Everyone Belongs at BB Camp
BB Camp is an inclusive Jewish summer camp that welcomes campers of all backgrounds. Every summer we welcome campers and staff from Jewish, interfaith, and non-Jewish families. As a non-denominational Jewish Community Camp, we run values-based Jewish Programming focusing on our five core values:
Kehillah - Community
Tikkun Olam - Repairing the world through social justice
Shomrei Adama - Protecting the earth
Gemilut Chasadim - Bestowing loving kindness
Hachnasat Orchim - Welcoming guests
At Camp, our number one goal is for every camper and staff to feel like they can be the truest version of themselves. Every camper and staff at BB Camp should feel safe, heard, taken care of, and that they belong in our community.
As a camp, we are on a continual journey of learning and understanding how to ensure everyone feels included and safe in our community. Not only is Tikkun Olam an organizational value, but also a responsibility to continue examining our internal systems and practices while also teaching our campers and staff how to support others, and make everyone feel welcome.
Jewish Community For All
Disability, Inclusion, and Accessibility
Our goal for every camper at BB Camp when they join our community for the first time, is to be able to picture themselves growing through our camp program and becoming a staff if they wish regardless of their ability. We will do our very best to accommodate our camper’s needs whether that means designing an individual program plan for campers, assigning an extra support staff, or modifying our existing programming to accommodate your camper’s needs.
2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusion
BB Camp welcomes campers, staff, and stakeholders who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ and come from 2SLGBTQIA+ families, and strive to make camp a safe environment for everyone. While romantic relationships are discouraged as part of the camp experience, we do encourage everyone to be able to talk openly about themselves, their personal identity, and their family.
Our staff are trained in how to have age-appropriate conversations in a way that makes everyone feel comfortable and included without making judgments.
Gender Inclusive Practices
Youth of all gender identities are welcome at BB Camp. When you register, you’ll be asked to let us know your child’s gender, as well as their preference for cabin placement. If your child’s gender does not match their sex assigned at birth, we invite them to choose the cabin option where they will be most comfortable and we will use our best efforts to accommodate. All BB Camp cabins are equipped with change rooms, and there are all-gender bathrooms throughout the camp site.
Restorative Practices
One of the most important skills learned at camp is how to live alongside one another and work together to build an inclusive and welcoming community. We believe the best way to build this type of community is through conversations that build empathy and understanding. We have adapted Camp Stomping Ground’s Restorative Practices for Summer Camp into our own camp program through the use of circles.
“Circles are a basic conversation tool that can be applied to any situation. The goal of a circle is to help participants or group members understand each other’s perspectives or experiences. Circles can help build empathy, solve problems, facilitate brainstorming, heal harm, welcome new people, celebrate victories and build community” (Restorative Justice at Summer Camp, Camp Stomping Ground).
By utilizing circles with our camp community both campers and staff are given the opportunity to empathize with each other, find common ground, and learn to support each other. Circles help us ensure that the community we build at camp is one where everyone feels heard, taken care of, and welcome.
Eliminating Financial Barriers
At BB Camp, we believe a summer camp experience is a communal right, and not a luxury for those that can afford it. Our comprehensive camper subsidy program, generously funded by private donors and the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, helps us to ensure that all campers regardless of household income can join our camp community.
We have seen time and time again that household income statements or tax returns don’t often paint an accurate picture of a family’s ability to pay for camp. Further, asking families to provide this information excludes many who may not have access to Canadian financial records, work in precarious jobs, or are new to Canada.
Our subsidy program is “needs blind”. Just like at camp, we work to build empathy and trust in our community with every interaction. We trust that families who are asking for support need it and we don’t require them to “prove their need”. This holistic model removes barriers to accessing subsidies, and ensures dignity, belonging, and mutual respect within our community.