As the world begins to safely open up, many families are beginning to look for activities for their children this summer. For those considering Jewish overnight camps, the Tidewater Jewish Foundation is proud to partner with the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s One Happy Camper program.

One Happy Camper was envisioned as an outreach initiative for children who are not currently receiving an immersive, daily Jewish experience. The program provides need-blind grants of up to $1,000 to families with children attending a nonprofit, Jewish overnight camp for the first time. One Happy Camper has over 160 traditional and specialty programs to choose from, providing plenty of options and variety for interested campers.

“Our partnership with the One Happy Camper program has helped many children in Tidewater attend Jewish camp,” said Naomi Limor Sedek, President and CEO of the Tidewater Jewish Foundation. “As the world begins to enter a sense of normalcy, One Happy Camper grants will not only help parents send their children to camp, it will also give campers an immersive Jewish experience, which was sorely missed last year because of COVID-19.”

One Happy Camper has helped numerous families in Jewish Tidewater, including the Lemke family, who were able to send both of their children to camp with the help of the program.

“As I changed my career, the prospect of paying for a sleep away experience was overwhelming,” said Shawn Lemke. “I learned about One Happy Camper - supported by the Tidewater Jewish Foundation and Foundation for Jewish Camp - from my aunt and cousin. Now both of our children have received the wonderful gift of Jewish camp, thanks to the Tidewater Jewish Foundation!”

To learn more about One Happy Camper grants, whether you’re eligible, and how to apply, visit jewishcamp.org/one-happy-camper.

For more information, contact Kaitlyn Oelsner at koelsner@ujft.org or 757-965-6103.