Partner Spotlight: Camps Help Shape the Next Generation
Jewish camps are powerful vehicles for building identity, forging lasting friendships, and deepening a sense of belonging in the next generation. The connections formed at camp can last a lifetime, and for kids who may be among the few Jewish students in their school, camp can be the first place they feel part of a larger Jewish world.
Jewish camps are powerful vehicles for building identity, forging lasting friendships, and deepening a sense of belonging in the next generation. The connections formed at camp can last a lifetime, and for kids who may be among the few Jewish students in their school, camp can be the first place they feel part of a larger Jewish world.
Camps also train the next generation of Jewish leaders. Many rabbis, educators, and community organizers trace their commitment to Jewish life back to their camp experience.
OJCF supports camps across the Pacific Northwest because strong camps mean a strong Jewish future for Oregon and Southwest Washington. The three camps below are cornerstones of the Jewish summer camp experience in the Pacific Northwest, providing immersive experiences that help build the future of the Jewish community in our region!
BB360: Camp, Community, Connection
BB360 is a dynamic Jewish community organization creating meaningful experiences at every age and every stage of life, whether you are 6 or 86. Through award-winning overnight camp, day camps, family programs, teen leadership opportunities such as BBYO, adult retreats, and year-round events, BB360 brings people together to build friendships, strengthen community, and create lasting memories.
Rooted in more than 100 years of camp tradition and guided by Jewish values, BB360 provides welcoming spaces where individuals and families can connect, grow, and thrive. From a child’s first camp experience to programs for adults of all ages, BB360 is truly powering experiences that bring out your best self.
“BB Camp was the place where I first learned who I was and who I could be. It’s where I learned that Judaism is a source of pride and being Jewish was actually cool. It’s where I learned to be brave and perform without fear of judgment.” – BB Camp Alum
Camp Solomon Schechter: Judaism and Joy
For more than 70 years, Camp Solomon Schechter (CSS) has been a cornerstone of Jewish life in the Pacific Northwest, creating transformative experiences rooted in joyful Judaism, meaningful relationships, and a strong sense of community. Nestled on 174 acres in Olympia, Wash., Camp Solomon Schechter welcomes campers in grades 1–10 each summer, offering traditional camp experiences alongside specialty programs such as Machane Ivrit (Hebrew immersion), outdoor adventure, and leadership development for older teens. Beyond the summer season, CSS serves as a year-round hub for Jewish connection through family camps, retreats, outdoor education programs, alumni engagement, and community gatherings. More than a summer camp, Camp Solomon Schechter is a place where Jewish values come to life, lifelong friendships are formed, and generations of families build lasting connections to Jewish community and identity.
Camp Kesher: Nature and New Friends
NCSY’s Camp Kesher is an overnight camp for Jewish students in grades 2–9, held on the coast of Washington state. “Kesher,” Hebrew for “connection,” captures the camp's spirit: building Jewish identity and peer bonds in a low-pressure, adventure-forward setting. Campers spend two and a half weeks hiking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, zip-lining, and participating in Jewish cooking and creative arts, with trips throughout the Pacific Northwest woven throughout the session.
