A lot has been written about the incredible power of Jewish Camp. A summer at Camp Coleman is an amazing experience, one that has lifelong benefits for the child, and meaningful reverberations that positively impact families, congregations & communities.
At URJ Camp Coleman, we recognize the lifelong benefits of Jewish camp for children and their families. We also know that quality camping experiences can seem expensive for some, which is why financial aid is available to ease the expense. Camp Coleman and our many scholarship partners region-wide are committed to making camp a reality for as many children as possible.
IF YOU FEEL YOU NEED SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE…
We expect families to approach any and all funding sources available. We have many wonderful funding partners who are committed to helping families get their children to camp.
We urge you to follow the steps in the scholarship planner to maximize available resources. The sooner you begin looking for financial assistance, the better your chances of finding it. The later you wait, the less likely it is that money will be available.
To request more information, please email our office or call 770-671-8971.
ONE HAPPY CAMPER Grants
Your first-time camper may be eligible for a One Happy Camper grant of up to $1000!
Scholarship Planner
STEP ONE: REGISTER YOUR CHILD FOR CAMP COLEMAN
If your intention is to send your child to Coleman, register now. Don’t wait until you hear about scholarships – there may not be any space left by then! A deposit is required for registration.
STEP TWO: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A FIRST-TIME CAMPER INCENTIVE PROGRAM
If your child will be attending Coleman for the first time, you may be eligible to receive an incentive grant to help make your first summer more affordable. Camp Coleman has partnered with the Foundation for Jewish Camp and in some case community partners to help first-time campers come to camp! Incentives are available nationwide, with various conditions & amounts. The One Happy Camper application is available on this website.
PJ LIBRARY
PJ Library’s eligibility criteria for first-time campers:
- Current or former PJ Library** subscribers or the sibling of a current or former PJ Library subscriber who was enrolled in PJ Library on or before September 1, 2023.
- Resident of the US or Canada.
- $1,000 grants for campers enrolled for 19+ consecutive days.
- $700 grants for campers enrolled for 12-18 consecutive days.
- If camper previously attended camp for fewer than 12 days, the camper is still eligible
- Attending a nonprofit, Jewish, overnight camp listed on Find A Camp
- For more information on PJ Library please click here
Small Community Incentive Grants
First Year Grants:
- $1,500 grants for campers enrolled for 19+ consecutive days
- $1,000 grants for campers enrolled for 12-18 consecutive days
Second Year Returning Grants:
- $1,500 grants for campers enrolled for 19+ consecutive days
- $1,000 grants for campers enrolled for 12-18 consecutive days
- Campers must be entering grades 1-12 (after camp)
- If the camper previously attended camp for fewer than 12 days, the camper is still eligible
- Camper is living in a Jewish community of fewer than 10,000 Jews
- Campers enrolled in Jewish Day School are not eligible
The application will recognize your zip code and information and analyze your answers to determine geographic eligibility. Geographic areas and population size are determined in partnership with Jewish Federations of North America. To learn which Federation catchment area you are in, its size, and whether or not they have their own One Happy Camper program, please visit FedFinder.
STEP THREE: DETERMINE WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD TO CONTRIBUTE, AND START PAYING IT
We expect families to help pay for camp. A payment from you says a great deal about your commitment to the camp experience and weighs heavily in your favor. Make plans to pay something and begin making regular payments immediately.
STEP FOUR: APPLY TO ALL LOCAL COMMUNITY SOURCES AVAILABLE
Most congregations have scholarships & discretionary funds available to help send children to Coleman. Contact your Rabbi, Cantor, Educator, and/or Congregational President. They will inform you of the congregation’s application requirements. Camp Coleman may also partner with your congregation to help with scholarships in certain cases.
Many community-based Jewish organizations have camp scholarship programs. Contact your local or regional Jewish Federation, Jewish Welfare Fund, or other Jewish family-servicing organization to find out about availability.
GEORGIA
Greater Atlanta Families– We are a proud partner of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s Jewish Overnight Camp Initiative. The initiative is dedicated to sending more children from Atlanta to Jewish overnight camp and has financial resources available to help make camp affordable. For more information on One Happy Camper or Needs-Based Financial Assistance, please visit their website. The needs-based scholarship application deadline is offered on a rolling basis (more information on their website), and the grant’s application is first-come, first-serve.
FLORIDA
Broward County Families– The Jewish Federation of Broward County, the Jewish Community Foundation of the Federation, and the Sonenshein Fund for Jewish Sleep Away Camps provide need-based financial assistance for Jewish overnight camps to families residing in Broward County. The program is administered through the Orloff Central Agency for Jewish Education. Visit their website for more information.
Broward Area Reform Jewish leadership also raise money to help Broward families in need of financial aid for Camp Coleman. Please contact campcoleman@urj.org to apply for this financial aid.
Palm Beach County Families-
- Available to anyone in all of Palm Beach here is the application for the National Council of Jewish Women Valencia Shores chapter.
- Jewish Family Services would like you to know that funds are available for Summer Camp Scholarships to residents of Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Highland Beach who qualify financially. This scholarship can be used towards ANY camp, in or out of state, for children ages 2 yrs- 18 yrs old. There is no deadline to apply, scholarships will be awarded until all funding has been allocated.
- The Federation of Palm Beach County serves families living in Boynton Beach north to Stuart. It provides need-based financial assistance for Jewish overnight camps to families residing in Palm Beach County. Apply Here for the Jewish Overnight Camp.
- Federation of South Palm Beach County services those campers in Boca Raton and Delray Beach and the following are links to two opportunities they offer.
Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services would like you to know that funds are available for Summer Camp Scholarships to residents of Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Highland Beach who qualify financially. ralesjfs.org
This scholarship can be used towards ANY camp:
- Day or overnight
- In or out of state
- Scholarship is for children ages 2 yrs- 18 yrs old
There is no deadline to apply, scholarships will be awarded until all funding has been allocated.
Miami Area Families– The Greater Miami Jewish Federation offers needs-based scholarships. Visit their website for more information.
Residents of the Florida Panhandle, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi: The Goldring Family Foundation offers a grant for first-time campers. Learn more here. Apply Here!
CAROLINAS
Charleston, SC Families- Financial aid for Charleston-based campers is available. Click here to learn more about the available opportunities in Charleston. Please contact Sara Chesley at saras@jewishcharleston.org for free and confidential assistance.
STEP FIVE: REACH OUT TO FAMILY & FRIENDS
Every member of a child’s support network – grandparents, aunts & uncles, close family friends – stands to benefit when a child has a transformative experience at Camp. That is why they are often so willing to support a child in their family attending camp. Be willing to ask!
