Camp JN Februray 11

Summer

Camp Supplement to Jewish News February 11, 2013

One day they will be applying to the same universities.

Give the gift of Friends for Life.

Camp Airy for boys: Thurmont, MD 路 Camp Louise for girls: Cascade, MD

A Jewish Camping Tradition

410-466-9010 www.airylouise.org

34 | Jewish News | Camp | February 11, 2013

Changing choices of camp Jewish News staff

W

ith down jackets and mismatched mittens spilling from our hall closets, summer seems like a long, long, way off.

It’s not though; for most of our children, school is almost two-thirds over.

Which means we need to begin thinking, NOW, about summer camp.

Today’s camps aren’t like those of 50, 30, or even 10 years ago. There are so many more considerations in 2013, with our technologically connected world that straddles the line between safety and interference, communication and compulsion, and our smarter and savvier children.

Do we want to send our kids to a camp that has few modern, technological

Published 22 times a year by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.

amenities—cabins with outside showers and a brackish lake for swimming? (Will they even attend a camp like that?) Or would “hotel camp” or “school camp” be preferred? Day or residential? Close or far?

If camp rules require kids to leave their cellphones, games and Facebook friends at home, but has classes in computer video editing and a way for you to catch glimpses of them online, would they—or you—consider it? Will sending kids to a Jewish camp make a differPhoto courtesy Simon Family JCC. ence to them, or does it just matter to parents? we learn about donors and funds set up In this special Summer Camp sec- to help offset the costs of Jewish camps tion of the Jewish News, we gain insight (FYI—the Simon Family JCC Camp has into camps that are banning electronic some scholarships available). gadgets but embracing technology, and This is the first of two special Summer Camp sections coming your way. Keep an eye out for the next one, in the March 25 issue of the Jewish News. That issue will include our annual camp guide, which will provide local and national camp listings and contact information, along with some suggestions on getting ready for and choosing a summer camp.

Let the camp songs begin!

HABONIM DROR CAMP MOSHAVA: A unique camping experience filled with leadership development, Jewish celebration, social justice and love of Israel. Campers love our tubing, singing, dancing, sports, swimming, low ropes challenge course, skits, canoeing, crafts, creative Shabbat activities and more. Close to home in beautiful Harford County, Maryland. For young people entering 3-10th grade.

Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Suite 200 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462-4370 voice 757.965.6100 • fax 757.965.6102 email news@ujft.org www.jewishVA.org

Terri Denison, Editor Germaine Clair, Art Director Laine Mednick Rutherford, Associate Editor Hal Sacks, Book Review Editor Sandy Goldberg, Account Executive Sharon Freeman, Account Executive Mark Hecht, Account Executive Marilyn Cerase, Subscription Manager Reba Karp, Editor Emeritus Alvin Wall, President Stephanie Calliott, Secretary Harry Graber, Executive Vice-President

The appearance of advertising in the Jewish News does not constitute a kashrut, political, product or service endorsement.

The articles and letters appearing herein are not necessarily the opinion of this newspaper.

© 2013 Jewish News. All rights reserved.

Subscription: $18 year For subscription or change of address, call 757-965-6128 or email mcerase@ujft.org.

Upcoming Special Sections QR code generated on http://qrcode.littleidiot.be

"I am truly amazed at your ability to create a real community based on Jewish values and on deep connections."

- Proud Mosh Parent

Issue Passover March 4 Camp March 25 Senior Living April 22

Deadline Feb. 17 March 8 April 5

Growing the next generation of Jewish leaders since 1935. www.CampMosh.org | 1-800-454-2205 Photo courtesy Camp Airy

