There’s a lot that’s new at URJ Camp Newman

MALA BLOMQUIST | MANAGING EDITOR

In 2021, URJ Camp Newman, part of the Union for Reform Judaism family of camps and youth programs, returned to its facilities on Porter Creek Road in Santa Rosa, California, after a wildfire destroyed 81 of its 90 structures in 2017. One of the few things spared by the flames was a large wooden Star of David on a hill that overlooked camp.

The 2018 and 2019 summer sessions were held at the California State University Maritime Academy in Vallejo and, due to the pandemic, a virtual camp, “Zoomin’ with Newman,” was set up in 2020.

“Since 2017, thanks to the incredible and generous support of the community and State of California, we’ve been able to reimagine our site with both functional and accessibility upgrades in mind,” said Rachel K. Slaton, director of marketing and communications for Camp Newman. The camp sits on almost 500 acres in Northern California and attracts many campers from the Greater Phoenix area.

In the last five years, they’ve rebuilt four cabin communities (housing an additional 160 campers and staff), added a new dining hall with indoor and outdoor dining capabilities, a new Beit Am (indoor pro- gram space), conference meeting rooms, offices and health center. Currently, construction continues on a 28-room double-occupancy lodge for more adult staff, faculty and families to stay at, which is on track to be completed by summer 2023. Planned for the near future is a new art facility, more cabins, upgrades to the teen tent villages and rebuilding one of the campfire amphitheaters, the Pinat Tefilah, that was lost in the fire.

For summer 2023, Slaton said the camp is incorporating some of the most popular activities from Camp Newman’s sister camp, URJ 6 Points West, which closed in the fall of 2022. These include its Circus Arts and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) electives, adapted under the guidance of Jordanna Flores, founding 6 Points West director, who is now serving as the director of year-round engagement for Camp Newman. There is also a new 18-hole disc golf course and low ropes initiative course.

Pre-fire, Camp Newman offered a ceramics program including hand and wheel forming and a fully functional kiln

• Grades K-6

• Summer camp: Swimming, field trips, cooking, Rock Show, arts & crafts, music, Israeli culture, sports, STEAM

• School-break camps

• Kosher lunches

• Infant-kindergarten

• Year-round program with flexible scheduling

• Four-Star Quality First site

• National Early Childhood Program Accreditation

• Low student-to-teacher ratio

• After-school enrichment classes evjcc.org