Camp Feldman

Camp Feldman is a one-day, annual camp for children enrolled in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Newark, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Connecticut, Catholic Big Sisters Big Brothers, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Morris, Bergen and Passaic, as well as their mentors, or "bigs."  These children participate in a day of activities such as kickball, swimming, playground, Newcomb, "buttball," arts and crafts, basketball, and mini golf, followed by a DJ/karaoke party at the end of the day.  The day is run by kids from local elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and colleges, who serve as counselors and activity instructors. 

Camp Feldman is all about giving children the opportunity to try new things that they otherwise might not have the opportunity to do and giving them the confidence to believe they can do anything, as well as making new friends with both the other campers, and with their counselors.  Each year, at least one child has told a volunteer that Camp Feldman was the best day of his/her life.  Our first year, we had one camper whose birthday it was, but who was very sad because only her big sister had remembered her birthday.  We lit a candle and had the entire camp sing to her, and she was much happier.  Last year, one of our volunteers ran into one of our campers at a local restaurant, and the child ran up to her to tell her that she was not able to go to a regular camp this year because her parents were going through a divorce and they didn't know where she was going to live, but because of Camp Feldman, she was able to go back to school and tell her friends that she had been to camp.  Also, last year several campers learned how to swim.  One of the greatest moments of the day was when one little girl called her mom and said, "Mommy, I'm a real swimmer now."  Like one of our 2004 campers, Marvin Guillaume-Shan, said, "It shows that you can do anything if you try." 

If you would like to volunteer for next year's camp, see the "Contact Us" page and let us know!  If you would like to donate to this program, see the "Donations" page.