Reading a bedtime story is a special ritual for children and their families, and it doesn’t have to end when kids go off to Jewish Camp. PJ Library has long been a supporter of Jewish overnight camps. Here are some of the ways they show their support!
In partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Camp, “PJ Goes to Camp” offers PJ Library participants, siblings, and alumni $1,000 incentive grants* to offset camp tuition. Harold Grinspoon, founder of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and PJ Library, is a huge proponent of the camp experience. “We believe that the 24/7 camp environment provides a natural extension of the PJ experience, giving young people the opportunity to develop lasting friendships, explore Judaism, and try new things in a safe, nurturing community,” says Harold.
In addition to supporting overnight camps, PJ Library and PJ Our Way both provide books and resources to residential and day camps. Our very own Camp Shalom receives a giant box of books each summer for campers to read and enjoy. PJ Library staff work together with the Camp Shalom staff to create engaging PJ Library programs for each week of summer camp.
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Jonah Dritz showing off his fox bookmark after campers listened to the PJ book Fox Walked Alone
MLK Day 2018 at Camp Shalom with Jewish Family Services
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Campers who go off to residential camp, regardless of which camp movement they attend, will also have the opportunity to enjoy PJ books. PJ Our Way campers receive a PJ Our Way book at camp, along with a PJ Our Way goodie. Last summer campers received a PJ Our Way backpack.
And of course, whether you are looking for fun Jewish camp stories to get excited about summer camp, or just want a camp story to read to remind you of fun summer days in the middle of a long winter, PJ Library and PJ Our Way have tons of great books with camp themes and stories! For more information about these programs and book titles, visit www.pjlibrary.org, www.pjourway.org or contact Dayton’s PJ Library coordinator, Rachel Gilbert at rgilbert@jfgd.net.
* To apply for PJ Goes to Camp, please go to www.onehappycamper.org. These grants are available only to first time campers. The Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton does not provide funding for, and is not responsible for approving and distributing these grants.
For more information on PJ Library or PJ Our Way, please contact Rachel Gilbert, PJ Library & PJ Our Way Coordinator at (937) 401-1550 or rgilbert@jfgd.net.
