Mission & Vision

Our Mission

The Foundation for Jewish Camp unifies and galvanizes the field of Jewish overnight camp and significantly increases the number of children participating in transformative summers at Jewish camp, assuring a vibrant North American Jewish community.

Our Vision

Summers at Jewish overnight camp turn Jewish youth into spirited and engaged Jewish adults, laying the groundwork for strong Jewish communities. The Foundation for Jewish Camp aspires to elevate the field of Jewish camp, conferring proper recognition and granting appropriate support to expand its impact across our community, so that camp can be a critical element of every Jewish young person's education.

Our Strategy

Thirteen years ago, the Foundation for Jewish Camp set out to strengthen the Jewish community through support and advocacy for transformative summer camp experiences. The Foundation develops inspiring camp leaders, expands access to and intensifies demand for camp, and creates programs to strengthen camps across the Jewish spectrum in North America.

We have connected Jewish camp with excellence, and we have brought that spirit to camps in regards to leadership, programming, and facilities. In addition, we have proven through research that Jewish camping significantly and positively impacts adult Jewish choices and behavior.

By employing out-of-the-box thinking, remaining organizationally agile and flexible, and working collaboratively with partners, we have been able to change the perception of Jewish camp, garnering active and passionate support from philanthropists and Jewish communities alike.

As we look toward the future, we support our mission and vision with four areas of focus:

1. CAMPER ACQUISITION: GROW ENROLLMENT
2. PROGRAM EXCELLENCE: FOSTER RETENTION
3. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: ENSURE A STRONG FUTURE
4. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: ACHIEVE SUSTAINABILITY

While these focus areas may seem familiar, our approaches have evolved and changed in substantive ways. Our priorities over the next five years will be:

• ADDRESSING AFFORDABILITY: As an initial step, FJC is engaged in Project SABABA, a feasibility study measuring the interest in and viability of more accessible models of camps. The findings of this study will serve as the basis for future plans.
• FOSTERING CONNECTIONS: Creating avenues for camps to connect with communities, schools, JCCs, and synagogues, to share educational best practices and drive enrollment growth.
• INCREASING AWARENESS: Promoting Jewish camp through a national ad campaign and increase/improve the use of technology across the field.
• CREATING INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING: Cutting-edge educational development to enhance Jewish, Israel, and general program content.

FJC has been privileged to play a special role in guiding philanthropic partners to invest in big, compelling returns. We will continue to work with current and new partners and communities, and embrace the diversity of brands in Jewish camp as we focus on bold, new ideas to ensure a vibrant Jewish future in North America.

Jewish camp creates a strong sense of community. We have learned that today's Jewish communities need and value camps for their role in generating and leveraging more passionate engagement. Working together, we can and we will create a stronger, more vibrant Jewish future for generations to come.

To read our complete Strategic Plan for 2011-2016, please email questions@jewishcamp.org.