Eligibility

Eligibility for a One Happy Camper program grant is determined by your local sponsoring Jewish organization in partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Camp and is based on:

  • Where you live
  • Past overnight Jewish summer camp experience
  • Type of school your child is currently enrolled in
  • Grade they will enter the fall after camp

Please note: Before your child can qualify for a grant, s/he must first be enrolled at a camp listed on the Foundation for Jewish Camp website. Find a camp here: www.jewishcamp.org/camps

There are many programs that offer a One Happy Camper grant. To learn more about the One Happy Camper program for which you may be eligible, please read the section below and contact your local program provider.

*Note: While you may be eligible for more than one of these programs, you can only receive one first-time grant that is co-sponsored by the Foundation for Jewish Camp.

Which One Happy Camper grant program is for my child?

Please read the information below about our different programs and apply now!

JWest Campership Program

The JWest Campership Program is the Western North America-based program, providing grants to Jewish youth in the 13 Western states who enroll in nonprofit Jewish overnight summer camps for the first time. Now in its fourth year, JWest awards incentive grants of up to $2,500 over multiple years to rising 6th-8th graders who attend one of the 24 Jewish camps in Western North America. First-summer grants range from $1000 for a 12-day session to $1500 for a 19 consecutive day session. These grants are available to campers not currently participating in an immersive daily Jewish experience. A limited number of JWest first time camper grants are available. Please ensure your spot by signing up for camp and the grant as early as possible

JWest is funded by the generous support of the Jim Joseph Foundation

To learn more about this program, read the frequently asked questions below, or apply now.

Community, regional, and camp co-sponsored programs

One Happy Camper’s community, regional, and camp co-sponsored programs provide grants to first-time campers (and in some cases, second-time campers) across North America. Campers typically receive $1,000 for a first-time 19 consecutive day session at camp, while campers attending 12-day sessions in the Western states for the first time receive $700. These grants are available to campers not currently participating in an immersive daily Jewish experience.

One Happy Camper’s community, regional, and camp co-sponsored programs are funded jointly by the Foundation for Jewish Camp and partners across North America, and are administered by partners. These programs include:

  • Community co-sponsored programs: Many of these programs are co-sponsored by your local Jewish federation. See if your community is participating then apply now. If your community is not on this list, please read about the other One Happy Camper programs below.
  • The Midwest Interfaith Incentive Program: This program is for first-time campers who identify as being from an interfaith family and are attending a select camp in the Midwest. To apply, you must obtain a code from your camp director after your child is registered for camp.
  • PJ Goes to Camp Program: This program is for first-time campers across North America who are members, alumni, or siblings of a PJ Library member or alum. To learn more about the PJ Goes to Camp application process and eligibility requirements, please click here. 
  • Camp-sponsored programs: for first-time campers who do not qualify for any other grant program listed above but are attending a camp that is co-sponsoring their own One Happy Camper grant program.

 

To learn more about the eligibility requirements for these programs, read the frequently asked questions below.

Still not sure which program is right for you? APPLY NOW and our application system will help you find out.

One Happy Camper Program Frequently Asked Questions
  1. Is my child eligible for a One Happy Camper grant?
  2. What are the eligibility requirements for the JWest grant?
  3. What are the eligibility requirements for the community, regional, and camp co-sponsored One Happy Camper programs?
  4. How does the PJ ‘Library’ Goes to Camp One Happy Camper program differ from all the other One Happy Camper programs that federations and/or camps are sponsoring?
  5. How do I apply for a grant?
  6. Can I apply for the grant before I enroll my camper in camp, or must I decide on a camp session before applying?
  7. How does the application system determine which program is right for me?
  8. What if I am not eligible for the JWest program and do not live in a community that is running a One Happy Camper program?
  9. Can more than one child per family apply for a grant?
  10. Can I receive financial aid in addition to a One Happy Camper grant?
  11. Is there a deadline to apply?
  12. How long will it take to be notified that my grant application has been approved?
  13. I have a child who has special needs. Are there Jewish camps that accommodate my child?
  14. My JWest camper loved camp. Is there a way to for him/her to stay involved with their friends from camp during the school year?
  15. I know someone who wants to send their child to Jewish overnight camp for the first time. Where should I send them to learn more?
  16. I am a Jewish professional interested in bringing a One Happy Camper program to my camp or community. Who should I contact for more information?
  17. I still have more questions. Who should I contact?

