Mission & Values
An Intentionally Jewish Summer Camp
CYJ Texas is…
Developing Character
CYJ is the perfect place for kids to practice making decisions for themselves in a safe and secure atmosphere. Managing their daily choices without parents or teachers is an amazing way for your children to blossom and grow. Children are thrilled with this freedom and surprise themselves and their parents with their emotional growth over the course of the session!
Diverse and Inclusive
Our campers have the opportunity to connect with people of different backgrounds, nationalities, abilities, and ages. Though the majority of our CYJers are Texans, we also have campers and counselors from around the US, as well as from Mexico, the United Kingdom, Israel, and beyond.
Challenging
With the hands-on support of our staff, challenges that campers face are translated into confidence, resilience, and healthy self-esteem. Challenges can be physical, like tackling the slide at the pool or reaching the top of the climbing wall. Or they can be social, like navigating the dynamics of cooperation, tolerance, and responsibility by interacting with their bunkmates. Each day we fit in a combination of individual electives, group activities, bunk fun, and free time. By the time we get to Shabbat, we are ready for a special, restful, restorative day.
Outdoors
Even in the Texas heat, summer is meant to be spent outdoors. At camp we take every opportunity to play sports and games, swim, hang out, and even eat outdoors. Of course, we head indoors during the hottest part of the day for some rest time, but no one leaves camp without a healthy dose of fresh air.
CYJ Values
All of our programming can be linked back to our four core Jewish principles. Though our campers represent a wide spectrum of Jewish upbringings, we believe our core principles appeal to all denominations:
Am Yisrael
(Community)
All Jews are part of one family. We instill in our campers a pride in their Judaism and a love of Israel.
Tikkun Olam
(Repairing the World)
Every member of our community has the power to make a real difference in the world.
Chesed
(Kindness)
We must show kindness to others no matter what.
Tzmicha
(Personal Growth)
Camp is all about learning and trying new things. Our campers leave each summer at CYJ as better versions of themselves.
