The Weekly Schmooze: A Letter From Our Camp Co-Directors

This message was written by Camp Co-Directors Glenn Wechsler and Stephanie Feldman.

Rabbi Milton Steinberg told a story about stepping outside after a long illness that had kept him cooped up in his house. Steinberg said that as he crossed the threshold, sunlight greeted him. The sky overhead was very blue, very clear, and very, very high and everywhere in the great vault between earth and sky the golden glow of sunlight touched him with friendship, warmth and blessing. As he basked in its glory, Steinberg said the words of the prophet Malachi ran through his mind: "The sun shall some day rise with healing on its wings."

We remain hopeful that come June 29, JCC Day Camp will be up and running, providing the children with a safe, healthy environment where they can have the superior camp experience our camp families have come to expect and appreciate.

As we speak, camp directors continue to plan for the summer season. We are hiring and training staff, planning trips, creating programs, and designing schedules. After weeks of being stuck indoors, we know that kids are looking forward to so many camp activities like swimming in the pool, playing baseball, basketball, and soccer, exploring the Animal Kingdom with Brian Wild, competing in the Wild and Wacky Challenge show, and uniting as a camp community for Shabbat and the spirited Maccabi Games. We are especially excited about our 2020 camp theme, The World of Stories, and new offerings, including a Performing Arts Camp, woodworking, and a Teen Travel overnight trip to Virginia.

For nearly 90 years, our JCC has provided thousands of children with the summer camp experience of a lifetime. It’s a second home where the sound of children laughing fills the air and the colorful display of flowers and lush green trees, adventurous hiking trails, peaceful ponds, the soaring of birds, and the smell of freshly cut grass fill our senses. Times are undoubtedly difficult but we remain faithful that better days are ahead. We are certain that the sun will rise again with healing on its wings and thousands of JCC campers will again experience the touch of friendship, warmth and blessing.