"Keeping the Children Safe"
Israel Summer Camps July 2002 Report
FACTS
- 260,000 children participated in day camp (140,000 more children than summer 2001)
- Ages 6-12
- Day camps ran in July 2002
- Sessions were 18 days (5-6 days per week as determined by facility)
- 1700 camp facilities countrywide
- In 2002, children received a subsidy of up to 65% of the price of the day camp
- In each camp, a committee was established to provide assistance to families in need (including Ethiopian and Caucasus Israelis) - Local authorities did not budget for camps due to slumping Israeli economy
RESPONSE
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- Staffing and training counselors and camp coordinators
- Interactive summer camp programming
- Enrollment campaign
- Security and protection system including guards, vehicles and fencing areas at camps
Through the financial support of the Federations through UJC, JDC's summer camp program created a mahapach -- "a revolution" in the lives of Israeli children this summer. As a direct result of the funding of this initiative in 2002, camp registration increased to 260,000. Children who would otherwise not have participated in any summer activities were given an opportunity to be in a fun-filled safe environment with other children.
IMPACT
- Increase in number of locations of camps. A substantial number of municipalities not planning to open summer camps were able to do so
- Many parents who thought they would not be able to send their children to camp were able to do so
- Some municipalities which had planned a reduced program of activities in community centers and sports fields were able to increase programs for the children. The expanded camp activities included arts & crafts, camping, hiking, Israeli folklore and more
- New immigrants, parents facing financial hardship, and single-parent families were able to send their children to camp
- Transportation and lunch for programs ending at 4:00 p.m.
- Parents continued their normal daily routine without having to worry about their children
- Children from various ethnic groups interacted with each other through group activities
- Many localities held a second session of day camp for the benefit of their residents
- Thousands of teenagers received paying jobs this summer working in the day camps
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- Tiberias: Registration increased from 300 to 1,800 children
- Migdal Ha-emek: Zero camps in 2001 to camps for 1,600 children in 2002
- Kfar Saba: Playground activities in 2001 expanded to full day camps for 1,700 children in 2002
- Ashdod: Estimated and planned for 6,000 children; 11,000 children actually enrolled in 2002
- In "confrontation line" localities, day camps were held for most of the children in the town. In Matan, Nirit, Tzur Yigal, Neve Yemin, Modi'in, and Shoham residents volunteered to work in the day camps, as counselors and security guards
- The Israel Emergency Campaign (IEC) funding greatly enabled localities to offer assistance to children from economically distressed neighborhoods.
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The "Keeping the Children Safe"summer camp program was |
