Camp Archives

Thank You For Creating Camp Magic

Dear Melissa, Thank you so much for giving me the chance to go to camp year and year again. While this may have been the last year for me as a camper, I feel the need to go back again and give the same/better experience to another kid. This is all because of you and the work you put into letting me come to camp. Because of you, I have had experiences I will remember forever, and friends that will last me a lifetime. Thank you so much!

Jewish Summer Camp is one of the most impactful experiences a young person can have. The magic of a Jewish summer doesn’t stop when kids go home, or even when school starts. The lessons, hobbies, friendships, songs, and memories of camp stay with them, and help shape their Jewish identity for the rest of their lives. Federation’s Jewish Camp Initiative aims to eliminate the financial barriers that keep families from sending their kids to overnight camp. Here’s a letter we received from one grateful camper, who has been able to attend camp year after year thanks to the Jewish Camp Initiative:

When you donate to the Jewish Camp Initiative, you’re funding incentive and needs-based grants that ensure kids across metro Atlanta get to have immersive Jewish summers. Your generosity changes lives and gives kids experiences they’ll never forget.

Lani Preis In Jewish Camp Initiative

Federation Makes Happy Campers

Elyse’s son Jonah is currently experiencing his first summer at Jewish sleepaway camp, thanks in part to a One Happy Camper grant from Federation’s Jewish Camp initiative.

“I heard about Federation’s One Happy Camper grant through Rabbi Hirshy Minkowicz at the Chabad of North Fulton. My hopes for Jonah this summer are that he has an incredible time, makes lots of friends, and feels the warmth and joy of Judaism. I’m so excited that Jonah will experience Jewish overnight camp for the first time. I can’t wait for him to feel the camaraderie and Yiddishkeit that will surround him throughout this summer along with all the fun new adventures!”

-Elyse

Camp scholarships and grants from the Jewish Camp Initiative make it easier for kids across Atlanta to experience the life-changing magic of an immersive Jewish summer. This year, the Jewish Camp initiative awarded over $1.3 million in scholarships and grants to Atlanta campers. We are also proud to be the first community to increase our One Happy Camper incentive grant values in response to the rising costs of overnight camp, with support and encouragement from our partners at the Foundation for Jewish Camp. If you want to help the Jewish kids of Atlanta have a summer they’ll never forget, click here.

Lani Preis In Jewish Camp Initiative

The Power of Jewish Camp

Summer just isn’t summer without overnight camp! Federation’s Jewish Camp Initiative sends kids to Jewish overnight camp by providing necessary grants and scholarships. The experiences kids have at summer camp help them form a lifetime bond to their Jewish community.

“Our son returned after a month at Camp Coleman with so many new skills and experiences. He learned how to take care of himself, his environment, and be a good friend and responsible part of the camp community. Meanwhile, our daughter attended 2 weeks of camp this summer, and came home asking if she could attend all 8 weeks next year! This tiny, 8-year-old girl blossomed at camp. The experiences she had growing as a leader, increasing her self-esteem, enjoying newfound independence, learning new skills, and making incredible friends are things she would not have gotten without the help of Federation.”
– A summer 2022 scholarship recipient family

Lani Preis In Atlanta Jewish Community, Jewish Camp Initiative

The Southeast is Making Jewish Camp a Priority

In October 2021 the Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) opened its Southeast Center in Atlanta. I am grateful to have been selected as its inaugural Director, and also to the Zalik Foundation for their support in helping the Southeast Center become a reality. During our first year, we have been primarily focused on Atlanta and the FJC Camps that are strongly tied to the community including Camp Barney Medintz, MJCCA Day Camps, Camp Ramah Darom, URJ Camp Coleman, URJ 6 Points Academy, In the City Camps, and Camp Judaea.
We are focused on building a strong professional Jewish Camp community by listening and learning the needs of each camp. Since nearly all seven of the Directors serving Atlanta are new, we offered them and their Facility Managers a Southeast Jewish Camp Tour. It was a wonderful way to learn about the camps and deepen the connections between our camp professionals. Additionally, the FJC-Southeast Center has been collaborating with Hillels throughout the SE to plan camp staff recruitment events and explore other ways that we can work together to strengthen our camps and campuses.

It is also very exciting that FJC Leader’s Assembly 2022 will take place in Atlanta, December 4-6, 2022. FJC Leader’s Assembly consistently draws 750 or more attendees from throughout North America and even overseas including camp professionals, Board Members, Foundations, donors, and many others working closely with the Jewish camping community. Our local host committee is committed to sharing our city’s unique elements, culture, and talent with those who will be joining us from throughout North America and the world.

Bobby Harris spent 36 years serving as Camp Director/Jewish Educator at Camp Young Judaea-Sprout Lake, JCC Camp Arthur-Reeta, and 30 summers as Director of URJ Camp Coleman. Bobby is now working to strengthen Jewish camps in the Southeast.

Bobby Harris

Director, Foundation for Jewish Camp