Summer Camp & Camperships
Jewish summer camps fuse traditional camps' activities, friendships, and communal life with the Jewish values, role models, and culture of our shared heritage. This uniquely immersive experience provides a confidence-building opportunity in which campers experience joy and discovery in a Jewish communal setting. Children learn confidence, skill-building, and socialization by living in a community. They know how to manage a diverse group of peers, and they face new situations and overcome challenges daily. At Jewish camps, adult role models and mentors create safe spaces for campers to grapple with complex ideas based on Jewish values, texts, and traditions – topics that secular schools and camps might not be able to address. Thus, Jewish camps can provide balance by creating space for spiritual, emotional, and physical growth for campers.
Campership Information
From lifelong friendships and greater independence to a strengthened Jewish identity and unforgettable memories, we believe in the positive impact of Jewish summer camp and its ability to sustain Jewish communities.
URJ Regional Camps
Crane Lake, Sci-Tech and Eisner Camp
For years, URJ Crane Lake Camp and Eisner Camp have embodied the transformative power of Jewish camping. Children from URJ congregations across the Northeast join together each summer to experience the fun and magic of this special community.
Scientific inquiry meets fun at URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy East. Campers entering grades 5–10 spend two weeks exploring robotics, video game design, environmental science, digital media, and a host of other fun activities in a friendly setting with campers who share similar interests.
Sports - 6 Points Sports Academy
URJ 6 Points Sports Academy is North America’s premier Jewish sports camp located in Asheville, North Carolina, on the state-of-the-art athletic and camp facilities of the Asheville School. At 6 Points, Jewish athletes from across 33-plus states and 7 countries participate in a unique camping experience that combines top-level sports coaching and the beloved traditions of Reform Jewish camping. Within our kind and nurturing community, campers form lifelong friendships, feed their passion for their chosen sport, and strengthen their identity as Jewish athletes. Sports majors include basketball, baseball, softball, tennis, soccer, girls’ lacrosse, boys’ lacrosse, swimming, gymnastics, golf, cheer & dance, girls’ volleyball, and sports journalism.
Creative Arts - 6 Points Creative Arts Academy
Participants at URJ 6 Points Creative Arts Academy are drawn together in a dynamic artistic community to experience camp, explore their passions, and improve their skills. With guidance from mentors in the arts fields who weave Jewish values, ethics, and tradition into their artistic disciplines, campers challenge themselves to continue their development as artists, refine their natural abilities, and acquire new skills.
Other Summer Camps Not Connected to the URJ
Click HERE for more information about Jewish Summer Camping!
Summer Camp Scholarships
Two non-financial need-based camp scholarships are available to members of Congregation B'nai Shalom: The Steve Meltzer Youth Summer Experience Scholarship and the Freelander Family Scholarship. To qualify, campers must be enrolled in and regularly attend our religious school program (80% attendance) and attend any approved Jewish summer program with solid Jewish educational and experiential components. The Steve Meltzer Scholarship is also available for students attending summer Israel trips.
The Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts (JFCM) offers generous scholarships to first-time campers with the support of the Freelander Family Scholarship Fund Camping Initiative. The Freelander Scholarship is a partnership among the Freelander family, the synagogues, and the Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts. Each participating temple will be eligible to help award $2,000 grants to 2nd-3rd-4th-5th grade students who will attend a qualifying Jewish overnight camp for the first time for at least one month. Families must belong and be in good standing at a Central Mass. Synagogue. The oldest child, who is currently in 2nd-5th grade, must be a first–time camper. We will also consider older children, but the priority will be given to 2nd-5th grade students. A family can participate regardless of financial need. The child must be the oldest sibling in the family (if there are siblings), provided the oldest child and the siblings have not gone to overnight camp before and the family has not received this scholarship.
The JFCM also provides a limited pool of scholarships for resident camps. Qualifying camps must be not-for-profit Jewish overnight camps with solid Jewish educational and experiential components. Each participating synagogue will determine which overnight Jewish camps qualify for this program.
Please note that if your child was a Consecrant at Congregation B'nai Shalom or another participating Reform congregation, they received a URJ Camp Gift Certificate. If you have any questions about the scholarships or have misplaced the Gift Certificate, please get in touch with Debbi Morin.
Scholarship Application Forms
STEVE MELTZER YOUTH SUMMER EXPERIENCE SCHOLARSHIP FORM
FREELANDER SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
The Steve Meltzer and Freelander scholarship applications should be submitted to Debbi Morin, Assistant Temple Educator, by February 20, 2025.
JFCM OVERNIGHT CAMP SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts is pleased to announce the availability of camp scholarships for the summer of 2025. Children attending overnight camp for at least three weeks are eligible to apply. All Jewish children from Central Massachusetts are welcome to apply. Qualifying camps must be not-for-profit Jewish camps with strong Jewish educational and experiential components. Preference will be given to families that donate to the Federation’s Annual Campaign.
Also, we are excited to announce that we have partnered with One Happy Camper to offer special scholarships to first time campers. We will let you know if you are eligible for One Happy Camper.
GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP FORM FOR ISRAEL AND OTHER JEWISH NON-CAMP PROGRAMS
Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts is pleased to announce the limited availability of funding for Israel experiences and other Jewish programs. All Jewish young people from Central Massachusetts are welcome to apply. Qualifying programs must be not-for-profit with strong Jewish educational and experiential components. Preference will be given to those who donate to the Federation’s Annual Campaign.
Deadline for submitting ALL applications is February 21, 2025.
Applications can be submitted three ways:
Email: Lthurlow@jfcm.org - please put Program Scholarship in subject field. All emailed applications will receive a reply that they have been received.
Mail: JFCM, 646 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609 Attn: Camp Scholarship
If you have any additional questions, please contact JFCM at 508-756-1543.