Man Camp
Jewish Men’s Retreat
DECEMBER 4–6, 2026
Some weekends are fine. Man Camp is not fine. Man Camp is legendary.
Join us this December for the manliest Shabbat in Texas — a weekend built for Jewish men who are ready to unplug, compete, eat well, and spend time with genuinely great people. Man Camp is open to any Jewish male 21+ — dads of campers, CYJ alumni, supporters, friends, golf buddies, and yes, even that guy who only gets invited because he has the best TV for football. If he can handle an unforgettable Shabbat in the Hill Country, he’s in. Previous years have featured sports competitions, a massive water polo showdown, beer tasting, ropes course, dodgeball, a poker tournament, archery, and the legendary Man Camp barbecue. Whether you show up to compete or to sit in a chair and do absolutely nothing — we have a program for you. Spots fill up. Sign up before someone takes yours.
Need more information? See below for some FAQs or contact us:
Wendy Powers
Retreat Coordinator
512-851-1088
Howie Nestel
Man Camp Chair Guy
210-286-3439
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT SORT OF SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS HAVE YOU PREPARED TO SATISFY MY RUGGED, MACHO NEEDS?
At CYJ Man Camp, we provide four types of accommodations:
- Our Retreat Village accommodation has 2 queen beds and a private bathroom
- Our lodge accommodation is furnished with 1 twin bed, 1 queen bed, and a sink with a private bathroom
- The Namaste Center rooms each have 1 queen and 1 set of bunk beds with a private bathroom
- We have 22 bunks available, each including 8 bunk beds and a bathroom with 3 sinks, 2 toilets, and 2 showers
ENOUGH ABOUT MY MASCULINE BODY… TELL ME MORE ABOUT MY MANLY SPIRIT. WHAT WILL BE THE RELIGIOUS PRACTICES DURING MAN CAMP?
Man Camp will follow the “Spirit of Shabbat”: relaxation, presence in the moment, and connecting to our fellow Jews will be central. We have Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdallah services planned, and we hope to have a Shabbat morning minyan if 10 mensches will attend. Festive Shabbat Meals will be served on Friday and Saturday.
There will be no work on Shabbat at Man Camp!!! Hopefully, you can refrain from laptops and cell phones as well. CYJ is a kosher facility and we will honor the kosher laws throughout the weekend. That means, other than their kosher spirits, Man Campers shouldn’t bring any food from outside of camp. (Don’t let that worry you—our kitchen staff are experts!)
I HAVE MANY MANLY DUTIES IN LIFE, SOME THAT COULD EVEN INTERRUPT MY MAN CAMP PLANS… WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
Simple and Fair.
Cancellations made more than 2 weeks before Man Camp will be fully refunded, minus a non-refundable $25 registration fee per participant. Cancellations made within 2 weeks of Man Camp will be considered a donation and a tax receipt will be sent.
WHAT IS THE COST OF MAN CAMP?
The cost is $275 per man, which includes the food, drinks, accommodations, and weekend entertainment. This is a fundraiser and we expect the gentlemen of Man Camp will share a meaningful contribution, with a suggested minimum donation of $180 that can be made during the retreat or through a sponsorship.
