Summer. Ah, the sweet sound of cicadas, the smell of chlorine, and… the sudden, blissful quiet of your house now that your kid is off at sleepaway camp! You’ve survived the packing, the tearful (or not-so-tearful, be honest) goodbyes, and now you’re finally ready to… deep clean the pantry? Catch up on Netflix?
Nope! For many of you, this delicious window of kid-free time is actually a secret weapon. Because, my friends, while they are away, you can be secretly planning the most fab Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration!
Fear not, mitzvah parents! As your friendly neighborhood mitzvah photographer, I’m here to tell you that planning during summer camp is when I get a lot of inquiries! You are in very good company.
1. Embrace the Distraction Free Time.
Remember all those debates about theme colors, song choices, or the exact shade of glitter for the invitations? This is your time to make executive decisions on all the big-ticket items. Venues, caterers, DJs, even your photographer (you’re already here, let’s chat. No pressure!) – get those booked! You know your kid best, and you likely already have a good sense of their vibe.
2. Including them, with guidelines.
Okay, so you can’t completely exclude them. But you can be strategic! Hopefully you’ve had an honest conversation with them on what is actually possible. Give them a few, highly controlled choices. “Do you prefer a photobooth with props, or a green screen background for the GIFs?” “Do you want blue uplighting or purple uplighting?” Keep the options limited and specific. This gives them a sense of involvement without derailing your progress. Depending on the camp, you can email or write a letter – which is old skool and could be cool!
3. Leverage the Power of the Photos.
Use Pinterest, Instagram, and even TikTok (carefully!) to gather inspiration. Create mood boards – if they work for you. If they don’t, a carefully curated photo album can work. When your kid returns, you can show them visually appealing options rather than abstract ideas.
4. Revealing your Work.
Once they’re back, healthy, and probably a little bit tanner, you get to unveil all your hard work. Keeping in mind your kid’s personality, you’re the parent and will know your kid best. You reveal your hard work in a way that works for your kid.
5. Prioritize What Really Matters.
While you’re in planning mode, remember the true essence of your child’s mitzvah. It’s about celebrating your child’s journey, their growth, and their connection to their Jewish community. All the other details are wonderful, but they are just that – details. Use this time to focus on what feels real to your family and your child.
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