The JCamps Team headed to URJ Greene Family Camp for a weekend of fall fun. Courtesy: Shalom Austin

By Ethan Lane-Miller and Jessica Ochs

JCamps joined URJ Greene Family Camp for a weekend of fun, friendship, and all things Fall Camp! Jessica Ochs, senior youth & teen director, Ethan Lane-Miller, JCamps director, and Caroline Mellow, youth manager, all took the bus to and from camp for the weekend. The energy confirmed that JCamps campers and their families were excited for a weekend at overnight camp.

JCamps staff greeted families at the bus and handed out gift bags to campers with some JCamps swag items. Many staff members said it felt like a summer reunion at the bus stop. This sentiment was shared by campers and parents alike. “We were so excited to see members of the JCamps team in the parking lot at bus drop-off for GFC Fall Camp,” said a parent of a camper. “As parents we felt good knowing the leadership we know and trust from JCamps would be there for the bus ride and over the weekend. Plus, we know JCamps always delivers creative and educational content that the kids love.”

As a part of the weekend the JCamps team led STEM programming on Saturday. Campers started with a lesson on the importance of following instructions and a discussion on what makes science Jewish before launching into projects like making a paper-straw rocket, a paper Mars helicopter, or a paper glider. Saturday night included a demonstration of elephant’s toothpaste (an experiment involving chemical reactions) for the entire camp. It was great seeing campers from Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio all together experiencing the fun of JCamps.

Every Friday at JCamps includes a meaningful Shabbat program at the end of the day. Spending the weekend at GFC’s Fall Camp allows campers to experience Shabbat in an immersive Jewish environment. Some highlights of the weekend were singing Birkat Ha’mazon (a blessing after meals and an overnight Jewish camp tradition), meaningful Shabbat prayer and services led by GFC Director Rabbi Erin Mason and closing out the weekend with a candlelight Havdalah service. GFC Assistant Director Morgan Ducar led some amazing song sessions that even included some favorite JCamps tunes.

JCamps attended the weekend as a part of the growing partnership with the two Jewish overnight camps in Texas, Greene Family Camp and Camp Young Judea-Texas (CYJ). Jewish camping is a transformative experience for campers and staff alike. 

“I’m glad that Greene Family Camp and the J have built a tighter partnership over the last year,” said a staff member who has works at both JCamps and GFC. [Having the JCamps Team] at Fall Camp made me feel good. I knew that people who knew me were there.”

JCamps believes that all campers should experience a Jewish overnight camp and are excited to work with Greene Family Camp and Camp Young Judea-Texas to provide these opportunities for Austin campers. 

The JCamps staff is looking forward to attending camps in the spring, visiting over the summer, and partnering on other amazing events.