Small Congregations Shabbaton
December 13-15, 2024
Several Bay Area synagogues are joining forces to spend a magical Shabbat at Camp including Friday night Shabbat song session and Israeli dancing, and all your favorite camp activities! Adult program track, family program track (including a whole morning of adult time while kids are with counselors!) Enjoy a fun, relaxing, rejuvenating weekend at camp!
We are proud to partner with Congregation Shomrei Torah – Santa Rosa, Beth Chaim Congregation – Danville, and Temple Beth Hillel – Richmond for this weekend.
What is a Shabbaton?
A Shabbaton is a weekend at camp for all ages and stages! Celebrate Shabbat with old friends, family friends and friends who you have not yet met and be a kid again while enjoying your favorite camp activities. Art, music, nature, delicious food, comfortable accommodations and a joyful, Jewish community.
Whether you’re a young adult coming with a group of friends, a family with young kids, empty-nester, grandparent or just an adult lover-of-camp there is something for YOU! The weekend will include childcare and camp-style activities for kids ages 2-12, adult-only workshops, evening happy hours and time to connect, to meaningful community- and family-centered activities.
All-Inclusive Weekend Packages
Our all-inclusive retreat packages cover accommodations as well as all meals and snacks (kids eat less, kids pay less!) as well as all the activities, experiences and fun our staff will create for you. Weekend family packages start at $1080 for 1 adult and 1 child; weekend adult-only packages start at $480 (shared cabin housing). See below in “Design your Weekend” for 3 easy steps to calculate the cost of your weekend at camp!
Pricing is based on the housing option you select and the number of adults (13+) and kids (3-12) in your party. Toddlers and Babies Under 2 are always FREE!
Design your Weekend
Follow these 3 easy steps to plan for your weekend at camp. When you register, you’ll be able to make your lodging selections, indicate whether you are interested in shared housing and even request friends to live with!
Scholarships for Family Weekends are available through generous funding from the Jewish Federation of San Francisco. Apply here!
Step 1
Calculate Activities Costs
# Adults x $330
# Kids 12 & Under x $250
Children Under 2 are Free!
Step 2
Select Your Lodging
Check out your options below!
Motel: $500 per weekend
Cabin: $590 per weekend
Lodge $700 per weekend
Step 3 – Optional
Shared Housing
If you would like to share housing with another family or a group of friends lodging costs can be divided evenly between parties!
Cabin Accommodations: $590/weekend
Motel and Cabin accommodations costs are based on single family usage/single occupancy.
We have several cabin villages with a variety of amenities and all within a short walk to the heart of camp.
Offers:
- 1/2-cabins sleep up to 8 people and are great for larger families or multiple families together
- Each suite includes four sets of bunk beds with one private bathroom.
- All cabins include A/C and heat.
- Several ADA accessible cabins available.
The Lodge Accommodations: $700/weekend
The Lodge, also knows as Village 2, is a brand new upscale, hotel-style building with 28-double occupancy rooms that sleep up to 4 people each. Centrally located at the heart of camp, steps from the Dining Hall and all that main camp has to offer. View the Village 2 Room Map >
Each room has:
-
- 2 queen beds & a private bathroom
- Mini fridge, microwave & Keurig coffee maker
- private small outdoor seating area with rocking chairs
- Several single ADA accessible rooms available
Camp Motel Accommodations: $500/weekend
Motel and Cabin accommodations costs are based on single family usage/single occupancy.
Our Camp Motel, also known as Village 7, is located a short 5 min walk from the center of camp near Villages 5 & 6 with a wonderful view overlooking the valley
- Motel Rooms can sleep up to 4 people and include twin-sized bunk beds in the 6 upper-level rooms and twin-sized single beds in the lower level rooms
- Each room includes a private bathroom
- Balcony with incredible views
Shabbaton FAQs
WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS WEEKEND?
Community Shabbatons are for all ages and stages: young adults, families with kids, empty-nesters, grand-family. There will be experiences, activities, workshops and more appropriate for everyone!
Family Camps are geared toward 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.
These retreats are not, however, a camper weekend for kids to attend without their grownups.
IS THERE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE?
Yes! Scholarships for families to attend Family Camp or Shabbaton weekends are available through generous funding from the Jewish Federation of San Francisco. Apply here!
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 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
All cancellations must either be received in writing or completed following the instructions in your confirmation email. In the event you decide to cancel your registration, the following terms apply:
– Cancellations received up to 1 month before the event start date are subject to a 10% cancellation fee.
– Cancellations received between 1 month and 2 weeks of the event start date are subject to a 50% cancellation fee.
– Cancellations received within 2 weeks of the event start date are not eligible for 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 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!