I'm Looking for a Jewish Summer Camp For My Children - What are My Options?
with Gail Green
In this column, various Bay Area experts will respond to your questions about family life and relationships between people of different faiths. If you have a question for our experts, please email us at bridges@sfjcf.org.
Jewish camps are a great way for children from interfaith families to spend the summer. They’ll have a wonderful time participating in a variety of age-appropriate activities, guided by trained and caring counselors. Amidst the sports, arts and crafts, and general enjoyment of the great outdoors, they’ll learn a bit about Judaism. And there are camperships – scholarships for camping – available through the Jewish community if the costs are too steep for a family.
Adults from interfaith families who attended Jewish summer camps as children have talked about the powerful impact of a total immersion experience. They related the delight they felt as kids being fully embraced by the Jewish community regardless of their level of practice. Some went on to be camp counselors and were empowered as leaders in the camp community.
If your child hasn’t been exposed to Judaism, this can be a good place to begin. If this will be a first experience, talk to the camp staff about what aspects of Jewish practice your child is familiar with. Let the staff know how much might be brand new to your child so that they can be sensitive to their needs. Talk to your child about what it will be like to go to camp. A good comparison to make is – it’s like traveling to Canada. Everyone speaks English but some people also speak other languages, have other practices that are similar but not quite like America. You should be aware that your children might be a bit like tourists, dazzled, excited, maybe sometimes confused. If you embrace the fun of a new experience, they will follow your lead.
If Judaism has been a part of their lives, your children will enjoy the camaraderie of Jewish camp. Celebrating Shabbat in a group setting, for example, with Jewish songs and Israeli dancing creates memories that last a lifetime.
The Bay Area is blessed with a variety of Jewish camps – both day camps and overnight. Most of our Jewish Community Centers have day camps for children from pre-school through middle school, and some have specialty programs with a focus on arts, sports or music. There are a number of other day camps as well.
Camp Tawonga (www.tawonga.org) and Camp Newman (www.campnewman.org) are Bay Area Jewish overnight camps. Camp Newman in Santa Rosa is sponsored by the Union for Reform Judaism, and Camp Tawonga, near Yosemite, is independent and affiliated with the JCC movement. Both provide opportunities for personal growth, friendships and fun. There are also a number of other Jewish overnight camps in California and beyond.
The Bureau of Jewish Education administers scholarship funds on behalf of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund for both day and overnight camps. You can apply online at www.bjesf.org. The Foundation for Jewish Camping (www.jewishcamping.org) is also offering scholarships for children ages 10 – 12 who are first-timers at Jewish camps. For information, write to jerry@jewishcamping.org. Be aware that most funding requests must be submitted in March.
There is a comprehensive list of local camps in our Resource Guide. You can find it online at http://www.sfjcf.org/resources/guide/. Or feel free to contact us at Jewish Community Information & Referral at 415.777.4545 or info@JewishNfo.org. Our help is always free and confidential.
On a final note, there are many interfaith families who enjoy the services offered in our Bay Area Jewish community, so you can be assured that your child will be in good and familiar company. Have a terrific summer!
Gail Green has served as director of Jewish Community Information & Referral (JCI&R) since 1996. The mission of JCI&R is to make all aspects of the Jewish community accessible by providing centralized expert information and referrals. In addition, JCI&R compiles Resource: A Guide to the Bay Area; operates Chai Baby! to welcome newborns and their families into our Jewish community by providing gifts and educational materials; facilitates PJ Library, a Jewish baby book club; and maintains Bay Area PlanitJewish.com – an interactive Jewish community event calendar. Contact JCI&R at 415.777.4545 or 877.777.5247 (toll-free) or email at info@jewishnfo.org.
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