“Camp outside around a backyard fire pit with a Wild Rose Root beer float in one hand and marshmallows in the other.”
– Dikla Weitzner, Camp Moshava

“To keep the camp magic alive all year long, you should treat your senses to something “camp” every week (or day). Keep a pinecone around, bake a challah to take in the smells of camp. Call a friend and share funny memories or listen to a camp song to hear the spirit. Make some matzah ball soup or a microwave s’more to remember the tastes. Check out your camp’s website or social media to see the pictures of summer fun. Just hold that pinecone, collect some fall leaves, or take care of some indoor plants to feel that good camp dirt feel. Last, connect with other camp people and do something good for someone else to make your heart feel good and help make the world a better place.”
– Jon Levin, JCC Camp Chi

“When I was younger, my brothers and I used to sing our favorite camp songs and recall the funniest and most memorable moments from the skits and plays from years past. We would try to imitate the counselors and staff members who had acted out those scenes, and enjoyed reliving them, months after camp had ended.”
– Rabbi Daniel Myers, Agudath Israel Camps

“Something special that we like to do each summer at Beber Camp is make our famous Camper Stew. (This involves aluminum foil and your favorite ingredients!) Instead of cooking over a fire, try this in the oven on a chilly winter night while reminiscing about summer campfires with friends.”
– Stacy Greenberg, Beber Camp

“We will be having campers and families participate this winter in Zoom camp reunion, monthly Zoom Shabbats, and virtual eight nights of Chanukah. We want to keep the ruach (spirit) of camp year-round.”
– Beth Miller, Apachi City Camping

“Step 1: Wear camp t-shirt and friendship bracelets.

Step 2: Gather marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers.

Step 3: Warm ingredients from step 2 (with a parent’s supervision) and enjoy!

Step 4: Call a camp friend and talk about what you can’t wait to try at camp this summer.

Step 5: Repeat steps 1-4!”
– Solly Kane, OSRUI

“Zooming/FaceTiming with camp friends (until 2am?), z’mirot (hymns) after Shabbat dinner, grilled salami, pretending the cold will go away with a cup of hot chocolate after the polar bear swim, wearing your Ramah apparel, kikar (circle) dancing for exercise, sharing great camp memories snuggled up and snacking on Ramah s’mores kits, and sharing yehi shekets (Be quiet) around the dinner table.”
– Jacob Cytryn, Camp Ramah in Wisconsin

“Camp fun is made by the incredible people at camp – our campers and staff – and so we can absolutely bring that fun into our lives at home. You can wear your camp clothing and dress in goofy camp outfits to bring some spirit and joy to grey winter days. You can teach your family your favorite camp Shabbat songs and games and make them a part of your family’s Shabbat. You can even play fun music in your house in the morning to help everyone wake up and feel excited for the day together! Perhaps most important: you can work to create regular opportunities to stay connected with your camp community and friends through online camp programming, phone calls, or outdoor and appropriately distanced playdates.”
– Amit Weitzer, Habonim Dror Camp Tavor

“1) Set up a fire pit in your backyard with s’mores ingredients and sing your favorite campfire songs.

2) Send letters in the mail back and forth to your camp friends.

3) Mail a letter to your summer camp. It will be waiting for you when you arrive.

4) Invite your camp friends on Zoom to recreate havdallah.

5) Teach your family your favorite Jewish song from camp – and don’t forget the hand motions!”
– Robin Anderson, Camp Young Judaea Midwest

“One word: Marshmallow. A roasted marshmallow is the warmest, gooiest, yummiest food that can be eaten all year long and have you feeling like you’re right back at camp. Just be sure to remember – it always tastes better on a real wooden twig.”
– Ari Strulowitz, Camp Nageela Midwest

We hope these tips will keep the fun going until a (hopefully) in-person camp experience in 2021!
~Compiled by Michelle Cohen