Learning & Research
We know from research—and twenty-five years of experience—that Jewish camp is where young people find Jewish role models and create enduring Jewish friendships. It’s where campers forge a vital, lifelong connection to their essential Jewishness.
Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Learning & Research team gather key insights from the field, providing camps with metrics and trends to put their work into context, make a case for investment in new programs or facilities, provide operational support, improve the camper and staff experience, and aid in camper recruitment. Our team uses data to evaluate program effectiveness, provides camps with tools to measure their impact each summer, and publishes reports as well as scholarly articles which are subjected to a rigorous peer evaluation.
Camp Census
This Census collects data that is aggregated, analyzed, and shared back through reports that identify trends and learnings and give us better leverage to advocate for the field. Feedback reveals a renewed sense of focus, vigor, and energy from Jewish day and overnight camps across North America. Overall, we sense an optimism about the future of Jewish camp and remain inspired by our vital work, to enable as many as possible to benefit from joyful Judaism experienced at summer camp.
Download the 2023 CensusDownload Previous Census Reports:
Satisfaction Insights
Camper Satisfaction Insight (CSI) and Staff Satisfaction Insight (SSI) are in-depth, customizable surveys that help camps pinpoint strengths and areas for growth according to respondents’ feedback. CSI provides a look at what parents and campers think of their camp experience, from programming to safety to facilities. SSI measures staff satisfaction and helps inform staff hiring and retention strategies.
Character at Camp Initiative
The Character at Camp Initiative is an observational and survey research study and evaluation of character development practices at North American Jewish Summer Camps. The objective of this initiative is to understand how Jewish camps develop exceptional human beings with high levels of moral character and prepare them to go into the world and make it a better place.
Character at Camp