Join the FJC Network
To support a vibrant Jewish future, we’re devoted to helping Jewish camps thrive. A catalyst for change, Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) accelerates innovation in the field of Jewish camp by developing adaptive talent, deepening immersive learning experiences, and driving growth.
We are humbled to work alongside hundreds of Jewish camps across North America who share a commitment to furthering our mission: to build a strong Jewish future through transformative summers.
Why should Our Camp join the FJC Network?
- Be eligible to apply for grants and interest-free loans
- Gain access to One Happy Camper® incentive grants for first-time campers*
- List your camp on Find-a-Camp, FJC’s online camp search engine for prospective families
- Be eligible to apply for FJC professional development cohorts and programs
- Gain access to resources such as communities of practice, webinars, and one-on-one consultations with FJC professionals
- Join in-person trainings in specific subject areas (e.g., camp security, mental health)
*overnight camps only
What is the FJC Network criteria?**
Please note: The following criteria refer to network eligibility only. Eligibility to apply for or participate in all programs, grants, and other opportunities may be determined on a case-by-case basis and may require additional criteria beyond that listed below. Early childhood camps that focus solely on children aged six and under are not eligible for the FJC network.
Camp and Jewish Life
- Provides an intentional, youth-centered environment where children are provided opportunities to build community.
- Is an immersive program for children and/or teenagers anchored in the summer.
- Offers campers the opportunity to return summer after summer and/or is connected to year-round engagement.
- Has a mission that includes a commitment to Jewish life and learning.
- Facilitates opportunities to engage with some or all of the following areas:
- Shabbat
- Jewish Rituals
- Israel
- Hebrew
- Jewish Values
- Jewish History/Peoplehood
- Jewish Texts/Learning
- Trains staff to model Jewish values and provides enrichment around Jewish life.
- Seeks to serve campers and families who identify as Jewish. (Camps that also include campers of other faiths and backgrounds are eligible.)
- For Day Camps Only: Provides scheduled youth programming during the summer months, offer multi-week experiences, and encourage multi-year camper participation for at least four consecutive summers.
Organizational Structure
- Is a nonprofit organization (or a program of a nonprofit) represented by a board of directors or lay committee
- Operates in the United States or Canada
Please note: FJC is not an accrediting institution. Though we do not require outside accreditation currently, FJC does encourage ACA or CCA Accreditation for all camps in its network, given that their standards are recognized by courts of law and government regulators as the standards of the camp community throughout the United States and Canada.
Policy Attestations
- Has written and understood child safety policies and procedures, which includes language and training regarding preventing and reporting child abuse
- Has written non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, procedures, and training in place for staff and lay leadership (both seasonal and year round)
Disclaimer: All information regarding camp policies has been furnished by individual camps. FJC has not made any independent inquiry into these policies, or reviewed their content. For more information about a camp’s policies, contact the camp directly.
What are the Network Camps requirements?
- Participation in FJC’s annual Camp Census
- Annual confirmation of compliance with Network Criteria
- Annual information verification for FJC’s Find-a-Camp search engine
- Placement of the FJC logo on the camp’s website
All network camps are strongly encouraged to utilize FJC administered Satisfaction Insights surveys (for both campers and staff) and attend FJC’s biennial conference, Leaders Assembly.
How does My Camp join the FJC Network?
Please ensure you have the following information ready when completing the application:
- A copy of your camp’s mission statement
- Documentation of the names of the board of directors
- The current and previous year operating budget of the camp as approved by the board of directors
- Documentation of camp’s tax-exempt charitable status as a nonprofit organization 501(c)(3) for camps in the US or CCRA nonprofit registration for Canadian camps
- Documentation of camp’s ACA or CCA accreditation status (if applicable)
What is the application timeline?
Applications are reviewed on a semi-annual rolling basis in the winter (by December 15) and the spring (April 15). Overnight camp applications received before the winter deadline are guaranteed consideration for the current One Happy Camper season. (One Happy Camper is only available to overnight camps.) Overnight applications received after the winter deadline will still be considered for the FJC network, but will not be eligible for consideration for One Happy Camper until the following summer. All camps should expect to hear of their status within two weeks of submission of their application.
**FJC is entitled to remove any camp from its network at any time at its discretion. Criteria subject to change at FJC discretion.
Apply HereQuestions? Please email Molly Baer, Network Manager, to discuss how your camp could benefit from joining the FJC network