B'nai B'rith Perlman Camp
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B'nai B'rith Perlman Camp (BBPC) is a Jewish summer camp located in Lake Como, Pennsylvania, United States. The camp first opened in 1954 on the site of the former Camp Windsor; it has also been known as Camp B'nai B'rith (CBB). Before being acquired by B'nai B'rith January 1954, the 365-acre (1.48 km2) campground with a 13-acre (53,000 m2) lake was known as Camp Windsor.
Camp B'nai B'rith was renamed B'nai B'rith Perlman Camp (BBPC) on 19 August 1975, after the founder of B'nai B'rith Girls, Anita Perlman, following the purchase of Burr Oaks in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, named that one B'nai B'rith Beber Camp.[1]
History leading up to B'nai B'rith's acquisition
In 1947, after hearing a report on the subject, the B'nai B'rith Supreme Lodge convention authorized the purchase of a camp to meet the growing need for a youth camp where leadership development and conventions could meet.[2] In the spring of 1949, the B'nai B'rith-Henry Monsky Foundation was officially formed with the hopes of buying real estate, including a campground.[3] The search for a campground began to come into life with a run-down property.
B'nai B'rith District 3 operated a home for orphans in Fairview, Pennsylvania[disambiguation needed] for a number of years, though it had become abandoned by the 1940s.[4] In the early 1950s, District 3's leadership made an offer to make the grounds "available to the Supreme Lodge for a youth encampment."[5] Because the property was neither in good condition nor a good location, B'nai B'rith was able to close down the property, sell off the assets and transfer them, worth nearly $200,000, to the Monsky Foundation.[6]
The Foundation was then able to purchase for $175,000, in January 1954, a 365-acre (148 ha) camp with a 13 acres (5.3 ha) lake at an elevation of 1,800 feet (550 m), originally known as Camp Windsor, located in Starlight in the northeastern corner of Pennsylvania.[7] Five months later, in June, Camp B'nai B'rith was dedicated, and meetings were held there as well as a summer camp season for younger children.[8]
Youth Camp
Perlman Camp's mission is to provide children with a safe, fun, and enriching summer camp experience in a Jewish environment. The camp offers a fun and inclusive family atmosphere, which provides opportunities for growth and the development of a sense of self. This pluralistic Jewish environment enhances teamwork, cooperation and leadership in the camp community and beyond. B'nai B'rith Perlman Camp is a traditional camping experience that encompasses athletics, arts, aquatics, outdoor adventure, and fosters Jewish values, morals and ethics.
Camp sessions include a 2-week (Rookie Camp), as well as 3-, 4-, and 7-week sessions. Campers entering grades 3-10 are housed in bunks, and divided into three Divisions. Teen campers participate in a two-year leadership track program, including the 11th grade Pioneer (PIO) program, and the 12th grade Staff-in-Training (SIT) program.
Campers participate in a variety of activities on a daily basis, including swim and waterfront activities, athletics, arts, drama, and music. Each week, campers may choose to participate in two hobbies, where they can develop skills in their individual areas of interest. Special camp programs include overnights, trips to amusement parks, a 4 July carnival, Israel Day, and Maccabiah (color war).
BBYO Leadership Training
Starting in 1957, BBYO began to hold leadership training programs at the camp. In 1959, the first International Leadership Training Conference was held there. In 1961, Kallah was started to be held there prior to this ILTC. For many years, up until 2005, BBYO's International Convention was held in the summer at B'nai B'rith Perlman Camp.
The Legend of Marcy Diamond
Both alumni and current campers alike will know the story of Marcy Diamond. At the camp there are two female bunks set a bit further back than all the others. The legend has it that one night girls were inappropriately smoking in their bunk, while Marcy Diamond was the on duty counselor. The campers went to sleep and the bunk bursted to flames. Marcy Diamond in attempt to save all the children woke them up and escorted them out of the bunk. As she was aiding the campers she noticed one of them did not wake up. She sprinted back into the bunk and picked up the kid. She tried carrying her through the door but it would not budge, so she escorted the kid through the window. As she let the camper out the window it quickly shut and chops off her hand. Marcy was then tragically burned and died.
Every year during the camp session it is believed that Marcy's hand comes back and haunts the camp. She vandalizes the camp with shaving cream and gloves symbolizing her lost hand. This acts are usually performed by the oldest bunks on both the boys and girls side and lead to friendly pranking of the other campers throughout the night in good camp tradition.
See also
References
- ^ Baer, Max F. Dealing in Futures: The Story of a Jewish Youth Movement. Washington, DC: B’nai B’rith International, 1983, p. 301.
- ^ Edward E. Grusd, B’nai B’rith: The Story of a Covenant (New York: Appleton-Century, 1966), 240.
- ^ Edward E. Grusd, B’nai B’rith: The Story of a Covenant (New York: Appleton-Century, 1966), 246.
- ^ Dedicated to a Great Humanitarian, [Plaque] B'nai B'rith Perlman Camp, Starlight, PA: The Adult Lodge.
- ^ Max F. Baer, Dealing in Futures: The Story of a Jewish Youth Movement (Washington, DC: B'nai B'rith International, 1983), 296.
- ^ Edward E. Grusd, B'nai B'rith: The Story of a Covenant (New York: Appleton-Century, 1966), 247.
- ^ Max F. Baer, Dealing in Futures: The Story of a Jewish Youth Movement (Washington, DC: B'nai B'rith International, 1983), 297.
- ^ Edward E. Grusd, B'nai B'rith: The Story of a Covenant (New York: Appleton-Century, 1966), 263.
External links
- Official site
- Housing BBYO Leadership (PDF) paper on BBYO's acquisition of camps