Campership Incentive Program (CIP)
Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Campership Incentive Program (CIP)?

The Campership Incentive Program (CIP) seeks to increase the number of Jewish children enjoying transformative experiences at Jewish overnight summer camp. We do this by providing financial incentives to first-time (and in some cases second time) campers who are not currently participating in an immersive daily Jewish experience.

The Foundation for Jewish Camp, in partnership with dozens of Jewish community federations, camps and camp movements across North America provides incentive grants ranging between $700 and $1500 to first-time campers who attend a nonprofit Jewish overnight camp. Camp sessions must last 19 consecutive days (or 12 consecutive days if the camp is in the West). Some communities also offer funding for second-time campers.

Currently in its fourth year, CIP is funded jointly by the Foundation for Jewish Camp and program partners across North America, and is administered directly by program partners.

Which community partners (federations, camps, camp movements) are participating in the 2010 CIP program?

2010 Community Partners (open to campers living in eligible catchment area):

Important Note: If you live in any of the cities listed above, please apply for an incentive grant. To view a list of the 150 Jewish overnight camps that accept incentive grants, please go to www.jewishcamp.org/camps.

If you do not live in any of the cities listed above, the camps listed below provide incentive grants to families residing in any region. Read below to learn more.

2010 Camp/Camp Movement Partners (open to campers living anywhere in North America):

What are the eligibility requirements for applicants?

Eligibility is based on several factors: where you live, past camp experience and the grade your camper will be entering in the fall of 2010. These factors are ultimately determined by your local sponsoring agency (listed above), but in general, eligibility requirements that are adhered to by the majority of partners are as follows:

1. Campers must have never previously attended a nonprofit Jewish overnight camp for 19 consecutive days or longer before applying for the grant. (Note some local programs may require zero past camp experience)
2. Campers must be attending a camp listed on the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s website.
3. Campers must be attending camp for 19 consecutive days or longer (or 12 days if attending a camp in the West).
4. First-time campers must not be currently enrolled in a daily immersive Jewish experience like day school or yeshiva.

Please note, each community/camp program has its own specific eligibility criteria. For more information on your community’s specific criteria, please contact the staff person listed above.

How does the process work?

The first step is to register your camper at camp. In order to be eligible for the incentive, the camper must registered at a Jewish summer camp listed on the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s website.

While some communities limit the list of eligible Campership camps only to camps in their region, most communities allow campers to attend any camp listed on the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s website. For more information on your community’s specific camp criteria, please contact the staff person listed in the chart above.

Once campers are registered for camp, parents should visit www.onehappycamper.org to see if their child is eligible for an incentive and to apply for the grant.

Once your child’s registration at camp has been confirmed and the incentive application has been approved, the incentive funds will be paid directly to the camp your child attends this summer, and will be credited to you in the form of a tuition deduction. If your child cancels their registration at camp, the incentive funds will be returned to FJC and the partnering organization.

What is the difference between the JWest Campership Program and the Campership Incentive Program (CIP)?

Good question! JWest and CIP are both incentive programs run by the Foundation for Jewish Camp. CIP is a community-based program that involves partnerships with Jewish organizations across the country, such as camps, federations and camp movements, who provide financial and administrative support for the program; JWest is administered and supported solely by the Foundation for Jewish Camp and is geared toward first-time campers living in the Western region of the Unites States. Both programs provide financial incentives to first-time, and in some cases, second-time and third-time campers.

I live in one of the Western states that are eligible for the JWest Campership Program. How do I know which incentive program I should apply for?

Don't worry. All you have to do is begin your application on our registration site by entering your zip code, and our system will be able to determine which program you are eligible for based on your answers. Campers who receive a JWest Campership grant are not eligible for a Campership Incentive grant, and vice versa.

I received a Campership Incentive grant last summer. Can I receive an additional grant this coming summer?

Some communities offer second-time grants for returning campers. To find out if your community offers this, please contact the staff person listed in the chart above.

Can I receive financial aid in addition to a Campership Incentive grant?

The Campership Incentive Program offers incentives, not scholarship monies. This is not a needs-based program. As such, receiving an incentive 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/scholarship.

What if I do not live in any of the communities listed above? Am I still eligible for a grant?

In additional to community-based partnerships, FJC is also partnering with camp movements (such as Ramah, Young Judaea and the Union for Reform Judaism) and individual camps that are open to applicants from across the country. The national programs that accept applicants from anywhere in North America are in the second chart above. If you are planning to attend any of these camps or camps run by these movements, and meet the eligibility criteria for the program, you may be eligible for an incentive grant through your camp.

If you are not interested in any of these camps, we encourage you to reach out to your local federation, synagogue or camp to ask if you are eligible for other incentive or scholarship programs.

I know someone who may be eligible for the Campership Program. Where should I send them to learn more?

You should send your friends to www.onehappycamper.org to learn more about an incentive program that may be available in their area, and to apply for a grant.

I still have more questions. Who should I contact?

If you still have more questions, please contact the community or camp professional listed in the chart above. If you live in a community that is not listed, please contact us at the Foundation for Jewish Camp (campgrants@jewishcamp.org).

I am a Jewish professional interested in bringing the Campership Incentive Program to my camp/community. Who should I contact for more information?

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