Jewish Summer Camp
Where the Jewish magic happens
In summer 2026, Federation supported the magic of camp through:
-
268
One Happy Camper Grants
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273
Need-Based Scholarships
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$ 526,000
in total financial support
One Happy Camper Grant Applications Now Open!
Make this summer unforgettable with a first-time Jewish overnight camp experience!
First-time Jewish overnight campers can receive up to $1,500 toward summer 2027* enrollment with a participating nonprofit Jewish overnight camp:
- $1,000 for 19+ consecutive days (early bird grant amount through 12/31/26: $1,500)
- $700 for 12–18 consecutive days ((early bird grant amount through 12/31/26: $1,000)
- $500 sibling grant for first-time campers enrolled for 12+ consecutive days if a sibling received a past or current grant
Eligible campers must be entering grades 1-12 after camp and attending an approved Jewish overnight camp for a session of 12+ days for the first time. (Campers who previously attended any session of fewer than 12 days are still considered first-time campers for OHC purposes).
One Happy Camper Grant FAQs
OHC payments are sent directly to the camp starting in the spring. From there camps may have different processes on how they credit your account, please reach out directly to your camp with any accounting issues.
There are a few reasons for an application to be marked ineligible, including session length and previous camp experience. To inquire about your specific application please email lily.london@shalomdc.org.
If your family chooses to change camp sessions or a new camp entirely, please email lily.london@shalomdc.org to let us know as soon as your family has made the decision to ensure the correct amount of funds are sent to the correct camp.
“I can teach them all the Torah I want, but it’s camp that inspires my kids.”
—One Happy Camper Parent
Capital Camps and Retreat Center
The power of camp, according to parents
Heartfelt stories, real-life tips, and research that shows why Jewish camp matters and how it shapes kids (and families) for life.
- Campers Need Camp More Than Ever: Why camp matters now in building connection, confidence, and a much-needed break from screens.
- Camp Works: The Long‑Term Impact of Jewish Overnight Camp: Data-backed insight into how camp shapes lifelong identity and Jewish engagement.
- Friendships Forged, Community Cemented: A heart-centered look at why Jewish camp feels like home.
- Creating Connections: Camp & One Happy Camper Grants: Real stories of how grants open the door to belonging and why many campers come back for a second summer.
- Jewish Camp Is Key to the Jewish Future: How camps build identity, connection, and emotional safety in a turbulent world.
“This was the first time my child was in a community of Jewish people…She felt like she belonged, and loved the whole experience.”
—One Happy Camper Parent
- BBYO Summer Programs, Israel, Europe, and the Americas: Grades 8-12
- Capital Camps and Retreat Center, Waynesboro, PA: Grades 1-12
- 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
- Alef Art Camp, Capitol Hill: Ages 2–8
- Camp Gan Israel of Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Bethesda-Chevy Chase: Pre‑K–K
- Camp Gan Israel of Northern Virginia, Fairfax, VA: Ages 2–Grade 8
- Camp Gan Israel of Silver Spring, Silver Spring, MD: Ages 3–Grade 6
- Camp Keetov – DC, Northwest DC: Ages 2–5
- Camp Keetov – MD, Potomac, MD: Ages 16 months–5 years
- Edlavitch DCJCC Summer Day Camp, Dupont Circle: Pre‑K–1st Grade
- Gan Shalom Summer Camp, Capitol Hill, DC: Ages 2–5
- Lessans Camp JCC at the Bender JCC of Greater Washington, Rockville, MD: Ages 4–21
- Moed Summer Camp, Chevy Chase, MD: Grades K–8
- Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia – Camp Achva, Fairfax, VA: Grades K–10
- Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia – Camp Kesher, Fairfax, VA: Grades 11–12
- Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia – Horizon Day Camp, Fairfax, VA
- Ramah Day Camp Greater DC, Germantown, MD: Grades K–8
- Shoresh, Adamstown, MD: Ages 3–16
Camps are open to campers from throughout the Greater Washington community. The city listed is the physical location, but many offer bus transportation across the region.
Not sure where to start?
- Providing One Happy Camper Incentive Grants so first-time campers can experience Jewish overnight camp, $230,000
- Increasing Need-Based Camp Scholarships to make camp possible for more families, $296,000
