Camp Shelanu FAQs
What is Jewish about Camp Shelanu?
Our name, Shelanu (shel-AH-noo) is Hebrew for “our,” so Camp Shelanu means “Our Camp!” We welcome campers and staff of all backgrounds and traditions. While there is no religious instruction or theology taught at camp, we do incorporate Hebrew words and Jewish culture into our camp program. Our camp builds character through an emphasis on inclusion, kindness, empathy, respect, listening, bravery, curiosity, and other Jewish and universal values. We strive to make campers (and grown-ups!) feel comfortable by explaining any Jewish cultural aspects or Hebrew words that are used. Each week, we reward campers for their expression of these character traits, with beads, certificates, and awards such as the coveted Biggest Mensch award. We have several Israeli camp staff, infusing our camp with Jewish and Israeli culture, and we end each week of camp with a brief Kabbalat Shabbat with grape juice, camper-made challah, and short blessings.
How large is camp? How big are the groups?
Camp Shelanu has 200-250 campers per week except during Last Blast, which is much smaller. Classic Campers are divided into co-ed groups by grade level: rising kindergarten and first grade together, rising 2nd-3rd together, rising 4th-5th together, and rising 6th-8th together (Camp Sabra). Campers in one of the Specialty Camps are grouped by the grade ranges specified for that camp.
All groups have two or more staff and never exceed a 9:1 ratio.
What are Camp Shelanu’s age requirements?
Children must be at least 5 years of age by August 31 and be heading into kindergarten to be eligible for Camp Shelanu.
What is the difference between Classic Camp and Specialty Camp?
Camp Shelanu offers two different types of experiences for campers each summer. In Classic Camp, campers will do a wide range of activities every day like art, sports, nature, drama, and more. For our Specialty Camps, campers will spend half of the day focused on a specific skill or activity, like LEGOs, Sewing, or Circus Skills, and they will spend the other half of the day doing Classic Camp Shelanu activities. Classic camp includes swim lessons three times per week for red and yellow bands; specialty campers and campers who already have a green band will not receive swim lessons.
All camp options include daily free swim.
Are there Camp Shelanu perks related to being a Jewish for Good member or a lerner family?
Yes! Jewish for Good members qualify for early registration. Members also receive a discounted rate for camp.*
*Particpants must have an All-inclusive Family Membership, with your campers on the account, to qualify for early registration and member pricing. Family membership must be active through the last day of camp in order to retain the discount.
Families committed to The Lerner School for the upcoming school year are able to register early for Camp Shelanu.
What are the opportunities for ‘tweens and teens?
We have two fabulous opportunities for ‘tweens and teens at Camp Shelanu: our LIT and CIT programs.
The two-week Leaders in Training (LIT) Program is geared for rising 8th-10th graders and provides the opportunity to learn important skills including communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving, empowering them to become leaders in classrooms, youth groups, and the workplace. This experience also provides training to become a CIT at Camp Shelanu! No application is necessary for the LIT program. To enroll, register online when camp registration opens.
The Counselors in Training (CIT) Program is for our rising 9th and 10th graders and these participants serve as responsible team members and leaders at Camp Shelanu and beyond! This is an excellent pre-job experience for any teen.
Both programs help teens develop the skills that are considered most valuable to colleges and employers today. Applications for the CIT program are online now.
My camper has a disability, an IEP, 504 plan, or other additional needs. What accommodations can be made?
Camp Shelanu has an award-winning inclusion program! It is not a separate camp or group and there is no extra fee. Instead, the program is a way to coordinate any extra support or accommodations campers need within their camp or group.
If your camper has a physical, developmental, social/emotional, or behavioral concern and you are not sure if they would be considered as part of the inclusion program, please contact us. We can help determine if there are accommodations or supports that would benefit your child. In general, any child with an IEP, 504 plan, Functional Behavior Assessment, and/or a Behavioral Intervention Plan would be considered part of the program.
If you are interested in exploring more about these services we encourage you to read our comprehensive Inclusion at Shelanu Summary and submit an application for the Inclusion Program.
Applications for the 2025 Inclusion Program are open now.
I hear you have shlichim from Israel every summer. What can you tell me about this program?
The Summer Shlichim program at Camp Shelanu has been an exciting part of our camp’s culture since our first shaliach arrived in 2011. The shlichim bring with them passion, energy, advanced skills, talents, and curiosity. Each week they lead “Israeli Culture” activities teaching the campers about Israeli music, food, games, geography, and other parts of Israeli Culture. Once per summer, our shlichim also plan an “Israel Day” where they transform different rooms in the JCC into different locations in Israel and campers get to experience locations like The Dead Sea, an Israeli market, or the Western Wall. Our visiting Israeli counselors’ contributions to our camp help our campers and community to connect with Judaism abroad and gain global perspectives while building lasting relationships with these incredible young adults.
In order to maintain this wonderful program, we rely on the hospitality and generosity of families in our community who open their homes each summer to our Israeli visitors. One of the essences of the traditional Jewish view on relationships is found in the mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim—hospitality to guests (literally, “bringing in guests”); an important act of kindness. At Camp Shelanu, we practice the mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim through our successful tradition of welcoming shlichim from Israel into our camp, our community, and our personal lives. If you are interested in hosting shlichim, please email us at camp@jewishforgood.org.
How do I register?
You can register at any time using our registration portal:
Go to our online registration portal.
Search for camp programs - You can browse by category (Specialty Camps 2nd-5th, Classic Camps 4th-5th, etc.), or filter by program date or camper’s birth date.
Select a camp and click the Register button. You will be prompted to login, set up access to your online account, or create an account.
Members and past members – please enter the name and birth date of the adult primary account holder, and from there you can register your camper
Past participants setting up access to your account, if only a camper is in our system and not a parent, enter the camper’s name and birth date
Guests who have never been part of a membership or program at the Levin JCC, select “Create an Account”
Select your camps
Select the camper’s name and answer a few questions about them.
Click ‘Add More Programs’ to add more camps for this camper or a sibling.
When you are finished selecting camps for all siblings, click Next to check out.
Review your selections and complete your payment
You can pay in full or pay a $50 per week deposit.
You may pay with a credit card or bank draft. You can also apply any gift cards or credits on your account.
Your balance will be automatically scheduled using your original payment method.
You can register at any time. A registration made less than seven days before the start of a camp session is subject to a $15 late registration fee.
Can you switch from one camp to another?
Any change in registration is subject to availability. If you switch to a session with a different price, you will be charged the higher of the two fees. To switch a session, email camp@jewishforgood.org.
Can I get a record of my payment history for tax purposes? What is your EIN/Tax ID number?
Log in at jewishforgood.org/register
On the top right of the white box, click “My Account”, then click View Account from the dropdown menu.
On the left under billing, you will see “Tax Statements.” Statements will automatically become available in January for the previous year.
Our tax ID number is: 58-1384316