Wooden Acres Camp:
A Child's Place to Become a Shinin Star
.
By: Lissa Greenberg
In January 2003 with no more than a hope, prayer
and dream, Linda and Harvey Finkelberg opened up
their own private Jewish Camp.
"In today's camping world most people buy existing
camps, they don't start from scratch," says David Miller,
long-time camp director. He continues on to say, "If
anyone can start a camp and make it work by setting
a standard of excellence unmatched in the camping
community, it is Harvey Finkelberg."
Linda and Harvey are very proud of what they
accomplished in the first two summers. Harvey speaks
with passion when he says, "I wanted this camp to be
a place where everyone knows each other, not only the
campers but also the parents. I know every camper
personally and have visited many of them in their homes.
There are many camps, but few can actually make a child
feel like they are the most important person. We do this
at Wooden Acres." Harvey goes on to say, "You need
three things to make your camp a place where children
want to be and parents want to send their children: a
caring, nurturing environment where every child feels
valued and becomes a shining star, a belief that there is no
greater job than taking care of children, and guaranteed
excellence in facilities, staff and programming."
Linda, who is involved in all aspects of the camp,
but primarily takes care of the office operations, is "so
proud of how parents trust us to care for their children.
We have many first time campers and children who did
not have successful experiences at other camps and their
parents call and can't thank us enough for taking care of
their child and ensuring that their camping experience is
a positive one."
Adam Kahane, a 7th. grade boy who went to two
different camps and had a difficult time at each,
says, "I was always homesick and felt left out, and
it seemed no one cared, but at Wooden Acres my
counselors and the head staff Harvey, Joni, Cheryl,
Sari and Linda would always make sure I was doing
okay." Lisa Kahane, Adam's mother, cannot stop
raving about the care her child got. "This was the
last camp we were going to try. We told Adam he did
not have to go after this summer, but my husband
and I know how great camp can be, and pushed him
to try Wooden Acres. It could not have worked out
better. He loved it and can't wait to go back next
summer. I think what it comes down to is Linda
and Harvey really care about every child and do
whatever it takes to help them succeed," says Mrs.
Kahane.
Harvey is confident Wooden Acres will continue
to be the camp of choice for children and parents
wanting more than just a summer of fun. His goal
is to have a small intimate camp of approximately
250 children per session, 500 campers per summer.
"In 2003 we had 150 campers, which we more than
doubled in 2004, and after an amazing summer in
2004 we will be at capacity in 2005." Linda, with a
great big smile on her face, says, "It's very special to
have parents trust us with their children, allowing
us our dream of enriching children's lives through
summer camp."
10/29
2004
12
893930