Summer is less than 100 days away. Will your child be One Happy Camper?

From One Happy Camper:

Overnight camp is an adventure that every child should experience. It's a time they'll explore new games and activities, make lasting friendships, and, at Jewish camp, discover their own identity. But finding the right camp for your child isn't always easy-and affording that perfect summer can be difficult too.

Foundation for Jewish camp offers several opportunities and tools to ensure that every child has access to an unforgettable Jewish summer experience. No matter what your background is, there's a camp to match your child's interests and your family's budget.

BUNKCONNECT The newest, easiest way for qualified families to find great summer experiences at over 40 camps offering special introductory rates (40-80% off!!!)

One Happy Camper (OHC) offers incentive grants of up to $1000 for children attending nonprofit, Jewish overnight camp for the first time. OHC is a program of the Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) in partnership with local Jewish organizations. One Happy Camper partners - such as Jewish federations, foundations, individual camps, and The PJ Library - provide support and a local perspective to help find the right camp for your child.

Camper Scholarships We believe that every child deserves an opportunity to go to camp but recognize that some families might require a little help. Visit our scholarship directory and speak to your local organizations and camp to see what financial assistance may be available.

Let us help you discover the perfect summer camp experience for your child!

Happy camping!

Explaining the Holocaust to Your Child

Yom HaShoah/Holocaust Memorial Day, is April 27, 2014

How can you explain an event in history so horrific that even adults have trouble comprehending it? Children hear things and ask questions. Here are some resources which can help you explain. As always, view or read anything first and see what is age-appropriate for your child.

A YouTube video geared for children:

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has resources for teachers but they are also helpful for parents.

The family blog, Raising Kvell, has an article, "Talking to My Kids About the Holocaust," By Alina Adams which you may find helpful.

The Holocaust Explained is a website out of England with some great resources.

Check out Jvillage’s Righteous Gentiles page    page.

How Do You Stay Close with Friends Who Don’t Have Kids?

By Elana Gartner for Raising Kvell

When I was planning to have children, it didn’t occur to me how my relationships with my friends without kids might change. I should have. I had had the experience when I entered a serious relationship and then again when I got married. With friends who hadn’t reached those milestones or didn’t want to, even as they were celebrating with me, there was always the hint of…what’s going to happen to us?

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If You Don’t Vaccinate, Keep Your Kids Away From My Baby

By Sharrona Pearl for Raising Kvell

I’m a pretty laid-back parent about most things. My kids eat dirt, play with (plastic) knives, and spend a lot of time on the counter helping me cook. I rarely think to warn others when they have colds (I’m trying to remember!), because I would never expect the same. Colds are a part of life, and will probably help them in the long run, as frustrating as they are now. My kids run around, make messes, get sick, get better, and generally (I hope) have a lot of fun. (It’s not always fun for me, especially the mess part.)

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