Download - Camp Cohen Annual Report 2014-2015
2 0 1 4 I M P A C T R e P o R T
Spanning Generations,Shaping the Future
Pembroke Tel Noar Tevya Dor L’Dor
At the Cohen Camps, we cherish each
camper and each summer moment of
discovery, confidence, and connection
because we firmly believe that each day of Jewish summer camp lasts a lifetime.
For over 80 years, we have furthered my grandfather
Eli’s vision: a love of, and responsibility for, community,
values, tradition – and innovation.
Today’s Cohen Camps are entering a newera. Camp Pembroke, Camp Tel Noar and Camp Tevya,
along with our growing Dor L’Dor Israel programs, are
each the spirited, passionate homes they have been
for so many generations, while also brimming withfresh energy, warmth, and commitment to excellence.
The generous support of our families and alumni is
visible at camp every day. Your help engages specialists,
grows programming, improves and adds facilities,
cultivates teen and staff leadership, and ensures
scholarship aid. Thank you. We need your partnership
to continue to shape the Cohen Camps’ future – and its
impact on our campers, our staff, and our community.
Warmly,
Jonathan Cohen
Third-generation President
The Cohen Camps
Thank YouCamp Pembroke,
Camp Tel Noar and
Camp Tevya, Dor L’Dor and
The Cohen Camps deeply
appreciate every gift, of all
sizes. For a full listing of
donors to each, please visit
cohencamps.org/thankyou
Thanks to YoU, in 2014 The Cohen Camps:
Welcomed 1,156 campers,
including 239 first-timers
for 6,085 camper-weeks
Achieved camper re-enrollment rate of 90%Nationwide Jewish camp average: 79%(JData, March 2014)
Granted financial aid to 27%of our campers
our Mission:
The Cohen Camps enrich children’s lives by
encouraging Jewish youth to be comfortable and
confident in themselves so that they can connect
positively with others and the world they live in.
We are a community of positive role models
who help our youth explore their Jewish identity
and experience the joy of their Jewish heritage.
Our campers and counselors leave camp
determined to sustain Judaism and the Jewish
People, and are committed to contributing
responsibly to their world.
• The Legacy Table project united alumnae and our oldest campers to explore
and share 80 years of Pembroke and Israel, side-by-side.
• Lights! Costumes! The Drama elective! In four full musicals, campers shone
on stage.
• Intensive Sports Clinics added optional advanced training in Cheerleading,
Volleyball and Field Hockey.
• our unique S-Team Project (supported by the
Irving and Charlotte Backman Fund) cultivated girls’
individuality and identity through a Jewish lens.
• Host of the 2014 Jewish Arts Festival, we welcomed
all of New England’s Jewish camps for song, dance,
and community pride.
• Tsofim Sports Tournaments cultivated athletic
prowess and sportsmanship on court and field.
• The Shabbat open Doorway transitioned us into
a special day—and a new tradition, built by our
Foundation for Jewish Camp Cornerstone Fellows.
• Our two-week sessions filled our newest campers
with CTN warmth, calming first-timer worries and
opening up the world of camp.
eNRICHING CHILDReN’S LIVeS
So much goes into creating a top-notch, life-changing, eye-opening camper
experience. Facilities, equipment and planning, sure. The most important
ingredient: counselors and staff. This year, we brought in more coaches,
artists, Israeli counselors and specialists to add depth and energy to our programs.
camppembroke.org
5-year attendance high
Planning
70th Reunion in 2015
First 4thgeneration camper
250 Alumnae at the August
Reunion
camptelnoar.org
Tevya Chai Match: The Tevya family met and EXCEEDED by 14% the
challenge made by JCamp180, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation –
ahead of the deadline! Thank you to alumni Ric and Caren Bobroff and Michael
London for leadership gifts and to the 55 generous donors who unlocked these
funds and JCamp180’s match. Adding in the proceeds from last summer’s
incredible Tevya Trot, look what Camp Tevya achieved in Summer 2014:
• Renovated and unveiled the Seth Feldman Fitness Center, including weight
training and aerobic spaces, reinforcing Tevya’s camp-wide renewed emphasis
on physical health.
• Built the Bobroff Family Beit Shira, putting voices raised
in song at the heart of the campus.
NEXT UP:
Pembroke Chai Match in 2014-15camppembroke.org/chai-match
BUILDING LIFeLoNG CoNNeCTIoNS
At camp, we build enduring friendships, lasting community and a shared bond
with Israel and with our heritage. These values are always in season. So why
should the kids get all the fun and learning? This year, our alumni programs
and Israel engagement blossomed.
A year of Alumni/ae Reunions
August 3, 2014 June 20-21, 2014 Coming June 27, 2015
The first-ever Camp Alumni App for professional networking
Our alumni asked. We listened. And we launched the FIRST EVER summer camp
mobile Alumni App powered by Evertrue and LinkedIn: we’re a global community –
and now colleagues, too.
cohencamps.org/alumni/app
!
camptevya.org
500 alumni and families celebrated
Tevya’s 75th Anniversary atcamp, from Friday’s Kabbalat
Shabbat through Saturday’s Havdalah and
beach campfire.