Februray 11, 2013 | Camp | Jewish News | 35

Going iPhone-less Camps trying to ban gadgets while embracing technology cards at night, but camp is a very dif-

home can watch, using digital

Havdalah service was a highlight

ferent place than it was 40 years ago,”

programs to teach Hebrew,

of her summer. Through its

says Rabbi Paul Resnick, director of the

uploading photos to the

Facebook page, Ramah Dorom

NEW YORK (JTA)—At a Jewish summer

Conservative-affiliated Camp Ramah in

Internet and replacing scan-

invited parents and alumni to

camp in upstate New York, they’re giving

the Berkshires in Wingdale, N.Y. “Camps

ning with snail mail to

celebrate the end of Shabbat

kids digital filmmaking classes and telling

need to keep up and evolve since technol-

instantly send the chil-

virtually alongside campers sing-

them to leave their Nintendo Game Boys

ogy keeps changing on us.”

dren’s letters to their

by Chavie Lieber

at home. In Georgia, a camp is encourag-

Many camps now have rules banning

ing face time with video pen pals rather

gadgets such as cell phones, tablets,

than time on iPods. In Wisconsin, a camp has traded snail mail for scanned mail.

ing by candlelight.

parents.

“Watching my son during are

the live Havdalah service was

laptop computers, iPods and gaming

evolving as they

like watching him through a

devices.

Camp

try to figure out

peephole—giving him the

As technology oozes into every facet

in Mukwonago, Wis., has a no-screen

how to toe the

freedom and independence

of children’s lives, Jewish summer camps

policy. Camp Morasha in Lakewood, Pa.,

line

are struggling with how to wean kids off

bans any device that can connect to the

enhancing their pro-

while

their gadgets—at least for the summer—

Internet.

grams with technology

to see him look so

while using technology to improve the camp experience.

B’nai

B’rith’s Beber

But at the same time, camps are using technologies to their advantage:

“Once upon a time, kids were playing

Camps

The Allergy & Asthma Health Care Team

I want him to have

while giving kids a rustic camp experience, Resnick says.

live streaming events so parents back

Providing Care to Children and Adults for Over 60 years

between

If you are suffering from allergies or asthma, please contact us.

We can help.

www.allergydocs.net Virginia Beach (757) 481-­4383 (757) 821-­0240

Chesapeake (757) 547-­7702

to see your normally shy kids who don’t

because we are still trying to see what

sing, don’t dance, literally come alive at

works,” Resnick says. “If you would have

camp.

asked me three years ago if I’d ever let

“Technology can be a wonderful vehi-

staff use cell phones in camp, I’d say

cle to watch your kids grow, and to know

absolutely not. But last year we started

that they are getting out of the camp

telling staff to text as a way of commu-

experience what you were hoping they

nication in camp, and it’s actually really

would gain without interfering with their

efficient.”

independence.”

As a way to appeal to campers seeking

Ramah Darom is looking into other

a more digital camp experience, Ramah

programs to live stream this summer,

in the Berkshires recently added digital

including the camp play.

traditional

36 | Jewish News | Camp | February 11, 2013

arts

camp

and

crafts,

cooking and nature courses.

Jodi Fleisig of Atlanta, whose two sons attend Camp Ramah in

Norfolk (757) 583-­4382

says Fleisig, who hosted a viewing party at her home for the service. “It’s amazing

activities such as

• Leaders in Food Allergy detection and treatment.

free, so happy and so engaged,”

“Policies we implement one summer

electives alongside

• No appointment for allergy shots – just walk in!

getting

could be totally different from the next

filmmaking to its (L-­R) Drs. Craig Koenig, Gary Moss, Greg Pendell & Lisa Deafenbaugh, PA-­C

still

Darom

Clayton,

Ga.,

says live streaming of the camp’s

Photo courtesy Camp Airy

At Beber Camp, parents can connect

their Hebrew and make Israeli friends. The

through an app created last summer by

camp’s website currently offers an exten-

staffer Brad Robison that gives parents

sive digital gallery that uploads some 500

access to camp videos, social media, sched-

photos of campers each day.

ules and activities. Beber also uses a web

Not all camp officials are fans of pro-

management company, CampMinder, to

viding information to parents in real time,

enable kids to write letters home that are

however.

then digitally scanned and uploaded to a

“The problem with incorporating all

portal parents access through the camp

this technology is that I think camp should

website. A unique barcode on the back

be teaching independence, how to get

of each letter ensures that it goes to the

along on your own, and parents will

right account.

hear half-stories often if they are con-

Camp Osrui, a Reform camp in

stantly being updated by a phone call

Oconomowoc, Wis., where teaching

or a photo,” Morasha camp director Ira

Hebrew is a top priority, began using

Spodek says.