Is my child eligible for a One Happy Camper grant?

If your child lives in the 13 Western states and will be in 6th-8th grade the fall after camp, s/he may qualify for the JWest Campership Program. See JWest eligibility requirements here.

If your child is a first-time camper and lives elsewhere in North America, or lives in the West and is not eligible for the JWest program, s/he may qualify for a community, regional, or camp co-sponsored One Happy Camper program. See community, regional, and camp-sponsored program eligibility requirements here.

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What are the eligibility requirements for the JWest grant?

Apply now to find out if your child is eligible.

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What are the eligibility requirements for the community, regional, and camp co-sponsored One Happy Camper programs?

Eligibility requirements are defined by your local sponsoring organization in partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Camp, but basic requirements adhered to by the majority of partners are as follows:

  • Campers must have never previously attended a nonprofit Jewish overnight camp for 19 consecutive days or longer (or 12 consecutive days if attending a camp in one of the 13 Western states) before applying for the grant. (Note: select programs will not allow any past camp experience). Please check with your local program provider for details.
  • Campers must be attending and registered for a camp listed on the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s website. Please check with your local program provider for exceptions and restrictions.
  • First-time campers must not currently be enrolled in a daily immersive Jewish experience like Jewish day school or yeshiva. (Some programs may have funding for day-school campers. Please contact your local provider).

For more information on your community’s or camp’s specific criteria, please contact your local program provider.

Apply now to find out if your child is eligible.

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How does the PJ Library Goes to Camp One Happy Camper program differ from all the other One Happy Camper programs that federations and/or camps are sponsoring?

The PJ Library and Foundation for Jewish Camp have partnered to offer One Happy Camper incentive grants under the name PJ Goes to Camp. PJ Goes to Camp is designed to serve as an extension of The PJ Library experience, inviting PJ families to consider overnight Jewish camp. Since each child can only receive one One Happy Camper incentive grant, the PJ Goes to Camp program is available to any PJ Library family member (member, alum, or sibling) not currently being served by a community-based program (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.

In these cases, The PJ Library program serves as an exciting synergistic opportunity, enabling professionals to leverage the successful communal inroad of The PJ Library program to raise awareness of Jewish camp and of the One Happy Camper program.

In communities that have both programs, professionals are encouraged to work together to promote One Happy Camper grants and Jewish camp in general. By working together, you can make an even bigger impact in the community.

To learn more about The PJ Library and/or the PJ Goes to Camp program, click here.

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How do I apply for a grant?

The first step is to register your child at camp. In order to be eligible for a grant, your child must be registered at a Jewish summer camp listed on the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s website. 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 the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s website. For more information, please contact your local program provider. Once campers are registered for camp, parents should apply for the grant using our online application system. 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 FJC and the partnering organization.

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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 in order 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.

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How does the application system determine which program is right for me?

Based on the information you provide using our online application system, such as where you live (zip code), your child’s grade (after camp), and school, the system will determine the program that is best suited for you.

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What if I am not eligible for the JWest program and do not live in a community that is running a One Happy Camper program?

