18 | DECEMBER 3 • 2020 

ister early because space will 
likely be limited. Fees paid 
for last summer can be rolled 
over to 2021. 
Several camps tried to 
make up for canceling their 
sessions last year by imple-
menting virtual programs. 
Roeper Schools in 
Bloomfield Hills normally 
serves 400 children, ages 
3-12, in its day camp and 
another 100, ages 4-14, in a 
theater camp. Last summer, 
they ran one-hour online 
programs offered in four 
timeslots every weekday. 
Participants could sign up for 
one hour or for several.
About 250 children 
enrolled in the virtual pro-
grams, said Paula Romano, 
Roeper’s director of auxiliary 
programs, including some 
from out of state. It worked 
so well that Roeper plans to 

do it again this summer, even 
as they hope to reopen the 
onsite day camps. 

OTHER JEWISH CAMPS
Last summer would 
have been the 60th sea-
son for Camp Ramah in 
Canada, affiliated with the 
Conservative movement, 
which normally serves nearly 
600 children ages 7-16. When 
the camp was forced to close 
by the Ontario government, 
they implemented a three-
week virtual program in 
which 150 enrolled.
“We know how important 
camp is, and we’re doing 
everything we can to care-
fully and cautiously open 
next summer,” said Aviva 
Millstone, associate director.
Camp Young Judaea 
Midwest in Waupaca, Wis., 
also ran an online program 

called Virtual Explorers. “Any 
child could join us for two 
hours a day to engage in fun, 
interactive programming,” 
said Robin Anderson, direc-
tor. “Our programs included 
cooking, escape rooms, maker 
space, krav maga, art, Shabbat 
events and much more.”
The camp hopes to open 
next summer, and is working 
with state public health offi-
cials and the American Camp 
Association to develop plans.
Habonim Dror Camp 
Tavor in Three Rivers, Mich., 
offered a four-week virtual 
session as well as a fami-
ly camping program last 
summer. “We adapted our 
multi-day bike ride to a one-
day bike ride and developed 
a brand new cabin rental 
program, providing camp 
families and alumni with a 
unique, safe and nourishing 

opportunity” to enjoy the 
camp grounds, said Amit 
Weitzer, executive director.
Tavor is consulting with the 
camps that operated in 2020, 
as well as with the Centers 
for Disease Control and the 
American Camp Association, 
to develop plans for next 
summer. “We know our 
campers and community need 
camp now more than ever 
before,” said Weitzer.
Anna Singer of 
Birmingham, parent of 
Willoway campers Sam, 8, 
and Jack, 6, agreed.
“You are true superheroes,” 
she said in a note to the direc-
tors. “You have given us hope 
and courage that our kids will 
come through this hurdle of 
life on the upswing. Camp 
gave our children purpose, 
much needed socialization 
and challenged them.” 

continued from page 16

“WE HAD TO BUY LOTS OF 
EQUIPMENT FOR SANITIZING.” 

— WILLOWAY’S LORRAINE FISHER

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAMP WILLOWAY

Cassidy Tuthill of Bloomfield 

Hills and Josh Lipson of 

West Bloomfield get in some 

fishing at Camp Willoway.

Alexa Schafer 

of Birmingham

Joey Fearon of 

Birmingham enjoys a 

craft project at Camp 

Willoway.

Ben Moor of 

Bloomfield Hills

Zachary Dorf of 

West Bloomfield

CAMP GUIDE