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Friday February 1, 2008

Ten steps to picking the perfect Jewish camp

With winter in full swing, imagining the long sunny days, blue skies, green fields and smiling faces of summer camp is difficult.

But this is peak season for summer camp registration, and the spots fill up fast. The Foundation for Jewish Camping has prepared a Top 10 list of things you need to know when choosing a Jewish overnight camp for your child:

1) Give your child the opportunity to mature and gain independence in a camp atmosphere that is warm and inviting. Campers develop a strong sense of self, gaining confidence and social skills in a shared, nurturing and healthy environment. Campers mature through learning more about themselves as well as building relationships with others — all interwoven with the common experience of being Jewish. Jewish camp affords Jewish families, regardless of their level of affiliation, the opportunity to offer their children a chance to experience a Jewish community that is not overwhelming or foreign.

2) Search for the appropriate camp for your child. While the thought of searching through hundreds of camps may seem daunting, online searches can be very helpful. The Foundation for Jewish Camping’s online camp directory at www.jewishcamping.org lists over 150 nonprofit Jewish overnight camps in North America that span the denominational and regional spectrum. Search the directory by religious denomination, location, special needs availability or gender.

3) Choose a camp that will complement and strengthen the Jewish affiliation and identity of your child. The magic of Jewish camp is rooted in its 24/7 atmosphere, where Jewish values, connection to Israel, and the culture of Judaism are entwined into every aspect of daily activity in way that makes campers feel proud to be Jewish. From Orthodox, Reform and Conservative to Reconstructionist, Zionist, Humanist and nondenominational, there is a Jewish camp for every expression of Jewish life.

4) Jewish specialty camps enable your child to hone a specific skill or interest within the context of Jewish values, such as teamwork, fair play and good ruach (spirit). Whether your child is interested in perfecting a jump shot, developing painting skills, improving their swim stroke, directing a film or understanding a science theorem, there is a specialty camp that fits those needs. Jewish specialty camps offer programs in jewelry making, pottery, ceramics, painting, filmmaking, drama, basketball, soccer, tennis, swimming, baseball, astronomy, kinesiology, biology, chemistry and physics.

5) Jewish camps offer various models to accommodate special needs campers, including mainstreaming, separate programming, and exclusive special needs camps. Regardless of the function level of your child, there is a Jewish camp to provide them with the summer of a lifetime.

6) Check out the camp’s Web site to learn about camp features, including programs, facilities and daily schedules. Look for a broad base of activities that both enhance skills that your child wants to improve and emphasize fun. Keep in mind, however, that while Web sites can provide plenty of useful information, the best way to get a sense of the camp environment is to visit it during the summer.

7) Narrow your options to five or six camps. Take into account size, activity offerings, atmosphere, security, cost and location. Look for a camp that best accommodates both your and your child’s interests. It may be helpful to involve your child in the search to ensure that their needs and expectations are met.

8) Talk to veteran families or your child’s friends who have attended the camp. Ask them about the details of day-to-day life at camp that cannot be gleaned from the Web site or a camp visit. Keep in mind, however, that just because a camp works for your friend’s child does not mean it is right for your child.

9) Visit the camp you are considering the summer before you plan to send your child to get a sense of its culture and environment. Look for drive-up appeal — not whether it is rustic or modern but how well it is maintained, the level of cleanliness, how the staff greets visitors and if they know the campers by name.

10) Equip your campers with the tools they need to have an amazing summer. Be sure to send your child to camp with self-addressed envelopes that can be used to keep in touch. But consider leaving the cell phone at home so your child can grow and mature by being truly independent. Healthy snacks (check with the camp first to see if snacks from home are allowed), family photos and school summer reading are always good.

When your child returns home at the end of the summer, you may notice that while her duffle bag is slightly less full because of misplaced clothing and eaten goodies, her soul is filled with Jewish pride and her mind is bursting with memories of friends and fun that will last a lifetime.

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