"What a special and amazing summer full of friendship, love and soulful experiences (yes even for a 10-year-old!)"
— One Happy Camper Parent, Summer 2023
How One Happy Camper® Works
One Happy Camper® is a need-blind incentive grant program of Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC). In partnership with local Jewish organizations across North America. Our partners—Jewish federations, foundations, individual camps, Small Community Incentives and PJ Library— sponsor the One Happy Camper® grant for their communities and provide help, support, and local perspective so families like yours can find the right camp for their child.
Register your child at camp and then apply for a grant here using our online application to see if your child is eligible!
Once the grant application has been approved, funds will be paid directly to the camp listed on your application and will be credited towards your balance in the spring.
Step 1: Register your child at camp. To be eligible for a grant, your child must be registered at a camp listed here. While some community and regional-based programs limit the list of eligible camps only to camps in their region, most programs allow campers to attend any camp listed on our website. For more information, please contact your local program provider.
Step 2: Apply for the grant using our online application. Once your child’s registration at camp has been confirmed and the grant application has been approved, funds will be paid directly to the camp listed on your application and will be credited to you in the form of a tuition deduction. If you cancel your child’s registration at camp, the funds will be returned to us and your local program sponsor.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for the One Happy Camper Program?
Eligibility
One Happy Camper® was envisioned as an outreach initiative for children who are not currently receiving an immersive, daily Jewish experience. As such, children who attend Jewish day school or Yeshiva are not eligible for these programs.
Eligibility criteria varies from community to community. Typically, campers must reside within the local program provider area, already be enrolled in their first overnight nonprofit Jewish summer camp (a 12+ consecutive day session) and identify as Jewish.
To be eligible for a One Happy Camper® grant, typically your child must be:
Registered for an overnight camp listed on Foundation for Jewish Camp’s website.
Attending an approved overnight camp for the first time for at least 12 consecutive days
Not currently participating in a daily immersive Jewish experience, such as a Jewish day school or immersion program. (A number of partners offer OHC incentives, and other resources for campers who attend day school.)
Additional requirements may be in place in some areas. Contact your program administrator to check local eligibility requirements. OR submit an application here to see if your child is eligible!
Other eligibility criteria may apply based on your local partner/sponsor.
What if I Don’t Live in a Community That Is Running a One Happy Camper Program?
With nearly 100 One Happy Camper programs, it’s still possible for your child to qualify for a One Happy Camper grant.
The Small Communities Incentive Program offers new campers from small communities of under 10,000 Jewish residents grants up to $1,500 for two consecutive summers to attend one of 15 participating summer camps. Visit our website for more information: jewishcamp.org/sci
As part of PJ Library program (a partnership between the Foundation for Jewish Camp and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation) PJ Library children may qualify for a PJ Library – One Happy Camper grant. These grants are available to first-time campers who are members, alums, or have a sibling who is a member or alum of PJ Library’s Program and do not qualify for a community-sponsored program. For more information, please contact PJ Library team at pjgtc@hgf.org. Click here to learn more.
Over 60 individual camps (including many movement-based camps) offer their own One Happy Camper grants to children attending their camps. If you are planning to attend any of these 60+ camps, and do not qualify for any of the other One Happy Camper programs, you may be eligible for a grant through your camp. See if your child’s camp is on the list.
Please remember: You are not permitted to receive more than one incentive grant affiliated with the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s One Happy Camper program.
How Does PJ Library One Happy Camper Program Differ From All Other One Happy Camper Programs?
PJ Library’s One Happy Camper program is a partnership between the Foundation for Jewish Camp and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, and is designed to serve as an extension of PJ Library experience, inviting PJ Library families to consider overnight Jewish camp.
Since each child can only receive a single One Happy Camper incentive grant, PJ Library One Happy Camper grant is available to any PJ Library family member (member, alum, or sibling)not served by a community-based program (e.g. a federation-sponsored program). Children fortunate to live in communities whose federation sponsors a One Happy Camper program will receive a grant from their community sponsor.
Can More Than One Child per Family Apply for a Grant?
Yes.
Can I Apply for the Grant Before I Enroll My Camper in Camp? Or Must I Decide on a Camp Session Before Applying?
You must register your child at an approved overnight Jewish summer camp (use our Find-a-Camp tool to see a list of these camps) to complete your online application. If you have questions about your camper’s eligibility or need help selecting an appropriate camp, please contact your program provider.
How Does the Application Determine Which Program Is Right for Me?
Based on the information you provide using our online application, such as your zip code, your child’s grade, and school, the system will determine the program that is best suited for you.
Can I Apply for More Than One OHC Grant?
No.
While your child may be eligible for more than one incentive grant, they can only receive one grant that is affiliated with the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s One Happy Camper program. This includes, but is not limited to, PJ Library – One Happy Camper program, and/or the various community-based and camp-sponsored One Happy Camper programs.
Can I Receive Financial Aid in Addition to a One Happy Camper Grant?
Yes.
A One Happy Camper program grant is not a scholarship, nor is it needs-based. As such, receiving a grant does not preclude you from receiving scholarship aid from another source. Here’s an online directory of over 80 scholarships.
Is There a Deadline to Apply?
There is no official deadline, but a limited number of grants are available and once they’re gone, they’re gone!
Please contact your local program provider to see if there are any limitations on grant availability, and make sure to register for camp and apply for your One Happy Camper grant as soon as possible.
How Long Will it Take to be Notified That My Grant Application Has Been Approved?
Please allow four to eight weeks for your child’s camp to receive confirmation of the grant approval. Once your child’s camp registration has been confirmed, funding will be sent directly to the camp. To track the status of your grant, return to the application log-in page, sign in, and click the “Check Application Status” link.
I Work at an Organization That Is Interested in Bringing a One Happy Camper Program to My Community. Who Should I Contact for More Information?
If you are interested in bringing a grant program to your camp or community, please contact Marisa Braunstein.
I Still Have More Questions. Who Should I Contact?
If you have more questions, please contact the person administering your community or camp program. If you live in a community that is not listed or your camp is not co-sponsoring a One Happy Camper program, please contact us at the Foundation for Jewish Camp: onehappycamper@jewishcamp.org.
Still considering if Jewish camp is right for your child?
At Jewish camp, kids can explore who they are, and who they want to become, while having the time of their lives.
With so many choices out there, you’ll be sure to find a camp out there that is right for your child—and we are here to help you find it! Use our Find a Camp tool to begin your search for the perfect summer experience.