The Jewish Independent briefly spoke with the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver about what support local campers could receive, if they needed it.
JI: Does Federation work with the Foundation for Jewish Camp at all?
JF: One Happy Camper is a grant program run through the FJC and federations to provide a $1,000 grant to first-time campers. In communities such as ours, where Federation does not sponsor OHC, PJ Library families are able to apply and receive this grant through PJ Library.
JI: To what camps does Federation give grants and why?
JF: Camp Miriam, Camp Hatikvah, JCC Camp Shalom and Camp Gan Israel. Through our Connect Me In program, we have provided grants to run camps in the regional communities or to pay for transportation for children to attend the day camps in Vancouver.
The Jewish Community Foundation has designated funds established by fundholders to support Jewish summer camps and camperships, and fundholders with donor advised [funds] also make distributions to camps.
Camps can apply for funding through the [Jewish Community] Foundation’s Unrestricted Grant Program for qualifying projects. Recently, the foundation supported Camp Miriam’s Water Security Project through this grant program.
JI: Do they support any individual campers, or how do families with lower incomes access camp for their kids?
JF: Approximately one-third of families receive camperships to send their children to Jewish summer camp. Odds are that if your family did not receive a campership, your child made friends at camp with someone who did. Families can apply for camperships funded by Jewish Federation directly through the summer camp of their choice. The camps then review the applications and make the decisions.
Sam Margolis has written for the Globe and Mail, the National Post, UPI and MSNBC.