Jewish Family Camp: Families of Color Weekend

Description

Project Shamash is thrilled to be co-sponsoring this first-ever Families of Color Weekend with Camp Tawonga.

Join us in this intentional affinity space for Jewish families of color (JOC+*) to build community, relax and rejuvenate in the stunning beauty of the Sierra Mountains.

 

Overview

We are thrilled to offer an affinity space just for families with at least one person of color in their household. This weekend will celebrate multiracial Jewish community and cultural richness by centering JOC+* families and offering dynamic workshops, discussions and other programming led by JOC+ guest educators on a range of topics. The weekend will also include all the classic Tawonga Family Camp offerings, like campfires with s’mores, a community shabbat celebration, talent show, and more.

*JOC+ includes folks who have been marginalized by whiteness racially or culturally and who root themselves in diverse identities including Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian, Sephardi, Mizrachi, Middle Eastern and more. Please reach out if you have questions about whether this affinity space is a good fit for you!

Program Highlights

We hope to empower participants to co-create the experience with us! Please let us know if there is a workshop or offering you would like to be paid to contribute to the weekend. Below is an initial line-up of JOC+ family guest educators and program facilitators:

  • Yoga and mindfulness practices, led by Kimberly Dueñas of Jewtina y Co, a Jewish and Latin organization working to nurture Latin-Jewish community, leadership and resiliency.
  • JOC+ Family Panel, led by weekend participants sharing personal stories and insights through a Q&A forum about the lived experiences of being part of a family of color in the Jewish community.
  • Multicultural-themed songleading led by Isaac Zones, whose family holds and celebrates multiple identities and cultures. Isaac will lead songs in spanish, songs rooted in Sephardic culture and more!

General Program Highlights

Activities – In addition to specialized JFAM programming, we’re offering all of our classic Family Camp activities, including yoga, arts and crafts, the challenge course, hiking, campfires and s’mores, boating on the lake, shabbat, stargazing and more!

Day Groups and Childcare – Morning day group childcare for kids three and older. Children will participate in activities outside and masked. For those with little ones under three, we will have some fun baby/toddler and parent activities to enjoy! Due to masking, distancing and staffing constraints as a result of COVID-19, we are unfortunately not able to safely provide childcare in the mornings for children under three. (Children under three pay a reduced price. Parents can enjoy evening childcare for all ages once the children are asleep.)

Shabbat – As a community, we celebrate Shabbat with singing, dancing and a delicious Friday night dinner followed by participatory, kid-friendly services in our beautiful outdoor sanctuary on Saturday morning.

Meals – Tawonga will serve tasty meals to families outside. Each family will have their own designated table and the kitchen will provide one tray per family at each meal. Free-flowing Peet’s coffee available daily.

Housing & Bathrooms – Each family will have their own cabin and will be assigned to a bathroom and shower.

Health, Safety & COVID

With the excellent success and rollout of vaccines, we are able to offer our more traditional Family Camps in 2021 with some modifications for COVID-19 safety like masks, outdoor dining and social distancing! We will require either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arriving at Camp for each person in the family. Safety remains our number one priority which is why we have made all of the above modifications. We will have trusted medical staff on site as always.

Cost

3 year-olds to adults: Sliding scale $395-$525
Under 3: Sliding scale $195 - $275

We do not want cost to be prohibitive for any families. Families are encouraged to explore financial assistance options here.

In addition, a $150 discount will be given to any family that brings a new family to the weekend! We want everyone to feel a sense of belonging at this program, and we know that having friendly people you know join you will make you feel more comfortable. Ultimately, we just want everyone to feel at ease and to have a great time!

Questions?

Please feel free to reach Ashley Costello, Program Director at Camp Tawonga with any questions, or if you are interested in being on the planning committee: [email protected].

 

Date & Time

September 09, 2021 — September 12, 2021

Location

Camp Tawonga