FAQs

How do I know if my child is ready for camp?

Camp should be something children want to do, and readiness for camp will vary from child to child. If your child is able to have successful sleepovers with friends and/or family, talks positively about camp or wants to attend with friends, you’re already half way there.

Please feel free to discuss any special circumstances with us: family issues or dynamics, medical, emotional, or behavioral concerns. We’re happy to listen and work with you. We truly see camp as a partnership. You’re entrusting your child to us…we want to make this a positive experience for all!!

Will my child feel comfortable at this camp?

Whether your child excels at sports or art, is outgoing or takes a while to make friends, is a picky eater or eats well, goes to services weekly or has little or no experience with Jewish life, Camp Young Judaea can be a great fit! We are home to children from a variety of Jewish backgrounds, with a variety of interests, skill levels and experiences. If you’re looking for a Jewish camp with a general program, where children will have the opportunity to try many different activities, have fun, make friends, gain independence and learn new skills in a safe, nurturing, upbeat environment, CYJ is the perfect match! Please call us if you have any specific concerns about whether this is the “right” place! We promise we’ll be candid, and if we feel that we are not able to provide the right environment, we’re happy to make suggestions about other camps or programs.

What makes your camp “different” than other Jewish camps we’re considering?

*CONTINUITY: Our camp director has been here for 20+ years and is a recognized expert and advisor in the camping field. The majority of our staff are former campers who come back year after year. Our alumni network is fiercely passionate. Our return rate for campers is so high (more than 90 percent) that we typically do little marketing and recruitment as we are typically booked up in most age groups by December.

*ATTITUDE: We insist on kindness, honesty, fairness and respect for each and every person in camp. Our counselors are chosen for their dedication, energy, teaching skills and commitment to children. We believe in positives, not negatives: patience, non-judgmental feedback, leading by example, proper role modeling and guidance. CYJ is a place where children and adults alike listen and feel heard. This spirit of acceptance, combined with clear guidelines and expectations, helps to create a wonderfully warm and supportive community.

*MORE: Our camp always goes the extra mile. We consistently debut new programs, while maintaining traditional favorites. We encourage a dialogue with our campers, our staff and our parents, in order to continually improve and stay relevant.

*PARTNERSHIP: We see our role as a partnership with our parents. We want and need your support and feedback. We are ALWAYS willing and happy to talk to you about your child. We’re here for YOU. We know it can be difficult, especially that first summer, to send your child to camp. We understand and deeply appreciate your trust in us. We want your child to be happy, and we want you to be secure in the knowledge that your child is having a positive and memorable and safe experience.

What is the camp philosophy?

Our philosophy is to provide a safe and healthy atmosphere where campers will have access to and gain knowledge in a full range of activities; develop friendships within a supervised and supportive community, appreciate and value Jewish spiritual traditions and cultural heritage and forge a lifelong bond with Israel, and most of all, have fun!

We are one of a select number of camps nationwide accredited by the American Camp Association, a national organization dedicated to serving the needs of children in all camp settings. Ken Kornreich, our camp’s director, is a long-time member of ACA and is active on the national and regional level.

Where are you located?

Camp Young Judaea is located on Baboosic Lake in Amherst, New Hampshire, about an hour from Boston. On a map, you’ll find us near Bedford, between Manchester and Nashua. See directions.

How long are your sessions and what ages do you accept?

We offer two 3 and one-half week sessions, or campers can attend for all 7 weeks. We accept children completing grades 2-9, although generally our second graders are those who already have siblings in camp.

Do you offer tours?

You bet! We’d love to have you come up and visit during the camp season and see what camp is like in action! Tour reservations must be made in advance. Please click on Tours to schedule a tour (every day except Shabbat) or call our summer office at camp after June 20th (603-673-3710). If you’re touring other camps, we recommend no more than two camps tours in one day.

What is the cost?

The cost for one session is xxxx; the cost for a full seven-week program is xxxx. Please note that a number of communities around the country offer a non-needs based incentive grant program for kids going to Jewish overnight camp for the first time, whether or not you belong to a temple or shul. To see if your community offers a program, go to www.onehappyamper.org, or call your local Jewish federation. If the cost of camp is an issue, please feel free to email us at xxxx for additional information about available financial aid programs.

What are the bunks and other facilities like?

Campers live with their counselors in rustic yet comfortable wooden bunks equipped with bunk beds, drawers and cubbies. The 12 boys’ cabins, set off in a wooded area, accommodate 12 to 18 campers. Shower, sink, and toilet facilities are located in two separate buildings located adjacent to the bunks. All bunks in girls area are equipped with toilet and sink facilities; some cabins also have showers. A separate shower house is also available. Girls’ bunks range from 14 to 22 campers.

Other facilities include a lakefront beach and boating area, an expansive, heated pool, modern dining hall, eight tennis courts, a rec hall/theater, arts and crafts studio, radio station, well-equipped indoor gym, several playing fields, basketball and volleyball courts, archery and riflery ranges, ropes course and park, , outdoor grove, tented campsite, and hiking trails.

Where do campers come from?

Children from a variety of Jewish backgrounds attend camp. We welcome all levels of religious observance and experience.  Although the majority of our campers come from the New England area, we also have campers from Florida, California, Texas, Maryland, Tennessee, New York, Arizona, New Jersey, Georgia, and Virginia. In past years, we have also welcomed campers from Canada, France, Norway, Israel, Mexico and England.

