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Grateful. Growing.

Your 2021 Cohen Camps Impact Report

 
 

From the President

Jonathan Cohen
Third-generation President
The Cohen Camps

 

Dear Cohen Camps family,

Thank you for an unforgettable year of setback and comeback. I and the Board and staff of the Cohen Camps are humbled by the generosity and caring of this extraordinary camp community. Literally thousands of you stepped forward in ways big and small over the pandemic’s year-and-a-half, as parents, grandparents, donors, seasonal staff, volunteers and, above all, as cherished friends. 

You rekindled camp. This year more than ever, campers needed a return to community and childhood. Because of you, Camps Pembroke, Tel Noar, and Tevya could give each child and teen a summer of joy and growth, laughter and hugs, songs and games, and reconnection. Together we provided safe, supportive sessions—without a single case of COVID-19 inside the “camp bubble!”

What did this summer mean to campers and to the future of camp? Everything. I invite you to read how, in this 2021 Impact Report.

With love and camp spirit,

Jonathan's signature
 

“Our child was the happiest he's been all year. This sliver of normalcy was priceless. Thank you for keeping our son safe and giving him the summer he yearned for. Truly a gift and a shining light after a very challenging year.”

 
 

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.

 
 

YOU make all the difference

Tuition covers the operational costs of camp. Philanthropy generates opportunity. Every donor makes possible: camper scholarships, new programs, major facility improvements, and counselor/staff development. You have our deepest thanks.

Jackie Croopnick, Pembroke
Gregg Darish, Tevya
Renee Goldberg & Paul Greenberg, Tel Noar
Co-Chairs for Development,
Cohen Camps Board of Directors

Barbara Stevens,
Development Director

Campers craved reconnection.
Camp plays a
vital role.

 

73% of campers

attended mostly remote or hybrid school last spring.

Parents shared:

“She has missed most of middle school.”

“It was a grinding year of remote learning.”

We’re GRATEFUL to…

  • Camp Families

    Your partnership and flexibility ensured that campers arrived at camp healthy and ready. You hung in there as we awaited CDC recommendations and State guidance, and you adjusted alongside us. You helped create the best possible summers for your children.

  • Our 322 Summer 2021 staff

    You took a challenging job that demanded even more of you this year: intense social/emotional support for the children and teens in your care and activities revised to meet new requirements. You even stayed at camp all summer long, including your days off, to protect the “bubble.” For many, this was your first serious job—and you carried a lot on your shoulders. You are mentors and caregivers who uplift us all.

Thank you, staff,
for how you…

“made my kid feel valued

“helped him feel connected, loved, and comfortable.”

“gave her encouragement and advice when she needed it.”  

“made my first time camper feel very welcome.”

“were attentive, kind, and patient.”

“were truly wonderful role models!”

  • The Medical Committee and our Health Center teams

    Your expertise helped put healthy protocols in place, customized to each camp. You prepared camp and staff for the summer—and cared for us all while here.

  • Our Alumni/ae

    You volunteered at camp to get it ready to re-open. You organized fundraisers all year long. You continue to energize each other, and to carry camp spirit and community wherever you go.

  • Our Challenge Match partners

    JCamp180,
    a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation
    The Greene and Wolfe families
    The Greenberg/Goldberg family
    Andrea and Michael Leven

    Your vision inspires so many others. You are cultivating a culture of philanthropy that changes the future for our camps’ nonprofit mission—and for Jewish community and continuity.

  • Each and every donor!

    As parents, grandparents, alumni, staff, and friends, your generosity rebuilds what’s possible. We know camp asks a lot of you. We are grateful for how you rally to keep the flame of camp burning brightly for future campers. With all the intensity of a Color War, your love of camp shines in every gift, every encouraging email—and every day of camp for today’s campers.

Your philanthropy in 2020 and 2021, combined:

2,017

unique donors

4,463

generous gifts

1,019

gifts from first-time donors

88

donors of $1,000 and more

Campers
Friendships
Community
Commitment

GROWING STRONG, thanks to YOU

In Summer 2021, camp welcomed

983
campers

247
first-time campers

25% of families say…

scholarship assistance made all the difference in their ability to send their child to camp

Parents say…

“We picked up a happy, confident, and soul-satisfied camper. Thank you for providing her with the tools for continued growth, deepening friendships, leadership opportunities, and more.”