Transformative. Now transformed.
As a camper:Daily life at every camp celebrates heritage, Israel and Jewish values through our
Israeli counselor delegation, Israeli dancing, buildings named after Israeli places
and Zionist heroes, and Hebrew heard every day. Campers grow up looking forward
to Shabbat updates from Israel by the teens on Dor L’Dor.
For teens: Dor L’Dor (Generation to Generation)
The capstone of the Cohen Camps experience, the Dor L’Dor Leadership Program
guides our oldest campers through Israel – and back to camp in junior leader roles.
This year we launched a first-of-its-kind online teen leadership certification course,
in partnership with Prozdor/Hebrew College, to extend the learning before and
afterwards. 2014’s Israeli conflict posed challenges—and learning opportunities,
supported by the parent-initiated Dor L’Dor Friendship Fund through which we
hosted teens from Southern Israel for a Shabbat away from the conflict.
NeW for college-age counselors: DLD: College Style
Choose a resume-building internship or a paying summer job? Our college-age staff
need both. We need our staff. So we invented a solution that the Foundation for
Jewish Camp now suggests as a model nationwide – a game changer for Jewish
camps. Thanks to our first-ever crowdfunding campaign and in partnership with
Onward Israel, our first DLD: College Style cohort experienced a 5-week, intensive
springtime internship in Jerusalem (in fields such as high-tech, journalism and
non-profits), then came home to work at the camp they love.
NeW for alumni, parents, and grandparents:DLD Adult Israel Trip
We gathered all our expertise – and changed
it up! In July 2014, our first-ever – and
sold-out – DLD Adult Israel Trip explored
Israel and its culture with fascinating tours,
thought-provoking speakers, wonderful
meals and, of course, plenty of Cohen Camps
ruach (spirit). (The 2015 trip is booking now.)
cohencamps.org/israel-programs
ISRAEL PROGRAMS
LooKING AHeAD, STRATeGICALLYour vision is big: to fully realize the transformative power of Jewish
summer camp. The Cohen Camps are developing a long-term strategic
plan for each camp and for the organization as a whole to nurture new
generations of active Jews, fostering energy and vitality they can bring
to their families and communities. We invite you – our families, alumni,
staff and friends – to join in. Help us invest in the power of Jewish camp. Help build this vibrant future.
Making Your Contributions Count:
Of every dollar that you
entrust to us in tuition
and donations, 85 cents
goes directly to the
camper experience and
4 cents to financial aid.
THANK YoU
Growth in Philanthropy:
97% of income comes from tuition, and the rest from donations. Gifts to all camps increased this
year, some dramatically. This vital support from alumni, parents and friends DIRECTLY enables each
camp to enhance the camper experience, facilities, staff growth, and financial aid. Thank you.
Staff
39¢
Program/Supplies
20¢
Food
7¢
Facilities
11¢Insurance
6¢ Administration
9¢
Scholarships
4¢
Outreach
2¢
Learn s’more and donate:www.cohencamps.org/give-2-camp
Camp Pembroke Camp Tel Noar Camp Tevya
$60,437 $68,246 $126,346
� Dor L’Dor
� Capital Projects
� Unrestricted/Other
� Scholarships
2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014
Your Gift Matters
2013 Audited Data, aggregated
for all programs. Patterns are fairly
consistent at each camp.
20
14
In 2014:
23 Israeli counselors
151 travelers to Israel
399 staff
537 donors, 15% more
than in 2013
Individuals’ gifts ranged from
$10 - $12,500
2,612 friendship bracelets made
13,242 pieces of coffee cake
eaten on Saturday mornings
According to Parents:
97% of campers had an
Excellent/Good experience!
78% came home with a
deeper connection to Judaism
and Israel
82% now know more about
Jewish practice and Israeli life
“Alumni are now an integral part of Tevya. It is so amazing
and exciting for me to reconnect with “old” Tevya friends.
The Tevya spirit has reignited in me stronger than ever!”Tevya alum
“We’ve been talking a lot about how we can bring Israel
back to our camps and our schools, and we have some
great ideas in store. Look out for us – we’re coming!”Dor L’Dor: College Style intern in Israel and counselor at Tel Noar
“I was blown away by the deep
friendships my daughter made, by
the independence and growth she
experienced this summer, and her
deepened Jewish identity.”Pembroke parent
Three Jewish camps.
Growing Israel programs.
Lifetime friendships.
enduring values.
All thanks to you.
Please invest in the power of Jewish camp and in The Cohen Camps’ vibrant future.
Donate online to Camp Pembroke, Camp Tel Noar or Camp Tevya:
www.cohencamps.org/give-2-camp