AKIBA RESIDENT CAMP
Mission, Vision and Values
Mission:
To provide a safe, inclusive and immersive Jewish camping experience that fosters connection, personal growth and imagination.
Vision:
Our goal is that each camper feels more connected to Judaism and their Jewish peers through interactive programming guided by well trained and welcoming staff. Our goal is to immerse campers into our Akiba family and traditions through song, dance, art, sports, drama, and nature.
Values:
Judaism, Connection, Inclusion, Creativity, Family & Community, Personal Developmental, Spirit & Ruach, Team Work, Service, and Responsibility
Akiba Resident Camp SUMMER 2025
FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION: L’DOR V’DOR
Celebrating 60 years of Akiba Resident Camp!
July 20 - August 3
We are excited to announce that we are returning to Indian Hills Camp in Jamul, California!
Feel free to learn more about our campsite at this link: www.indianhillscamp.com
PLEASE NOTE: Akiba Resident Camp is open to Akiba members and non-members who are entering 3rd-11th grade in 2025. All registrants are expected to attend Camp for the full two weeks. All registrants will be required to show proof of up to date vaccination record.
Bus Transportation will be provided to & from Camp and Temple Akiba.
Join our Akiba Resident Camp Family by registering Today!
Temple Akiba Camps and Youth Programs are now using Campminder for all camp registrations and required forms! If one of your children attended one of camp program in 2023 or 2024 please use the Returning Camper Application. If you did not have a child in one of our camp programs in 2023 or 2024, please use the New Camper application.
Scholarship requests can be made after applying for camp in your Camp in Touch account. The Akiba Resident Camp Scholarship Application deadline is January 15, 2025. The Scholarship Committee will be determining all Scholarship awards after the deadline. If any scholarship funding remains after that the application will reopen on a rolling basis.
Akiba Resident Camp 2025 Tuition Breakdown
Temple Akiba Member Pricing
Camper (Entering Grades 3 - 9): $3,225
CIT (Entering Grade 10): $3,025
Jr. Staff (Entering Grade 11): $2,825
Non-Member Pricing
Camper (Entering Grades 3 - 9): $3,525
CIT (Entering Grade 10): $3,325
Jr. Staff (Entering Grade 11): $3,125
Receive an early bird discount of $125 off each camper if you register by December 31, 2024!
Sibling Discount Policy
$100 off the 2nd Child
$50 off Child 3+
No sibling discounts will be provided if multiple siblings are enrolled in the CIT or JR. Staff programs
Final payment is due by May 1, 2025.
Jewish Summer Programs Tuition Comparisons
AKIBA RESIDENT CAMP PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Beginning in 1965, Akiba Resident Camp has provided Jewish youth with an inclusive and immersive Camp experience – always filled with expected traditions and new, creative programming from our home-grown and trained Akiba Staff.
It is rare for a synagogue to have its own resident camp, which is one of the reasons Akiba Resident Camp is so special. Temple Akiba has offered this rich and rewarding camping experience for almost 60 years. The program includes camper led Shabbat and Havdallah services, themed dances, hiking, archery, ziplining, swimming, music, drama, sports, arts and crafts, and an array of refreshed activities each summer.
Although we do not own a campsite, Akiba Resident Camp can become your home away from home no matter where we go. First time and seasoned campers always walk away feeling like family and with a renewed love for their Jewish roots and the outdoors!
At Camp Akiba you can expect...
FREEDOM OF CHOICE
Our chugim (elective) program allows campers an opportunity to pick a different activity OR pick a friend to participate with every day of Camp! Our chugim options are modified every year, but campers can expect to choose from nature/hiking, baking/cooking, Israeli dancing/yoga, arts and crafts, wacky sports, creative science and more!
TRADITION
Campers know they have arrived at Akiba Resident Camp when they are greeted with enthusiastic, warm and sometimes silly staff dressed in crazy costumes. It also won’t take long to be introduced to our Camp games and songs that have been around for decades. We always infuse our signature Akiba feeling into our camper-led Shabbat and Havdalah services, which are extra special in the outdoors. Campers also look forward to Akiba favorites like messy programs, the CIT carnival, an overnight under the stars, and our themed dances.