Photo courtesy Simon Family JCC.

the language program Rosetta Stone last

Like many summer camps, Morasha

summer. Campers responded so well to

still is trying to figure out the good

secretly throughout the summer to con-

it’s not because we’re against them,”

the program, enjoying the activity as a

and the bad of technology. Spodek says

tact parents.

Silverman says. “The goal is to show them

game while learning Hebrew at a swift

the camp’s rule banning Internet-enabled

Ultimately, says Alan Silverman, direc-

how much camp has to offer, with all

pace, that Osrui is expanding its media

gadgets is becoming increasingly harder

tor of Bnei Akiva’s Camp Moshava in

the nature and sports, that it’s better for

center for this summer, according to camp

to enforce with technology advancing

Ontario, Canada, summer camp is about

them to leave the gadgets behind for the

director Jerry Kaye.

and filtering down even to the youngest

giving the kids an experience beyond the

summer.”

campers. He notes that some campers

ordinary.

Osrui also plans to incorporate a new

ADVERTISEMENT: Visit OneHappyCamper.

digital pen pal program in which campers

will show up with two cell phones: one

“We don’t allow any sort of cell

will Skype with Israeli children to practice

to forfeit to the office, the other to use

phones or gadgets in our camp, and

org to find a Jewish camp and see if your child qualifies for a $1,000 grant.

NorfolkCollegiate.org

Februray 11, 2013 | Camp | Jewish News | 37

Donors struggling to defray the rising costs of Jewish camp

by Gil Shefler NEW YORK (JTA)—Spending the summer at Jewish overnight camp once was a spartan affair, often little more than a collection of ramshackle buildings scattered in the woods by a placid lake.

Those were the days.

“Today it’s all about the toys,” says Rabbi Allan Smith, the former head of the Reform movement’s camp network and a 46-year veteran of the summer camp business. “You have a go-kart track, a climbing wall, a swing, a Burma bridge.

“When I was a kid, 90 percent of the camps were by a lake. Today if you don’t have a pool you’re a loser. Kids don’t like lakes, they’re dirty.”

Such amenities may make camps more appealing, but they don’t come cheap.

Parents can expect to shell out

Camp Ruach

anywhere from $600 per week per child at one of the less expensive nonprofit camps to $2,000 per week at some of the pricier options. For families already struggling to cover the costs of Jewish education during the school year, sending a child to camp might be one expense too many.

In a bid to help defray the cost, the Foundation for Jewish Camp has awarded more than 43,000 grants to attend a nonprofit summer camp. The grants can be up to $1,000 per family.

“We believe summers at Jewish camp are an important component in one’s Jewish identity,” says Jeremy Fingerman, the foundation’s CEO. “Camp teaches a joyful Judaism and becomes an important building block for a Jewish future. We believe families challenged economically should not be penalized.”

The high tuition at Jewish camps,

Preschool through 3rd grade Older girls and boys programs available.

Camp Ruach is dedicated to instilling a strong sense of Jewish identity in each camper.

Camp Dates: June 23-July 21

ACTIVITIES • • • •

sports Jewish arts & crafts weekly field trips water sports

$99/Week

For more information please contact us at campruachva@gmail.com 38 | Jewish News | Camp | February 11, 2013

which directors at the camps agree is considerably costlier than at their Christian counterparts, is cause for concern among those who fear that a potent identitybuilding opportunity is slipping away from middle-income families.

