Whether it’s by selling handmade cards or running a summer camp, sophomore girls are starting businesses, making money and reaching people.
Summer Fun
Dressing up as clowns, jumping on trampolines and calming crying toddlers are a few of the things sophomores Raizy Moshinsky and Liora Litwack do while running their backyard summer camp, “Camp Keif B’Kaitz,” or “Camp fun in the summer.”
Camp Keif B’Kaitz was founded in 2024 after Moshinsky noticed that many parents in her neighborhood worked during the summer and had no choice but to send their children to expensive camps or daycares. Wanting to provide a more affordable option, she decided to start her own camp for kids ages four through seven, at a reasonable price.
Last summer the camp cost $185 per week, but for summer 2025, the price will increase to $285 per week so the camp can expand their range of activities and hire more counselors. However, the camp offers discounts based on the amount of kids each family sends to the camp. For example, last summer it cost only $300 for families who sent two kids. The discount rates for the upcoming summer are undecided.
“I love that I get to help people in my community,” Moshinsky said. “And it’s even more special because my own siblings attend the camp. I get to make their summer fun too.”
Moshinsky and Litwack ran a one-week session with 20 kids at the beginning of the 2024 summer. Moshinsky ran another two-week session alone with 19 kids later in the summer and hired four of her cousins to help.
Each day had a different theme, such as carnival or art day. Moshinsky planned activities based on the theme to keep campers engaged, like a magic show. Every morning started with beading, and davening on a trampoline followed by an art project or science experiment. After a snack and a walk, campers had lunch, nap time and a final project based on the day’s theme. Regular camp was from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays. Daycare was available until 5 p.m. for parents who worked late.
“It gives me a real sense of responsibility,” Moshinsky said. “I was responsible for 40 kids over the summer. I really had to work hard to set guidelines and a daily schedule. It definitely was a lot of work, but I saw how much it paid off and I look forward to doing it again next summer.”
Crafted With Care
Sophomore Lyla Silberg’s card business, where she designs and sells handmade greeting cards, is a product of her love for art. What started as a personal creative outlet has grown into “Cards by Lyla,” an business where Silberg customizes watercolor cards for all occasions.
Silberg started her business partly due to her interest in art and partly because she had more time on her hands. Now, she is working on reaching more people and growing her business.
Silberg currently reaches people mostly through word-of-mouth by her family and friends. She also has an Instagram account and Etsy storefront she created for the business, where she showcases seasonal designs along with different pricing options. Cards cost between $2 and $8 depending on the customization. Stephanie Walker, a friend of Silberg’s mother, bought two cards for peoples’ birthdays, one with a customized drawing of her dog.
“I really like homemade gifts,” Walker said. “I think that they’re extra special … I thought the card was really sweet and beautiful and really thoughtful.”
Silberg starts the card-making process by buying blank watercolor paper cards and creating a design. The process involves sketching an outline, watercoloring details and drawing over the sketch with colored pens. It takes Silberg around 30-45 minutes to make each card depending on the complexity of the pattern, making around three cards a month. While Silberg finds it hard to manage schoolwork and her art, she enjoys the satisfaction of running her own business.
“I think it can be challenging to keep up, especially with all the social media and making cards and finding time for all that,” Silberg said. “But I think as long as you’re good with how you spend your time, you can always find time for it.”
