February 4, 2005/Shevat 25 5765, Vol. 57, No. 23
Hello muddah, hello faddahCamping strengthens Jewish identity
JENNIFER GOLDBERG
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Thankfully, times have changed.
Since the first North American Jewish camp opened in 1902, the Jewish camping experience has evolved into more than just a way to get kids out the city for a few weeks; it has become a carefully programmed summer activity and a strong foundation for future Jewish practice.
Tomorrow's leaders today
Ask a rabbi, federation executive or JCC president what they did during their childhood summer vacations, and they'll probably say, "Jewish camp." More than 65 percent of current Jewish leaders attended a Jewish overnight camp, says Jerry Silverman, executive director of the Foundation for Jewish Camping, the umbrella organization for more than 120 North American nonprofit Jewish sleepaway camps. The research "portrays very clearly that a Jewish camping experience significantly increases Jewish observance and commitment to the Jewish community," as well as making campers more likely to "give to a federation, be part of a JCC and be members of a synagogue or temple institution," Silverman says.
A recent study done by National Ramah Commission, an organization that oversees a group of Conservative Ramah overnight camps, discovered that more than 64 percent of young people who attended Jewish camp reported that their identity had been strengthened. Moreover, 59 percent of campers reported that their commitment to Israel has increased, while only 39 percent of non-campers expressed a growing commitment to Israel. Sixty-three percent of campers indicated that it was very important to marry someone Jewish, as opposed to 41 percent of non-campers.
"It strengthens our community when we have these kids creating their own little world in the forest where they're praying together and learning together," says Jodi Woodnick, CSW, director of Camp Charles Pearlstein in Prescott. Camp Pearlstein is affiliated with Temple Beth Israel in Scottsdale and is the only overnight Jewish camp in Arizona.
Into the woods
Sleepaway camp has many benefits, both Jewish and non-Jewish, says Woodnick. "It's a way to build self-esteem and independence just by virtue of being away from home. I hear from parents after kids come home from camp, and they say, 'You sent me back a different kid.'"
Woodnick attributes increased independence to the child's ability to choose which activities to participate in. Kids "don't get too much control over their own environments at home, but at Camp Pearlstein, we have two choice activity periods every day, so the kids can choose exactly what they want to do." Jewish camps typically offer a wide range of athletic and non-athletic activities; Camp Pearlstein has basketball, baseball, swimming, soccer, hockey, horseback riding, rock climbing, archery, arts and crafts, drama, dance, video and photo editing and more.
From a religious standpoint, overnight camp is second to none in creating a positive Jewish environment.
"It is such an amazing, non-threatening, non-competitive environment where kids go to have fun," says Silverman. "Kids come home with this amazing euphoria and positive memory, because they've been able to celebrate their Judaism with friends." He adds that camp counselors, typically older teens that are camp alumni, "provide modeling and leadership. The importance of the connection to your bunk counselors is amazing. You need those Jewish role models in order to really create the experience and this compelling community."
Woodnick says that Judaism is weaved throughout the Camp Pearlstein experience: "We pray before and after meals. Most of our areas of camp are referred to in Hebrew. Our units are Hebrew. Our cabins are Hebrew animal names. So we have this flavor of Judaism that runs throughout the day."
While many overnight camps invite children beginning at grade one or two, Woodnick says that it is up to the prospective camper and his parents to decide when the child is actually ready. She suggests that some good indications are a desire to go away to camp, successful sleepovers at friends' houses and the ability to get himself ready in the morning.
Day trippers
Maybe your child is too young to attend overnight camp, or maybe he's just not ready to spend an extended period of time away from home. Day camps around the Valley offer fun activities and strong Judaic content for the locally inclined camper.
Sari Romberg, camp director for Beth El Congregation in Phoenix, is quick to point out the benefits of day camping. "Getting to go home with your child at the end of the day" is a major plus for doting parents, and the kids get "consistency. If you do overnight camp, kids are coming and going, whereas here they typically stay, so more friendships are formed."
At Beth El day camp, which serves toddlers through sixth-graders, campers get a wide range of activities including water play, cooking classes, science time, clown performances, field trips and more. The Judaic program consists of crafts, music, dancing, cooking, stories and a weekly celebration of Shabbat and Havdalah.
Day camp costs vary, though they are almost invariably more affordable than overnight camp. Locally, camps are available at both Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center and East Valley Jewish Community Center, as well as at many of the local synagogues (see sidebar, "Find a Camp.")
The price of camping
Some families find it difficult to impossible to afford to send their children to camp. According to the 2002 Greater Phoenix Jewish Community Study, cost prevents 28 percent of Valley Jews from sending their children to overnight camp. No figures were available on day camp.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to get camp scholarship money. Silverman says, "Number one is most synagogue or temple institutions - the rabbis and the professionals have scholarship funds for camp. In some communities, federations have scholarship money available, and that number is growing right now. Just as important, all camps raise funds and give out scholarships. I hear about very few kids who are truly turned away." The Foundation for Jewish Camping Web site, www.jewishcamping.org, has a directory of camp scholarships.
Locally, Camp Pearlstein, Young Judaea and the JCCs have scholarships available to their respective camps. Scholarships are also available from the Bureau of Jewish Education through the S. Jack Bromfield Camp Endowment Fund.
Still, the cost incurred is minimal compared to the benefits that can be reaped from a local Jewish camp.
"By going to a camp in Arizona, a local camp, they form bonds with kids they're going to see during the year," Woodnick says. "They feel connected to the community not just during the summer, but also during the year, because it's the kids they see at religious school and youth group events. It makes them more engaged in the community when they're at home."