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
No matter the campground, campers at Akiba Resident Camp will be immersed in nature, live in clean and comfortable cabins, roast s’mores over fire pits, swim under the supervision of certified life guards, have a variety of food options, and be constantly surprised by what fun happens next!
Akiba resident camp leadership & Staff
Meet our Camp Directors!
Camp Director: Leah Penso
Leah grew up at Temple Akiba and began her love for Camp during her first year, at age 11. Leah has held every position at Camp and enthusiastically became the Director in 2011. Leah supervises all of Camp’s wonderful leadership and staff, ensures that anything representing Camp, in programs and in behaviors, are in line with our missions, and that our Camp family is always growing. Leah has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Child Development from San Diego State University and a Master of Science Degree in Counseling from CSU Long Beach. She currently owns a private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist.
Program Director: Staci Miller
Staci grew up attending religious school at Temple Menorah in Redondo Beach and spent every summer at Camp Akiba practically from birth as the daughter of the Camps most tenured Director, Bill Concoff. Staci held every position at Camp Akiba before becoming our Program Director. Staci oversees the training, implementation and evaluation of all creative programming conducted at Camp. Staci has a Bachelors and Masters of Science Degree in Communicative Disorders with an emphasis in Speech Pathology from CSU Northridge. She works during the school year as a speech therapist within the LAUSD school district.
Staff and Leadership Development Director: Melissa York
Melissa grew up at Temple Akiba and spent every summer at Camp Akiba from the age of 12. Melissa has also held every position at Camp before becoming our Staff Development Director. Melissa oversees our counselor-in-training program and works closely with our entire staff to continue building on their strengths and skills throughout their counseling journey with us. Melissa has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religious Studies from UCSB and a Master of Arts Degree in Non-profit Management from the University of Judaism. She currently works at the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles as the Senior Director of Volunteerism and Advocacy.
Akiba Resident Camp Staff
Our staff all grew up as campers at Akiba and have been trained through our 2-year counselor-in-training (CIT) program. Unlike other Jewish camps, our program is created by the staff, each year, from scratch. We use innovative ideas each summer to accommodate current trends in Judaism and secular life. Love and creativity go into planning activities that are meaningful, interactive and FUN, with the understanding that safety always comes first.
““Camp Akiba has helped me make lifelong friends and family. It truly is my home away from home!””
Akiba Resident Camp Through the Years
Camp Akiba Financial Assistance
How and when to request financial assistance
Please do not let financial hardship keep your camper from attending Camp! There are several options to help supplement your camp tuition. Scholarship requests can be made after applying for camp in your Camp in Touch account. The Akiba Resident Camp Scholarship Application deadline is January 15, 2025. The Scholarship Committee will be determining all Scholarship awards after the deadline. If any scholarship funding remains after that the application will reopen on a rolling basis.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SOURCES
Akiba Resident Camp just participated in the Jewish Federation’s 12th annual Tour De Summer Camps. This biking event, that now includes virtual and hiking options, helps raise scholarships for Jewish sleep away camp programs in SoCal. Each year, Akiba staff members, family and friends volunteer to host a rest stop on tour route to support the talented bikers in their efforts to raise funds. Over the last 12 years, this event has helped over 300 campers attend Akiba Resident Camp!
Have you ever taken a moment and truly considered the deep and profound impact of Camp Akiba? For one past camper - it made all the difference. During the pandemic, a former camper (now an adult) reconnected with peers from camp and learned that...
"If we went to Camp Akiba together, we are family and that is etched in stone. I know that if I was in some random city anywhere in the world and needed help, if there was a Camp Akiba connection I could reach out and get the help I needed. Even if we hadn't spoken in decades."
It is with this in mind that Alan Valensky & Jessica Wilson have started the From the Heart Fund. They have pledged to send one child to camp and are committed to helping send more!
FIRST-TIME CAMPER GRANT INFORMATION
In partnership with the Jewish Federation’s One Happy Camper program, our first-time campers are typically eligible to receive a $700 grant. Specific eligibility information can be found on their website. This program can be accessed through the OHC website directly at www.onehappycamper.org OR through membership with the PJ library. If accessing through the PJ library, a code for registration is required. If you are going to apply for an OHC grant, you must register for Camp Akiba Resident Camp first.