“You gave him back part of what was lost in the last year of the pandemic.”

“For all that our children lost this year, I know they gained so much at Tel Noar this summer and I am so grateful for that.”

“He had an amazing Tevya experience. He returned home having met new friends, discovered new interests, and deepened his connection to the Jewish community.”

“Campers needed the experience more than ever, and Pembroke was outstanding. Your hard work paid off and you inspired, changed, and uplifted countless young girls. Thank you will never be enough.”

Parents say...

the aspects of camp they value most for their child are:

 

A complicated summer, with heartening success.

Pods. Masks. The Delta variant’s emergence.

Was it “normal”? No.
Fun? YES!
Did we learn a lot? For sure.

Responsive health and safety protocols affected the 2021 camp experience.

In spite of all the changes required, we’re pleased that parents assessed the overall quality of their children's experience as positively as they did pre-pandemic in 2019.

 

Parents say…

  • “Even the "not perfect" parts presented blessings in disguise. He tried new activities and gained confidence in his social skills.”

  • “We are forever thankful to all the Senior Staff, Counselors, and everyone behind the scenes for the sacrifices and commitment they made to keep these campers safe, and to keep camp running without interruption. It was a special bubble at camp, where they could laugh, play, and just be kids without fear. A sliver of normalcy in an abnormal time.”

2020 & 2021 Financials

The 2-year story of pandemic recovery

To bridge the budget deficit due to COVID, we established the $3 Million Sustainability Fund. Thanks to generous support by thousands of donors, two rounds of SBA PPP loans, and drawing on our “rainy day” savings, as of November 2021 camp is almost back in balance.

Please help the Sustainability Fund finish strong! Together, we’re just $150,000 away from complete success. Make a year-end contribution to brighten the possibilities for campers and camp next summer and into the future.

1-Year & 2-Year Donor Honor Rolls

Recent Leadership Giving

Exceptional generosity since October 1, 2021

 

$7,200 and more

Harold and Marion Bobroff Family Foundation

Debbi and Michael Coran

Mary W. B. Curtis Trust

Danielle and Gregg Darish

The Harold Grinspoon Foundation

Sarah Hanna and Noah Wollowick

The Kasavana Family

The Lefkowitz Family

Andrea and Mike Leven

Marvin Mittleman z”l

The Richmond Charitable Foundation


2021 Donor
Honor Roll

Gifts in Fiscal Year 2021
(October 1, 2020 - September 30, 2021)

We have tried to list everyone correctly! If you would like your listing to appear differently, please email development@cohencamps.org.

 

2-Year Sustainability Honor Roll

Celebrating cumulative gifts throughout the pandemic,
which together have now completed the Sustainability Fund!
(May 1, 2020 – January 10, 2022)

 

with appreciation for:

Tzaddikim (Exceptional Leaders): Our Challenge Match Partners | $85,000+

Camp Legends | $25,000+

Chai Lights | $18,000 to $24,999

Sunshine on the Lake | $10,000 to $17,999

Color War Captains | $5,000 to $9,999

Role Models | $1,000 to $4,999

Michael Jeser Legacy Fund at Tevya

Forever Friends | up to $999

Thank you always

for your partnership, for your love of Jewish camp, and for your continued dedication and commitment to these special places.

  • Amy Coran & Becca Goodman

    Amy & Becca

    CO-DIRECTORS,
    CAMP PEMBROKE

  • Ben & Lauren

    Ben & Lauren

    DIRECTOR & ASSISTANT DIRECTOR,
    CAMP TEVYA

  • CTN Leadership team

    Noah & Amanda

    DIRECTOR & ASSISTANT DIRECTOR,
    CAMP TEL NOAR

  • Board of Directors

    Etahn Cohen, Chair
    Alison Clew
    Jackie Croopnick
    Gregg Darish
    Lynne Delise
    Renee Goldberg
    Paul Greenberg
    Carol Bolton Kappel
    Daniella Levine
    Jon Wasserman
    Adina Cohen Ziegler
    Sarah Ziegler
    Jonathan Cohen, President

Questions?

Looking for more ways to give, such as a Donor Advised Fund or in your will?

If you'd like to discuss your giving, I'd be delighted to talk with you.

 
Barbara Stevens photo

Barbara Stevens,
Development Director
bstevens@cohencamps.org
781.489.2070