2020 Updates

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It is with broken hearts that we share our plans to cancel all in-person activities held on our site for summer 2020. If at any point new information emerges and conditions change that lead us to be able to provide some other form of in-person gatherings, we will do so as a top priority.

While we have continued to plan, prepare, pray, and hope for another transformative summer at Crane Lake, the risks posed by COVID-19 threaten our most sacred value – the health and well-being of our children, staff, and faculty that attend camp – along with their communities back home. These risks also compromise our ability to provide the excellence in programming and participant care that are hallmarks of Crane Lake Camp.

You might be asking, “Why are you making this decision now and for the full summer?” Our ongoing conversations with and learnings from local, regional, and federal medical authorities, The Centers for Disease Control, and many leaders in camping, along with deep exploration by our camp professional and lay leadership teams, have led the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) to the difficult conclusion that there are too many known and unknown risks for us to create an acceptable pathway forward for this summer. As soon as that became clear, we wanted to communicate to you, our community. We believe that you and your children deserve the clarity, that while painful, allows for grieving, healing, and moving forward towards hope, joy and better days ahead.  This also enables our team to transition to serving you in creative and different ways through this unique moment in time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

About The decision process

What are the factors that informed the decision to cancel in-person programming for the summer?

We have been in deep conversation with local, regional, and federal medical authorities, The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and many leaders in camping. While we have continued to plan, prepare, pray, and hope for another transformative summer at camp, the risks posed by COVID-19 threaten our most sacred value – the health and well-being of our community. Ultimately, there are too many known and unknown risks for us to create an acceptable pathway forward for this summer. These risks also compromise our ability to provide the excellence in programming and participant care that are hallmarks of our camp.

 

Is it possible that camp could open later than expected? Could we still have camp for part of the summer?

If new information emerges at any point and we can re-evaluate the potential for in-person gatherings, we will do so as a top priority.

 

When will summer 2021 registration open? Should we expect the summer to be different?

Decisions about when 2021 registration is opening will be made in the coming months after we have managed the 2020 logistics with our camp families. We want to stay true to the program you have come to know and love – and that ensures maintaining our commitment to health, safety, and program excellence. We don’t know yet what the new realities created by COVID-19 could mean for the fall and beyond, but we are doing everything we can to be ready to open registration as usual.

Supporting Camp

How can I help camp at this time?

Thank you for asking this question – we are moved by your support! We made the decision to cancel in-person activities at camp this year based on our values, and with the health and safety of our campers and staff as our top priority. It is important for us to share, too, that the financial ramifications of this decision today and looking forward are significant.

You can choose from several options on how to handle your tuition, including the options to make a donation that will be generously matched by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, credit fees paid for use on future URJ programs, or receive a refund.

We need our camp communities more than ever. The financial ramifications of not being able to run camp this summer are significant.

Camp extends beyond physical locations and buildings. It dwells in our hearts and lasting friendships, our values, and our souls. As we face this challenge, we are strengthened by our camps’ vibrant community that has shaped Jewish lives for generations, l’dor vador.

We hope that we can count on our camp community to say Hineini, I am here. Please help us look forward to Summer 2021 and beyond by giving to our Hineini 2020 Fund. Every dollar, no matter the amount, helps secure the future of our camps. You can choose to support one or all three of our URJ Northeast Camps. Thanks to a generous grant from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, gifts made through December 31, 2020 are eligible to be matched $1 for every $2 donated.

DONATE HERE

Supporting our campers

How can I support my camper at this time?

Camp’s closure this summer is devastating for campers, families, and our whole community. We encourage you to talk to your kids about this and to let them express their feelings. We have some resources that can help inform your approach. Here are a few guiding principles to consider:

  • Be empathetic and understanding
  • Encourage them to connect with their camp friends daily, and participate in virtual experiences with them this summer
  • It might take your child a few days to process the news – they might not want to talk right away, but let them know you’re there if and when they’re ready
  • Contact Alyson Bazeley if we can be of assistance helping your camper adjust to this new reality.
Virtual Summer Offerings

Is there anything you are offering this summer with camp not able to run in-person?

We have been running virtual programming for several weeks now. I hope your family has participated in and enjoyed these opportunities. We are going to be sharing new opportunities to connect virtually this summer. Stay tuned for updates in the coming weeks.

As we work on planning additional virtual camp programming for this summer, let us know your family would enjoy and find meaningful.

