Foundation for Jewish Camp Releases New Data Highlighting Jewish Camps’ Growing Impact on Jewish Life 

Jewish Camp Enrollment Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Records in 2024 

NEW YORK — Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) released new findings in their annual Census Report: State of Jewish Camp 2024, revealing that in the first summer after October 7th, Jewish camps have once again demonstrated their resilience and integral role as spaces for growth, connection, and community-building. In summer 2024, the field surpassed pre-pandemic participation levels for the first time, welcoming 189,000 youth, teens, and young adults, a 5% increase from 2023.  

“In summer 2024, we finally exceeded our pre-pandemic record level of participation.  We can be very proud of this huge collective achievement for our field and for the broader community,” shared FJC CEO, Jeremy Fingerman. 

Camp’s pivotal role in fostering Jewish identity was more pronounced than ever before. 

• 96% of overnight families reported that camp created an environment where their child felt proud to be Jewish.  
• 92% of overnight families reported that camp deeply and positively impacted their camper’s Jewish identity, up 4% from summer 2023.  

As one overnight camp parent shared about their child, “After a year in a school where he acutely felt like a minority, he felt celebrated and proud of his heritage.” 

FJC noted the field’s efforts to build bridges across the global Jewish community.  

• Over 3,000 Israelis worked in camps in 2024, fostering cultural and communal ties between North American and Israeli communities, marking an 11% increase from 2023.
• And after a difficult year on college campuses, Jewish camps saw a seasonal staff surge with a 25% increase in new North American young adult staff.

In one staff member’s words: “Camp allowed me to be a proud Jewish adult in a safe environment where I don’t feel alone.”  

Jewish camps also deepened their impact on camper well-being this year. 91% of overnight and 74% of day camp families rated activities for social-emotional health as excellent or good — up 14 and 19 points, respectively. 

Affordability continues to be a challenge for the field. Camps have remained steadfast in their commitment to financial accessibility, increasing their total financial aid distribution to $37 million. Yet significant unmet demand persists, highlighting increased operating costs and rising tuition rates. Once again, funding and grants for capital projects and facility upgrades, as well as staff training and development, are among the highest priorities for both day and overnight camps.  

Reflecting on the outcomes of this past summer, FJC’s Chief Program & Strategy Officer and incoming interim CEO Jamie Simon remarks, “The connections camps foster, the belonging camps create, the leadership camps inspire, and the joy camps build are not just shaping summers—they’re shaping lives and building the future of the Jewish people.” These achievements highlight Jewish camps’ ongoing dedication to fostering vibrant, inclusive spaces that celebrate Jewish identity across generations.  

Read the full report for more trends and insights from the field.