An impressive 70% of Camp Daisy and Harry Stein campers return to the overnight Jewish camp the following summer. Nestled in the majestic Bradshaw Forest of Prescott, Camp Stein is owned and operated by Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale. The forest environment provides the perfect setting for the many outdoor activities, such as mountain biking and horseback riding, that help entice campers to return year after year.
“Camp Stein is a wonderful Jewish summer camp community that allows campers and staff alike to build and strengthen their Jewish identities, live in an immersive Jewish environment and form lasting friendships and relationships in an intimate setting with all of the exciting activities that we are able to offer,” says Camp Director Brian Mitchell, who notes about 300 youth attend the camp each year.
To help attract first-time campers, last year Camp Stein partnered with the Jewish Foundation for Jewish Camp’s One Happy Camper Incentive grant program. This year Mitchell says the camp is offering its own camperships for first-time campers (email campdirector@cbiaz.org). Arizona families still can apply for the One Happy Camper to see if they qualify through partnerships such as PJ Goes To Camp for families who have participated in PJ Library).
Whether they had a grant or not, Camp Stein’s first-time campers were hooked last summer.
Though he was attending Camp Stein for the first time last summer, fifth-grader Max Cain had attended another camp the previous year – Camp Firefly, a camp for children with Asperger’s and other high-functioning challenges, in Wisconsin. “His older brother Zac has attended Camp Stein for the past three years,” says Max’s mom, Elisa Cain. Since Max is on the autism spectrum, in 2012 Elisa thought the Wisconsin camp would be a good fit. “Although he loved it, it was a logistical nightmare.”
“I spoke with Rabbi (Stephen) Kahn and Brian (the camp director) regarding that our camp should be able to accommodate Jewish kids with special needs,” says Elisa. “Especially with the Jewish focus on inclusion and community, we need to have something available. Although Camp Stein was not prepared to have the trained staff to work with a high-functioning special needs camp group, we met with Brian, Brian met with the boys and we decided we were going to make it work. We were able to give them ‘tips’ on how to work with Max.”
“When we picked up Max he was so happy,” says Elisa. “He loved the counselors, he loved horseback riding and he practically lived at the art shack every day. He definitely cannot wait until next summer!”
Another first-timer at Camp Stein, fourth-grader Maddie Garber, says she was excited to go to camp with friends from school and Sunday school who signed up for the same two-week camp session. And her circle of friends only grew. “I really liked meeting new kids and becoming friends with them,” says Maddie. “I loved the services outside; I liked rock climbing and horseback riding and art. … I enjoyed all the evening programs we did – like Mission Impossible, where you had to get to one place before a counselor caught you.”
Last summer Maddie says she went to a two-week session “to get a taste” of camp; next year she plans to go for four weeks. “It was a really fun experience, and I hope other kids can have the same experience,” she says.
Though the Garbers didn’t apply for the grant available for children attending Jewish overnight camp for the first time, Jennifer Garber says she is very glad the camperships exist. “I went to camp on scholarship and would not have had the opportunity if that wasn’t available,” says Jennifer, adding that now the family donates to CBI’s scholarship fund. Jennifer attended a Reform movement camp in the Midwest, and her husband Dr. Stuart Garber attended a URJ camp in Texas; both wanted their daughter to have the same experience. “Maddie came home so excited,” says Jennifer. “She embraced the whole experience.”
“Camp Stein is such a warm and wonderful extension of the Jewish community,” she says. “Kids who go create a valuable foundation for their Jewish life and Jewish identity.”
