Summer camps are entering the Zoom era, with some Jewish camps offering a virtual experience, due to Coronavirus.

Online activities, especially for kids, can be a hit-or-miss opportunity. Along with virtual playdates and virtual schooling, so much is changing lately.

As usual, the Jewish community is divided; some are glad to have any connection at all—even online—and others insist that it’s not really camp and offers no value.

According to the Jewish Journal article, anyone who chooses to participate will find: “A daily schedule of arts and crafts, games and even sports, run by counselors and delivered by videoconference. Even camp-wide ceremonies, singalongs and talent shows will be reimagined from the comfort of home.”

Better than nothing, certainly, but not camp in any traditional sense…

Perhaps the only positive is the reduced cost. Instead of hefty sleep-away fees, virtual camp is only $1.99, per camper, per day, which could actually bring new participants into the fold.

All in all, I hate the changes brought by the pandemic. I miss eating in restaurants, trying on clothes at the mall, and having to social distance. Summer 2020 seems to be over before it started, but we’ll get through it, and there’s always next year to look forward to.