Just weeks after announcing the CKids Gan Israel Overnight Camp Grant, more than $500,000 has already been raised, enough to help 500 children attend overnight camp this summer. Spearheaded by more than 20 head Shluchim, the $1,000-per-child grant marks the largest national investment in Jewish overnight camp in nearly two decades.
To ensure families in their regions benefit, more than 20 Head Shluchim across the United States quickly partnered with CKids at Merkos 302, committing funding and support to bring this opportunity to thousands more children.
“This unprecedented collaboration reflects the urgent need to make Jewish overnight camp accessible,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302 and CKids International. “The Rebbe’s call to give children immersive Jewish summer experiences is more relevant than ever, and our visionary partners are taking bold steps to make it happen.”
The idea was born several months earlier, in the middle of last summer. “The camps were having tremendous success, and we were thinking of ways to help more children benefit from that impact,” said Rabbi Zalmy Loewenthal, Director of CKids International at Merkos 302. “The CKids Gan Israel overnight camps are the natural next step for children graduating Gan Izzy day camps and the perfect summer option for Hebrew school students looking for a similar environment, so we had to find a way.”
Over the years, Shlichus has evolved dramatically. Innovative curricula, CKids Clubs, and Gan Izzy day camps have turned Jewish learning into fun, inspiring, and engaging opportunities, helping Shluchim engage thousands of families.
Yet, overnight camp stands apart. Children live Yiddishkeit 24/7 in a joyful environment, building their Jewish pride, independence, and friendships that last a lifetime. The Rebbe saw this potential clearly, founding Gan Yisroel 70 years ago and urging every child to attend.
Today, six outstanding CKids Gan Israel overnight camps serve children from communities worldwide: Florida, Wisconsin, the Catskills, the Poconos, Denmark, and Hungary. Run by dedicated Shluchim families, these camps have grown from 150 campers in 2019 to over 600 last summer.
Cost, however, remains a barrier. “We immediately reached out to several Head Shluchim overseeing large regions,” Loewenthal recalls. “After a few calls, the grant fund was born.”
Together with the generous partnership of Mr. George and Pamela Rohr, more than 20 Head Shluchim have committed regional funding to launch this unique grant: $1,000 per camper ($300 for the international camps), no income requirements, and fully stackable with One Happy Camper and other financial aid programs. Only 500 grants are available for summer 2026 – applications open January 15, first-come, first-served.
Shluchim are encouraged to speak with families in their community to share this opportunity and help them register for a CKids Gan Israel overnight camp.
This partnership reflects a shared conviction: when more children experience a Jewish overnight camp, entire communities will grow stronger.
