BB Camp hosts informational meet Jan. 6 at Mittleman Center

By Jewish Review

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B’nai B’rith Camp will hold a information night about summer camp sessions, weekend getaways, program, staff and more on Sunday, Jan. 6, at 12:30 p.m. at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland.

BB Camp serves youth entering second through 11th grade. Located on a lakeside campus of the scenic Oregon coast, BB Camp is a premier Jewish resident camp in the Pacific Northwest.

Since 1921, BB Camp has been dedicated to providing the finest summer experience for today’s campers while preparing them to be tomorrow’s community leaders.

“We strive to teach the values and ethics of Jewish living by example, experience and creative expression.

“B’nai B’rith Camp has consistently proven to be a great place for youth to learn about themselves, their Jewish identity, their environment and how to relate to others,” said BB Camp Director Michelle Koplan.

Campers come from as close as Oregon, Washington and California, and as far as Hawaii, Alaska, Florida and New York, with Nevada, Arizona, Montana and Missouri in between.

BB Camp offers a wide range of activities, including: arts and crafts, Jewish enrichment, athletics, water skiing, sailing, canoeing, hydrotubing, swimming, dancing, nature, singing, high- and low-ropes challenge courses, leadership, community service, drama, creative writing, Shabbat celebrations, adventure overnights and trips.

B’nai B’rith Camp is owned by the Mittleman Jewish Community Center of Portland, licensed by the state of Oregon and accredited by the American Camp Association.

Typically there are 100 campers in the Maccabee Camp session, serving campers entering second through eighth grades, June 23-30, and 160 campers each for two longer sessions, serving fourth- to 11th-graders, July 3- 22 and July 24-Aug. 12.

Approximately 85 staff will be on the BB Camp team this summer. Staff are recruited from Hillels, universities, Jewish student organizations, the Summer Shlichim Program (BB Camp typically brings in six to eight Israeli staff) and Camp Counselors USA. Staff come from a number of places, including Washington, Oregon, California, the East Coast, Israel, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and this past summer Poland and Kazahkstan. The staff to child ratio is 1:8.

Cabins sleep up to 18 people, are heated and include electricity and bathroom facilities. Shower houses are nearby.

Besides summer camp sessions, BB Camp offers a variety of weekend getaways for families, youth and adults during the academic year. New this year is a Counselor-in-Training program for those campers entering 11th grade, June 23-30. B’nai B’rith Camp is also available to rent for off-season retreats, events, reunions and weddings.

Camp sessions are filling up. For program and registration information, visit the Web site at www.bbcamp.org or call Koplan at 503-452-3444.