Can you tell me about your staff?

Many children start as campers and spend 10-13 summers with us, including stints as counselors. More than 70% of our bunk counselors are former campers who come back year after year to CYJ. Counselors are college-aged; we also have a Counselor Aide program for a limited number of seniors in high school.

Every year we turn away approximately 50 staff applicants. All of our applicants must go through an extensive screening and interview process. In addition, we hire a small number of experienced Jewish staff from Israel, Canada, England, France, South Africa and Australia.

Our staff members are activity specialists who live in the bunks with children; each bunk is staffed by 3-5 counselors. All staff members participate in a one-week intensive training program prior to camp.  We also conduct summer long training and evaluation to ensure that counselors provide the optimal summer experience for your child.

We are so proud of our staff!! They are energetic, dedicated, caring, knowledgeable and fun-loving.

What is the Jewish programming and content at camp?

CYJ is truly unique; We are a private-non profit camp not affiliated with any particular organization or branch of Judaism.  The magic of our camp is our ability to bring campers from diverse Jewish backgrounds and experiences together in an accepting, respectful and fun environment of experimental learning.  Click here for more information regarding our Jewish programming.

What rules about camp should I explain to my child?

We expect all CYJ campers and staff to: *treat everyone with respect, including younger and older campers, counselors and staff
*be inclusive and fair to everyone
*attend and participate in all activities with a positive attitude
*use appropriate language and words that do not put down or hurt others
*stand up for others who need help; tell counselors when someone is involved in a potentially dangerous or destructive behavior.

We will not tolerate bullying, name calling, swearing, hitting, stealing, or damaging other people’s property!

What about cell phones, ipods, or other electronic items?

We are big believers in a summer of “Digital Detox”. Items like iPod’s, tablets, TV’s, computers, cell phones, DVD players, handheld games, etc MUST be left at home. You can bring battery-operated radios, “boom boxes,” clocks, and small fans.

This is probably the one chance your child will ever have to be disconnected from technology so he or she can be better connected with others.

What about food?

Campers eat together three times a day in our modern, kosher dining hall. An enticing and ever-changing salad bar is available at lunch; a vegetarian option is available. Fruit is served at two meals each day; snacks are offered in the afternoon and evening. Kid-friendly food, such as grilled chicken, and fries, grilled cheese and pasta are typical entrees; desserts include home-baked goods and ice cream. We enjoy an outdoor cookout and a picnic every week in our park.

For more information about our menu and food preferences and our commitment to healthy food options Click here.

What’s a typical day like?

A typical day at camp features six 50-minute instructional periods, including electives (free choice), and scheduled activities Younger campers are provided with a wide variety of programs.  Older campers have the opportunity to design a more customized program. Take a look at an example of a typical day.

What about trips?

We offer one trip day and one trip night each session. Local amusement parks, water parks, movies, bowling, skating, miniature golf…no matter where we go, the children are carefully supervised at all times and have a great time. We pay for all admissions and expenses and give the children spending money or provide a snack there.

How can I stay in touch with my child at camp?

Campers must write home three times a week, so you’ll definitely be hearing from them, although we can’t guarantee length or content! Parents and relatives can email campers and the emails are delivered the next day. It’s easy, low-cost and fun! Other than that, mail and occasional small packages are great ways to connect with your child. We do not allow phone calls or faxes to or from children during the camping season and no cell phones or other communication devices are permitted.

What if I want to know how my child is doing?

Please feel free to call our office. Whether you want to ask a question, follow up about a letter you received or simply check in and see how your child is doing, we’re available to provide you with specific information and reassurance!

What do you do if my child is sick or needs to take medication?

Our modern, spacious health center is staffed by staffed by a stellar, compassionate and nurturing team of registered nurses.  In addition, we work with a nearby medical practice as well as a local walk in clinic and pharmacy. Children who receive medication are carefully supervised and monitored by our competent nursing staff.

How do you deal with homesickness?

Homesickness is a common and often brief phase that (some, but not all!!) children go through. We will send you information in advance to help you and your child deal with this sensitive topic! You will fill out a confidential form prior to camp where you can share information with us about your child’s individual concerns or needs. Or feel free to call or email us.

Your camp sounds great. What’s the application procedure?

CYJ is a very popular camp: our return rate is more than 90% each year. While that’s wonderful, it does mean that “getting in” can be difficult, depending on your child’s grade level.

We send out applications for both returning and new campers the first week of November. We register returning campers first, and then on December 1st, begin to register new campers on a first-come, first-serve basis. That means when you get your application in November, you should immediately return it to our winter address with a deposit, which we will not cash until your child is accepted in December. Even a delay of a few days can be important. Applications are not available until November. We do accept credit card payments for the initial deposit

How do I get my name added to your mailing list to receive an application or get more info?

Just click here, fill out the form and email it back to us. Or call us at our winter address (until June 1st) or our summer address (from June 1st to September 1st). You can also download an application after November 1st.

Do you have any spaces left for this summer?

If you’re reading this any time after December 5th, it’s best to contact us directly to find out about space availability, since at that point many of our age groups are often already filled.

What if I have other questions?

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Please feel free to call us (before June 1st at 781 237-9410 during regular business hours) or email us at cyjnh@aol.com (be sure to put “camp question” in the subject line). There are no “bad” questions as far as we are concerned…we love talking to parents and are happy to work with you.