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California Summer Camps Announce Closures

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May 14, 2020

Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps Hess Kramer and Gindling Hilltop Camp officially have  closed for the summer because of the coronavirus, the camp directors announced May 14.

“I am greatly saddened to share that we have made the painful decision to cancel our 2020, in person summer season. Our decision was not taken lightly and we share in the feelings of sadness with all of you,” camp Director Seth Toybes and Executive Director Douglas Lynn wrote in a joint letter to camp families.

Toybes told the Journal in May that, “if we can’t create a safe and meaningful experience, then we have to do what’s best for our campers.”

Cal State Channel Islands informed the Jewish summer camp it would not host any outside summer programs this year because of COVID-19. After reviewing the available information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Camping Association, (ACA) it decided to cancel summer plans.

WBT families will receive an email from the camp offering three options for camp fees. Families can choose to donate all or a portion of the camp fees to support one of the summer camps, roll them into next summer or apply for a refund.

“We know this is a sad decision. It will be especially tough for our campers and it is totally natural for anyone connected to camp to feel sad,” the letter concluded. “We hope that you’ll join us for the activities throughout the summer so we can smile together again soon. We look forward to seeing you virtually and again in person when the time comes, until then stay healthy and safe.”

Camp Ramah in California, which will not be able to start camp in mid-June or run summer programs as scheduled, released a statement of hope with the possibility of running a modified summer program for its campers this summer.

“At this point, we are hoping to operate a summer experience at camp in mid-July through mid-August, should it become possible. Our plan would be to offer two shortened sessions of equal length to accommodate both our first and second session campers.” They will notify camp families by June 2 on whether those programs will take place.

Photo courtesy of Camp Ramah in California.

Families also will receive an email from Camp Ramah by May 18 with options to keep their kids enrolled in the summer program or to request a refund. The camp also is encouraging donations to keep the camp afloat.

“If we are permitted to operate by the requisite agencies, we will then answer the question of should we open camp. In making this determination, we will continue to be guided by the five principles we have shared: health and safety, preserving the integrity of a camp experience, our values of equity and inclusivity, the feasibility of logistical operations, and safeguarding the financial health of Ramah,” the statement read.

For the first time since opening in 1951, Camp JCA Shalom will also not hold camp programming for the summer. In a statement sent to families May 14, President Larry Cohen, Executive Director Rabbi Bill Kaplan and camp Director Joel Charnick said that they would close all day camps and overnight camps based on the information provided from the CDC, state and local health authorities, and longer Safer at Home restrictions.

“The forthcoming operating guidelines for camps during this COVID-19 pandemic would prevent us from creating the magical summer camp experiences in the way that we have provided for generations,” the statement said. “Transformative experiences are the foundation of our mission, and we are heartbroken that we will not have the opportunity to provide these to thousands of campers and staff who participate in Camp JCA Shalom Overnight and Day Camps and Camp Gesher (for children from Russian-speaking Jewish families). Though we want nothing more than to run camp as planned, the health and safety of our community is our number one priority.”

Camp Bob Waldorf is canceling their in-person programs this summer but created virtual solutions for its registered campers involving Zoom and “Camp-in-a-Box” kits.

Also on May 14, Camp Alonim announced it would be canceling its first session, mini session and the first two weeks of the CIT, Gesher Gan Day Camp and Gesher Gan Internship Programs.

The camp, operated through the American Jewish University, is still planning to move ahead with its six-week in-person camp programs and family retreat programs with modifications. In a camp statement, Camp Director Aaron Goldberg said he hopes in-person programming beginning the week of June 29.

Like many of the other Ramah camps around the country and Canada, Camp Ramah in California made the decision to cancel in-person camp on May 22.

“While the likelihood was slim, we had hoped that a path forward would become viable. Sadly, we now know that no such opportunity is available to us,” the Ramah executive team wrote in a joint statement to families. “We are comforted knowing that the Ramah mishpacha (family) is made up of people, place, and spirit. At this point, we are confident that the people and spirit will carry us forward, and the givah will be there waiting for us. We pray for the health and wellness of everyone, and that we will be together again soon.”

The letter stated that an email will go out to camp Ramah families on May 27 outlining the next steps for refunds and donations. All Ramah families are eligible for a FULL refund with an invitation to donate partial or full tuition. They will also roll out plans for alternate summer programming on June 4.

This story was updated to include information about Camp JCA Shalom, Camp Alonim and Camp Ramah in California.

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