The 8 Gifts of Jewish Camp (That Aren’t Wrapped in Paper)
Kids today are surrounded by stuff. Slime kits, fancy water bottles, the hottest sneakers, and the endless collection of Squishmallows.
But if you’re ready to hit pause on the material madness and give your kid a gift that’ll stick with them for life, we’ve got just the thing: a summer at Jewish sleepaway camp (or day camp too)! We’ve connected thousands of kids with 50+ camps over the last 15 years, and let me tell you, the gift of camp? Total game-changer.
This Hanukkah, surprise your kid with the 8 gifts of Jewish camp:
1. Lifelong Friends
You know those friends you make at camp? They’re not just for the summer—they’re forever friends. Think about it. Living together 24/7, going through childhood, tween, and teen years side by side. These friendships are the real deal. Whether it’s a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, a camp reunion, or even a wedding, camp friends will travel miles to be there. That bond is unbreakable.
2. Action-Packed Days
Want to know the words you’ll never hear from your child at camp? “I’m bored.” From bunk activities to swimming time, sports, arts, and adventure, every single day is packed with excitement. And don’t forget the special events—Color War, Maccabiah, camp shows, trips—you name it. There’s always something happening and always a reason to smile.
3. Excellent Instruction
Is your child looking to level up their skills? Camp is a terrific place to hone skills with experts in the field. From sports teams competing in camp leagues to expert instructors in everything from adventure sports to arts, your kid’s going to have the best teachers around.
4. Screen-Free Fun (Like, Actually Fun)
Remember when kids used to hang out without screens? That was a long time ago! Well, at camp, that’s still a thing. No internet, no social media—just kids connecting face-to-face, in real life. And let’s be honest, it’s a relief for everyone to take a break from the screens and go old-school with actual conversations and outdoor fun.
5. Role Models
The counselors at camp are like big brothers and sisters. They’re trusted, cool, and caring young adults who your kid can look up to, talk to, and confide in. Camp is a place where kids get real role models—people who teach, guide, and inspire.
6. Resilience
Whether it’s adjusting to being away from home, dealing with a bunkmate issue, or just facing new challenges, camp teaches kids how to roll with the punches and figure it out on their own. It’s healthy for kids to have a break from immediate access to their parents to work through challenges and develop problem-solving skills. (And beneficial to the parents too!)
7. New Activities to Try
Camp is a safe place to try new activities and find new passions that kids don’t get to do for the other 10 months of the year. It might be fishing, circus arts, parkour training, ziplining, sailing, scuba diving, cooking, horseback riding, and so many more. They may even surprise themselves by finding a new hobby they never thought was possible.
8. Joyous Judaism
Kids love the warm, welcoming environment of Jewish camp, with kids of many different Jewish and multifaith backgrounds, with a special sense of community and spirit not found at other camps. Shabbat outdoors, dressed in white, singing and dancing with friends is truly magical.
P.S. Bonus Gift!
Did you know your child might be eligible for a gift of a One Happy Camper grant of up to $1,500 toward camp? (Offer available through 1/24/25—up to $1,000 thereafter.) Need-based scholarships are also available. Book a free consultation today and find the perfect camp for your child this Hanukkah!