Michael’s family was living comfortably, if at the limits of the joint income his parents earned. Outwardly, they appeared to be doing well, with a nice home in the West Island, a car, and an annual trip south during the winter. However, they carried significant debt and had no money in reserve. When Michael’s father was stricken with a sudden heart attack and ordered by his doctor to cut back on his high stress 60-hour a week career, the family was plunged into a financial and emotional crisis.

Locked into a mortgage and, furthermore, in no condition to absorb the additional stress of giving up their home, the family scrambled to cut expenses. As his father’s poor health became a constant preoccupation, the family’s finances were exhausted on the bare necessities and medical expenses. Consequently, their debt grew exponentially.

For Michael, 12, going to camp that summer was out of the question. Children are so often the innocent victims of their parents’ misfortune. He was despondent. Not only would he not be off with his friends, he would have to contend with all the pressures bearing down on his family.

Summer is the toughest time for Jennifer, who is raising her 10-year-old daughter, Amanda, on her own. They, too, live in the West Island. During the school year, she knows that Amanda is competently supervised while she is at work. But, come summer, what is she to do? Being able to send her to camp gives her peace of mind and relieves the pressures of being a single parent. Unfortunately, the cost is prohibitive on her strict budget.

These are representative of the reasons why some West Island families apply for community help to send their children to a Jewish summer camp. For 86 years, Camp B’nai Brith has kept the promise that no camper is ever refused for lack of funds. Its beautiful lake-front location in the Laurentian Mountains is an oasis of natural beauty offering splendid opportunities for swimming, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, horseback riding, hiking, roller blading, outdoor camping, and other activities. All of this takes place in an environment that instills Jewish values, provides kosher food, and celebrates Shabbat. The Jewish component of the program is subtle, yet intrinsic, to the Camp B’nai Brith experience.

While making every effort to accommodate all children wishing to attend, first priority is always given to those vulnerable individuals who are most in need of respite and who couldn’t afford a camping experience without community subsidies. The camp operates on a sliding fee scale that takes into account the specific circumstances of each individual case. In 2004, nearly 70% of campers received some financial assistance.

Historically, Camp B’nai Brith has drawn heavily from the West Island, both for campers and counselors. On average, between 30% and 40% of the kids are from the West Island. Campers range in age from eight to sixteen. The Camp Director will be at the FEDERATION CJA West Island branch on a regular basis to meet with interested campers and parents, as well as prospective staffers.

Nothing speaks more directly to how much the kids enjoy their time at Camp B’nai Brith than the fact that approximately 80% of those eligible return from year to year.