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The Ultimate Guide to Jewish Overnight Camp Affordability (2026)

January 20268 min read

Jewish overnight camp is one of the most transformative experiences for children, but the cost can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down every option available to make camp affordable for your family.

Understanding Camp Costs

The average cost of Jewish overnight camp ranges from $4,000 to $12,000 for a 4-week session. While this may seem steep, there are numerous financial assistance options that can reduce your out-of-pocket costs by 50% or more.

1. The CKids Gan Israel Grant

Up to $1,000 Grant

CKids Gan Israel offers grants of up to $1,000 for families sending children to participating overnight camps. This grant is available for both first-time and returning campers.

  • Application window: November 20, 2026 - December 20, 2026
  • No income requirements
  • Can be combined with other grants and scholarships

2. One Happy Camper (OHC) Grants

The Foundation for Jewish Camp's One Happy Camper program provides grants of $700-$1,000 for first-time Jewish overnight campers. Many local Federations partner with this program.

Cities with OHC Grants include:

Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Houston, Dallas, Denver, Seattle, and many more.

3. Small Communities Incentive (SCI) Grants

If you live in a smaller Jewish community without a local Federation, you may qualify for the SCI grant: $1,000 (12-18 days) or $1,500 (19+ days) for up to 2 years.

SCI Grant cities include:

Cape Cod MA, Annapolis MD, Grand Rapids MI, Topeka KS, Cheyenne WY, Morgantown WV, Fresno CA, Burlington VT, Boise ID, and Santa Fe NM.

4. Federation Scholarships

Many Jewish Federations offer need-based scholarships in addition to OHC grants. These can provide significant additional support.

Cities with Federation Scholarships:

Miami FL, Atlanta GA, Cleveland OH, San Jose CA, Columbus OH, Fort Lauderdale FL, Boca Raton FL, Newark NJ, New Haven CT, and West Palm Beach FL.

5. Camp-Specific Scholarships

Most Jewish overnight camps offer their own scholarship programs. Contact your chosen camp directly to learn about their financial assistance options. Many camps have dedicated scholarship funds and work with families to make camp accessible.

6. Payment Plans

Many camps offer flexible payment plans that spread the cost over several months. This can make even full-price tuition more manageable for family budgets.

How to Stack Multiple Grants

The good news is that most grants can be combined! Here's an example of how stacking works:

Example: Stacking Grants

  • Camp tuition: $8,000
  • CKids Gan Israel Grant: -$1,000
  • One Happy Camper: -$1,000
  • Camp Scholarship: -$2,000
  • Your cost: $4,000

Next Steps

  1. Apply for the CKids Gan Israel Grant (opens November 20, 2026)
  2. Check if your local Federation offers OHC or scholarships
  3. Contact your chosen camp about their scholarship programs
  4. Ask about payment plan options
  5. Apply early; many programs have limited funding

Ready to Apply?

The CKids Gan Israel Grant application opens November 20, 2026. Start your application today.

Learn More About the Grant