Janna Zuckerman understands how transformative Jewish camp can be. Ask her where she developed her Jewish Identity – and made life-long friends – and she’ll point to her 15 years at JCC Camp, Yom Tov, and JCCA overnight camp, NJY Camps in the Poconos.
Now, this young woman is hoping other Baltimore families discover this same love for Jewish camp. As manager of The Associated’s Center for Jewish Camping, she provides free guidance to families on the best Jewish camp for their children.
We asked Zuckerman to share her insights.
WHAT’S A GOOD AGE TO START OVERNIGHT CAMP?
If your child is confident spending time away from home and enjoys sleepovers, it’s a sign they could be ready. If they’ve expressed interest, you may want to start researching and even enroll them in a week-long Rookie camp.
HOW DO YOU FIND THE RIGHT FIT?
Call me. I talk to parents to get an understanding of what they and their children want from the experience. Do they want a co-ed or single-sex environment? How far away do they want to be from home? Do they prefer arts and crafts or sports or science? Do they need an inclusive environment? What’s their personality? I’ll help narrow it down to three to four camps to investigate.
WHY JEWISH CAMP?
It’s unlike any other camp experience. You connect with other Jewish kids like you. You get to enjoy all the great programming that a secular camp offers – from arts and crafts and dance to rock climbing and sports. And, you connect to your Jewish identity in ways that are fun – in ways different from the experiences you may get in Hebrew school or Jewish day school.
FUN?
Yes. You may create a menorah in arts and crafts bake challah in culinary or enjoy Israeli dancing. You’ll learn gaga (Israeli dodge ball) from Israeli Shlichim (Israel emissaries) or participate in camp-wide Maccabiah (Jewish Olympics). Some of my favorite memories from camp are the Shabbats I celebrated with my friends and counselors – surrounded by nature, singing, dancing, celebrating being Jewish – it’s hard to explain the magic.
ISN’T CAMP EXPENSIVE
I can help identify scholarships to defray some of the costs. We are fortunate in this community that many camps offer scholarships. Funds are also available from local synagogues for congregants’ children. The Foundation for Jewish Camp partners with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation to encourage attendance at Jewish overnight camp through the PJ Goes to Camp incentive grant program.
WHAT NEXT?
Visit the camp. Talk to staff. Ask questions to get a better understanding of how they operate. Questions such as ‘What makes your camp different from others?’ Or, ‘What skills and values do you want the campers to take away?’
Call me at 410-369-9237 or email me at jzuckerman@ associated.org. We work with Jewish camps around the country and I’ll help you find the right fit.
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