By , Special to JTNews
As Camp Solomon Schechter enters its 48th year of Jewish camping in the Northwest, a plan has been approved to dramatically increase the number of beds available to campers. The camp is committed to accommodating the number of youth from the Northwest who desire a Jewish summer camping experience.
Camp Solomon Schechter is already one of the most frequented Jewish camps in the Pacific Northwest, and future generations of campers, Odeds (counselors in training) and counselors will benefit from the addition of 48 beds for three of the summer sessions.
The camp’s summer enrollment, professional staff development, community impact and board of director involvement have all dramatically grown over the last four years. Prior to the board’s decision, enrollment was stopped and a waiting list had begun, until the staff and board made the necessary accommodations for the additional 48 campers.
“The registrations this year are phenomenal,” states Hilary Buff, executive director of Camp Solomon Schechter. “We had so many camp registrations by October 15th, 2001, and over 70 campers were on the waiting list by December 1st, 2001. We are as committed as ever to continue our quality program for a fun, consistent, Jewish camping experience for any Pacific Northwest child who wants to attend.”
“We were able to go ahead with the decision to build the new cabins based upon generous donations by campers’ families, long-time camp supporters and organizations committed to Jewish camping experiences in the State of Washington,” states Paul Norr, president of CSS. “We are still in the fund-raising mode, but the board felt it was necessary to build the cabins to accommodate the children on the waiting list.”
Adds Buff: “Camp Solomon Schechter would like to thank the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, and the Samis Foundation, for their generous contributions towards the camp cabin expansion and their continued support. A special thanks to all of our donors who support camp.”
Last year, the board approved a long-range-plan study with John Kyle, Walker & Macy, a Portland-based professional development organization, to research the feasibility of an updated summer camp facility and year-round conference center on the 160-acre site, which presently utilizes only 16 acres.
In 1999, the board formally renamed the facility grounds, from Trails End to The Stampfer Center, in honor of Rabbi Joshua and Goldie Stampfer, who for many years operated the camp together and managed the program and finances, with Goldie serving as the bookkeeper, administrator and kitchen manager. While others helped with the camp, it was the founding leadership of the Stampfers that resulted in Camp Solomon Schechter becoming a reality.
This past summer, more than 1,000 campers’ families, long-time alumni and supporters joined the camp at its second annual Open House to celebrate its largest camper enrollment in the camp’s history.
If any alumni or Friends of Camp Solomon Schechter are interested in receiving the executive summary from the Site Development Study, contact the camp office at 206-447-1967. If you are interested in having your child attend Camp Solomon Schechter, or if your family is interested in attending a Family Camp Weekend, contact the camp for a brochure.