Jewish Summer Camps
Jewish Summer Camp is “Living Judaism”
Camp presents your child the opportunity to mature and gain independence, to learn social skills, and explore personal interests. At Jewish camp, daily activities are often enriched by Jewish values and the culture of Judaism. Whether they’re telling stories in their bunks, learning about the environment, or playing kickball, campers explore what Judaism means to them in a safe, nurturing, and fun environment. At Jewish camp, children will not only develop confidence and social skills; they discover a deep-seated and profound sense of what it means to them to be Jews.
Campers Become Leaders
Since we began tracking camp attendance in 1998, 310 Congregation Beth Torah students have attended a Jewish residential camp. I think you will all agree that this is awesome!
Thank you to all the parents who responded to my pleas of information about when and where their children will be attending camp this year. I write letters to ALL of them. Let me know if your child is not on this list so they can receive a letter, too!
Marcia Rittmaster will be serving her 13th year as a faculty member at Goldman Union Camp Institute in Zionsville, IN for the first two weeks of Kallah Bet (July 10 – 23, 2012). We hope that next year your child will join this list of children who are spending part of their summer at a Jewish camp: Josh Altman, Scott Altman, Hannah Bachmuth, Rebecca Bachmuth, Emma Benson, Chloe Azorsky, Gabby Azorsky, Lauren Cole, Meryl Engle, Blake Ephraim, Chloe Ephraim, Hannah Feldman, Matthew Feldman, Josh Frumkin, Nina Gale, Max Gates, Megan Gates, Rachel Goldstein (Israel), Braxton Hammontree, Rahnie Harris, Eleanor Harris, Mackenzie Haun (Eisendrath International Exchange Semester in Israel), Sayde Hendler, Sarah Herman (Alexander Muss in Israel), Nathaniel Hoopes, Noah Janofsky, Mya Levitch, Corey Minkoff, Elyana Myer, Ella Pavin, Avi Pavin, Sarah Shaw, Jacob Shaw, Emily Tranin.
Financial Assistance
Need financial help to send your child to camp? Beth Torah has several ways that we can help with the cost. We have scholarship money available to those who need help in making sure their child can go to camp or Israel. Through several special camp scholarship funds we award money each year to help worthy students. All requests are kept strictly confidential; the lay Scholarship Committee reviews applications blind. Scholarship Applications are available now at the Beth Torah office. Deadline for all Beth Torah Scholarship applications is February 1st, 2012. Additional camp and Israel scholarships are offered by the Community Legacy Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City. Called the Guardian Society for Jewish Children; applications for these scholarships are due by March 1, 2012.
1st Time Camper Grants
The Jewish Federation/CAJE will also offer some 1st Time Camper Grants again this year through an organization called One Happy Camper. As soon as we receive notification that the on-line registration is open, all our members will be notified. If your child has never been to a Jewish overnight camp, you may be eligible for one of these grants. Please contact Marcia Rittmaster or Jack Feldman for more information.
If you want additional information, you can contact any of the following people who would LOVE to talk to you about camp:
Jewish Camp Scholarships
Summer Camp News