The PJ Library PJ Goes to Camp regional program is a partnership between the Foundation for Jewish Camp and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, and offers grants to first-time campers who are members, alums, or have a sibling who is a member or alum of The PJ Library Program. For more information please contact your local PJ Library Coordinator or the PJ Goes to Camp coordinator. Another regional program is the Midwest Interfaith Program, which offers grants to first-time campers from interfaith families to attend one of eight camps in the Midwest. Finally, if you still can’t locate a grant program for you, the Foundation for Jewish Camp partners with national camp movements (such as Ramah, Young Judaea, Habonim Dror and the Union for Reform Judaism) and individual camps across North America to offer grants to children attending those specific camps. If you are planning to attend any of these camps, and do not qualify for any of the other grant programs, you may be eligible for a grant through your camp. For a list of camp and camp movement partners, click here. Important: You are not permitted to receive more than one One Happy Camper grant that the Foundation for Jewish Camp is sponsoring/co-sponsoring or is supporting in any manner.

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Can more than one child per family apply for a grant?

Yes.

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Can I receive financial aid in addition to a One Happy Camper grant?

Yes. One Happy Camper program grants are non-needs based grants. This is not a scholarship. As such, receiving a grant does not preclude you from receiving scholarship aid from another source. To view an online directory of over 80 scholarships, please visit www.jewishcamp.org/scholarships.

Note: You are not permitted to receive more than one One Happy Camper grant that the Foundation for Jewish Camp is sponsoring/co-sponsoring or is supporting in any manner.

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Is there a deadline to apply?

Please contact your local community or camp for specific deadlines. A limited number of JWest first time camper grants are available. Please ensure your spot by signing up for camp and the grant as early as possible.

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How long will it take to be notified that my grant application has been approved?

Please allow up to four weeks for your child’s camp to receive confirmation of the grant approval. Once your child’s camp registration has been confirmed, FJC can release the funds to the camp in your child’s name.

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I have a child who has special needs. Are there Jewish camps that accommodate my child?

There are a number of Jewish camps with programs for children with special needs. For a full list, visit www.jewishcamp.org/camps.

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My JWest camper loved camp. Is there a way to for him/her to stay involved with their friends from camp during the school year?

Absolutely! The JWest Campership Program encourages all JWest campers to keep their camp friends and memories close by participating in year-round programming. Many camps, synagogues and youth groups offer camp reunions and other year-round programming to keep your camper excited for camp throughout the year and connected with all of their camp friends.

  • The Foundation for Jewish Camp’s national partnership with B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO) means that all JWest campers can participate in Teen Connection events at reduced rates. To learn more, email connect@bbyo.org.
  • If your child attended Camp Charles Pearlstein, Shwayder Camp, URJ Camp Kalsman, URJ Camps Newman Swig, or Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps, or you consider yourself to be a Reform Jew, your camper may want to check out NFTY (North American Federation for Temple Youth), the Jewish youth movement for Reform Jews. For more information, contact your temple or visit www.nfty.org.
  • If your camper went to Camp Ramah in California or Camp Solomon Schechter, or you consider yourself to be a Conservative Jew, your camper may want to get involved with USY (United Synagogue Youth), the Jewish youth movement for Conservative Jews. For more information, visit www.usy.org.
  • If your camper attended Habonim Dror Camp Gilboa or Camp Miriam, he or she can get involved in Habonim Dror Activities all year long. Visit www.campgilboa.org for more information.
  • If your camper went to Camp Yofi or JCC Ranch Camp, he or she may want to check out teen programs at your local Jewish Community Center. www.jcca.org.



Many communities offer teen philanthropy programs, opportunities to volunteer with Jewish agencies and other leadership opportunities. Want some help finding something that interests your camper? Drop us a line at jwest@jewishcamp.org.

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I know someone who wants to send their child to Jewish overnight camp for the first time. Where should I send them to learn more?

Send them to www.onehappycamper.org to learn more about a grant program that may be available in their area, and to apply for a grant.

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I am a Jewish professional interested in bringing a One Happy Camper program to my camp or community. Who should I contact for more information?

If you are interested in bringing a grant program to your camp or community, please contact Seth Cohen at seth@jewishcamp.org.

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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: campgrants@jewishcamp.org.