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Building the future of Reform Judaism one camper at a time.
Why Ambassadors?
• Because you have experienced the power of Jewish camp first-hand, whether through yourself or your children.
• Because you are networked within your congregations through friendships as well as school and activity-based relationships.
• Because you are present in your congregations on a much more regular basis than our full time camp staff, you can maintain camp’s visibility on a year-round basis.
• Because you want to help people make an informed decision about overnight camp.
Agenda• The Meaning of Life: Why Ambassadors?
• Introductions: A “Who’s Who” of Ambassador-land
• The Big Picture: URJ Camps
• Where do I Start?: Assessing Your Temple’s Needs
• What do I Do?: Suggested Activities & Involvement
• We’re All in This Together: Support
• Thank you!
EISNER CAMPLouis Bordman, Director
James Gelsey, Director of Operations
Laura Gurvis, Associate Director
Rabbi Liz Hirsch, Assistant Director
Wilson Baer, Assistant Director
Corey Cutler, Director of Development
Alison Simpson, Development Associate
Ben Michaels, Office Manager
Lauren Hyde, Business Manager
CRANE LAKE CAMPDebby Shriber, Director
Sarah Lauing, Associate Director
Brett Hausler, Assistant Director
Corey Cutler, Director of Development
Alison Simpson, Development Associate
Wendy Brumberg, Camp Administrator
Kayla Gulotta, Bookkeeper
EISNER CRANE LAKE BOARDRoberta Glick, Chairperson
ECL Executive Committee
Carol Meyers & Whitney GoodmanCo-Chairs, ECL Ambassador Committee
15 Resident Camps and 1 Day Camp for Summer 2016
• Largest camping system in North America
• Over 10,000 campers each summer
• Over 2,000 counselors
• 335,000+ campers served since 1951
• Representing 66% of URJ congregations
URJ Camping
URJ CAMPSCamp George, Ontario, Canada
Crane Lake Camp, West Stockbridge, MA
Eisner Camp, Great Barrington, MA
6 Points Sci-Tech Academy, Byfield, MA
Kutz Camp, Warwick, NY
Camp Harlam, Kunkletown, PA
Harlam Day Camp, Bryn Mawr, PA
Six Points Sports Academy, Greensboro, NC
Six Points Sports Academy, Los Angeles, CA
Camp Coleman, Cleveland, GA
Henry S. Jacobs Camp, Utica, MS
Greene Family Camp, Bruceville, TX
Goldman Union Camp Institute, Zionsville, IN
Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute, Oconomowoc, WI
Camp Newman, Santa Rosa, CA
Camp Kalsman, Arlington, WA
URJ Camps of the Northeast
All working together in common purpose: to provide opportunities for young people to immerse themselves in
Jewish life, creating lifelong friendships and lasting memories that will empower them to live engaged, fulfilling lives as
Jewish adults.
Our Values…• Connection• Discovery• Curiosity• Kavod
Our Mission… Strengthening Jewish identity through scientific exploration and curiosity.
Our Core WorkshopsHigh level instructors – 2.5 hours each day
Environmental Science
Video Game Design
Digital Media Production
Robotics
Forensics
Web/Graphic Design
Three 2-week sessions for 5th-10th Graders(sessions align with Crane Lake & Eisner to allow campers to do both)
Rounding out the Day• 2 Counselor-led
electives• Outdoor rec/sports
elective• Staff created active
evening programs
Jewish Life• Woven into each
track• Evening Programs• Shabbat & Music• Morning and
Evening• Values based
approach
Learning More and Registering
• http://scitech.urjcamps.org• Talking points & marketing toolkit• Scholarships & incentive grants• Presentations at temples / parlor meetings• Home visits
urjyouth.wufoo.com/forms/eisner-crane-lake-ambassador-webinar/
And now…a refresher course in Crane Lake and Eisner Camps
In annual surveys of parents about their children’s summer camp experience, Eisner and Crane Lake
consistently score well above the North American average for all Jewish resident camps in key areas, including
Likelihood to Recommend
Overall Satisfaction
Likelihood of Returning*
*Based on annual surveys conducted by Summation Research Group on behalf of the Foundation for Jewish Camp.
