Greater Washington Camp Programs
Jewish summer camp is a prime opportunity for the development of a child’s physical, mental and social skills, helping them develop a higher sense of self-esteem and independence and also having a profound impact on Jewish identity.
There are many options for day and overnight Jewish summer camps in our area. Check out our listings, resources, and information on camp grants and scholarships below.
For more information, contact Noa Havivi at noa.havivi@shalomdc.org.
Overnight Camps
Capital Camps and Retreat Center
Waynesboro, PA
Grades 1-12
BBYO Summer Programs
Israel, Europe, and the Americas
Grades 8-12
Camp Harlam
Kunkletown, PA
Grades 1-9
Camp Havaya
Wyncote, PA
Grades 3-10
Camp Judaea
Hendersonville, NC
Grades 2-12
Camp Pinemere
Stroudsburg, PA
Grades 1-12
Camp Ramah in New England
Palmer, MA
Grades 2-10
Camp Seneca Lake
Rochester, NY
Grades 3-10
Camp Yavneh
Northwood, NH
Grades 2-10
Camp Young Judaea Sprout Lake
Verbank, NY
Grades 2-9
Camp Zeke
Lakewood, PA
Ages 7-17
Camps Airy and Louise
Thurmont, MD; Cascade, MD
Grades 2-12
Eden Village
Putnam Valley, NY
grades 3-12
Emma Kaufmann Camp
Morgantown, WV
Grades 2-10
Habonim Dror Moshava
Street, MD
Ages 8-17
Moshava Indian Orchard
Honesdale, PA
Grades 2-9
NJY Camps
Lakewood, PA; Milford PA
Grades 1-10
Perlman Camp
Lake Como, PA
Grades 2-12
Sababa Beachaway
Virginia Beach, VA
Grades 4-12
URJ Henry Jacobs
Utica, MS
Grades 2-12
URJ Six Points Creative Arts
West Chester, PA
Grades 3-12
URJ Six Points Sci Tech
Byfield, MA
Grades 3-11
URJ Six Points Sports Academy
Asheville, NC
Grades 3-11
The list above represents our partner camps and ones where Federation’s camp grants supported at least ten campers last summer. For more camp options, please visit One Happy Camper.
Day Camps
Alef Art Camp
Capitol Hill
2-8 years old
Camp Gan Israel of Bethesda-Chevy Chase
Bethesda-Chevy Chase
Grades: Grades PreK-K
Camp Gan Israel of Northern Virginia
Fairfax, VA
2 years old-8th Grade
Camp Gan Israel of Silver Spring
Silver Spring, MD
3 years old-6th Grade
Camp Gan Israel of Silver Spring
Silver Spring
3 years old-6th grade
Camp Keetov – DC
Northwest DC
2-5 years old
Camp Keetov – MD
Potomac
16 months-5 years old
Edlavitch DCJCC Summer Day Camp
Dupont Circle
Grades: PreK-1st
Lessans Camp JCC at the Bender JCC of Greater Washington
Rockville
4-21 years old
Moed Summer Camp
Chevy Chase
Grades K-8
Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia – Horizon Day Camp
Fairfax, VA
Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia – Camp Achva
Fairfax, VA
Grades K-10
Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia – Camp Kesher
Fairfax, VA
Grades 11-12
Ramah Day Camp Greater DC
Germantown, MD
Grades K-8
Shoresh
Adamstown, MD
3-16 years old
Camps are open to campers from throughout the Greater Washington community. The city listed is the physical location but many offer bus transportation throughout the community.
Please note that this list is still in formation and subject to change.
Camp Grants and Scholarships
One Happy Camper
Through a partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Camp, Federation is pleased to offer One Happy Camper grants for first-time campers from Greater Washington to attend Jewish overnight camps.
PJ Library Camp Grant
If your child attends a Jewish Day School and your family receives PJ Library and/or PJ Our Way books, please apply for the PJ Library Camp Grant for your first-time overnight camper, starting in early November.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington is proud to allocate funding for general financial aid scholarships to several camps with a large portion of campers from our catchment area. While Federation does not provide direct scholarships or financial aid to families, scholarships for campers from our catchment area, granted by a camp itself, most likely includes a portion of the money allocated to the camp by Federation. If you or your child(ren) do not qualify for the One Happy Camper grant, please contact your camp for Federation-sponsored financial aid needs. For further questions and information, please contact Noa Havivi at noa.havivi@shalomdc.org or Emma Dorsch at emma.dorsch@shalomdc.org.
Resources for Parents
My Interfaith Kids Are Going to Jewish Summer Camp (The Jewish Daily Forward)
Directions: Youth Development Outcomes of the Camp Experience
Camp Works: The Long-Term Impact of Jewish Overnight Camp
Campers Need Camp More than Ever
After a Year in Public School, I Appreciate Jewish Day Camp so Much More
Federation’s Support of Camp
Featured Article: Why Send Your Child to a Jewish Summer Camp?
Lisa Handelman
“At camp, children get to take our traditions, play with them, and make them their own. Counselors design engaging programs connected to Jewish values. Camp leadership creates welcoming, inclusive, Jewish communities. All Jewish camps incorporate unique rituals.”