Jewish Summer Camps

Jewish summer camp gives your child the opportunity to grow and gain independence, make life-long friendships, and explore their interests.

Whether they’re singing songs around the campfire, learning about Jewish values, or hiking in the mountains, campers explore what Judaism means to them. At camp, children will not only develop confidence and social skills; they will discover a profound sense of what it means to be Jewish.

Campers are Future Leaders

The impact of Jewish camp lasts a lifetime. Children benefit from Jewish camp experiences by learning to value their Jewish heritage. Campers grow to become active leaders in the Jewish community. In fact, children who attend Jewish summer camps are more likely to join a synagogue, support Jewish causes, and become rabbis, Jewish educations and community lay leaders.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle so strongly believes in the importance of the Jewish camp experience, that it strives to give every Jewish child the opportunity to be a Jewish camper. Click HERE to find more information about scholarships for Jewish overnight camps.

Click on any of the local camps listed below to find more information about daily activities, session dates, tuition costs and how to apply. For information about Jewish camps around the country, please visit OneHappyCamper.org.

The Power of Camp

By a Former Jewish Camper

I grew up attending Jewish summer camp. Every summer, I looked forward to camp. I loved making new friends and participating in all of the activities. When I was old enough, I became a Counselor in Training and then a Camp Counselor. I had a cabin full of eager and excited campers of my own. During my first year as a counselor I remember one camper in particular. She was a bright and energetic child who came to camp with her sister. She was shy and quiet at first, but by the third or fourth day she was making everyone laugh with her jokes and singing all the camp songs like a pro. I remember this camper running around the woods during capture the flag and telling stories around the camp fire. She came to the hiking activity I led each afternoon and it was obvious to all that she loved Jewish summer camp. I was lucky enough to have her in my cabin the following year as well. She became a real leader amongst her cabin mates and was always ready to lend a helping hand or comfort a homesick camper.

During the school year, she and I remained in contact. She kept me updated on her daily activities. We have now known each other for years and she has grown into a beautiful young teenager. She contacted me last week to let me know that her mother had suddenly and tragically passed away. She also told me that she just found out she would not be able to attend Jewish summer camp for the first time in four years. Without her mother’s salary, the family could not afford the expense. How sad, that her Jewish camping experience would be yanked from her at a time when she would need the camaraderie, relationships and fun the most.

There are many families in our community who face similar hardships. Fortunately the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle can help. Through our Scholarship fund, we are able to help give these children the summer camp experience that is so important in building their Jewish identity and helping them to find happiness when times are tough.

Help send a kid to camp by donating to the camp scholarship fund today.

Want to help send kids to camp?  Go to the Donate Now page and add "Camp Scholarships" into the notes field.