Is Camp Emeth Right for You?

Are you new to Camp Emeth and wondering if it is the right place for your child this summer? We’ve outlined some common questions below with some helpful info for parents. Need more information? Please reach out to Camp Director Laura Horton by e-mail or at 314-692-5362.

Does my camper need to be Jewish to attend Camp Emeth?

Camp Emeth is a Jewish day camp experience open to all, regardless of religious affiliation. We do not require membership to Congregation Shaare Emeth (although Shaare Emeth member families receive discounted tuition rates and scholarship opportunities) or any other Jewish institution and offer children a fun summer experience regardless of religious affiliation. Our staff is also comprised of a diverse group of individuals from Jewish and non-Jewish backgrounds.

Campers are taught Reform Jewish values, like the importance of tikkun olam (the repair of our world), tzedek (justice), and chesed (love and compassion). Those values are put into action through mitzvot (good deeds) and tzedakah (righteousness; charitable giving). Our Jewish values and practices are woven throughout much of our programming.

How do I know if my child is ready for Camp Emeth?

We understand that all children go at their own pace when it comes to development, but here are some skills your child will need in order to have a successful first summer at Camp Emeth:

Completing all bathroom tasks independently, including washing hands with soap and water
Changing their clothes independently (campers change out of swimsuits Mon-Thurs)
Interacting with peers in a safe, respectful manner (with minimal prompting from adults)
Staying with their group
Following multi-step directions, and knowing how to ask for help when they need it

What support does Camp Emeth provide for campers with social, emotional, and/or behavioral needs?

At Camp Emeth, our goal is to accommodate as many campers and their unique needs as possible. With that being said, we understand that it is not feasible for Camp Emeth to accommodate all needs of all children, and we may not be a good fit for all children based on their unique needs. If you are unsure about your child and whether or not we can accommodate their needs, please feel free to reach out to discuss!

Something to note for our youngest campers (typically rising Kindergarteners), is that we sometimes see changes in a child’s social/emotional/behavioral patterns during the transition out of preschool into a new environment, so our goal is to keep the lines of communication open with parents in order to help their child thrive in this new environment.

During the registration process, please be sure to share in thorough detail any needs your child has, so we can best serve them throughout their time with us. Leading up to summer, our Inclusion Specialist(s) assist our camp leaders to set up the best plan for each camper based on their specific needs.

Please also be aware that safety is at the core of what we do, and therefore if campers cannot follow our safety guidelines at camp, a behavior plan may be implemented, which will involve the parents as well. If we can no longer serve your child while keeping other campers/staff safe at camp, we reserve the right to dismiss them from camp on a temporary or permanent basis. Again, communication from parents early is key in order for your child to have a successful camp experience!

Scholarship Opportunities

Camp Emeth scholarships are available to members of Congregation Shaare Emeth. Please contact Executive Director, Craig Neuman, for the scholarship forms. All scholarship request forms are due by March 7, 2025.

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ABOUT

Debbie & Mike Lefton

2024 Harris Frank Community Service Award Honorees

Debbie and Michael Lefton have been dedicated members of the Shaare Emeth community and the broader St. Louis Jewish community for many years, contributing their time and talents in numerous ways.

Debbie has been a member of Shaare Emeth since the 5th grade, attending Sunday School and confirmation. Debbie and Mike have been married for 27 years and became family members of Shaare Emeth in 1996. Their children Sydney, and Jacob, both attend Shirlee Green Preschool, celebrated their b’not mitzvah, and attended Shaare Emeth Camps. Debbie and Mike have been actively involved in various committees at Shaare Emeth throughout the years; Debbie serving as the President of the Shirlee Green Preschool and Mike serving on the Board of Trustees and the Operating Committee for 12 years including President of our congregation.

Their commitment to education and community service extends beyond Shaare Emeth. They are true examples of community service heroes. In 2019 the Lefton Family received the American Jewish Committee Netzach Award and in 2022, Debbie and Mike were honored with the JProStL Community Leader Partnership Award.

After graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Life Services, she worked as a Child Life Specialist at Wyler Children’s Hospital in Chicago and St. Louis Children’s Hospital for 12 years. She then earned a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Services from Washington University.

At the St. Louis Jewish Community Center, Debbie has chaired several committees, including the Children’s Activity Center, the Camp Sabra Alumni Committee, and the Mission Task Force Committee. She has also co-chaired the Jewish Book Festival Women’s Event, the St. Louis Maccabi Games Closing Ceremonies and has served on the J Associates Board for 16 years, completing a term as President in 2022. Currently, Debbie serves as an Officer on the Executive Committee at the JCC and is Co-Chairing the Fox Building Capital Campaign. Debbie received the St. Louis Jewish Community Center Richard S. Weiss Past Presidents Award in 2018.

Debbie’s involvement in the St. Louis Jewish Federation includes serving on the Board of CAJE and Women’s Philanthropy and recently began an 8-year term on the National Jewish Federations Women’s Philanthropy Board. Debbie served on the Camp Rainbow Board of Directors and 28 years. Currently, Debbie is a board member of The St. Louis Jewish Light and The St. Louis Children’s Hospital Friends Board. Debbie received the MAC Women of Distinction honor in 2023.

Michael holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. Michael began his career with Metal Exchange in 1984 and now serves as Executive Chairman. Under his leadership, Metal Exchange has grown into a global enterprise with a strong international presence, including offices in Zurich and Shanghai. The company’s diverse operations include manufacturing, marketing, trading, metal processing, distribution, and transportation of nonferrous metals.

Mike’s commitment to community service is evident through his current roles as Board President of Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis and Regional President of the American Jewish Committee – St. Louis. Mike served as President of the St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer for seven years and is Immediate Past President. Mike received the Presidential Citation Award from Variety the Children’s Charity international in 2019.

Additionally, Mike currently serves on several boards, including Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, National Council of Jewish Women Advisory Council, Jewish Federation Professional Society Leadership Advisory Council, and Heat-Up/Cool Down St. Louis.

Debbie and Mike reside in St. Louis and are the proud parents of two adult children, Sydney 26, who lives in Tel Aviv, and Jacob 24, who resides in Cincinnati. The Lefton family are avid hockey fans, enjoy theatre, traveling and spending time in Colorado.

The Shaare Emeth community is honored to celebrate Debbie and Michael Lefton for their unwavering dedication and impactful contributions to our community and beyond.