With Keshet support, kids, teens and young adults thrive at day and overnight camps. Whether learning a new swim stroke or participating in a talent show, camp provides the ideal setting for campers to continue growing, learning, socializing and, of course, having fun. Keshet sets the stage for creating lifelong memories and friendships.
Register TodayKeshet is a national leader in facilitating inclusive camp programs where campers with disabilities participate to the greatest possible extent in the full camp experience. Campers with and without disabilities do all camp activities together, eat together and, at overnight camp, live together.
Campers with developmental disabilities or other complex needs benefit from Keshet’s expertise in providing individualized accommodations, behavioral supports and one-on-one care. Each camp site has a Keshet site director and/or inclusion coordinator who works closely with staff to make sure each camper’s individual needs are met.
Keshet works with outstanding partner camps and organizations that are deeply committed to promoting inclusion. With 18 day and overnight camp locations, Keshet has a camp program that fits nearly any interest, special need and background. We are proud to partner with JCC Chicago day and overnight camps, Junior Gan Israel and Ramah Day Camp.
Camp is SNOW much fun in the winter! Grab your hats, gloves and friends for an un-brrr-ievable good time.
Choose which days you want to attend or participate in all of them. Each day of Winter Break Day Camp includes a field trip along with regular camp activities—sports, games, art or movies.
Winter Day Camp is open to kids and teens in 1st grade-Transition.
New for 2024: Keshet is expanding and enhancing camp options to best meet the needs and interests of families, kids and teens.
Keshet’s day camps will be closed on July 4 and July 5.
RegisterCamp Keshet North is a warm, welcoming summer camp designed especially for first time and experienced campers in elementary and middle school. The half-day program provides a supportive environment where kids thrive through multi-sensory play experiences, including water play, art, movement, music and outdoor exploration. Campers swim weekly at a local public pool. Our trained camp counselors and paraprofessionals ensure that each child’s unique needs are met, fostering a sense of belonging, growth and joy.
Camp Keshet North is open to campers who attend ESY in the mornings with Keshet or another school or are looking specifically for a half-day camp.
Solomon Schechter, Northbrook
12:00-3:30pm
June 17-August 9
Ratio: 1:1 or 1:2
5-13 years
$4,400
Camp Keshet South is perfect for teens who are looking for fun after spending the morning in ESY or therapies. This afternoon-only program promotes social-emotional growth through traditional camp activities, such as music, art, fitness and games led by specially trained instructors. Weekly trips include swimming at local pools and gymnastics. Fridays are special theme days or field trips.
Campers typically attend ESY at Keshet or other public schools before joining us at camp.
Campers who attend Camp Keshet South have the option to add-on the Overnight Trip on July 29-August 2 at a nearby sleepaway camp.
Ida Crown Jewish Academy, Skokie
12:00-3:30pm
June 17-July 26
Ratio: 1:1 or 1:2
14-21 years
$4,200
Every day is an adventure! Most days will be “on-the-go” with trips to places like local beaches, amusement parks and water parks. The group also regularly swims at local pools and plays at Viking Gymnastics along with volunteering in the community. Dedicated and experienced staff ensure that safety, vocational and life skill building, and fun are at the heart of every day, making it a summer that teens will never forget.
Campers who attend Keshet-On-the-Go have the option to add-on the Overnight Trip on July 29-August 2 at a nearby sleepaway camp.
Location TBD: Either Skokie or Northbrook.
9:30am-3:30pm
June 17-July 26
Ratio: 1:3 or 1:4
14-21 years
$5,665
But wait… There’s more!
We know the period of time between the end of camp and the beginning of school can be boring for kids and difficult for parents. Let Keshet fill your child’s days!
For Summer 2024, we are offering two Specialty Camps from August 5-8 and August 12-16.
More information about themes, locations, ages and pricing will be available in January 2024.
A TRADITION OF INCLUSION
For over 30 years, Keshet has fostered inclusion at JCC Chicago day camps. Hundreds and hundreds of families have relied on Keshet to ensure that their child has the individualized supports needed for a successful summer.
At Keshet, our sole mission is to make inclusion possible and then create experiences that allow for genuine belonging. Our experienced social workers, special education teachers, therapists and recreation professionals do this 365 days/year and bring their expertise to creating the best possible camp experiences for all.
Three or four week sessions are available in some situations. Contact Stephanie Darnell at sdarnell@keshet.org to discuss details.
A Note About Pricing
Families will pay a discounted camp tuition to JCC Chicago and also pay Keshet for a support counselor.
Keshet does everything we can to address pricing, including lowering our fees this year. Additionally, through the Special Camp Scholarship Endowment Fund all families can receive a $300/week discount ($150/week for Apachi Village). The pricing below reflects these savings.
