Community Magazine May 2021

26 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE Across the nation, camp is seen as an option, not at all the standard or the norm. It’s something that’s available for kids in the summertime if wanted or needed. Many American camps run just for a couple of weeks, or a few hours a day. In our community, of course, the situation is much different. For the past 50 years, maybe more, Jewish day camp has been the standard arrangement for our community’s children during the summer. Our camps are, for the most part, fun, organized and safe, and overall, we can agree that they do a great job entertaining our children during summer break. Of course, camp entails a considerable expense, but as with many things, it’s just what we do. The Summer of 2020 Last year, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the majority of our camps had to reluctantly close their doors. This led to a whole host of creative solutions. Many community members took up the challenge of making outdoor camps, using the parents’ homes, allowing the campers only in backyards and bathrooms. This was great, because some camp is better than no camp, but generally, this meant a shorter day, and quite obviously, no bus. This was a much cheaper arrangement, but if you do the math, you’ll find that parents were paying more per hour than they did for regular camp. SUMMER CAMP: FRIEDA SCHWEKY Allow me to introduce myself. I’m a full-time photographer and part-time writer who has contributed regularly to this magazine for the past several years. I’m also a dedicated wife and mother of three living in and amongst the community. Many of my articles in recent months are just as relevant to me as I’m sure they are to you – reporting on how during the pandemic many moved to Deal from Brooklyn, started a business, or gave birth.  Since last autumn, my focus has been on community “hot topics” and “roundtable style” articles such as the one you’re about to read. These articles put a finger on the pulse of the community by interviewing ordinary community members about things we all discuss with each other. Up until now I have been writing from a third-person perspective, so I didn’t deem it appropriate or necessary to introduce myself. However, for this article and most likely the coming ones, I’ll be writing from a first-person perspective. I hope you enjoy it! For more info about me or any inquiries you may have about photography, head to Instagram and reach out! @friedaschwekyphoto A Privilege or a Right?