As Jewish summer camp is underway, the preparation for this year looked much different from the past. In a post Oct. 7 world, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia increased its work to ensure that every Jewish camp has the training and resources needed to make this summer a safe one. 

“Camp is meant to be a fun summer experience. It is the goal of the Jewish Federation to continue this tradition while providing the tools necessary for our Jewish camps to ensure their security, ”said Jewish Federation Security Director Scott Kerns of Secure Community Network, the official safety and security organization for the Jewish community in North America. 

Before the start of the camp season, Kerns and the newly appointed Deputy Community Security Director Cortney Vorhees trained 383 camp staff at 7 different overnight and day camps throughout the region from June 14 to June 21. Camps included Camp Galil, Golden Slipper Camp, Pinemere Camp, Camp Ramah in the Poconos, 6 Points Creative Arts Academy Camp and Camp Kef at the Kaiserman JCC.

During their visits, Kerns and Vorhees provided Stop the Bleed® and Active Shooter training, so that camp counselors could learn how to assess their surroundings and utilize tourniquets in emergency situations. 

“This training allowed my staff to feel more prepared in case of an emergency situation,” said Camp Kef’s Senior Director of Summer Programs Katie Hausman. “It is so important for them to be aware and prepared for situations that will hopefully never happen. Cortney helped us be aware of things we never thought of before and helped us to feel prepared.”

In addition to the training, Kerns and the team conducted camp ground walkthroughs, assessing existing safety measures and recommending improvements. Many of these camps used this information to collaborate with a Jewish Federation grant writer in order to apply for state and federal security grants. 

Last year, the Jewish Federation helped to secure $1.38 million in federal and state funding to 15 Jewish institutions with Jewish Federation grant writing support for security measures.

Although these trainings are a new type of support from the Jewish Federation, the organization has a long history of assisting local day and overnight camps with scholarship, security and infrastructure funding. 

Last year, the Jewish Federation provided $645,000 in need-based aid and scholarships to 60 camps and its Jewish Federation Real Estate group allocated $83,500 to three local camps for safety projects.

“One of the Jewish Federation’s core beliefs is that every child deserves the transformative experience of a Jewish camp,” said the Jewish Federation’s Chief Strategy and Impact Officer Dr. Kelly Romirowsky. “It is a sacred space where children can discover their heritage, connect with role models and forge lifelong friendships.”

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To help the Jewish Federation continue to support Jewish summer programming for children, make a gift at jewishphilly.org/donate.