The Capital Camps Story
In 1985 the Greater Washington Jewish community approved the creation of a residential camp. Helped by proceeds from the sale of Camp Kaufmann, land was purchased in the Catoctin Mountains of Pennsylvania – once the site of Camps Wohelo, Comet and Comet Trails. With this purchase Capital Camps was born! In 1988, the camp opened with 190 campers and 30 staff. In summer 1990, our 8th – 10th graders moved to Camp Kaufmann and in 1991 Camp Reich opened for middle-schoolers and Camp Benjamin welcomed our youngest campers. The camp’s unwavering commitment to quality programming in a nurturing Jewish environment facilitated ACA accreditation and membership in the Jewish Community Centers Association (JCCA).
Dedicated Leadership
Capital Camps has always attracted caliber individuals to serve on its Board of Directors. From our founding chairman Bernard Whitel’z on we have been blessed to have passionate, dedicated community minded leaders. In recent years the partnership between the Greater Washington and Baltimore communities has been solidified as members have joined the Board from these two regions and dedicated themselves to the fiduciary oversight associated with a first class not for profit agency.
On the professional side of the equation, in 2001 David Phillips was named CEO (succeeding the wonderful Faye Bousel) and brought with him a background in camping, program development, fundraising and community organization. Working with David is a team of devoted year-round professionals who manage the multi-faceted needs of an increasingly large and sophisticated agency. Included in this cadre is a year-round dedicated camp team comprised of the Camp Director (Sam Roberts), and Assistant Director (Adam Broms) – both of whom are committed excellence.
Commitment to Community
Capital Camps remains faithful to the principle of ‘camp for all.’ Every summer we provide significant awards to families in the form of scholarships and subsidies to those who may otherwise be unable to experience a life-changing Jewish camp experience. In 1995 the Atzm’aim (independence) program for campers with special needs was introduced. Benefiting from low camper-counselor ratios, these campers are encouraged to participate in all activities. Fully mainstreamed into the general camp population, these campers add an important dimension to our camp community.
Today and Beyond
Over the past few years, there has been an increased understanding of the pivotal role that camping plays in Jewish identity-building. In 2002, our Board of Directors, supported by senior community leadership, unveiled a comprehensive master plan to develop a first class camp facility and upgraded program. The following summer, a state-of-the-art Aquatics Center opened, and by summer 2004 campers enjoyed the second step of the camp’s transformation with new camper villages, specialty buildings and a fortified infrastructure. By summer 2005, the dream was fully realized with the dramatic unveiling of a 700-person dining hall.
Today, Capital Camps is recognized as a national model of excellence, but remains true to its origins – a warm, nurturing Jewish home away from home overseen by passionate, dedicated and caring staff and volunteers.
