CAMP RAMAH IN CALIFORNIA SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Camp Ramah Families in need of financial assistance for camp may apply for a Camp Ramah Scholarship. Scholarship applications are now available online and families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications submitted by 12/30/2022 will be announced in March 2023. Applications submitted after 12/30/2022 will be awarded on a rolling basis.

In order to better serve the growing number of families seeking financial support, we have partnered with FACTS, a third-party organization that provides such services to over 12,700 families, students, and institutions, to collect the applications and required documentation. FACTS will handle the collection of your application, supporting documentation, and validation of the information provided. Our Financial Aid Committee, comprised of dedicated lay leaders, will personally review each application and make all final award decisions.

Please click here to start your FACTS application. You must have a camp application submitted as well. 

Please be sure to review and print the instructions page after clicking on the link provided above. There is important information to use as a reference as you continue through the application. FACTS has a team of support to help you if you have questions along the way. Please note that no incomplete applications will be forwarded to us. Be sure to complete all required information and provide all required documentation.

The fee for this service is $40 and is charged by FACTS; you will be required to pay this amount upon completion of your application. This fee is charged by FACTS and NOT Camp Ramah in California. If this fee causes your family hardship at this time, please contact Randy Michaels to discuss options.

If you need any assistance or clarification, please contact Benjamin Strom.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE RESOURCES

Please note that each of the Incentives and Scholarships listed below is subject to change without notice. Please contact the sponsoring agency for updated information and to verify eligibility and availability. Synagogues are listed at the very bottom of the page

One Happy Camper\PJ Library

One Happy Camper is a grant designed for children who are first-time campers to attend a Jewish residential camp for any length of time and who are enrolled in a public or non-Jewish private school. Most campers will qualify for One Happy Camper through their local Federation or Jewish Foundation. If you do not qualify, you can apply for the PJ Library Goes to Camp Fund Incentive. This incentive is available to PJ-associated applicants on a first-come, first-served basis and for more information, including how to get a code to apply, please click here.

2023 Rishon Program: Rishon is a Camp Ramah in California incentive program for first-time campers who would not otherwise qualify for One Happy Camper incentives. For more details and eligibility information, please contact Molly Auerbach.

Local Incentives & Scholarships

Greater Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Federation offers One Happy Camper. Additionally, the Los Angeles Federation offers an additional grant for campers with special needs.
You can see more information and contact information for both programs on their website.

Greater San Diego: The San Diego Federation offers One Happy Camper as well as a need-based scholarship. For questions please visit their website or contact Julie Gordon.

Greater Seattle: The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle offers a need-based scholarship and is part of the One Happy Camper program. You can contact the federation via email for more information.

Greater San Francisco: You can visit the website of JCF San Francisco, The Peninsula, Marin, and Sonoma Counties for information on the One Happy Camper requirements.

Greater Phoenix: The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix offers One Happy Camper as well as a need-based scholarship. For questions please visit their website or contact Andrea Cohen.

Nevada: Please visit the Jewish Nevada website for information on both One Happy Camper requirements and a separate need-based scholarship for Nevada Families. Please note that Jewish Nevada funds a second year of the One Happy Camper grant for middle-income families.

Greater Portland: Please visit One Happy Camper for more information and/or to register. There is also a scholarship available through the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation. More details here.

Your local Jewish Federation/Bureau of Jewish Education: Please contact them as they may offer financial assistance.

Synagogues Sources

• Synagogue Funds: Request funds through your synagogue (Main Office, Sisterhood, Men’s Club). Please click here to see contact information for some synagogues.
• Rabbi’s Discretionary Funds: Request funds through your Rabbi’s office.

Other Organizations

• Jewish Free Loan: Some cities have agencies offering interest-free loans for Jewish summer camps. Please contact your local Jewish Federation to inquire about this service. Some are listed below.
  • Southern California Jewish Free Loan Association (serving Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties).
  • Northern California Hebrew Free Loan Association of San Francisco.
  • San Diego Hebrew Freee Loan of San Diego.
  • Phoenix, Arizona Jewish Free Loan of Greater Phoenix.
  • Tucson, Arizona Hebrew Free Loan Association of Tucson.
  • Portland, Oregon Jewish Free Loan of Greater Portland.
  • International Association of Jewish Free Loans.
• USY: Contact your local USY director or go to http://www.usy.org.