For Debra Hollander of Shaker Heights, Ohio, sending her children to Jewish camp is a top priority, despite the costs.

“Our three kids go to secular education schools, so for us Jewish camping became even more important,” she says.

A 2011 study commissioned by the Foundation for Jewish Camp lends credence to Hollander’s view of Jewish camps as important shapers of Jewish identity. According to the study, Jewish camp alumni are 30 percent more likely to donate to a Jewish charity; 37 percent more likely to light Sabbath candles; and 45 percent more likely to attend synagogue.

“The analysis indicates that [camps] bring, first of all, an increased inclination to practice Jewish behaviors in their lives, from Shabbat lighting candles to using Jewish websites and to appreciate the value of Jewish charity,” the study concludes. “Secondly, they bring an inclination to value and seek out the experience of Jewish community, whether in the immediate sense of joining other Jews in prayer or in the more abstract sense of identifying with fellow Jews in Israel.”

The FJC, which has a mission to increase the number of Jewish campers, is working to identify ways for camps to reduce costs.

In recent years it has coordinated the sharing of resources, encouraged the development of alternative revenue sources and helped camp directors improve their managerial skills through a program the organization likens to “an MBA in camping.”

One of the most important elements in helping camps stay on stable footing, the foundation believes, is boosting enrollment.

“Camps that are full are profitable and reinvest back in scholarships,” Fingerman says. “So there is a power in numbers, and we’re working hard to get them full.”

Other organizations also have taken

steps to make camp more affordable, particularly for less-affiliated families and first-time campers who might be less sold on the value of the camp experience. The Avi Chai and Zell foundations jointly made a $600,000 donation to Ramah to help the Conservative movement’s camp network attract first-timers.

“We’re calling it the Ramah Open Door Program, where we’re opening up to less Jewish-affiliated families,” says Rabbi Mitchell Cohen, Ramah’s national director.

Paul Reichenbach, the director of camp and Israel programs at the Union for Reform Judaism, says a significant number of children attending his movement’s summer programs also receive scholarships.

While camp directors agree that the costs of Jewish overnight camps are high, they offer varying explanations as to the reasons. Some say it’s the relative abundance of staff—a ratio of one supervisor for every two campers, according to Cohen. Others point to the salaries of directors, which average about $125,000 per year at nonprofit camps, according to public tax filings. Directors at Jewish forprofits can make even more.

Perhaps the biggest factor driving costs, however, is the Jewish community’s relative affluence and the resulting expectations.

“What [Jewish camps] provide may be higher with regard to facility, to program options, with regard to staff structure,” Reichenbach says. “And we are dealing with a community that has a certain expectation for quality.”

Despite a growing recognition of the importance of making tuition affordable, Reichenbach predicted costs would continue to appreciate at a rate of two percent to five percent each year.

“We live in the real world,” he says.

“Our practices have reflected the rise in the cost-of-living index, the cost of energy, of food, of transportation. We are doing the best we can to stay even.”

ADVERTISEMENT: Visit OneHappyCamper. org to find a Jewish camp and see if your child qualifies for a $1,000 grant.

Simon Says: Come Have Fun!

American Red Cross Swiming Instruction Art Drama Music Athletics Israeli Culture Nature Cooking Mini Golf Science Fun

— And More! — Registration starting in early March.

For more information visit CampJCC.org or call 757-321-2338

Presented by the Simon Family JCC

5000 Corporate Woods Drive Virginia Beach

Februray 11, 2013 | Camp | Jewish News | 39

JUMP IN

to your best summer ever!

301.468.2267 12750 Buchanan Trail East, Waynesboro, PA 17268 info@capitalcamps.org capitalcamps.org

40 | Jewish News | Camp | February 11, 2013

Each summer, we provide our campers an enriching Jewish camp experience, full of fun, new skills and new friends, all in a safe, nurturing environment.

We invite you to join our Capital Camps family as we celebrate 25 amazing summers!