At JCRS, we recognize the value of Jewish sleep-away camp as a unique opportunity for fun, personal growth, and Jewish identity-building. Jewish sleep-away camp allows children to enjoy new social activities and learning in a special environment that nurtures Jewish identity. JCRS would like all interested children to have this opportunity, but we recognize that for many families the high cost of overnight camp is prohibitive. In 2026, JCRS provided partial scholarship funding for 580 children to attend Jewish camp. The amount of these scholarships varies in accordance with the circumstances of the child and family.
For summer 2027, JCRS will continue to offer two application options:
Short Form: A need-based award of up to $250.
Long Form: A need-based award determined on a case-by-case basis by our Award Committee. The Long Form requires more detailed financial information and documentation.
Both applications are based on financial need and require financial documentation. Submitting an application does not guarantee that a scholarship will be awarded.
JCRS does not provide full camp scholarships. Our hope is that a JCRS scholarship, combined with financial assistance from other Jewish organizations—such as your local Jewish federation or synagogue—and financial aid from the camp itself, will help ease some of the financial burden of camp tuition.
We encourage all families to seek financial assistance from local Jewish organizations and their child’s camp, in addition to applying for JCRS scholarship aid.
The application will open November 1 for families seeking assistance for summer 2027.
Information
If your application is completed before the priority deadline, you will receive a confirmation email from our camp coordinator within four weeks. Applications received after the priority deadline can take additional time to process. Applying prior to the priority deadline ensures that you get a scholarship award; applications submitted after are not guaranteed, and the response time will be longer.
- Children must reside in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee or Texas.
- Camper should be entering third to twelfth grade as of August 31, 2027.
- Camps or travel programs located in Israel or other countries are not within the scope of this program budget.
- The camp must be a nonprofit Jewish overnight camp located in North America.
- Camps located in Israel are not eligible for assistance through this program.
- Applicants are responsible for confirming that their camp meets these eligibility requirements.
- Parents or guardians must provide family financial information. This information is maintained in private and is used by the JCRS solely to determine eligibility for a scholarship.
- It is the policy of the JCRS to obtain financial information from all legal parents and guardians of the applicant. Applications not containing this information will be marked “incomplete” and returned to the parent or guardian who submitted it.
- To receive priority consideration, completed applications must be received no later than February 28, 2027. The application will not be processed until all financial documents are received.
How to Apply
Required Documents
- Most current complete Federal Tax Return.
- All 2026 W2s and/or 1099s. (If you are applying before you receive your 2025 W2s, please submit a copy of your final pay stub.)
- If these documents are not already computer files, you must scan them.
Things to Remember:
- You must apply to camp before you apply for JCRS scholarship funds.
- If you are awarded a scholarship, you must submit a signed award letter back to JCRS in order for the scholarship to count toward your camper’s fees.