Campership 

Campership 2010 will close on May 1, 2010

The Campership program, supported by UJA-Federation of New York's Commission on Jewish Identity and Renewal, the Foundation for Jewish Camp, and Jewish Communal Fund, aims to strengthen and build Jewish identity by attracting new campers who do not have an immersive Jewish experience, and who might otherwise choose a secular summer program, to Jewish sleepaway camps. In 2009, Campership gave grants to over 800 campers, the highest number since its pilot year in 2007. Although the huge impact of camp on Jewish youth has been proven time and again, less than 10 percent of camp-age Jewish children attend Jewish summer camp, and about 18 percent of available beds at Jewish camps remain unfilled every summer. With the Campership Incentive Program, not only will beds be filled, but hundreds of Jewish children will come away with a newfound appreciation and enjoyment of Judaism.

You can access the application at www.onehappycamper.org.

Get the answers to some frequently asked questions about the Campership program and a list of participating synagogues, JCCs and Ys below.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this program for?
Campership is designed to attract new campers between the ages of 8 and 16 (as of June 1st) to Jewish sleepaway camps, regardless of financial need. Applicants must have never attended Jewish overnight camp for longer than 19 days.

Campers must reside in New York City or Nassau, Suffolk, or Westchester counties and enroll in a session of three weeks or longer at a residential camp listed on the Foundation for Jewish Camp website. Since the program is meant to strengthen Jewish identity in children who do not get daily exposure to Judaism, program participants must attend a secular or non-Jewish school. Jewish Day School students are not eligble.

How can I find an approved camp?
A list of approved camps is available at www.jewishcamp.org. You can also call the Foundation for Jewish Camping at 1.646.278.4500.

How can I get a Campership application?
Applications are available at www.onehappycamper.org. You will be able to access the application when registration opens on November 15th, 2009. In order to apply for Campership grant, you will need an access code from the synagogue or JCC you have chosen to work with.

What if I'm not a member of a synagogue?
This program is open to synagogue members and nonmembers alike, although campers must obtain an access code from one of the participating synagogues and in order to complete the online appplication and to receive a Campership stipend. To find a participating synagogue in your area, please see the list below.

Can a camper who already signed up for camp apply?
This program is just for children signed up for camp on or after November 15, 2009.p>

How much is the stipend?
Children attending a Jewish camp for the first time (for a session of 19 days or longer) will receive $1000. No grants are given to campers beyond the first year.

How are Camperships awarded, and how many are available?
Campership stipends are awarded on a first-come-first-served basis through the synagogues listed below.

Where does the money come from, and how does it get to the camps?
The program is supported by UJA-Federation of New York, the Foundation for Jewish Camp, and the Jewish Communal Fund. After a camper's application is received and approved, checks are sent directly to the camp.

My child does not qualify for Campership. What can I do?

• Check out www.jewishcamp.org/scholarships for a list of other Jewish camp scholarships.
• Discuss financial aid opportunities with the director of the camp to which you wish to send your child. Many camps allocate funds for scholarships.
• Contact your local Jewish community center about scholarships for Jewish children in your area. To find contact information for community centers in our network of beneficiary agencies, visit www.ujafedny.org/network-agencies-directory/.

What if I still have more questions?
For administrative questions, please contact info@campership.net; for more information about the Campership program, contact campership@ujafedny.org.

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Participating Synagogues