Countdown to the 10th Summer

r e m m u S h t 10

Look at us now!

We’re counting down the days to our tenth summer of celebrating healthy, active living through cooking, fitness, sports, and arts in our joyful Jewish community.

Let’s look at the joy, growth, and impact that have defined our unique overnight camp experience over the past decade.

Over the past 10 years 10,377 Camper Weeks of Joyful Judaism: Summers filled with community, joyful Judaism, and Israel that created lasting memories for campers.

1,965 Enriched Lives: Children immersed in the magic of Jewish overnight camp, fostering personal growth and lifelong friendships.

770 Caring and talented staff have guided our campers Hosted several thousand guests from not-for-profit organizations providing hotel hospitality services at affordable pricing Numerous Young Adults Experienced Leadership Development: Our 16 to 21 year-olds joined thoughtful leadership-building and professional development opportunities for a braighter future In 2023, our 165 Staff Outnumbered First-Season Campers: A testament to the growth and success of our community.

Dozens of Campers Returned as Staff Leaders: A remarkable circle of leadership and dedication.

It all started in 2012...

When we were Invited into Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Specialty Camps Incubator Program, a highly competitive business Incubator to launch new Jewish camps.

2014, our first camp summer! 160 campers and 45 staff, We embarked on a multi-year capital improvement project resulting in the renovation of every camper bunk on site, additions of a Krav Maga studio, zipline, basketball courts, athletic fields, fitness center, tennis courts, spin studio, and music studio.

2016, re-opened the Block and Hexter Retreat Center hosting thousands of retreat participants in the non-camp months.

2018, attained accreditation by the American Camp Association, following a lengthy and rigorous peer review process 2019, invited to participate in Project Accelerate to build organizational capacity and achieve the next level of growth.

2020, we raised $1,000,000 and emerged from the COVID epidemic, stronger than before 2021, reopened Camp Zeke with strong Covid health and safety protocols, exceeding our pre-Covid enrollment 2022, hosted our first Jewish family camps through a grant from the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s JFAM program..

2023, invited to become a Core Partner of UJA-Federation New York

Our Camp Community Speaks “Everything about this camp is magical.”

“It’s clearly emphasized everywhere – kindness, compassion and acceptance are core values at camp Zeke.”

“Love the diversity of the campers and the staff, the small and vibrant community, and the level of Jewishness.”

Staff Experience: A Special Community Our amazing staff create the special Camp Zeke community experience. Reflecting on their time at Camp Zeke, they rated the social environment at an impressive 92%, well above the national average. Highlights included the special tradition of Shabbat, making friends from around the world, and fostering deep connections with fellow staff and campers.

The Next Chapter Begins We have lots of plans and we want you to be part of them.

Here’s an overview …

We’re looking forward to upgrading our facility with the following capital improvement projects: Adding an indoor athletics center Completion of Amphitheater (before Summer 2024) Completion of Ninja style challenge course (before Summer 2024) Upgrading core infrastructure – lighting, electrical, heating systems Repaving roads Expanding program capacity Ensuring that children, regardless of financial need, can attend Camp Zeke. Our scholarship needs continue to increase, we expect to be funding $425,000 in need based financial support for 2024.

Allocating additional resources toward staffing to address industry-wide hiring challenges.

Building an endowment fund to secure the long term future of Camp Zeke

Your continued support makes the magic happen!

As we embark on this exciting journey towards our 10th summer, we invite you to be a part of the Camp Zeke experience.

Stay in touch – we would love to talk to you about our plans - call us at 213-913-9783 or email questions@campzeke.org.

Come visit us this summer - arrange a tour by calling at 213-913-9783 or email questions@campzeke.org.

Please consider a donation – click here Let's celebrate a decade of joy, growth, and community at Camp Zeke together!

Gratitude to Our Supporters A heartfelt thank you to our donor families and foundation partners for their unwavering support in 2023. In 2023 alone, your contributions allowed us to: Provide $365,000 in need based financial support to more than 125 campers Support 9 Ukrainian refugee children who attended camp at no charge Donate matching funds to achieve full benefit of grants from JCamp 180/Harold Grinspoon Foundation and the Camp Louemma Fund Fund security enhancements Expand our sports program (yes, we have indoor and outdoor pickleball!), purchasing additional fitness equipment and enhancing our music and drama offerings, Construct a permanent amphitheater to be ready for summer of 2024 Add an outdoor Ninja Challenge Course program space for the summer of 2024 Provide additional MESSH (mental, emotional, social, spiritual, health) supports for our campers and staff Enhance staff training in multiple program areas as well as security and MESSH

Our Foundation Partners generously provided $350,000 in Grant Funding $75,000 in Scholarship Funding $46,700 in One Happy Camper Grants Scholarships for Russian Speaking families Full Scholarships for 9 Ukrainian refugees campers Security Upgrade Grants Support of Family Camp Programming Expansion of Music, Sports and Fitness

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