We’re looking forward to a safe – and fun – Summer J-Camp 2021

It was just about a year ago when the world hit the pause button because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We at the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center, in Providence, were no exception – our building closed in early March 2020, and all of our programming was moved to a virtual format.

We thought the closure would last two weeks, or maybe a month. But, as we all know, that was not the case. 

In late May/early June, it seemed we had turned a corner, and the world started to come out of hibernation. It was at that point that we turned our attention to the question, “Can we run camp this summer?” We quickly got to work trying to find an answer.

We spent much time speaking with staff at the state Department of Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control, the Foundation for Jewish Camp, and the American Camping Association, as well as with many local experts, to determine if we could safely offer in-person summer camp.

Once we came to the conclusion that we could, we set our sights on how to build a meaningful experience for children during a global trauma. At the Dwares JCC, we believe camp is not about the facility or programming alone, but rather about belonging to a community. It became our mission to bring that community back to life.  

Our first priority, of course, was to keep everyone safe.  We participated in webinars and discussions about best practices, and did our best to incorporate them into our day. Throughout the summer, all staff and children were screened prior to entrance, and we focused on keeping masks on, washing and sanitizing hands and surfaces regularly, and socially distancing from those outside stable pods.  

Once these safety protocols were implemented, it was time for our campers to have some fun!  Sadly, we knew that some of our favorite activities weren’t possible, like swimming indoors, and we were not able to accommodate the usual number of campers. But those children who did attend summer J-Camp 2020 played on the athletic fields and courts, created arts and crafts projects, learned about Israeli culture, and came together as a group. And the best part was, we had zero reported cases of COVID-19!

As we look forward to our summer at J-Camp 2021, we believe that brighter days are ahead. Rhode Island is in the midst of vaccine distribution, and positive cases of the virus were down as of this writing. 

We still have a way to go until our lives are back to pre-COVID days, but we have been making big steps forward. The Dwares JCC fitness center and pool has reopened, and we have been able to provide programs for children, both in person and virtually. 

With more use of the building, coupled with all we learned last summer about how to run a successful camp during a pandemic, we are planning fun new activities for the coming summer. We can’t know for sure what 2021 will bring, but we do know nothing can stop us from providing our campers with a great summer. 

For more information on summer programs at the Alliance’s Dwares JCC, contact Aaron Guttin, director of school age programs, for children entering grades 1-10, at aguttin@JewishAllianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 140. For children entering kindergarten and younger, contact Michelle Cicchitelle, senior director, youth and family engagement, at mcicchitelli@JewishAllianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 178.

AARON GUTTIN is director of school age programs for J-Camp.

MICHELLE CICCHITELLI is senior director, youth and family engagement, at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.