A ‘Camp Josh’ Bar Mitzvah Weekend

The Francombe family from Atlanta, Georgia, celebrated their son Joshua’s Bar Mitzvah during a fun-filled weekend, Friday, April 17 – Sunday, April 19, 2015. The festivities were held at one of his favorite places, Camp Ramah Darom in the North Georgia Mountains.

Thanks to Mom Stacie, a nationally-renown wedding expert, no detail was overlooked making it a memorable weekend for family and friends who came from Wales, Great Britain, Utah, New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Florida, Las Vegas, Delaware, Tennessee and North Carolina to celebrate and attend Camp Josh!

Pictured above L-R: Brother Jake, Dad Dave, Brother Geordie, Mom Stacie and Bar Mitzvah boy Josh

The photographer was Hopkins Studios and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the end of the spotlight.

Mitzvah Invitation & Save the Date 

Guests got into the camp spirit as soon as they received their custom invitation. Mom Stacie had a hand in the design working with Sirmantha Celesta from Paper Parfait. 

This amazing etched wood invitation suite set the tone for the party by creating a “rustic” feel. There was a wood bar to hold all of the important inserts in place

A separate RSVP card included its own envelope ready to mail back

Mom Stacie thought of everything, even a packing list!

The custom Website featured easy-to-navigate sections full of the important details guests needed to know about a weekend away at camp!

Save-the-dates were sent out a year in advance and included Website information and a logo'd s'more treat

The boxed invitation with hand calligraphy wow'd their guests

Bar Mitzvah Branding

There were many “happy campers” as family and friends arrived at the campgrounds. Below are just a few of the many branded goodies (in Josh’s favorite team: Ohio State red and grey) that guests received upon arrival.

Custom Welcome Information Packet

Lots of branded swag and goodies were given to the guests

Guests were escorted to their rooms or bunks to get unpacked

Guests received logo'd 'Camp Josh' duffle bags filled with swag

Luggage tags, key rings and flashlights

Custom t-shirts

A mug for the weekend with a note on the tag "This Camp Josh Mug is a gift for you, Fill it up with a Drink or Two"

Mitzvah Services

After enjoying activities and lunch, there was a Friday night service and Shabbat dinner to kick off the weekend. Saturday morning Josh had his Bar Mitzvah service overlooking the lake and campus. He was joined by his grandparents and maternal great grandparents, ages 95 and 91, along with cousins, aunts and uncles. 

The kippot and candy made a great presentation in rustic boxes. The candy was thrown at the end of the service

"Shabbat Shalom" printed on paper canoes were placed on guests' chairs for the service

Josh recited his prayers beautifully

Saturday night guests enjoyed s'mores at the firepit after the Havdallah service. Then they went into the dining hall for the party to begin

Mitzvah Style

The Francombe family looked great throughout the weekend with different outfits for the casual photo shoot, the service and the party.

The family posed in their camp chic outfits before Friday night service

The family ready for Josh's Saturday service coordinated in their red and grey outfits

Custom t-shirts for color-war activities

Mitzvah Camp Activities

After Saturday services and Kiddush luncheon, campers took part in fun activities ending with a camp-wide Color War where guests were divided into Team Red and Team Grey.

A soccer competition

A friendly game of basketball

Pie eating competition

Kayaking and canoeing were popular afternoon activities

The kiddush luncheon menu was printed on a paper bag along with custom straws - so cute!

 Party Decor

Mom Stacie incorporated special elements into the event decor and food, styling her son’s celebration.

The dining hall was transformed by Darla Walker Events with rustic, chic décor

Long wooden tables with grey table runners and red napkin linens

Vintage red oil lanterns hung from the ceiling

Wooden barrel pedestals and plant centerpieces decorated the tables

Josh's logo dressed up the dance floor

Party Details

Bunk place cards

Rustic wood place card holder

Place settings with tree stump coasters

Camp Signage and Sign-In

Entrance signage welcoming guests to the campgrounds

This wood pallet listed all the great activities offered over the weekend etched on these boards

A Flag with Josh's logo used as the sign-in, the flag now hangs in his room as a memory of the weekend!

Mitzvah Music

Josh made his entrance

It's Horah time!

Mitzvah Project

Josh’s grandfather was diagnosed with Parkinson Disease 5 years ago, so for his Mitzvah Project he decided to raise money for the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) for the annual walk. Josh was also honored at the Annual Walk and gave a speech about his Mitzvah Project in front of hundreds of walkers. Also, Josh was asked to be the guest of honor at the NPF annual dinner where he was awarded for his fundraising efforts. 

Josh raised over $6,000 and volunteered his time at multiple NPF events during the year

Josh and his grandfather

Team picture

Vendor Directory

The following vendors helped to make Josh’s Bar Mitzvah special. If you give any of them a call, let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.

Event Planner Mom, Stacie Francombe and Darla Walker, Darla Walker Events, 865-235-2500
Venue: Anthony Franklin, Camp Ramah Darom 404-531-0801      
Camp Caterer: Todd Jones,  Camp Ramah Darom 404-531-0801    
Décor, Florals, Linens Rentals & Lighting: Darla Walker, Darla Walker Events, 865-235-2500
Paper Products : Liz Townsend, Lidda Bits, 706-248-6150
Invitation: Sirmantha Celeste Ellison. Paper Parfait, 404- 482-0777
Calligraphy:  Dondrea, Jenkins-Rose, 404- 955-7435
Rabbi: Effie Spielman
Photography and Photo Booth: Scott & Melissa Hopkins, Hopkins Studios, 912-308-7057
Videographer: Alan and Lisa, 865-659-3273
Band/DJ: Joe Bunn, Bunn DJ Company, 843-278-0343
Cake & Desserts: Venita Aspen
Mixology: Carmaleita Lyght, Lyghthouse Cocktails, 404-789-9818
Rentals: Darla Walker, Castleton Farms, 865-376-9040/Rhett Hall, Oconee Rentals, 706-484-0496
Rentals: Gina Changas, All Occasions Party Rentals, 865-588-1131
Transportation: Ben Elrod, Atlantic Limo, 404-429-5693
Masseuse: Allison Moore, Pamper Perfect Mobile Spa, 866-947-9994