Jewish Camping & Technology: eCamp Israel & Speciality Camping Partnership

The world of Jewish camping has been twice blessed this winter with the creation of eCamp Israel and the Jim Joseph Foundation/Foundation for Jewish Camping’s burgeoning partnership in specialty camping.

eCamp Israel

eCamp Israel is the brainchild of Nir Kouris and Dotan Tamir, who have created an Israeli camping experience based on Israel’s technology expertise. Three hundred Israeli and Diaspora children ages 10 to 18 will come together for two-week sessions to learn technology skills, like web development, animation, and gaming.

While in Israel, they can also partake in an Israel adventure course, learning more about the country. Embodying the heart of its mission, eCampIsrael’s most exciting feature is its tech trips, in which campers travel throughout Israel to experience innovation in action, meeting with Israel’s true technology experts.

Thinking about how your kids should spend their summer? What if they started school in September having visited Intel, Motorola, Google Israel, or having learned first hand about some of the most exciting technological developments in robotics or having tried out an Israeli Air Force flight simulator? Insta-cool.

Do I sound like an ad for eCamp Israel? That’s because I’m crazy about the idea.

Jewish Camping Organizations Partner to Create Specialty Camp Incubator

In the footsteps of eCampIsrael is the Jim Joseph Foundation and Foundation for Jewish Camping’s $8.4 million partnership grant to create a Specialty Camping Incubator.

The Incubator will create four Jewish specialty camps based on skills such as athletics, computers, and arts according to the successful model already established for Jewish camping.

This grant follows on the heels of the Joseph Foundation’s 2007 grant of $11.2 million to entice first-time campers into the world of Jewish camping. Still in its second year of philanthropy, the foundation aims to spend $25 million annually on Jewish issues.

If the partnership is looking for an up and coming Jewish camp specializing in technology– it may well be the only one in the world– I can certainly think of some suggestions (ahem).

Keep reading to learn more about the incubator model in the world of young, Jewish entrepreneurship.

The Incubator Model

As JTA notes and I often talk about in this blog, the incubator model is one of the up and coming paradigms of the young Jewish world. Examples of this include:

• Bronfman’s Brandeis contest for the next big idea in Jewish communal innovation (don’t tell me you haven’t heard of this one!)
  
• Bikkurim’s New York-based organizational incubator for Jewish organizations in the foundational stages
• Grinspoon Jewish Social Entrepreneur Fellowship that recently awarded Rabbi Ethan Tucker $200,00 to explore a transdenominational methods for Jewish engagement (look for more in an upcoming entry)
• PresenTense Institute for Creative Zionism, Ariel Berry and Aharon Horowitz’s effort to incubate the brainchildren of 20-something Jewish entrepreneurs each summer in Jerusalem (if the site is still down, click here)
• Six Points Fellowship to foster creative development for developing Jewish artists and musicians

Photo by “Woolie Monster”

Conclusion

As you know, Jewish communal innovation, technology, and paradigms of interacting with and giving to Israel are three of my primary blog pillars. I love ideas that combine all three. I’ll be keeping you updated on these programs as we learn more.

In the meantime, check out my idea for technology trips to Israel here: “Three Ways to Improve Birthright’s Impact: Outreach, Trip Customization, Strategic Thinking.”

I’ll be updating you on the plans for Israel technology trips as they solidify. Feel free to ask for more information. This is an idea in development and I always love a good conversation.

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