Camp Sabra Participates in National Initiative
to Increase Enrollment at Jewish Camps
Landmark program under auspices of Foundation for Jewish Camp and supported by anonymous $15 million gift 


This summer, over 100 children from around the country, including many from St. Louis, will experience overnight Jewish summer camp for the first time and establish a life-long bond with their cultural and religious heritage, thanks to Camp Sabra, the Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC), and a record-breaking $15 million dollar gift from an anonymous donor to FJC.

The gift, from a highly successful businessman who continues to have fond memories of his Jewish summer camp experiences as a youth, is being used to expand FJC’s Campership Incentive Program (CIP) beyond the already 25 participating communities to new places, including Camp Sabra.

The initiative seeks to significantly increase enrollment at Jewish camps across North America after successfully launching in Chicago in 2006, in six additional communities in 2007, and in 20 communities in 2008.  CIP provides financial incentives to families who send their children to overnight Jewish summer camps for the first time. The 20 communities who participated in the 2008 program generated over 4.5 million dollars in incentives, sending over 4,000 campers to 120 different overnight summer camps.

Through the Camp Sabra incentive program, families who had never before sent their children to an overnight Jewish camp will receive a $1000 cash incentive to enroll their children in a camp session lasting at least three weeks.  As stipulated by the donor’s gift, local Jewish organizations participating in the program, such as Jewish federations, religious movements, and foundations, are required to provide financial support for the program. FJC will provide matching grants, one-to-one in the first year and receding thereafter, aimed at launching incentive programs that will then be supported by the community long-term. FJC will work with participating organizations on all aspects of the effort, including recruitment, marketing, and fundraising.
 
FJC is committed to doubling the number of children benefiting from a summer at Jewish camp and to enriching the Jewish camping experience through professional and leadership development, training, resources, advocacy, and programming. FJC is the only national organization working with the field of nonprofit Jewish summer camps and has a constituency of more than 150 nonprofit Jewish summer camps across North America as well as more than 70,000 campers and their families. The camps that FJC works with cater to all Jewish denominations and affiliations.

Terri Grossman, Director of Camp Sabra said “We are thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity to St. Louis families.  We know that once children experience the magic that is Camp Sabra, they’ll want to return year after year.  I started coming to Sabra in 1971 and now I have my dream job as Camp Director which allows me to come back every summer!”

Skip Vichness, board chair of FJC, said, “We are overjoyed at the commitment of our donor.  His generosity will ensure that thousands of children, who may never have considered Jewish summer camp before, will now be part of an experience that will strengthen their Jewish identity and prepare them to be dedicated and enthusiastic adults ready to have a leadership impact on the Jewish community in the future.”

Jerry Silverman, FJC CEO, cited the research: “Studies on the impact of summer camps are clear.  Children who experience the 24/7 Jewish environment at camp become adults who value their heritage, support Jewish causes, and take on leadership roles in their communities.”

Indeed, research shows that Jewish camp alumni are 50% more likely to join a synagogue, 90% more likely to join a Jewish community center, and twice as likely to donate $100 or more to their local federation than Jewish adults who never went to a Jewish camp.

The Foundation for Jewish Camp, a public foundation, is the only national organization dedicated to nonprofit Jewish resident camps, advancing program and leadership excellence in camps and access to vibrant Jewish experiences for campers. The Foundation helps raise awareness and support for Jewish summer camps, highlighting their successful track record for building powerful Jewish commitment in young Jews, ensuring future Jewish continuity. FJC works with more than 150 camps, 70,000 campers, and 12,000 counselors across North America to further its mission.

Since 1938, the St. Louis Jewish Community Center has provided continuous quality resident camping programs at the Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri. From 1938-1969, Camp Hawthorn served as home away from home for thousands of campers and staff. When Hawthorn's size could no longer accommodate a growing camper population, the JCC purchased the current camp site (formerly Camp Wa Kan Dah) and opened Camp Sabra's doors in 1970.

Camp Sabra is a unique place to experience the joy of being Jewish. Through creative, fun and enriching programs, campers gain a new understanding of their own rich Jewish heritage. From singing and dancing and religious services on the Sabbath, to special all camp programs like Maccabia, the Jewish program at Camp Sabra has a special feeling, interwoven throughout our close camp community.