WHY SHOULD I SEND MY CHILD(REN) TO SUMMER CAMP?
Summer camp is an amazing opportunity for young Jews to have a lot of fun and stay engaged with their Judaism during the summer. Summer camp is one of the strongest indicators of youth continuing to engage with Judaism as they grow up. Campers also make lifelong friends at camp while learning independence and self-confidence. Just two weeks at a summer camp can be a transformational experience for a child. Below are a number of Jewish camps and programs that KI endorses. Contact us if you are sending your child to Jewish summer camp so we can be sure to send them a KI Package!
ALICE GREENWALD NO’AR HADASH SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIP
Apply annually for the Alice Greenwald No’ar Hadash Summer Camp Scholarship for the chance to win $400 toward tuition for your camper! One scholarship is awarded each year.
The Alice Greenwald No'ar Hadash Scholarship fund was created in honor of JEC director Alice Greenwald's retirement in 2015 and made possible by the generous contributions of many of our JEC families.
WHICH CAMP SHOULD I CHOOSE?
Here are some camps and programs that we recommend. There are many other great, Jewish summer camps to choose from. For a more complete list of Jewish camps in North America, click here to visit the Foundation for Jewish Camp.
If you have more questions about any of the camps, or for more information, click on the camp website, or send Rachel See an email and we’ll try to answer any of your questions.
Camp Havaya is the summer camp of the Reconstructionist Movement. Located in South Sterling, PA, Camp Havaya is an opportunity for students entering second through twelfth grades to experience anywhere between one to eight weeks at a Reconstructionist camp. This camp is highly recommended for anyone who wants to stay within the movement.
Campers can swim and play sports while exploring the arts in a Jewish Reconstructionist environment. They learn from visiting artists, scholars and rabbis, as well from talented specialists and dedicated college-age counselors. Our campers make lasting friendships, experience a safe and fun summer, explore Jewish tradition, forge their own Jewish identity, and participate in creating a Jewish culture in which our values are lived each day.
Located on the Aaron and Marjorie Ziegelman Campus in the Pocono Mountains, the camp is within easy driving distance of New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Maryland, and a short flight from the rest of the continent. The beautifully wooded campus in South Sterling, PA, includes a waterfront with canoes and kayaks; a low and high ropes course and climbing wall; a heated swimming pool; endless hiking trails; a baseball diamond, tennis courts, volleyball courts, basketball courts, and archery and athletic fields; a state-of-the art theater; an arts and crafts center; an indoor athletic facility; and a complete wellness center. For more information about Camp Havaya, visit www.camphavaya.org.
Camp Alonim is located at the Brandeis-Bardin Institute. Alonim is available for students from second through eleventh grade. They can come for anywhere between one week to a full eight- week summer. Alonim is a non-denominational Jewish camp. For more information about Camp Alonim, visit www.alonim.com.
Camp Hess Kramer and Gindling Hilltop Camp are both run by Wilshire Boulevard Temple and are located in Malibu.* They are reform movement camps that offer Judaism in a beautiful setting along the Pacific Ocean. Students entering third through tenth grades can attend either camp for two or four weeks. For more information about both Camp Hess Kramer and Gindling Hilltop Camp, visit www.wbtcamps.org. *Camp will be relocated this summer due to the Woolsey Fire.
Camp JCA Shalom has been the "Camp for all Seasons" for more than 65 years, providing thousands of campers with the adventures, friendships, and memories that last a lifetime. JCA is open to campers in second through twelfth grades. To learn more about Camp JCA Shalom, visit www.campjcashalom.com.
Six Points Sports Academy is a Jewish sports camp based at Occidental College in Los Angeles. This camp is a great option for students who want to continue honing their skill in a certain sport and be able to do it at a Jewish camp. The staff includes high school and college level coaches who will help campers develop as athletes as well as people. For more information about URJ Six Points Sports Academy, visit www.6pointssports.org/california.
Six Points Sci Tech is a Jewish summer camp that focuses on robotics, video game design, astrophysics, strategic games, airplanes, rockets, and more. Sci Tech is on the campus of Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks and offers three 12-day sessions. This camp is different from other overnight camps because they are smaller and they use the science and technology to help the kids connect to Judaism. They also talk about using the skills and passions for science and innovation to improve our world. For more information, visit, https://6pointsscitech.org/west/.