Transferring Enrollment

How do we transfer our enrollment to next year? Will we pay 2020 rates?

Families have a choice to forward 2020 program registration fees paid for future use. Decisions about when 2021 registration is officially opening will be made in the coming months after we have managed the 2020 logistics with all of our camp families.

We want to stay true to the program you have come to know and love – and that ensures maintaining our commitment to health, safety, and program excellence. We don’t know yet what the new realities created by COVID-19 could mean for the fall and beyond, but we are doing everything we can to be ready to open registration as usual.

What’s happening with camp’s NFTY in Israel trip?

All URJ summer programs have made the same unfortunate decision to cancel summer programs. We have been in deep conversation with local, regional, and federal medical authorities, the CDC, the Israeli Government’s Ministries of Health and Tourism, and more. The facts have led the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) to the difficult conclusion that we do not see an acceptable pathway forward for this summer. We encourage teens and families to join us for our community gatherings.

The URJ will be looking at all available program options for summer 2021. In the next few weeks, we will send out an email survey so we can measure potential interest in a possible winter break or shorter summer trip to Israel. Please be on the lookout for this email and let us know your thoughts.

2020 Tuition Options

 

Your family can choose from the following options for how you’d like us to handle your 2020 tuition:

  1. Make a tax-deductible donation to Crane Lake Camp
  2. Credit your tuition to a future program
  3. Receive a partial or full refund

 

How do I indicate my preference for how I want you to handle my tuition?

Your family will receive an email from Crane Lake with a form to submit. We ask all families to complete the online form by June 1, 2020. If you have any questions, please contact us at asadowski@urj.org.

What’s most helpful for camp right now?

Thank you for asking! Donations (Option 1) are the most helpful to us, followed closely by crediting fees towards a future program (Option 2). We hope you’ll consider one of these two options as they will ensure we are able to serve you, your children, their friends, and our Jewish community into 2021 and beyond.

Tax-Deductible Donation

How will my donation work?

If you are able, we hope you will consider converting at least 50% or more of your tuition into a tax-deductible donation. Every dollar will be generously matched by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Your gifts will directly support Crane Lake’s professional team, and the creation of virtual programming so that our community can stay connected. It will also help provide assistance to those families who experience financial hardship as a result of the pandemic and might have a hard time affording camp when we’re up and running again.

How will you use my gift to support camp?

Our priority for all gifts at this moment is to support Crane Lake’s core operations to ensure that we can weather the current financial storm and continue to serve your family and the community. Core operations includes things like providing our campers with virtual programming this summer; training, retaining, and supporting our counselors and senior unit staff throughout the year so we’re ready for 2021; continued maintenance of our camp, and more. 

Can I give more than I have already paid?

Yes! We would be so deeply appreciative if you would consider making a gift beyond that with which you have already paid. Select this option in your refund allocation form and we will contact you to discuss payment options.

Can I make a donation over time? Can I give monthly if I can’t give all right now?

Absolutely. Every dollar counts and we are so deeply appreciative of whatever you can give. We have options for making a monthly or recurring donation on our website.

Credit for a future program

How does credit for a future program work?

You can apply some or all of the funds you’ve already paid for 2020 towards future URJ youth programs, including next summer at Crane Lake, academic year retreats, NFTY, travel programs, and more.

How long does my forwarded future credit last?

Funds credited for future use will be available for use through December 31, 2022. Requests for refunds on unused credits will be accepted after June 1, 2021. These refunds will be processed within 60 days of the request, less a service fee. As of January 1, 2023, any unused funds will be automatically refunded, less a service fee, by March 31, 2023.

Can my future credit be transferred?

Future credits can be used by anyone on your family account; however, they cannot be transferred to other families. Credits can be converted to a contribution to the Crane Lake Camp scholarship fund at any time. Funds credited for future use will be available for use through December 31, 2022.

Refunds

How does a refund work?
Families can request a full or partial refund of summer 2020 tuition paid to date. Choose this option in the tuition allocation form.

What is the timeframe for receiving my refund?
Due to our current financial and operational realities, refunds may take 12 weeks or more and may come in several instalments. Families experiencing financial hardship can email Debby so we can expedite your refund to the best of our ability.

My family is experiencing financial hardship, can I get my refund sooner?
We will expedite your refund to the best of our ability. Please submit your request in writing to us at dshriber@urj.org.