The foundation for Camp Solomon Schechter was built on a love for Jewish tradition and the desire for Jewish continuity. Our founders set out to create a camping experience that plays an integral role in strengthening Jewish identity and, ultimately, the Jewish community as a whole. As we continue to build upon the last sixty years of camp traditions, our foundation is constantly renewed and strengthened by the unique and passionate community we have developed. Dear Schechter families & friends, As I look back on the year, I am reminded of all the incredible work we have done in order to strengthen both camp’s foundation and the future of our community. I am constantly heartened by stories of young adults who are investing in the Jewish community, attributing this investment to Camp Solomon Schechter. From chanichim (campers) to madrichim (counselors), camp is a living and breathing process of Jewish continuity and community building. This year, we continued to make improvements to camp – in our curriculum, our facilities and our rental programs, which have increased opportunities for those outside of our Jewish community to take advantage of Schechter’s magic. Within camp we have expanded our programming in the areas of Israel education, teva (nature) and tzedakah (philanthropy), which are all important pillars in our camp’s traditions. As we approached our 60th anniversary celebration, we were able to look back at the incredible accomplishments of the last 60 years, as well as develop our vision of camp for the next 60. As Schechter grows and thrives, so too should the structures that hold up and support the essential values that we foster at camp. The plans for our improved campus are in the works, and we are overjoyed to invite the entire community to share in our bright future. With a strong foundation comes a strong, healthy Jewish community. I invite you to read on about the fun new additions to camp and accomplishments in the last year. B’Shalom, Sam Perlin Executive Director We’re building the foundation for our next 60 years A 2014 achievement report to our Pacific Northwest friends & supporters
Transcript
The foundation for Camp Solomon Schechter was built on a love for Jewish tradition and the desire for Jewish continuity. Our founders set out to create a camping experience that plays an integral role in strengthening Jewish identity and, ultimately, the Jewish community as a whole. As we continue to build upon the last sixty years of camp traditions, our foundation is constantly renewed and strengthened by the unique and passionate community we have developed.
Dear Schechter families & friends,
As I look back on the year, I am reminded of all the incredible work we have done in
order to strengthen both camp’s foundation and the future of our community. I am
constantly heartened by stories of young adults who are investing in the Jewish
community, attributing this investment to Camp Solomon Schechter. From chanichim
(campers) to madrichim (counselors), camp is a living and breathing process of Jewish continuity
and community building.
This year, we continued to make improvements to camp – in our curriculum, our facilities and our
rental programs, which have increased opportunities for those outside of our Jewish community to
take advantage of Schechter’s magic. Within camp we have expanded our programming in the areas
of Israel education, teva (nature) and tzedakah (philanthropy), which are all important pillars in our
camp’s traditions.
As we approached our 60th anniversary celebration, we were able to look back at the incredible
accomplishments of the last 60 years, as well as develop our vision of camp for the next 60. As
Schechter grows and thrives, so too should the structures that hold up and support the essential
values that we foster at camp. The plans for our improved campus are in the works, and we are
overjoyed to invite the entire community to share in our bright future.
With a strong foundation comes a strong, healthy Jewish community. I invite you to read on about
the fun new additions to camp and accomplishments in the last year.
B’Shalom,
Sam Perlin
Executive Director
We’re building the foundation for our next 60 yearsA 2014 achievement report to our Pacific Northwest friends & supporters
Molding the foundation for another 60 years of Jewish campingIn 2014, Camp Solomon Schechter continued building the foundation of our unwavering vision. We strive to be the premier Jewish camping experience in the Pacific Northwest, creating programs based around nature, music, art and sport that strengthen the bonds of our Jewish communities and provide a high quality, critical Jewish intellectual, physical, emotional and social experience for its campers, staff and alumni.
This summer, campers, staff and community members gathered together in celebration of performing the
613th mitzvah at Schechter’s Hachnasat Torah, the receiving and welcoming of a new Torah. Through a generous grant from the Samis Foundation, Camp Solomon Schechter was able to purchase a 100-year-old Torah, repaired and completed by a Sofer at camp. Schechter’s founder Rabbi Joshua Stampfer traveled from Portland and spoke
beautifully about the uniqueness of this “once in a lifetime opportunity.” With the addition of the new Torah and a new camp chumash (Pentateuch), the foundation for Schechter’s Jewish traditions are now stronger and richer than ever.
Teva (nature) continues to be essential to Schechter’s development, with beautification and accessibility at the forefront of our continued growth. This summer, a north beach campsite and trail along the Deschutes River was established, as well as a trail to the beaver dam system. Through a unanimous vote by the Camp Solomon Schechter Board of Directors, the Schaeffer Teva Loop Trail was named and dedicated in honor of former Board President, Gordon Schaeffer. Gordon has been a longtime supporter of camp and has worked tirelessly to create an educational trail system in Camp Solomon Schechter’s protected wetlands. A new fire access road was named and dedicated to former Board President, Paul Norr, in recognition of his unwavering devotion to Schechter’s financial and legal health.
