The Charlotte Jewish News- December 2025- Page 4 Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte
Can One Summer at Camp Shape a Lifetime of Jewish Identity?
By Elizabeth Breyer Johnson
When you meet Megan Harkavy, her enthusiasm for Jewish camp is contagious. As the lead for camp engagement at Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte( JFGC), she’ s become the go-to person for helping families discover the magic of summer programs rooted in Jewish tradition.
Her important work connects parents, campers and community partners to ensure every child can experience what she calls“ the heartbeat of Jewish joy.”
Harkavy Family
Recently, we caught up with Megan to chat about her own journey, the lasting impact of Jewish camp and the excitement surrounding One Happy Camper’ s growth in Charlotte.
How did your own Jewish or camp background shape your path to the role you have today? My Jewish journey has always been about community and connection, the same values that make camp so special. I didn’ t grow up spending my summers at Jewish camp, but my involvement with BBYO, Hillel and other immersive programs gave me that same sense of belonging. My husband, Andy, a summer camper as a child and now a camp faculty member, introduced me to camp life through a new lens. Seeing its transformative effect on children, staff and families alike inspires me to help more families enjoy it for themselves.
How does your work at JFGC build on this commitment to nourishing Jewish life? Every day, I have the great privilege of working with families to strengthen their ties to our remarkable community. And camp plays a vital role in this mission. In this capacity, I collaborate closely with parents to find the right spot for their children and to explore financial options that make Jewish summer camp attainable for everyone.
What first drew you to Jewish camp as a professional focus and what makes it such a considerable experience for children and families? Jewish camp has always captured my heart. It’ s where kids live their Judaism with pride and confidence, surrounded by community and happiness. Each day is filled with connection, meaning and purpose, leaving campers with a lasting sense of self as well as friendships that endure long after summer ends.
Tell me about bringing One Happy Camper to Charlotte. What does this partnership mean for local families? JFGC is so excited about this rewarding, new initiative. And in turn I am incredibly proud to give more families the opportunity to experience the transformative power of Jewish summer camp. Thanks to the generosity of The Leon Levine Foundation in partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Camp, the national organization behind One Happy Camper, we can now offer $ 1,000( 10-day camp) and $ 1,500( full-session) grants to offset the cost of camp across our community. This generous grant better positions us to promote and recruit for camps throughout the region, and that’ s inspiring.
Looking ahead, what’ s your vision for Jewish camp life in Charlotte over the next few years? My goal is to make summer camp a fundamental part of Jewish life in the greater Charlotte region. It should be something every family knows about, talks about and looks forward to each year. I want to reach families who may not yet feel deeply connected and share how camp can be a meaningful entry point into the community. For many young people, those weeks away spark their first real sense of belonging, which often leads to lifelong interest and leadership. As this effort continues to grow, I’ d love to see stronger partnerships between congregations and camps marked by countless campers filling bunks each summer and more alumni carrying that very same spirit into their adult lives. In the end, it’ s about building a stronger, more connected Jewish future. One camper at a time.
And finally, what’ s your favorite camp tradition that still makes you smile? Oh, that’ s easy, Shabbat. Following the hustle and bustle of the week, camp slows down, and everyone takes a moment to just breathe. We come together, often dressed in white and the energy simply shifts. Each camp celebrates Shabbat in its own way whether it be stories by the campfire, lively song sessions, chatter over s’ mores or slices of babka. But the feeling is always the same. It’ s the“ ruach,” the unmistakable spirit that fills the air with great energy, laughter and belonging. Even now, just thinking about it, I can feel it all again.
To learn more about the grants, contact Megan at megan. harkavy @ jewishcharlotte. org