun olam, or repairing the world,
to life. The JCC Maccabi Games will be
held in Milwaukee, Wis. and Dallas, Texas,
August 2-7 and in Fort Lauderdale, Fla,
August 9-14. If you are interested in participating in JCC Maccabi, contact your
local JCC or contact JCC Association at
jccmaccabi@jcca.org. You can also visit
our website at jccmaccabigames.org. We
hope to see you in Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Milwaukee this summer.
See ad on pages 2, 58–59
JCC Maccabi Israel
JCC Maccabi Israel is a non-denominational program dedicated to introducing
Jewish teens to all that’s great about Israel—its culture, its history, and its people.
62
January/February 2015
For teens in 10th through 12th grade, the
program seeks to strengthen their connection to the Jewish homeland and their
own Jewish identity within a framework
of an organized, educational youth travel
program that doesn’t forget that much
learning can be done when you’re having fun. Through dialogue with Israeli
peers, hands-on community work, and an
itinerary that takes in both the historical
scope and contemporary accomplishments
of Israel, your teen will gain a newfound
connection to the country and a strengthened sense of Jewish identity while making
new friends and exploring the meaning of
Jewish peoplehood. JCC Maccabi Israel
provides the same professional expertise
found in all of our JCCs and camps. Safety,
security, and a quality experience are the
highest priorities of our program.
jccmaccabiisrael.org/
write to Ido Medan-David at ido@jcca.org.
See ad on pages 2, 58–59
rich and meaningful values-rooted Jewish communities. JCC camps provide a
supportive and loving environment designed by professional leadership and
well-trained, dynamic staff members who
create the perfect balance of individual
growth and community-building, with
opportunities for campers to build their
confidence, resilience leadership, friendships, and an appreciation for the world
around them. From backpacking to
sports, from fine arts to boating, regardless of your camper’s needs or interests,
there is a JCC camp they will love! After
attending a JCC overnight camp, your
campers will have gained new skills, made
life-long friends, developed a stronger
Jewish identity and a deeper connection
to Israel, and will want to make a difference in the world around them.
(212) 786-5093
jcccamps.org; jcccamp@jcca.org.
See ad on pages 58–59
JCC overnight Camps
Pinemere Camp
With over 110 years of tradition, JCC
overnight camps are the premier pluralistic Jewish overnight camp experience,
providing a “home away from home” for
thousands of campers and staff each summer. Our family of 23 camps offer fun
enriching, and safe adventures based in
Join the Pinemere Camp family in the
Pocono Mountains! We create an oasis
for children where they can leave behind
the hectic pace, pressure, and technology of “the real world” and just be kids.
We are a dynamic community made up
of campers, families, staff, and alumni
MOMENT 2014 SUMMER PROGRAMS GUIDE
THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO MOVE AS FAST AS YOU WANT AT CAMP AIRY.
A JEWISH CAMPING TRADITION
410.466.9010
WWW. AIRYLOUISE.ORG
January/February 2015 / Moment
63
from around the world. We set ourselves
apart with our intimate cabin size, rustic
setting, innovative programs, inclusive
Jewish programing, fun and welcoming
environment, and by hiring and developing the best staff in camping. Our goal
is to assist campers in building friendships, fostering their Jewish identity, acquire new skills, and to have the BEST
SUMMER, EVERY SUMMER! We are
a coed camp with campers ranging from
7-16. Our summer is June 28-August 16
with 1, 3, 4, and 7 week options.
(215) 487-2267
camp@pinemere.com
pinemere.com
See ad on page 61
RAMAH CAMPING MOVEMENT
Lifelong friendships and personal commitment to Jewish life that is exciting and
meaningful are just two of the benefits of a
summer at a Ramah camp. As the camping
arm of Conservative Judaism, Ramah has
enabled campers and staff to live committed and vibrant Jewish lives through immersion in a summer Jewish community.
At Ramah camps, education is combined
with recreational activities, creating a fun
Famous Folks who attended
jewish summer camps
2015 edition
64
fashion designer Ralph Lauren
Social Media guru Sheryl Sandberg
As a child, Ralph Lauren, born Ralph Lifshitz, attended the Hebrew speaking Camp
Massad in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. He once told Oprah Winfrey that
being voted general of the annual color war
was one of the first times he felt special, and is
a highlight of his life. “Someone said, ‘Ralph,
we’re picking you. You’re going to lead half
this camp.’ It was a real moment.”
Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer of
Facebook, attended URJ Camp Coleman in
Cleveland, GA. In a live Internet discussion with
current campers this past summer, Sandberg
shared with them the importance of her camp
experience. “Camp was really important for me
and [for] really understanding what it meant to
be Jewish, what Jewish values were...and it’s done
in an atmosphere where it’s really fun,” she said.
