Monies will fund physical improvements to enhance camper experiences
NEW YORK—Twenty-five Jewish Community Center (JCC) day camps recently were awarded matching grant funds from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation in a competitive challenge grant initiative of JCamp 180, a flagship program of the Grinspoon Foundation. The funds, awarded in a 1:2 match up to $20,000, are to be used to make physical improvements that not only enhance current and future campers’ experiences but also help the camp inspire and cultivate new or increased philanthropic support, promote lay leader engagement in fundraising, and strengthen the case for support. This generous funding represents a significant investment in Jewish day camps and acknowledges their vital role in building, sustaining, and strengthening Jewish life in North America.
The JCC Movement, which comprises more than 170 Jewish Community Centers, Jewish Community Camps, JWB Jewish Chaplains Council®, and JCC Association of North America, is the largest platform for Jewish engagement on the continent. Overall JCC camps represent more than 75% of all Jewish day camps in North America, and the 25 JCC day camps that received matching grants from JCamp 180 represent 86% of the recipients of this funding initiative. The camps will use their funds for these projects:
- LJCC Day Camp, Birmingham, Alabama (Levite JCC)
Project: Outdoor structure
- Camp Keff, Foster City, California (Peninsula JCC)
Project: Multi-sensory musical sound installation
- Camp Jaycee, La Jolla, California (Lawrence Family JCC of San Diego County)
Project: Accessible playground and multi-use pavilion
- Camp Shalom, Los Gatos, California (Addison-Penzak JCC)
Project: Patio, picnic benches, raised garden beds, and fruit trees
- Day Camps at the J, Stamford, Connecticut (Stamford JCC)
Project: Amphitheater
- MJCCA Day Camps, Dunwoody, Georgia (Marcus JCC of Atlanta)
Project: Accessible treehouse
- Z Frank Apachi Day Camp, Northbrook, Illinois (JCC Chicago)
Project: outdoor theater-in-the-round
- JCamps, Overland Park, Kansas (JCC of Greater Kansas City)
Project: Rock wall and shade structure
- Camp J, Louisville, Kentucky (Louisville JCC)
Project: Accessible, independent, inclusive playground
- Camp JCC, Rockville, Maryland (Bender JCC of Greater Washington)
Project: Three-season covered sports facility
- Camp Grossman, Newton, Massachusetts (JCC Greater Boston)
Project: Rock wall
- Summer Camps @ the J, Springfield, Massachusetts (Springfield JCC)
Project: J Pathways (outdoor wellness station)
- JCC Camp Ruach, Bridgewater, New Jersey (Shimon and Sara Birnbaum JCC)
Project: Art studio
- JCC Camps at Medford, Cherry Hill, New Jersey (Katz JCC)
Project: Outdoor stage/bandstand with sound system
- JCC Abrams Camps, East Windsor, New Jersey (JCC Princeton Mercer Bucks)
Project: Outdoor adventure course
- Camp Deeny Riback, Flanders, New Jersey (JCC MetroWest)
Project: Amphitheater
- Camp Yachad, Scotch Plains, New Jersey (JCC of Central NJ)
Project: Intentional natural outdoor learning and play space
- Kings Bay Y Day Camp, Brooklyn, New York (Kings Bay Y)
Project: Swimming pool log runner, wobble run, water slide, and slip n’ slide
- Island Quest Day Camp, Little Neck, New York (Commonpoint Queens)
Project: Indoor makerspace
- Mid-Island Day Camp, Plainview, New York (Mid-Island Y JCC)
Project: Outdoor multi-sports court
- Camp JCC, Raleigh, North Carolina (Raleigh-Cary JCC)
18-hole miniature golf course
- J-Day Camps, Beachwood, Ohio (Mandel JCC of Cleveland)
Project: J-Day Camps mobile kitchen
- J&R Day Camp Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (JCC of Greater Pittsburgh)
Project: “Tel Aviv and Haifa Village” (indoor/outdoor space)
- Camp JCC, Virginia Beach, Virginia (Simon Family JCC)
Project: Shaded art pavilion and outdoor amphitheater
- Rainbow Day Camp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC)
Project: Accessible low ropes and team-building area
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About JCC Association of North America
JCC Association of North America leads and connects the JCC Movement, advancing and enriching North American Jewish life. With 1.5 million people walking through the doors of more than 170 Jewish Community Centers and Jewish Community Camps (JCCs) each week, the JCC Movement is the largest platform for Jewish engagement on the continent. JCC Association, the convening organization of this dynamic network, partners with JCCs to bring together the collective power and knowledge of the entire JCC Movement, including 12,000 full-time and 41,000 part-time and seasonal professionals. By supporting them, together we enhance and strengthen Jewish life throughout North America. Learn more at JCCA.org or on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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