“This summer was a very special experience for my children. The programming, the activities and, most important, the staff were all great. Thank you Camp Solomon Schechter! The ruach and Judaism at camp, love for Israel, the quality of the staff – it was the total climate.”
Camp parent, 2014
In 2014, we strengthened our foundation for an impactful, fun and safe experience for Jewish children
to build their identity and have an immersive Jewish experience. Here are some of
the accomplishments that made Schechter stronger this year:
Our summer staff made a commitment to the health and
future of the community by registering as bone marrow donors
with the Gift of Life.
This year’s 12th grade (Gesher) group traveled together for a week-long trip to Bend, Oregon, which included climbing South Sister Summit.
Camp’s social media campaign and presence grew tremendously this year. Weekly
podcasts and blogs throughout the summer built up energy and buzz about the wonderful activities and programs at camp.
We were honored to receive the Impact in Technology Award at this year’s Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s JCamp 180 conference.
For the second year, campers participated in the Camp Solomon Schechter Teen Foundation, funded by the Jewish Teen Funders Network and the Special Initiatives Fund from the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. In addition, Bet and Gimmel campers donated to the fund in order to grow our grant pool for the project. The partnership with JTFN allowed campers to, once again, engage in a consensus-based grantmaking process guided by Jewish texts, traditions and values. With $2,500 at their disposal, the campers spent time reviewing eleven grant proposals. Three grants were disbursed by the campers: Two went to local organizations – Stonewall Youth and SafePlace – and one went to Innovation: Africa, which brings Israeli innovation to African villages.
Camp Solomon Schechter’s OSPREY program (Opportunities for Stewardship Promoting Respect for the Environment and Youth) launched last year with great success offering a robust curriculum. Led by Director, Sue Wattier, the program provides 5th and 6th grade students from “at-risk” school districts with a powerful application of science concepts as they live and learn in the outdoors and focus on relationships with their peers. OSPREY gives Camp Solomon Schechter an opportunity to offer programming to the greater community, allowing students to develop an appreciation for our
Year in Review
“It may seem like a long time to you, but 60 years in the life of an institution is just the beginning. Camp Solomon Schechter can be very proud of the many years and the many thousands of campers that have attended it and become so directly involved in Jewish life and in observing personally, their Jewish heritage.”
Emeritus: Rabbi Joshua Stampfer, Portland, ORExecutive Director: Sam Perlin, Seattle, WA
“This was Daniel’s first overnight camp experience and he loved it! He had a great time and is still walking around singing camp songs. I think the major strength is that the camp was very warm and nurturing.”
Camp parent, 2014
camp’s natural environment and services, becoming environmental stewards of the future.
Pedal-Powered Go-Karts and the Rave Sports Rope Swing were two fun new additions to camp, made possible in part by the Weinstein family.
In conjunction with the Goodman Camping Initiative for Modern Israeli History, our Israeli staff members built a map of Israel and replica of the Kotel using Jerusalem Stone. Both will be used as part of our Israel education program for years to come and were sponsored in part by the Weinstein family.
Schechter turned 60! The Camp Solomon Schechter 60th Anniversary Gala was attended by nearly 400 Schechter supporters. The event not only commemorated the past 60 years but served as a springboard to announce the launch of Camp Solomon Schechter’s community capital campaign. M’Shisheem ad Me’ah v’Esreem . . . From 60 to 120: The Campaign to Build Jewish Continuity is more than just about updating the infrastructure and buildings at camp, it’s about continuing to build upon our foundation for the vitality of our Jewish community. Details about our capital campaign can be found at www.from60to120.org.
Schechter finances: A strong, accountable foundation
Contributions & Grants $ 132,319 Rentals & Shabbatons $ 285,046 Tuition & Transport $ 1,187,917 Other $ 1,269 TOTAL INCOME $ 1,606,551
117 East Louisa Street, #110 • Seattle, WA 98102-3203Tel: 206.447.1967 • Canada: 604.288.7655 • Fax: 206.447.2629 [email protected] • www.campschechter.org
Our future is in our foundation In 1954, a group of 25 Jewish children, led by camp founder Rabbi Joshua Stampfer, gathered in a small motel aside north Seattle’s Echo Lake with the promise of creating a fun and immersive Jewish camping experience. Though camp looked vastly different in that first year compared with today, the same values for Jewish education and a connection with nature remain at the forefront of the Schechter experience. “The association of nature in that very special setting was very important to us,” recalls Rabbi Stampfer, when looking back at camp’s early years. “Even though today we have much more attractive and remarkable physical facilities, this left an indelible mark on our history.”
As we reflect on how far we’ve come, we are reminded of that inaugural summer with 25 kids at Echo Lake that started it all. Year after year, we build upon Rabbi Stampfer’s vision of cultivating a fun, safe and welcoming environment where children and young adults create their own unique Jewish community, Where Judaism and Joy are One.
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We’re building the foundation for our next 60 yearsA 2014 achievement report to our Pacific Northwest friends & supporters
