Family Camp

Thursday, August 8 – Sunday, August 11, 2024
Group Campground in Lotus, CA

About

Come together with fellow nature-loving Jewish families for Wilderness Torah’s first ever family camp! Enjoy 3 nights camping under the stars, catered organic meals, and a memorable weekend filled with play, relaxation, and Shabbat celebration. Kids ages 3-10, parents, grandparents and other family members are all welcome to join in the fun!

We welcome families from the diverse and beautiful spectrum of identity: Jews of color, LGBTQIA+ youth & families, Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews, and folks of a wide spectrum of Jewish observance and background. Throughout our programs, we honor both our common threads and our unique lived experiences.  

When:
Thursday, August 8 – Sunday, August 11, 2024
No arrivals after 5pm PT on Friday, August 9.

Where:
Group campground in Lotus, CA (2 hours drive from Bay Area)
Exact location provided upon registration.

Registration is Now Open

Register Here

More questions?

Activities

Ready to Join?

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Sample Daily Schedule:

Thursday: Arrival, camping setup, and stories/singing around the campfire
Friday Morning: Kids opening program and getting to know each other, adult electives
Friday Afternoon: Kids crafts and preparing for Shabbat,adult electives
Friday Evening: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat together
Saturday Morning: Slow Shabbat, kids stories and play, adult electives
Saturday Afternoon: Family time on the river
Saturday Evening: Havdalah and shine your light talent show
Sunday morning: Closing circle

Activities:

  • Hike through the Sierra foothills
  • Swim in the American River
  • Enjoy classes on topics like Torah, earth-based arts, and parenting in times of great challenge and opportunity

Experiential programming weaving play, nature connection, and Jewish learning. Activities may include:

  • Arts and crafts
  • Naturalist hikes and explorations 
  • Challenges and adventure
  • Swimming and water games in the river

  • Kabbalat Shabbat
  • Shabbat morning songful services
  • Havdalah
  • Shine Your Light talent show

Location & Accommodations

Family Camp will occur at a beautiful riverfront campground with lodging, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Just a two- hour drive from the Bay Area, the campground offers 23 acres of land along the South Fork of the American River, with numerous beach spots and sandy nooks. Exact location will be shared upon registration.

Accommodations:

Tent and/or van camping is included with your registration. Limited spots for RVs and/or hookups are available on a first-come, first-served basis for an additional $50. Please indicate that you will need one in your registration form. Generators are not allowed.

The campsite has a few cabins for an additional price. They are available first-come, first-served to the general public. Contact us and we will send you information about the campsite and booking lodging.

Your Camp Leaders

Melita Silberstein

Daniel Schindelman Schoen

FAQ

There is no age minimum, however our programming is geared for youth from ages 3-10. For children younger than 3, parents or caretakers will need to look after them during the entire event.

Parts of the campsite are stroller friendly, but there are lots of grassy areas, and some spots that may be more challenging to navigate with a stroller. 

Family Camp will include some programs for the whole family to enjoy together during the day. At other times, kids and adults can participate in activities separately. Experienced leaders will provide age-appropriate activities for children, allowing parents to relax and enjoy partaking in adult-specific activities. 

Registration fees include tent and/or van camping. There are 10 RV hook-ups available on a first-come, first-served basis for an additional $50 fee. If you are interested in an RV hook-up, please indicate so on your registration form.

There are a few cabins available on-site, which must be booked directly with the campsite. These are open to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested, contact us to find out how to reach the campsite, as we do not publish the location on the website.

  • 8 weeks or more before the event: You can receive a full refund minus a $100 non-refundable deposit.
  • 4-8 weeks before the event: You can receive 50% of camp fees minus $100 non-refundable deposit if no one is on the waiting list. If someone is on the waiting list and can take your spot, you will receive an 80% refund, minus $100 non-refundable deposit
  • 4 weeks and under: No refunds available.

* Under exceptional circumstances, we will consider offering credit for a future Wilderness Torah program.

Food served by Wilderness Torah is kosher, except for a few small exceptions. In making its food choices, Wilderness Torah prepares food according to the highest ethical standards, including kosher, local, organic, seasonal, humane, and socially just. Wilderness Torah prioritizes sourcing fresh, unprocessed foods, and when choosing processed or packaged foods, aims to purchase certified kosher foods. Wilderness Torah may at times prioritize certain values, such as local or organic, over kosher-certified. When such a choice is warranted, we will share such decisions openly, and a kosher option will be available. Example: We purchased local, homemade, organic bagels that were not kosher but we had kosher bread choices available.

Pets are not allowed due to site rules and the desire to keep the focus on people and ritual space. 

Packing List:

  • Portable cart or wagon for transporting gear to the campsite
  • Face mask (not required, but feel free to wear one if it makes you comfortable)
  • Water bottle
  • Thermos/travel mug, bowl, plate, and cutlery
  • Warm jacket, hat, scarf, gloves
  • Rain gear (Rain jacket, and rain pants if you have)
  • Comfortable clothes/layers 
  • Comfortable socks and shoes
  • Long pants
  • Sunglasses and sunhat
  • Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
  • Bugspray
  • Flashlight or headlamp
  • Pillow or chair to sit on for extra comfort
  • Any medications you need
  • Any supplement or special dietary food/snacks you might need
  • Small personal first aid kit (Wilderness Torah has a larger one if needed)

Camping:

  • Tent, ground cover, rain fly, stakes, hammer
  • Sleeping bag
  • Pillow
  • Sleeping pad

Please arrive between 2-4pm so that you can settle in before the opening circle and dinner at 5pm. Participants must arrive no later than 5pm on Friday, as Wilderness Torah staff will not be able to accommodate later arrivals.

More questions? Contact us
-or-

This program is supported by the Rodan Family Foundation

We look forward to seeing you there!