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Jewish Camp Incentive Grants and Scholarships

 
Jewish camp weaves together Jewish values, culture, and traditions, helping campers strengthen their own identity and connect with the larger Jewish community. With a strategic goal to deepen high-quality, compelling and accessible Jewish learning experiences, the Camp Grants and Scholarships department, together with the Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland, offers funding to help children enjoy a variety of summer experiences. Funds for camp will be sent to the programs beginning in January.

 

Scroll down to see learn more about the various grant opportunities available:

The Michael and Anita Siegal One Happy Camper Program: Year 1 and Year 2 Scholarships

Camp Grants for Children with Special Needs

Camp Scholarship for Teen Leaders

Russian Speaking Jewish Camp Grants

JFSA Campership Scholarship

 

 
THE MICHAEL AND ANITA SIEGAL ONE HAPPY CAMPER PROGRAM

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OHC

 

Considering Jewish overnight camp for the first time? 

Your child may be eligible for an incentive grant of up to $1,000 this summer, plus additional funding from participating synagogues! With over 192 traditional and specialty programs to choose from, there is a perfect camp out there for every child. 

 

Use The Foundation for Jewish Camp's Find a Camp tool to begin your search for the perfect summer experience and then visit each camp’s website for more detailed information.

The Jewish Education Center (JEC) works closely with donors to provide incentive grants and financial assistance that enable Jewish children living in Cleveland the ability to attend Jewish overnight camps. The JEC offers incentive grants to:
 
FIRST YEAR CAMPERS:
If your child is a student at a Jewish Day School, Public/Private school or homeschool, attending an approved Jewish Overnight Camp as a first timer. This grant is for Jewish children and is not needs-based. Any camp listed on the Foundation for Jewish Camp's Find a Camp tool is eligible, additional camps may qualify!
        • Mini-session – Up to $700
          • Attending camp for 12-18 days
          • Must be entering grades 2-12 (after camp)
          • Attending any approved Jewish overnight camp
        • Regular session - Up to $1,000 [Depending on the cost of camp.]
          • Attending camp for 19+ days
          • Must be entering grades 2-12 (after camp)
          • Attending any approved Jewish overnight camp
        • Additional $250 match may be available from participating synagogues
 
Click here to complete and submit the application for summer 2027.
Funds will be sent to the camps beginning in January. 
 
SECOND YEAR CAMPERS (going to approved denominational camps only):
Second year camp grants are available for Jewish children living in Cleveland, to attend approved Jewish overnight camps that are sponsored by religious movements. This is a non-needs based scholarship. To see if your camp qualifies, click here.
        • Up to $500 [Depending on the cost of camp.]
          • Attending camp for 19+ days
          • Must be entering grades 2-12 (after camp)
          • Attending any approved DENOMINATIONAL Jewish overnight camp
        • Additional $175 match may be available from participating synagogues
 
Click here to complete and submit the application for summer 2027.
Funds will be sent to the camps beginning in January. 

For more information email [email protected]. 
 
CAMP GRANTS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
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HYMAN, BLANCHE, GLADYS, RITA AND NORMA GURLAND MEMORIAL FUND
 
Through the Hyman, Blanche, Gladys, Rita and Norma Gurland Memorial Fund, the Jewish Education Center is able to offer limited grants to Jewish children with special needs who have an IEP. These funds are available to first and second timers going to a variety of camps offering special programming to the campers.
 
To apply for the funding, the student must reside in the Greater Cleveland community.
 
Click here to complete and submit the application by March 15 at which time the applications will be considered and funds allocated.

 

For more information, email [email protected].

 
CAMP SCHOLARSHIP FOR TEEN LEADERS ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DAVID AND INEZ MYERS FOUNDATION CAMP LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TEENS 
This scholarship is to help Jewish students entering or in high school attend a Jewish summer overnight camp that offers leadership training.  Preference will be given to incoming 9th and 10th graders.

 

Factors to be considered in awarding the scholarship are to include but are not limited to: financial need, demonstrated leadership potential, and an expressed desire to give back to the Jewish community as a result of this camp leadership experience. Grants will be allocated at an amount not to exceed $1000 per grant. To be eligible for the scholarship, the student must reside in the Greater Cleveland community. Funds will be distributed after March 15th. 

 

Click here to complete and submit the application by March 15 at which time the applications will be considered and funds allocated.
 

For more information, email [email protected].

 

RUSSIAN SPEAKING JEWISH CAMP GRANTS

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A scholarship is available for Jewish campers from the Russian-speaking Jewish community attending a Jewish overnight camp.

 

This grant is available through a partnership between the Foundation for Jewish Camp, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and the Jewish Education Center. Cleveland is one of the first communities to have been offered this partnership.

 

Greater Cleveland 1st time or 2nd time returning overnight campers who were themselves or from families with at least one parent born in countries of Former Soviet Union AND who identify as Jewish and/or consider Judaism part of their identity are eligible for the grant. 

 

This way to an unforgettable summer. At Jewish overnight camp, kids discover who they are – and who they want to become – while having the time of their lives. They try out new things and find the best version of themselves. Furthermore, Jewish overnight camp provides the opportunity to connect with Jewish peers and role models. To see a list of approved RSJ funded camps, click here.

 

Applications will be available in January 2027. Please check back then for updated opportunities.

 
For more information, email [email protected]. 
 
Click here to complete and submit the application. 

ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CAMP: JFSA CAMPERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

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JFSA
 
Camp scholarships, camping supplies and transportation are available for youth ages 9 to 17, to approved Jewish overnight camps and Jewish high school summer programs, including Israel. 
 
 
Scholarships are available for youth who attend public, charter or secular private schools and face significant financial or other barriers to participating in Jewish programs. Families with students currently enrolled in Jewish Day School or active in a synagogue are not eligible. 
 
For more information and to apply click here.