A Refresher Course in Eisner and Crane Lake Camps
• A CAMPUS-STYLE SETTING on 600 beautiful acres
• Around 550 co-ed campers in grades 2-10
• Campers MOVE WITH THEIR SPECIFIC UNIT/GRADE LEVEL groups through the day
• CAMPERS SELECT THEIR ACTIVITIES within the Unit structure and change activities weekly
• ATHLETIC and ARTS PROGRAMS are designed to TEACH NEW SKILLS and ENHANCE EXISTING EXPERIENCE from qualified coaches and instructors
• Outdoor ADVENTURE, TEVA (nature) and WATERFRONT
• A TRADITIONAL NEW ENGLAND STYLE CAMP SETTING with an active lakefront
• Around 350 co-ed campers in grades 3-10
• Campers spend the day MOVE FROM ACTIVITY TO ACTIVITY WITH THEIR CABIN GROUP and counselor
• CAMPERS EXPERIENCE ALL THAT CLC HAS TO OFFER through our Block Scheduled program during each week
• SPORTS are geared toward GAINING NEW SKILLS with a competitive edge and COMPREHENSIVE CREATIVE ARTS PROGRAMS are led by talented instructors
• TEVA (nature) and ROPES programs WATERFRONT
A Refresher Course in Eisner and Crane Lake Camps
EISNER CAMP CRANE LAKE CAMP
EISNER CRANE LAKEAges 3-8 Day Camp at Eisner (1-week sessions)
2 Weeks (and 1 3-week session at Eisner)
Grade 2 K'tanim -----
Grade 3 K'tanim Lower Nitzanim
Grade 4 ----- Lower Nitzanim
3, 4 & 7 Weeks
Grade 4 Bonim Lower Nitzanim
Grade 5 Bonim Upper Nitzanim
Grade 6 Chalutzim Lower Bonim
Grade 7 Ofarim Upper Bonim
Grade 8 Chaverim Lower Chaverim
Grade 9 Tzofim Upper Chaverim
Grade 10 Olim Olim
Special & Full Summer Programs
Grade 11 NFTY in Israel NFTY in Israel
Grade 12 Machon Machon
A Refresher Course in Eisner and Crane Lake Camps
Eisner and Crane Lake Camps Help Build Great KidsSocial skills development
Leadership, communication, participation
Recreational and group skills and knowledge
Self-respect and character building
Responsibility, resourcefulness, resilience
Cognitive growth
Learning to do things
Mastering physical skills
Emotional growth
Independence
Interdependence
Eisner and Crane Lake Camps Help BuildGreat Jewish KidsAll the benefits of summer camp, plus:
• Appreciation for Value of Jewish Community
• Life in “The Bubble”
Feeling good about self and about being Jewish
Respect, responsibility, stand up for what is right
• Adult & Teen Jewish Role Models
• Camp is nationally recognized for its year-round professional development
for staff
So what’s
happening at
Crane Lake and
Eisner?
4 week/3 week Sessions plus 2 & 3 week sessions
for our youngest campers.
And contrary to popular myth, there’s still room!
The Ambassador’s Role• Promote and represent Eisner and Crane Lake Camps and 6 Points Sci-
Tech to your congregation.
• Identify potential campers and camp families in consultation with your
congregation’s Rabbi, Cantor and/or Educator.
• Supplement the camps’ staff recruitment efforts throughout the region.
• Support Eisner and Crane Lake’s ongoing improvements and quality.
• Connect with other camp families and alumni from your congregation
and community.
• Promote and support year-round camp activities
and initiatives.
What’s In It For You?
• An invitation to join us for a Shabbat service (Friday
night or Saturday morning) at camp over the summer.
• The satisfaction of knowing you’re helping to build the
future of Eisner & Crane Lake Camps and Reform
Judaism!
Year-Round InvolvementPROFESSIONAL CONTACT: Identify the congregational professional (Rabbi,
Cantor, Educator or Early Childhood Director, Executive Director, Program
Director, etc.) who has an interest in camp and can partner with you to
identify potential camp families and keeping camp visible within the
congregation:
• Consecration Gift Certificate Program
• Scheduling a Camp Presentation
• T’filah Opportunities
• Bulletin Articles from Clergy and Campers/Camp Families
• Family Activities and Holiday Celebrations that camp can “sponsor”
Year-Round InvolvementCONGREGATIONAL INREACH:
• Contact potential camp families to begin a conversation
about camp and invite them to camp-related and camp-
sponsored events.
• Encourage temple-based organizations (WRJ/Sisterhood,
MRJ/Men’s Club, etc.) to fund “camperships.”
• Advocate for camp to the temple’s Board.
Year-Round InvolvementPUBLICITY:
• Promote camp presentation at congregation.
• Submit articles and ads for temple bulletin.
• Set up a camp table during Religious School drop-off and pick-up every month.
• Advertise year-round programs and summer tours.
