Trends Report State of Jewish Camp 2023

Key Findings:

-Camp enrollment continues to grow, with the largest gains coming from day camps. Day camps have reached pre-pandemic enrollment levels in summer 2023. Overnight camps enrollment now remains at 96% of 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels. 80% of overnight camps plan to increase their camper enrollment for summer 2024. 

-Many staff are no longer working full summers; this is creating an increased need for seasonal staff positions. The total number of staff in summer 2023 is higher than in 2019 (pre-pandemic) and given many staff are not working a full summer, especially within overnight camps, there is a need for camps to hire more staff to fill in gaps. 

-Increased turnover of Jewish camp professionals. 66% of reporting overnight camps and 58% of reporting day camps had professional staff leave their positions between fall 2022 and fall 2023. 

-Families are requesting more financial aid from overnight camps than ever before. Overnight camps saw about a 30% increase in the amount of financial aid that families requested from their camps.

-MESSH (mental, emotional, social, and spiritual) resources were ranked highest in terms of the resources camps need. Camps also indicated a need for resources on character development and resilience building; parent communication and engagement; antisemitism and bridging differences; and diversity, equity and inclusion. 

-Capital needs are a big priority for camps across the field as camps prioritize growing camper enrollment and making camp more accessible, all while upkeeping older buildings and facilities. Staff housing is a key need as camps are unable to grow enrollment without it.