Shalom Naples families!

By Jessica Zimmerman, BBYO Associate Regional Director, North Florida Region

What a year it has been. The pandemic certainly threw us off, but it could not and did not stop us from creating engaging virtual and in-person programming. We welcomed numerous new Naples teens to our BBYO community. We hosted events, like outdoor laser tag, community service/social action programming, regional conventions, minigolf takeovers and more. And our teen leaders, in addition to our volunteer chapter advisors, Shelly Bell and Jay Weiss; our community partners, Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, Temple Shalom, Chabad of Naples and Beth Tikvah; and our wonderful Naples BBYO board of directors, assisted to make it happen!

We look forward to welcoming teens home from both our domestic and Israel summer programs, like Camp BBYO for 8th graders, Chapter Leadership Training Camp (CLTC) for current 9th and 10th graders, International Leadership Training Camp (ILTC) for current 10th and 11th graders and International Leadership Seminar in Israel (ILSI).

With the release of our safety protocols for the summer, we were able to open more space at camp than ever before. If you are still considering attending a summer program, it is not too late to register. Visit bbyo.org/summer to learn more.

We are thrilled to come back together in September for Naples and Ft. Myers Regional Kickoff on Sunday, Sept. 5. We will be headed to the beach for an all-inclusive watersports adventure! It’s going to be unlike anything we’ve done in the past, and it is open to 8th through 12th graders. Teens do not need to be BBYO members to attend! We hope you and your friends will join us.

To learn more about upcoming events in Naples, contact me at jesszimmerman@ bbyo.org or call and/or text 941-677-3018.

Stay safe and we hope to see you soon! From your friends at Naples BBYO.