Imagine you’re 5 years old and you’re sitting at home because your parents can’t pay for camp. How would that feel? Imagine you are 7 or 10 years old, all your classmates are in camps having great time, and you are at home staring at the walls while your parents are busy with their work. Your parent tells you, “Sorry, you can’t go to camp this year. It’s very difficult for us. G-d willing, next time.”
Sadly, this becomes a reality of many Crown Heights families where sending their children to camp becomes almost impossible. Families struggle to pay-off school tuition, and many use summer months to clear the balances from the school year. They simply cannot have another burden to pay for their children’s camp. Many children spend their time hanging around the neighborhood, watch videos, and play electronic games.
Summer is a time when students rejuvenate their mental and emotional powers, so latter they can focus on challenging activities of the coming school year. It is very crucial that children spend their summers in appropriate environment that will stimulate and recharge their batteries. Children need to learn, play, go places, interact with other children, swim, do art, engage in meaningful activities, etc. All which is carefully designed in a high-quality summer camp programs. Successful summers ensure successful school year.
When the Frierdiker Rebbe arrived in the US, one of his main goals was to make sure every Jewish child gets proper education. Our Rebbe always stresses that every kid should get a “gezunte zummer” – a healthy summer both physically and spiritually.
Hundreds of camps all over the world are carrying out the Rebbe’s directives today. But at the same time in our own Crown Heights community there are hundreds of kids who can’t go to camp because their parents can’t afford it!
For the past five summers Oholei Yosef Yitzchok Lubavitch has been making sure that no child in Crown Heights is sitting at home in the summer. Thank G-d, our day camp program has grown tremendously over the years. Parents in our camp speak volumes about safe and meaningful summers their children receive at OYYL Day Camp. Our very talented and highly trained staff know exactly how to lead youngsters with the most personal approach to every single child.
This summer, for the first camp session, we took in every child who needed financial help. Now, for the second session, a number of kids who want to join in is even greater – way beyond what we planned for this year- says Mila Schneiderman, school director. OYYL had never turned a family away for their inability to pay Camp Tuition. However, we still need to cover our expenses and pay the hardworking camp staff.
We ask Lubavitch Community to open your hearts and to help us to help all children to have meaningful summers!!
Oholei Yosef Yitzchok Lubavitch of Crown Heights have launched an active campaign to raise $30.000 to provide equal opportunities to every child in Crown Heights!!
Partner with us in making sure that the Rebbe’s wishes of “gezunter zummer” are carried out for every child in the Rebbe’s schuna!!
I am sure the Rebbe is having a lot of nachas from this.
I have heard so many positive things about this school and this camp in general.
Yashar Koach! For keeping up with the Rebbes work and for doing it in such an eidel way.
Thank u 4 making this camp! very much needed in lubavitch ! In other chassidsher community’s overnight camp is mandatory & part of yeshivah or school & based on what u can afford there is no such thing as staying home 4 the summer !? When i complained that i couldn’t afford 2 pay so much i was told send her 4, 1 month. It is unacceptable to have a child roam the streets of crown hights during the summer !
This is simply amazing! This article ahould be pinned!
This camp is changing the lives of these children and allowing them to have a summer of their lives even without the funds.
Please take a moment and give whatever you can so together WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
It would be nice to see record breaking comments complimenting, thanking this organization.
For those who can, to contribute as well
It worth supporting!!
BH, great news, someone is pioneering the way. May all the schools, yeshivas learn from this and follow in that direction. And IY”H those who can assist will do their part in making it happen.