By Nancy B. Greer
President & CEO
When you talk to adults who went to Jewish overnight summer camp years ago, you will often see smiles and hear reminiscences about the fun they had, the friends they made, and the lasting impact camp made in giving them a stronger sense of Jewish identity. That goes for me also, when I think back on my wonderful memories from summers at Camp High Point in upstate New York.
Our mission at Federation includes making investments in Jewish life, for today and the next generation. For the next generation, we make Jewish overnight camp more accessible for families by awarding need-based scholarships, which take a significant bite out of the cost. We can help your child have the life-changing experience of camp this coming summer when you apply for a Federation camp scholarship.
Don’t procrastinate! The deadline for submitting a completed application is Tuesday, March 6 – only four days from today.
Your child will get a lot out of camp. Take it from Marissa, who attended camp last summer:
I made new friends as well as seeing my old ones! It really made me feel proud to be Jewish. Being surrounded by other Jews made me feel more connected to my Jewish identity … Camp has really inspired me to become more Jewish as I learn new prayers and songs.
Our efforts to help children attend camp involve more than awarding scholarships. The process begins with the Federation working cooperatively with camps and synagogues, pooling financial aid funds to ensure that the needs of each child are met. Also, the Federation administers the camp scholarship program for our local overnight camps: Camp Solomon Schechter, Sephardic Adventure Camp, and URJ Camp Kalsman, which frees up camp staff to focus on what they do best – giving children an enriching and unforgettable camp experience.
Camp lasts a few weeks, but the benefits are for a lifetime. As one parent tells us, “Camp has strengthened my children’s Jewish identity and social circles. The investment the community has made in them, through scholarships, has enriched their lives tremendously and is something they will pay forever forward in the Jewish community.”
Learn more from parents about the impact camp made on their children, in the February/March 2018 issue of Jewish In Seattle magazine. Your children can have an amazing experience at camp this summer, and you can help to make it happen by applying for a Federation camp scholarship today.
