Jewish Overnight Summer Camp Scholarships & Incentive Grants

At the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, we’re dedicated to the life-changing impact of Jewish summer camp and ensuring that financial need is never a barrier.

Our goal is to make camp accessible to every family—find out how to apply for scholarships below!

Deadlines:
January 17, 2025 – Round 1
March 7, 2025 – Round 2

Contact:
Alana Gross
Community Engagement & Impact Manager
alanag@jewishinseattle.org
 | 206.774.2247

Federation Scholarship
The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle is proud to offer scholarships to campers in financial need who are attending an overnight Jewish summer camp. 

One Happy Camper (OHC) Incentive Grants
Campers going to overnight Jewish summer camp for the first time for 12 days or more may be eligible for this grant, which is not need-based. After you register for camp, please use this link to check your eligibility and to apply: 

Eligibility requirements for One Happy Camper first-time camper incentive grants are as follows:

Camper must be:

  • Registered for camp before applying for an incentive grant.
  • Attending a non-profit Jewish overnight summer camp for the first time for 12 or more days. If the camper has attended camp previously for fewer than 12 days, the camper is still eligible for an incentive grant.
  • Entering grades 2 – 10 the following fall.
  • Also, a camper cannot attend a Jewish day school. This grant is intended to be an incentive for a first-time immersive Jewish experience.

Please note: Campers attending camp for 19 or more days may be eligible for a $1,000 grant. Campers attending 12 or more days may be eligible for a $700 grant. If siblings apply and are eligible, the first applicant will receive either $1,000 or $700 and the second applicant will receive $500. With more than 150 camps to choose from (including three in Washington State), it’s easy to find the perfect fit for your child. To begin the application process or view a list of eligible camps, visit OneHappyCamper.org.

Congregation Scholarships
If you are applying to Federation’s camp scholarships, please also request assistance from your congregation. 

Camp Financial Assistance
Many Jewish overnight camps offer tuition assistance programs. We kindly request that families also apply for financial aid directly through their chosen camp’s scholarship program, if available. While not all camps provide such programs, we encourage you to inquire with the camp registrar about available options.

Step 1:  Read These Guidelines

  • Register for Camp: Please register your camp for the summer before you fill out the Financial Assistance Application. The committee cannot consider your child’s application request unless enrollment has been confirmed. 
  • Determine What You Can Afford: We expect families to pay a portion of their camp tuition, as a demonstration of their commitment to the camp experience. Determine what you can comfortably afford and begin making regular payments as soon as you can. 
  • Congregation: Families who apply to JFGS for financial assistance must also apply to their congregation for financial assistance
  • Due Date. To be eligible for the first review of JFGS’ financial assistance applications, please submit by Friday, January 17 at 11:59pm to hear back Friday, February 28. We will have a second review of applications. Those applications must be submitted by Friday, March 7 at 11:59pm to hear back by Friday, April 11.


Step 2:

Print out and read  What You Need to Complete Your Financial Assistance Application. Read through the list carefully and take note of everything you need. You must fill out the application in one sitting. If you have everything you need, it shouldn’t take more than 10 or 15 minutes.

Step 3:

Once you do all that, and you have your financial information, personal statement, and tax forms ready to upload, then you are ready to fill out the online form (see link below).

Click here for the 2025 Need-Based Overnight Camp Scholarship Application.

Submission Deadlines:
ROUND 1 Application is DUE: Friday, 1/17 at 11:59pm PT
ROUND 2 Application and ROUND 1 Appeals are DUE: Friday 3/7 at 11:59pm PT

Should you have any questions, or need assistance completing this scholarship application please contact: camp@jewishinseattle.org.

The Federation’s Need-Based Camp Scholarship Program and One Happy Camper program are funded in-part by donors in our community. We are grateful to all who support making it possible for kids to attend camp and extend a special thank you to the Samis Foundation for their generous support of the Federation’s Need-Based Camp Scholarship Program.
 
First-time camper incentive grants are offered in partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s One Happy Camper program.