January/February 2015
A CAMP FOR
EVERY CHILD
E
ach February, Jewish Disability Awareness Month (JDAM) aims to raise awareness, promote understanding and encourage
inclusion of people with disabilities and special
needs in all aspects of Jewish life. Lisa Tobin,
director of disabilities initiatives at the Foundation for Jewish Camp, says that “every child
comes to camp with their own set of abilities
whether or not they have special needs. It’s
important to not look at a child’s disability but
rather at their abilities.”
Many camps across the country are focused
specifically on campers with disabilities, or
have inclusion programs within their already
established camp. “Campers with special needs
should have access to everything that their
peers have and should be fully embraced by the
Jewish community,” says Tobin.
She says it’s important to recognize that no
two children with a disability look alike. When
deciding on a camp, parents should take into
consideration the specific needs of their child
and see how a particular program can meet
those needs. “There are a variety of approaches
camps take and it’s important for parents to explore the possibilities to find a good fit,” she says.
MOMENT 2015 SUMMER PROGRAMS GUIDE
Jewish environment. Campers can expect
a program of sports, outdoor education,
drama, dance, music, media arts, arts and
crafts, and overnight trips combined with
Hebrew and Judaic literacy, Shabbat observance, kashrut, and daily prayer. To maintain our strong connection to Israel and to
encourage the use of Hebrew in everyday
activities, Ramah camps are enriched by
the participation of Israeli staff members.
Ramah also offers programs for children
with disabilities, family camps, winter retreat and Shabbaton facilities, and Israel
programs for all ages.
Sponsorship: National Ramah Commission,
Inc. of The Jewish Theological Seminary
Location: Overnight camps in California,
Canada, Georgia, New York, Massachusetts,
Pennsylvania, Wisconsin; outdoor adventure
specialty camp in the Colorado Rockies; day
camps in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia,
Washington, D.C.; Israel programs
Types of Participants: Coed, grades 3–10 for
overnight camps; preschool–7th grade for day camps
Operating Season: Year-round
Contact: 3080 Broadway, New York, NY
10027, 212-678-8881
campramah.org; info@campramah.org,
See ad on right
Overnight Camps: Berkshires • California • Canada • Darom
New England • Poconos • Rockies • Wisconsin
Day Camps: Chicago • Nyack • Philadelphia
Washington D.C.
Ramah Israel: Israel Seminar • Poland Seminar
TRY/USY High • Synagogue and School Trips (RII)
National Ramah Tikvah Network: Programs
for Children, Teens and Young Adults with Disabilities
National Ramah Commission, Inc. of The Jewish Theological Seminary
List of camps for children with disabilities
Camp Chazak, URJ – Two camps serving kids with social delays, many diagnosed with high functioning autism.
Massachusetts.
eisnercranelake.urjcamps.org/chazak/
Camp Firefly at JCC Camp Chi –
Campers diagnosed with a range of social
disorders including social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, Asperger’s syndrome,
non-verbal learning disorder and highfunctioning autism receive support in social situations. Wisconsin. campchi.com
Camp HASC – This camp serves the social, therapeutic, academic, recreational,
and medical needs of children and adults
with intellectual and physical disabilities.
New York. camphasc.org
Camp Kaylie - Campers with down syndrome, autism and other mild developmental delays are fully integrated with all
camp bunks and activities. New York.
campkaylie.org.
Kehila B’nai B’rith Camp - This full inclusion camp is for children with physical disabilities, Vision and Hearing impairments,
ADD, ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Autism,
and other Developmental Disabilities. Oregon. bbcamp.org
Keshet Summer Camps – Three different programs are offered for kids with mild
learning or developmental disabilities. Illinois and Wisconsin. keshet.org
Round Lake Camp at NJY Camps This inclusion program is for children with
learning differences, social communication
disorders and ADHD. Campers schedules
are individualized based on their needs and
requests. Pennsylvania. roundlakecamp.org
Camp Simcha and Simcha Special –
Medically supervised camps for kids and
teens with cancer and other blood disorders as well as campers with chronic illnesses and genetic disorders. New York’s
Catskill Mountains. No cost to campers.
campsimcha.org
Tamarack Camps – Campers with mild
learning or developmental disabilities are
mainstreamed into the daily programming.
Michigan. tamarackcamps.com
Tikvah Network at Camp Ramah –
Nine camps across North America, each
specializing in a different area for kids,
teens, young adults and families with physical challenges, learning, emotional and
developmental disabilities as well as autism
and social challenges. campramah.org
Yachad – A department of the National
Jewish Council for Disabilities, offers a variety of summer programs including camps
and trips to Israel for individuals with disabilities. njcd.org
Zohar Special Needs Inclusion at
Camp Kingswood – Campers with developmental disabilities, high functioning spectrum disorders and neurological
and learning challenges enjoy an integrated camp experience. Maine.
bostonjcc.org
January/February 2015 / Moment
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