Federation Launches Camp Initiative

/SPECIAL FOR THE AJT/

The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta wants to help your child attend Jewish Overnight Summer Camp.

Federation believes that Jewish overnight summer camp and other immersive summer experiences are especially effective in helping children form their Jewish identity and develop a lifetime of Jewish engagement and leadership.

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“I didn’t want to come home after camp. It was great to make lots of new friends and it was cool that they were all Jewish like me,” said Simon G., a first-time camper during summer 2013.

Federation offers two opportunities to help get your child to Jewish overnight camp, including a Needs-Based Scholarship fund. Applications for the Needs-Based Scholarship are due Feb. 28.

The scholarship is an amazing opportunity for Atlanta families to send their children to Jewish overnight camp. To view the online application and eligibility criteria, please visit jewishatlanta.org/summercamp.

There are incentive grants up to $1,000 for eligible first-time campers through the One Happy Camper Program (OHC). OHC provides grants to encourage children and teens to attend overnight Jewish camp for the first time.

Jewish overnight camp creates and enhances Jewish education in a fun and informal setting, making Judaism a cornerstone in the development of lifelong friendships and self-esteem.

Camp is important to Federation, as it supports our mission of ensuring a Jewish future. Attending Jewish overnight camp is identified as one of the top three experiences that fosters a lasting Jewish connection that, in turn, creates Jewish adults with a knowledge and passion for our heritage. Federation can also help you learn more about the different Jewish overnight camps located in Georgia and nationally.

About OHC in Atlanta

Grants up to $1,000 are awarded to first-time campers who attend a nonprofit Jewish overnight summer camp for at least 19 consecutive days (exceptions apply for URJ 6 Points Sports Academy and Adamah Adventures).

Eligible campers must be entering grades 1-12 (after camp) and be attending one of the 150+ non-profit, Jewish, overnight summer camps listed on the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s website (www.jewishcamp. org).

Children must be enrolled in a camp to receive the grant, and current day school students are not eligible for the program.

Parents with questions about OHC, scholarships opportunities, and Jewish overnight summer camp, in general, should contact Lauri Cohen, Community Camp Ambassador, at (678) 222-3730 or lcohen@jfga.org.