Family Camps

Home » Year Round » Family Camps

Family Camps

For Kids 0-12 and the grown-ups who love them!

Want to spend a weekend at camp as a family? Our Family Camp weekends are for you! With programming for parents, campers and families all together, these weekends are fun-filled events with something for everyone to enjoy. From favorite camp activities to meaningful Shabbat celebrations, family weekends are the perfect Jewish weekend getaway

Alumni family camp weekend

December 8 – 10, 2023

Calling all Swig/Newman alumni: Spend Chanukah and a magical Shabbat with us including Friday night Shabbat song session and Israeli dancing, relaxing adult program options, Jewish family Chanukah programming and all your favorite camp activities! Bring your camp friends and give your kids a pre-summer Taste of Camp. Registration opens October 6th!

spring FAMILY camp WEEKEND

MARCH 8 – 10, 2024

Spend a magical Shabbat with us including Friday night Shabbat song session and Israeli dancing, adult program options, Jewish family programming and all your favorite camp activities! Connect with other families just like yours and give your kids a pre-summer Taste of Camp.

General Family Camp FAQs

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS WEEKEND?

This weekend is for families with kids in preschool through elementary school and recommended for ages 2-12.  

  • It is a great way for families with young children to spend quality, Jewish time together connecting with other families at the same stage of life.  
  • This weekend is also a great way for campers to try camp before attend for one of our summer. 

This is not, however, a camper weekend for kids to attend without their grownups. 

IS THERE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE?

Limited Family Scholarships available through generous funding from the Jewish Federation of San Francisco. Apply here! 

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 scholarship request form.

WHAT SHOULD WE BRING?

We will send you a full packing list in advance of your weekend. Play an instrument? Bring it! And as always, bring your reusable water bottles, hat, sunscreen and sturdy shoes.

IS EVENING CHILDCARE PROVIDED?

We offer late-night supervision (shmira) for all ages 8:30-11:30pm. You put your kids to bed and our staff will monitor them while you relax with friends.  

CAN MY CAMP-AGED CAMPER ATTEND THE WEEKEND WITH OUT ME?

This is not a camper weekend for kids to attend without their grown-ups. If your camper is looking for a bit of camp during the year, check out Fall Camp from November 10-12, 2023 for campers in 2nd-8th grade or West Coast Party from January 12-14, 2024 for campers in 9th-12th grade.

I RECENTLY WAS A CAMP STAFF MEMBER OR CIT ’23 AND AM INTERESTED IN WORKING THAT WEEKEND? WHO SHOULD I CONTACT?

Terrific! Email Rachel Dubowe at rdubowe@urj.org. 

HOW ABOUT THE FOOD?

Our kosher-style kitchen regularly prepares vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options at every meal. Please share other allergies and dietary needs with us so we can accommodate you. Our menus are delicious and kid friendly.  Coffee and snacks are available at all times!  

Cancellation Policy

Cancel up to 3 weeks before the event – 90% refund of fees paid

Cancel up to 2 weeks before the event – 75% refund of fees paid

Cancel up to 1 week before the event – 50% refund of fees paid

Cancel less than 1 week before the event – no refunds

WHAT ARE THE Health and safety PROTOCOLS?

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 ARE THE HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS?

Each family will enjoy a ½ cabin that sleeps 8 (4 bunk beds) and includes restrooms and showers in-house. A wall separates the two sides of the cabin, making it a private space for each family.  

WHAT WILL BE OFFERED FOR FAMILIES? IS THERE CHILDCARE?

However you define a family, you are welcome at Camp Newman! We’ll offer child programming ages 2+ on Saturday morning. Kids participate in fun camp activities while under 2 year olds can enjoy our play space with their parents.  
Enjoy Shabbat and Jewish programming together, get alone time to choose from several optional activities while kids are with counselors, have a glass of wine after the kids go to bed while counselors are on supervision duty and enjoy your meal while counselors play outside with those quick eaters!   

WE ARE NEW TO THE CAMP NEWMAN COMMUNITY AND CONSIDERING CAMP FOR NEXT SUMMER. IS THIS A GOOD WEEKEND FOR US TO COME TO GET A TASTE OF CAMP?

Yes! If this weekend doesn’t work for you, check out our Year Round events calendar for other opportunities to get a taste of camp! 

WHAT WILL BE OFFERED FOR ADULTS?

Enjoy Shabbat and a weekend away at camp! Choose options such as hiking, challah braiding, archery, learning with Rabbi Allie, an art project for you, or simply choose to put your feet up! Sing along at a campfire, make deluxe s’mores and connect with other parents. There are specific times during the weekend for adults as well as specific programming that is designed for families together. 

WHAT IF I CAN’T COME FOR THE WHOLE WEEKEND?

If you aren’t able to attend for the whole weekend, we recommend choosing a different weekend to join us when you can clear your calendar. We are striving to create a community which is successful when one consistent group is present from beginning to end.

I NEED A LITTLE HELP GETTING AROUND THOSE INFAMOUS HILLS AT CAMP. WILL THERE BE MOBILITY ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE?

Yes! We can help you with our golf cart. Ask any staff member with a walkie-talkie and your chariot will await. 

WILL TRANSPORTATION BE PROVIDED TO AND FROM CAMP?

We are not able to provide transportation to camp for this weekend event.  

IF WE ARE FLYING IN, WHAT IS THE BEST AIRPORT?

Oakland Airport (OAK) and Santa Rosa Airport (STS) are the most convenient airports to use when coming to camp!