NFTY West Coast Party

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West coast party 2024

Get ready for an out-of-this-world weekend at West Coast Party 2024! NFTY CWR, SOCAL SW, and Camp Newman are hosting an in-person NFTY event at URJ Camp Newman. This event is a teen-powered weekend open to participants in grades 9 through 12. Join us for a retreat full of exciting programs, meaningful tefillah experiences, and lots of NFTY/camp fun with new and old friends.

Event information

Dates: Friday, January 12, 2024 – Monday, January 15, 2024

Location: Camp Newman (Santa Rosa, CA)

Cost: $595

Please reach out to Matt Ghan, at mghan@urj.org with any further questions. All attendees arriving by plane will receive a $100 scholarship to attend!

Registration for West Coast Party is now CLOSED! 

Financial Assistance: If you are affiliated with a congregation, we ask that you first check with your congregation’s educator or Rabbi about scholarship to help with the weekend tuition.  If further financial support is needed, or your congregation is not able to help, we invite you to complete the NFTY scholarship request form >

 

West Coast Party Travel Windows

Plane

Arrival 

Friday, January 12th: Flights should land at Oakland International Airport (OAK) by 2:00 PM  

Departure 

Monday, January 15th: Flight should depart Oakland International Airport (OAK) after 3:00 PM  

Attendees traveling by plane will be taken to and from Camp Newman by bus. 

By Car

Arrival

Friday, January 12th: Attendees should arrive between 5:00 – 6:00 PM  

Departure

Monday, January 15th: Attendees should depart between 11:00 and 11:30 AM

Buses

Buses will be available to take attendees to West Coast Party from the following locations: 

(All buses need a minimum of 15 teens to run) 

    • OAK International Airport   
    • Congregation Beth Am, Los Altos  
    • Civic Center, San Rafael 
    • Congregation B’nai Israel, Sacramento  

Bus departure times will be posted closer to the event. Teens may have to miss part of school to make it to a bus stop.  

FAQs

What is West Coast Party? Who can come to West Coast Party?

All 9th-12th graders are welcome to attend this teen-powered weekend. This retreat is full of exciting programs, meaningful tefillah experiences, and NFTY/camp activities, all led and planned by teens. 

All are welcome, whether you are a first-timer or returning NFTYite. 

What should teens pack?

We will provide a packing list in our pre-event email sent a week before West Coast Party. In general, clothing should be casual. Temperatures can change quickly at camp so be sure to check the weather prior to West Coast Party! We will also have some fun dress up surprises.  

Who should I reach out to with questions?

If you have any questions, please reach out to Matt Ghan at mghan@urj.org.

What is NFTY?

NFTY has been the brand of teen engagement for the Reform movement for centuries. NFTY is a movement that builds strong, welcoming, inspired communities through teen-powered engagement. Together, we pursue tikkun olam (repairing the world), personal growth, youth empowerment, and deep connections, all rooted in Reform Judaism. What makes NFTY different than other youth organizations are our 13 Principles . When you register, the teen and parent both agree to these ideals.
NFTY events maintain high expectations of being a caring and safe community. To this end, each participant and parent will sign off on the NFTY Brit K’hilah, our code of conduct.

What is a Kallah?

A Kallah is an overnight experience that includes engaging programs, activities, and opportunities to meet other Reform Jewish teens. These activities also include Shabbat services, character and relationship building programs and a social action component.

Is there financial assistance available?

If you are affiliated with a congregation, we ask that you first check with your congregation’s educator or Rabbi about scholarship to help with the weekend tuition.  If further financial support is needed, or your congregation is not able to help, we invite you to complete the NFTY scholarship request form >

What are the health and safety policies?

Among our most cherished Jewish values is the imperative for preserving life and maintaining health. We embrace this value specifically by taking preventive measures to protect the public health of our URJ communities. Parents entrust the URJ and have high expectations for their children’s experiences in our programs. All the fun, friendship building, Jewish identity affirmation and character development can only happen if we are confident that individual safety and public health remain at the center of our decision-making.

WELLBEING and BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS

  • We expect that participants will be willing to participate in program activities.
  • We expect that participants will be able to communicate their needs.
  • We expect that participants will not threaten harm to themselves or others or engage in self-injury.
  • We expect that participants will be able to understand and follow multi-step directions.
  • We expect that participants will not wander or elope from their group.
  • We expect that participants will eat while at camp so that they can stay nourished and healthy.
  • We expect that participants will be able to manage their own self hygiene.
  • We expect that participants will be able to manage any challenges they may have with the tools and skills that have been successful in their home and school settings.
  • We expect that participants will be nonviolent and will not be physically aggressive toward others.
  • We expect that participants will not require ongoing one on one supervision or “shadowing”.
  • We expect that participants will take individual responsibility for upholding and embodying the values of our communities of belonging.

Are you concerned about your child’s ability to meet these expectations? If so, please email campnewman@urj.org

INFECTIOUS DISEASE GUIDELINES

  • All participants and staff are strongly recommended to stay up to date with annual flu and COVID vaccinations. See most up-to-date 2023 URJ Vaccination Policy.
  • All participants and staff are strongly recommended to conduct an at-home rapid antigen (RA) COVID-19 test prior to traveling to URJ camps and programs, and not attend if COVID+ or feeling unwell.
  • If you begin to feel unwell during a short-term program, depending on the severity of symptoms, you will be taken for evaluation at an urgent care facility at the discretion of program leaders, or evaluated on site if medical staff are present.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE
We will continue to evaluate the current infectious disease conditions (including COVID and flu conditions) as we look ahead. The health and wellbeing of our communities has always been and will remain our top priority as we work to prepare for our programs. This information is based on what we know today. We are deeply committed to open, ongoing, and honest communication with our camp and program communities. All guidelines and protocols in this document are subject to change based on the evolving infectious disease landscape, and do not represent protocols for URJ long-term immersive programs.

What is the Cancellation Policy?

Cancellation Policy  

Refund of Payment Policies: 

– All cancellations must be in writing. 

– Refunds will be processed and returned within six weeks after the conclusion of the event. 

– Refunds will be given based on the following schedule 

– A 90% refund will be given 21 days prior to event date. 

– A 75% refund will be given 14 days prior to event date. 

– A 50% refund will be given 8 days prior to event date. 

– No refunds will be given 7 or fewer days prior to event date with exception of a documented medical emergency in which case a 75% refund will be granted. 

Refunds will not be made if Participant has attended any portion of the session at NFTY. This covers all circumstances, including, but not limited to: 

– Participants homesickness 

– Participants refusal or inability to participate in the normal activities 

– Participants violation of any rules, regulations or policies at NFTY for which Participant has been provided notice, and as described below in Participants Participation and NFTY Program Expectations section. Furthermore, I understand I will be responsible for the cost of my participant leaving the program early due to violation of the rules. 

Please allow up to six weeks after the conclusion of the event for your refund to be processed. Refunds are only eligible for the registration portion of payment. Tax deductible contributions made at the time of registration are not eligible for refund. 

All cancellation requests must be in writing. We will accept cancellations by email to mghan@urj.org. We’re sorry, but we cannot accept cancellations over the phone. 

Is there going to be security for the weekend?

We will have security on site for the weekend. Additionally, we have a strong relationship with our local law enforcement in case of any emergency.  

Are meals all provided in Registration?

All meals will meet dietary needs as much as possible including gluten free, dairy free, and vegetarian. Please be sure to indicate your teen’s most up to date dietary needs in their registration.