When Summer Hoffman was 15 years old, she received a One Happy Camper grant that allowed her to attend a three-week residential camp, BBYO International Kallah. For her interfaith family—half Jewish, half Christian—it was more than just a summer getaway. It became a turning point.
“BBYO Kallah gave Summer the space to explore what being Jewish means to her,” says her father, Jason Hoffman. “It helped her connect with our community and ultimately led to her decision to embrace her Jewish heritage.”
That journey culminated in a deeply meaningful moment: Summer chose to become a bat mitzvah at camp. Surrounded by peers and mentors in a supportive Jewish environment, she made the commitment to step fully into her Jewish identity—right there in the place that helped her discover it.
Now 19, Summer reflects on that camp experience as one of the most formative in her life. It offered more than songs around a campfire or color war games. It offered independence, confidence, and the comfort of a shared heritage.
Her younger brother, Logan, 17, is preparing for his first summer at a BBYO overnight camp, also with the support of a One Happy Camper grant. Inspired by his sister’s experience, he’s ready to begin his own chapter of Jewish exploration at BBYO Kallah 2025.
Locally administered by Tidewater Jewish Foundation, the One Happy Camper program provides grants for first-time campers to attend Jewish overnight camps. While many might assume such grants are based on financial need, the program is open to all—regardless of income.
“There’s no financial qualifier,” Hoffman notes. “This program is about encouraging Jewish growth, period. If camp can be the spark that inspires a stronger connection to Jewish heritage, that’s a win for the whole community.”
TJF views the grant as a gateway to something more lasting. Camp can be the first step on “The Journey”—a lifelong path of Jewish learning, leadership, and giving. For families such as the Hoffmans, it offers a way to plant seeds of identity that grow over time—seeds that foster a deeper connection to Jewish life and values, ensuring that future generations continue to carry forward the community’s stories, traditions, and sense of belonging.
To learn more about the One Happy Camper grant and how a child can begin their journey, contact Tidewater Jewish Foundation at foundation@jewishva.org.
Steps on the Jewish Journey: The Hoffman family and One Happy Camper
