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JCC Camp in the Cloud wraps up
it’s a Wrap
JCC in the Cloud: That’s a wrap!
Sarah Cooper and Nofar Trem
After six fun-filled weeks, this year’s virtual camp, Camp JCC in the Cloud, concluded on August 14. What began as uncharted territory is now a new, innovative way to connect with area children and teens.
Camp JCC collaborated with Happy Camper Live to create this year’s virtual platform. The site is vibrant, energetic, and easy to use. Still, the most important element was the personal touch of Camp JCC staff and counselors who created meaningful experiences via Zoom.
“It was an incredible opportunity to host live classes on ‘Happy Camper Live,’ says Christian Fenley, a longtime Camp JCC staff alum. “Seeing that online platform advertised on some of the family-friendly networks makes me happy to think about how many more people will be exposed to the talents of our staff. Through Camp JCC in the Cloud I was able to share smiles and laughter with campers all summer!”
No matter what the
future holds, Camp JCC will be armed with Happy Camper Live and a summer’s
The virtual platform called for some the diaspora, reminded counselors to go beyond their comfort me of the values we all zones. “I’ve learned how to develop virshare as a worldwide tual content and how to be more confident in front
Valonda Turner, music instructor, made delicious fish of a camera,” says bowl cookies during “Under the Sea” week. Ayanna Johnson. “Although we did not get to see each other in person, we still built memories. The best part is that the memories are only a click away!”
Each live activity was recorded, and then uploaded Chris Fenley, art instructor, is excited to show the extra-large guitar he made. on the site as a video on demand. Campers can access these videos from anywhere, at anyCharlotte Borgerding, counselor, talks about British tea. time. Camp JCC plans to share these videos throughout the year to connect with families and help parents find interactive virtual activities.
Still, it was hard on both the campers and staff to not physically be Zack Krell reads The Giving Tree for Shabbat. at camp. “Weekly Shabbat was my favorite thing each week. Jewish community,” says Arazi. Noya Azari, Camp Shaliach, connects with kids from thousands of miles away in Tel Aviv. It was my normalcy for this summer and Camp JCC in the Cloud brought fun, brought a sense of community and tradilearning, and smiles to the community at tions,” says Zack Krell. “Seeing smiling no cost. No matter what the future holds, faces of campers and staff put a smile on Camp JCC will be armed with Happy my face throughout the summer!” Camper Live and a summer’s worth of
The connection expanded beyond practice to continue to provide virtual Tidewater. Camp JCC in the Cloud made experiences. it possible to connect with the camp’s Shaliach (an Israeli emissary who shares To learn more about the Simon Family JCC’s their experiences and provides a human virtual children’s programming or to join connection to Israel with Jewish summer the Children and Family committee to help camps) from a couple of years ago, Noya shape family engagement, including camp, Arazi. “Virtual camp helped me bring the contact Nofar Trem, manager of Youth and Israeli culture (in different ways) all the Teen Experiences at ntrem@ujft.org or
Counselor, Ayanna Johnson, perfects her Play way to Virginia from Tel Aviv. Also, welSarah Cooper, program manager of Kids Dough marble roller coaster. coming Shabbat online with people from Connection, at scooper@simonfamilyjcc.org.
