Community Corner

Area Boy 'One Happy Camper' With $1K Grant

Greater MetroWest NJ Federation has provided grants since 2007 to allow children to cultivate self-confidence and knowledge of their Jewish heritage while participating in fun activities with friends.

A Livingston boy was named the 1,000th recipient of a $1,000 One Happy Camper grant toward his first summer at Jewish overnight camp.  

The Greater MetroWest NJ Federation has given One Happy Camper grants since 2007 to kids in Essex, Morris, Sussex, Union counties and parts of Somerset County and given them the chance to attend one of more than 50 different Jewish overnight camps across North America.  The grants, which are 
available again for summer 2014, have been awarded to 30 campers from Summit.

Jake spent the past month at Camp Nah-Jee-Wah, part of NJY Camps in Milford, PA, after his memorable experiences the previous summer at family camp and a short-stay session.  

"Until you are in an environment where you are living, laughing, and 
growing with Jewish peers, you don't realize how special that shared background is," said Suki Karp, Jake's mother. "We are so thrilled that our son loved his short stay last summer headed back to camp this summer."  

The boy raved about the huge array of activities, including the giant water slide, jet-skiing, the high ropes course, and especially Baseball Specialty Camp with New York Yankee Ron Blomberg. 

The $1,000 grants, gifts from the Foundation for Jewish Camp and local donors through the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, are awarded to children ages 7-17 regardless of income, and can be used toward any of 150+ Jewish camps of their choosing, ranging from sports specialty camps, outdoor adventure, teen programs, camps for children with special needs, as well as traditional sleepaway camps. The grants are provided through One Happy Camper NJ, a program of The Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life that also offers free, personalized assistance to local families in selecting the right camp for their child. 

Families considering camp for the summer of 2014 are encouraged to call now for free guidance in choosing and visiting potential camps this summer.

For details about the grant and free camp guidance, families may visit www.OneHappyCamperNJ.org or contact Tracy Levine at 973-929-2970.


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