by Michael Saxton
School has just begun, but it is never too early to think about your child’s summer plans. The East Coast Jewish Camp Fair will provide an eye-opening experience to help you plan for your child’s perfect summer. Over 18 Jewish overnight and day camps from across the northeast will be represented at this second annual Camp Fair on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2019, FROM 1:00 P.M. TO 3:00 P.M. at the JCC of Greater New Haven.
Parents and children who attend the Camp Fair should expect to have a busy, informative, and fun day. The friendly and helpful representatives from each camp will be available to answer all questions, and will also be offering exciting activities and giveaways for all. Last year, there were kosher s’mores, and even a soothing herbal tea (both of which were part of the camp organized kids’ activities allowing the kids to create the snack). One environmental-themed camp gave out seeds to encourage gardening, another camp gave away a scented havdala kit complete with a variety of spices, and a sports camp organized a game of Four Square.
What makes this Camp Fair unique is the wide range of represented camps, as well as the additional activities families can enjoy while at the JCC. Visitors will be invited to experience the swimming pool, basketball court, climbing wall, and Playscape facilities. Café 360 will be open for delicious kosher food and drinks, and all Camp Fair visitors will be entered in a raffle to win a special arts and crafts project at the JCC’s MakerSpace.
REASONS TO CONSIDER A JEWISH OVERNIGHT CAMP- Any overnight camp will offer opportunities to build friendships, get more active, and become more responsible and independent. A Jewish overnight camp, however, can help your child build a positive relationship with his or her Jewish identity through Jewish learning, rituals, and by being immersed in a nurturing and warm Jewish environment.
As adults, Jewish campers are 21% more likely to feel that being Jewish is very important, and they are 26% more likely to become members of a synagogue. One out of three Jewish professionals started out as a camp counselor and one out of five cited a Jewish camp as the core reason in their decision to enter the field. Visit jewishcamp.org/campopedia for more information.
The over 18 camps represented will include Camp Laurelwood, JCC Day Camps, Camp Gan Israel, New Haven, URJ Eisner, URJ Crane Lake, URJ 6 points Sci-Tech Academy, Eden Village, Ramah Sports Camp (Fairfield, CT), Ramah New England, Camp Zeke, Habonim Dror Camp Galil, Young Judaea Sprout Lake, Young Judaea New Hampshire, Camp Perlman, Camp Avoda, Camp Gan Israel Poconos, Berkshire Hills Eisenberg Camp, Sababa Beachaway camp, and more.
These availabilities allow for families to interact with a range of Jewish camps, which include reform and conservative movement camps; a sports camp, a beach camp, a science camp, a labor Zionist camp, a Chabad camp; an environmentally sustainable farm camp, generalist camps, and more.
INCENTIVE GRANTS AND FINANCIAL AID. Because costs for overnight camps can range anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 per week, parents are encouraged to seek financial aid. The Jewish Foundation’s One Happy Camper initiative provides a $1,000 needs-blind incentive grant for your child’s camp tuition for first-time campers at a Jewish overnight camp. In addition, the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven offers needs-based financial aid for those who qualify, and each camp may have financial aid options as well. Parents are encouraged to visit the One Happy Camper website at www.jewishcamp.org/one-happy-camper as well as www.jewishnewhaven.org/scholarships for scholarship opportunities.
Visit the largest Jewish overnight camp fair in Connecticut on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2019, FROM 1:00 P.M. TO 3:00 P.M. at the JCC of Greater New Haven.