Year-Round InvolvementPERSONAL ENRICHMENT:
• Maintain contact with ECL Ambassador Committee to share ideas and receive support.
• Participate in Ambassador conference calls, Facebookdiscussions, and other idea exchanges.
• Attend the annual Stakeholders meeting each summer.
Now that you know the “WHY” and “WHAT,”
it’s time to “HOW!”
Start with what you know about your congregation.
KNOW YOUR CONGREGATION:SOME SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
• What is the Professional & Lay Leadership’s interest in and commitment
to URJ camping?
• What is the congregation’s past & present participation in URJ camping?
• What kinds of “camperships” and other financial assistance is available?
• What is the availability and ease of temple communications support to
spread the word about camp?
• Are other Jewish camps vying for the congregation’s attention?
Is Your Congregation “Camp-Aware?”• Does an Eisner & Crane Lake ad run in every issue of your temple bulletin?
• Does the temple website have a link to the Eisner & Crane Lake website?
• Does the temple’s welcome packet for new members include a camp
brochure?
• Does your congregation have a display or other place for flyers about
camp as well as year-round camp activities, such as the Heller-Wexler
Family Retreats?
If you answered “YES” to all
of these questions, then your
congregation is “Camp-Aware!”
If you answered “I DON’T KNOW” or “NO” to any of the questions on the previous page, here are a few simple steps:
1. Speak to your temple’s Administrator or Executive Director about the
placement of ads, brochures and other informational material.
2. Find publication-ready ads in color and black & white on the camp
website: http://eisnercranelake.urjcamps.org/resourceweb/.
3. Check with your Rabbi, Cantor and Educator to make sure they received
their package of camp brochures. If they didn’t, or if you need more,
contact our office: [email protected] or (201) 722-0400.
Together, we’ll work to get your congregation “Camp-Aware!”
Action IdeasMEET THE AUDIENCE WHERE THEY ARE: Host a “Camp Schmooze” with
coffee and snacks for parents during Religious School or Nursery School
hours. Set up a table every few weeks in the lobby during RS & NS hours.
SHOW TEMPLE’S COMMITMENT: Plan a camp “Send-off” and “Welcome
Home” experience for Friday night services.
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS: Invite a couple of families to a Parlor Meeting to chat
about camp with them.
Action IdeasPROVIDE ADVICE: Be camp’s “insider” liaison to the congregation in planning
the camp presentations.
ADVOCATE FOR CAMP: Make a short presentation to the temple’s Board
about the value of Jewish overnight camping to the congregation.
BUILD AWARENESS: Set up a camp table during Religious School drop-off and
pick-up every month.
Action IdeasKEEP THE MESSAGE GOING: Make sure a camp ad runs in every issue of the
temple bulletin. Invite campers to write a bulletin article.
GET PEOPLE INVOLVED: Recruit campers and camp parents to write short
articles for the bulletin and/or blogs for the temple website. Submit a
“letter from camp” to run in the summer bulletin
EDUCATE & RECRUIT: Publicize events including New Camper Weekend in the
fall; the year-round Heller-Wexler Family Retreats; and summer tours of
both camps.
Action IdeasIDENTIFY TALENTED PEOPLE:
• Do you know a rising college student and current college student who
would be a great counselor?
• Know a great artist or musician who would enhance the camp experience
as an artist-in-residence?
• Know a great coach, teacher, or other professional who could spend a few
days at camp enhancing the camp activities?
Let us know about allthe amazing people youencounter who can help
enrich our camps’ programs!
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Our goal is to get as many children to camp as possible.
• Scholarship assistance is a Partnership between Camp, Congregation, Community and the Family.
• Scholarship information: http://www.jewishcamp.org/how-we-help/grants-and-scholarships
• www.onehappycamper.org: incentive grants for first-time campers (up to $1,000 for 3 weeks or longer; $700 for 6 Points Sci-Tech and Sports)
Support• http://eisnercranelake.urjcamps.org/resourceweb
• Giveaways and “swag” when you’re fulfilling your role as Ambassador
• Help with staffing events
You can always direct parents who have questions or concernsto contact the camp office:
201-722-0400 or [email protected].
HOW TO CONNECT WITH US
Carol Meyers & Whitney GoodmanCo-Chairs, Ambassador Committee
urjyouth.wufoo.com/forms/eisner-crane-lake-ambassador-webinar/
Join the Eisner Crane Lake
Ambassadors Facebook Group
Eisner and Crane Lake Ambassadors:
Building the future of Reform Judaism one camper at a time.
Thank you for your
commitment and support!