Trybal Gatherings’ “Day Camp Boot Camp” Assists Others to Camplify Online Programming
With summer 2020 programs not operating as “business as usual,” Jewish organizations and leaders tuned in to Trybal Gatherings’ Day Camp Boot Camp to learn how to “camplify” online programming with various techniques and virtual engagement strategies. More than 150 participants from JCCs, Federations, day schools, pre-schools, synagogues, foundations, summer camps, start-ups, and elsewhere participated in a recent Day Camp Boot Camp – a fun, online camp-style gathering to hone their skills and keep summer programming strong, remotely.
Sandwiched between the Boot Camp’s opening ceremony, closing friendship circles, and other fun camp-style surprises were electives on how to get the most out of remote programming and avoid Zoom fatigue. “Campers” learned how to use ritual to cultivate a sense of community and culture among strangers coming together in a virtual program. They saw how games, music, video, and more can enrich nearly any virtual program, along with how non-virtual activities, like paper plate awards, Oprah-style giveaways, and use of props can be incorporated into a virtual program. And they learned the tech and camera tricks everyone should know to lead a smooth and professional looking program.
“Camp isn’t only a place, it’s a philosophy,” says Carine Warsawski, founder of Trybal Gatherings, which, during non-pandemic times, creates in-person, immersive four-day overnight Jewish camp experiences for young adults. “To camplify your programming means to bring the magic of connection, relationships, and meaning to the user experience, whether that’s in-person or not. Just because someone makes a great challah doesn’t mean they know how to lead an engaging remote cooking program. The Boot Camp is a fun environment to learn about all the strategies and tools to deliver the best online programming.”
Elective sessions were designed and led by staff from OneTable, Foundation for Jewish Camp, and others committed to delivering engaging programs, both in-person and online.
“There’s a certain sweet-spot in how to create and run a fun virtual program,” Warsawski adds. “People can join from anywhere in the world, and that’s great – but program leaders need to know how to deliver an experience that is inclusive, accessible, and offers the entertainment and connections to keep participants coming back. Good online experiences are bite-size programs that pack a punch.”
Trybal will offer a session second of Boot Camp on June 16, from 1:00 – 4:00 pm ET. Registration is open at www.daycampbootcamp.com
This initiative was made possible through ROI Community’s Coronavirus Response Micro Grant Program.