The Optional Fees for Keshet Support are to provide a counselor to ride the bus or attend before/after care with your camper. JCC has additional enrollment fees for these items.
Need-based fee assistance is also available from Keshet for Keshet’s fees.
JCC Chicago is offering campers with Keshet support a 20% discount on their camp tuition. Bus, before care and after care are full price. You can see Apachi pricing on their website.
Limited spaces available
June 17-August 2
Pre-K-7th grade
Full Summer: $3,850
Session 1: $2,200
Session 2: $1,650
Optional Fees
for Keshet Support
Bus: $640
Before Camp Care: $480
After Camp Care: $960
Limited spaces available
June 17-August 2
Pre-K-7th grade
Full Summer: $3,850
Session 1: $2,200
Session 2: $1,650
Optional Fees
for Keshet Support
Bus: $640
Before Camp Care: $480
After Camp Care: $960
June 17-August 9
3-4-year-olds
Full Summer: $4,000
Session 1: $2,000
Session 2: $2,000
Limited spaces available
June 10-August 2
3 years-7th grade
Full Summer: $4,400
Session 1: $2,200
Session 2: $2,200
Optional Fees
for Keshet Support
Bus: $760
Before Camp Care: $1,140
After Camp Care: $1,140
June 17-August 9
4 years-7th grade
Full Summer: $4,400
Session 1: $2,200
Session 2: $2,200
Optional Fees
for Keshet Support
Bus: $760
Before Camp Care: $1,140
After Camp Care: $1,425
Inclusive camp programming is made possible through the collaboration of Keshet, JCC Chicago and Jewish United Fund. Check out the fun on their website.
Keshet also provides inclusion support at other nearby Jewish overnight camps.
RegisterKeshet and JCC Camp Chi partner to provide a fully inclusive camp experience.
4th-10th grade
Jun 16-Jul 10 | Session 1
$8,190
Jul 12-Aug 4 | Session 2
$8,190
Jun 16-Jun 28 | Take Two
$4,547
Jun 27-Jul 10 | Mini Session 1
$4,547
July 12-July 26 | Mini Session 2
$4,547
Avodah is a vocational skill-building program at Camp Chi for 16-22 year-olds who are ready (or close to ready) for independent work. Through rotations and assigned job placements throughout camp, participants will gain life and job skills while also having opportunities for recreation. Support ratio 1:3.
16-22 years old
Jun 16-Aug 4 | Full Session
$14,700
Jun 16-Jul 10 | Session 1
$7,350
Jul 12-Aug 4 | Session 2
$7,350
Gesher is designed especially for teens through age 22 who are seeking summer fun and a break from being at home. Gesher is a camp where “you can be you” with a choice of activities, structured free time and plenty of opportunities for fun. Support ratio of 1:1 or 1:2.
16-22 years old
Jun 24-Jun28 | Session 1
$1,920
Jul 15-Jul 19 | Session 2
$,1920
Jul 29-Aug 2 | Session 3
$1,920
Experience a summer’s worth of fun and adventure in 4 days/3 nights of overnight camp.
2nd-6th grade
Aug 6-Aug 9
$918
Ramah Day Camp ensures that every camper feels at home, with a deep connection to Jewish values and traditions. Keshet provides 1:1 support for campers, fostering inclusion and belonging for campers of all abilities.
Pre-K-8th Grade
Dates and pricing coming soon.
A nurturing and Jewish environment for the youngest of campers.
Dates and pricing coming soon.
Complete the application to let us know your interest. Our staff will then be in touch with next steps.
Please contact us with any questions or to discuss which program option is best for you child.
Day Camp: Drew McNamara, Program Manager at dmcnamara@keshet.org or 630.566.9859
Overnight Camp: Polly Cheeseman, Program Manager at pcheeseman@keshet.org or 630.566.9391
Need-based fee assistance is available for camp for those who qualify. Awards are made on a rolling basis until funds have been fully distributed. It is important to register for camp early to ensure funding is available for your family.
Fee assistance applications are due February 1, 2024.
Families will indicate their interest in receiving assistance when they register online. Our team will then be in touch with you about next steps. Contact Anca at 847.205.1234 for more information.
Keshet’s inclusion program at three JCC camps have earned the highest level of accreditation from the National Inclusion Project, an honor that only a small group of programs around the country have received. National Inclusion Project has designated Keshet as a leader and change maker in inclusive recreation, and we are grateful for their partnership and belief in Keshet’s mission.
Keshet and JCC Chicago are partners in serving children with disabilities in summer day and overnight camps. For over 30 years, Keshet has proudly supported campers and fostered disability inclusion at Apachi Day Camps and Camp Chi.
