New Collaborative Research Reveals Key Insights for both staff and campers

[New York, NY] – With a rise in mental health affecting our youth a new study conducted in collaboration with the American Camp Association and researchers at Foundation for Jewish Camp,  delved into the heart of what makes summer camp run: it’s staff and furthermore, what staff need to feel supported in a camp environment. The study offers valuable insights with potential relevance applicable to many types of summer camps and communities and uncovers the profound impact that well-being has on both campers and staff.   

Every year, around 26 million American children attend summer camps, and about 1.5 million young adults and adults work at these camps.  This study, which will be published in late October in The Journal of Youth Development publication, found key insights that revealed actionable takeaways for camp leadership, offering a blueprint for creating positive and successful camp experiences. It also found investing in the well-being of staff leads to better outcomes for all. 

“The mental health and well-being of youth and young adults is a persistent concern in our current world,” Nila Rosen, Director, Learning & Research at Foundation for Jewish Camp, said. “Camps are a reflection of this complexity. Our research shows how to ensure that camps are supportive and thriving spaces for staff and campers.”

This research demonstrates how experiences of individuals in a group can impact others and emphasizes the importance of supporting staff and group leaders so they can create environments that foster growth and connection. These lessons extend to any organization or community seeking to enhance the well-being of its members.

For in-depth discussions on the study’s findings and their broader implications, the research team is available for interviews. Please contact: aimee@jewishcamp.org for more information.

About Foundation for Jewish Camp

FJC advocates for over 300 day and overnight camps that provide nearly 180,000 campers and counselors each summer with a meaningful, personal, and lifelong connection to Judaism. FJC is the only public 501(c)(3) charitable organization solely focused on Jewish camp. https://jewishcamp.org/

About American Camp Association

The American Camp Association (ACA) is the key to unlocking a future where all children thrive. ACA provides research, education, and training to promote safe and healthy camp experiences for all families. https://www.acacamps.org/

The joint event will be host to two established conferences and run from December 8-11, 2024. 

October 24, 2023 – Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) and JCamp 180, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF), are partnering to host a joint Jewish Camp Summit December 8-11, 2024. This event will be the first time the organizations will host their respective conferences—the annual JCamp 180 Conference and FJC’s biennial Leaders Assembly—consecutively and in a shared venue with intentional and collaborative planning.

“The Harold Grinspoon Foundation looks forward to the opportunity to bring together the entire Jewish camp community in one place to learn, network, and exchange ideas to advance the field,” says HGF President Winnie Sandler Grinspoon. “We look forward to being together with the entire camp community of professionals, lay leaders, and funders to meet the challenges of today and build for tomorrow.”

Jeremy J. Fingerman, CEO of FJC, adds that “Foundation for Jewish Camp was built on the values of collaboration and partnership—knowing that coming together as a field would benefit all camps. In line with this vision, we’re confident that coming together with JCamp 180 for The Jewish Camp Summit will better serve our camp leadership as we pave a trail toward a shared Jewish future.”

Jcamp 180 will kick off the joint event on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, with a full day of programming focused on camp governance issues as well as sessions on fundraising best practices. Then, Foundation for Jewish Camp’s 10th biennial Leaders Assembly will commence, with two full days of plenaries, sessions, networking, and off-site visits on a broad range of camp topics. While each of the two established conferences will retain its unique goals and formats, the two will share an overall theme and a joint reception in celebration of the entire field.

Sarah Eisinger, Director of JCamp 180, and Jamie Simon, Chief Program Officer of FJC, believe the Summit will contribute to sustaining Jewish camping for generations to come.

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Contact: 

Aimee Lerner, aimee@jewishcamp.org, 646-278 4518 (Foundation for Jewish Camp)

Brently Heilbron, bheilbron@hgf.org, 512-354-6984 (JCamp 180)

About Foundation for Jewish Camp:

Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) is dedicated solely to expanding the reach and deepening the impact of Jewish summer camps. As central advocate and convener for the field, FJC scales financial support, programs, and resources benefiting over 300 nonprofit Jewish day and overnight camps that serve 180,000 young people across North America each summer. For more information, visit www.jewishcamp.org.

About JCamp 180:

For more than 25 years, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and its JCamp 180 program have been investing in the success of Jewish summer camps through grants, coaching, professional development programs and an annual conference. JCamp 180’s consultants train camp professionals and lay leaders on best practices for effective board governance, strategic planning, and fundraising, and the foundation has created a pipeline to camp through its PJ Library® program. JCamp 180 currently works with more than 150 overnight and day camps across North America. To learn more, visit www.JCamp180.org. 

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Virtual Camp Collaboration Fosters Unity and Hope for Israeli Youth 

Russian Speaking Camp Gesher and Camp Makom, IL bring smiles to children in Israel 

Los Angeles, CA – In a time of uncertainty and conflict, Camp Gesher, a signature program of Shalom Institute, has been working on a heartwarming collaboration that connects young Israelis with staff and children in Los Angeles through a virtual camp program. 

Camp Makom.IL in Israel and Camp Gesher in Los Angeles are uniting young minds, regardless of geographic boundaries, offering education and games, language exchange, and a sense of community to children ages 6-17. This innovative partnership is shining a light of hope for children living in Israel during these challenging times. 

Lena Geller, Director of Camp Gesher, reached out to Camp Makon.IL with an offer of support. Both camps share a common mission of running camps from Russian-speaking Jewish families, and the result has been nothing short of history in the making.  

“I am doing this to help these children take their minds away from what their daily life is bringing them,” Lena Geller shared. “It is heartbreaking, but every day, these children are learning, laughing, and enjoying themselves when they are not running in and out of the bomb shelters.” 

In this exceptional collaboration, children have the opportunity to choose a breakout room of their choice, where a Camp Gesher counselor is always waiting with a warm smile and a fun way to learn something new. This initiative underscores the resilience and strength of these young minds, offering a ray of hope and inspiration for all involved. 

For further details or media inquiries, please contact Lena Geller, Director of Camp Gesher, at lena@shalominstitute.com or 1-858-232-1109. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

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About Foundation for Jewish Camp: 

FJC advocates for over 300 day and overnight camps that provide nearly 180,000 campers and counselors each summer with a meaningful, personal, and lifelong connection to Judaism. FJC is the only public 501(c)(3) charitable organization solely focused on Jewish camp. https://jewishcamp.org/ 

About Camp Gesher: 

Camp GesheЯ is the only overnight camp in North America designed especially for campers from Russian-speaking Jewish families. Camp GesheЯ summer camp is for campers entering 3rd through 10th grades, with a CIT program for entering 11th and 12th graders. Camp GesheЯ is a partnership initiative of Shalom Institute and the Jewish Agency for Israel. Additional funding is provided by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. https://www.campgesher.org 

About Camp Makom.IL: 

The international Jewish camp Makom.IL in Israel is a project that brings together teenagers from Israel and the Jewish communities of the world. We develop the leadership and creative abilities of the participants, acquaint with Jewish and Israeli history, culture and tradition. We treat each participant with respect and attention. We know that we can change the world, and together are looking for opportunities to do this here and now. https://makomil.org/