Did you know that…

•As adults, Jewish campers are 21 percent more likely to feel that being Jewish is very important.

•As adults, Jewish campers are 26 percent more likely to be members of a synagogue.

•As adults, Jewish campers are 55 percent more likely to feel very emotionally attached to Israel.

•1 out of 3 Jewish professionals (rabbis, cantors, teachers) started out as counselors at Jewish camp.

•1 out of 5 Jewish educators cited Jewish camp as a key experience that caused them to enter the field (see jewishcamp.org/campopedia/camp-works-the-long-term-impact-of-jewishovernight-camp/ for more information).

The Foundation for Jewish Camp, with support from the Jim Joseph Foundation and the AVI CHAI Foundation, has successfully established new business models for Jewish camps and created a forum to pilot new educational models by integrating Jewish learning with activities that kids are passionate about – the environment, performing arts, science, sports, and outdoor adventure. To find out about 195 different Jewish overnight camps, including science and technology camps, movement camps, adventure camps, travel camps, special needs camps, and general camps, go to onehappycamper.org.

These new Jewish overnight specialty camps will open in summer 2018 on the East Coast: Ramah Sports Academy will be a high-level sports specialty overnight camp in Fairfield, Connecticut, emphasizing skill development, within a caring summer community infused with the traditions and values of Judaism. The vision behind RSA is the creation of a sports camp run by elite coaches and counselors, designed to enhance skills, encourage teamwork and sportsmanship, and instill confidence in every aspect of our campers’ lives. The program will go beyond sports instruction to instill a deeper love for Judaism, Hebrew language, and the land and people of Israel, while challenging campers to grow intellectually, athletically, and spiritually. ramahsportsacademy.org.

Sababa Beachaway is a residential summer camp for fifth through 12th grade girls and boys. Located in beautiful Virginia Beach, Sababa immerses campers in the magic and majesty of the beach, adds the right amount of Jewish spiritual practice, and provides a noncompetitive yet challenging camp experience! Their two-week sessions invite campers to escape the “Race to Nowhere” in order to focus on life at the beach. Whether on a surfboard, in a sailboat, behind a camera, or under the sea, Sababa campers learn thrilling new skills, build lifelong relationships, grow a stronger sense of self, and stoke an innate spiritual flame. sabababeachaway.org

At URJ 6 Points Creative Arts Academy, the program, staff, campers, and site work together to create a holistic, meaningful experience for artists in a living laboratory for learning and performing. Their program, based in West Chester Pennsylvania, focuses on the whole child, fostering personal advancement and resilience while creating an aspirational arc of growth and possibilities. Through major and minor workshops, campers will challenge themselves to continue their development as artists, sharpening their natural abilities and acquiring new skills. Electives offer further opportunity to expand imaginations. Specialists from the field will serve as compelling role models who weave Jewish values, ethics, and tradition together with the spirit and excitement of a dynamic, creative, artistic community. 6pointscreativearts.org.