The Specialty Camps Incubator from Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) provides comprehensive mentoring and expertise for cohorts of entrepreneurs to implement their vision for new, not-for-profit, Jewish overnight “specialty” camps. These camps attract Jewish demographic groups and geographic regions underserved by existing traditional Jewish camps. Each camp is dedicated to teaching a specific skill or area of interest while introducing and integrating Jewish values and culture throughout. The Incubator also provides financial support during the camps’ start up stage.
The first two cohorts, composed of nine new Jewish specialty camps, created offerings for Jewish families that included outdoor and adventure experiences, science and technology, sports and fitness, entrepreneurship, farming, and performing and fine arts. A third cohort of six more camps opened their operations during summer 2018, adding surfing and scuba to the mix of offerings, with some new camps repeating the specialties of earlier camps (these include science and technology and sports camps). The Jim Joseph Foundation initiated the incubator model with the first cohort, and joined with AVI CHAI to support the second and third cohort of camps.
The AVI CHAI Foundation also funded a camp Accelerator program to fast-track the opening of two more specialty camps: 1) a second URJ sports camp, located in southern California, and 2) a Ramah camp specializing in ocean activities in northern California. Both camps opened for the first time in summer 2016. In contrast to the Incubator, the Accelerator model requires applicants to secure local dollars to cover start-up and deficit funding.
Specialty Camps Incubator
AVI CHAI concluded its general grant making on December 31, 2019.