Jewish Summer Camps on the West Coast
From the beaches of the Pacific Northwest to the mountains of Utah, Jewish summer programs are growing on the West Coast — welcoming families from Los Angeles to Seattle.
The West Coast Jewish community — spanning Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix, Denver, Salt Lake City, and many smaller communities — has historically had fewer Jewish overnight camp options than the East Coast. That is changing. A growing number of excellent programs now serve West Coast families without requiring a cross-country journey.
Camp Kesher, NCSY's Pacific Northwest overnight camp, sits on 100 breathtaking beachfront acres along the Pacific Ocean in Ocean Park, Washington. With white-water rafting, rock climbing, zip-lining, archery, and a ropes course alongside Jewish cooking workshops and creative arts, Camp Kesher offers an adventure camp experience unlike anything in the East. It is the only NCSY sleep-away camp in the Pacific Northwest and draws from Seattle, Portland, and across the region.
Camp Nageela West in Randolph, Utah offers something equally special: 180+ acres alongside Wooster Lake in the mountains of northern Utah, with a remarkable 1:2 staff-to-camper ratio. Now in its 16th summer, this girls' overnight camp (ages 9–15) provides personal attention, lakefront adventure, and a warm Jewish identity experience for girls from all backgrounds — with One Happy Camper grants available for first-time overnight campers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Jewish overnight camps are on the West Coast?
Camp Kesher (NCSY Pacific Northwest) in Ocean Park, Washington and Camp Nageela West in Randolph, Utah are the two JSummer-listed Jewish overnight camps serving the West Coast and Mountain West. Camp Kesher is co-ed for teens; Camp Nageela West is for girls ages 9–15.
Is there a Jewish camp for Los Angeles families that isn't on the East Coast?
Camp Nageela West (Utah) and Camp Kesher (Washington) are both significantly closer to Los Angeles than East Coast camps. Many LA families also choose to send children to East Coast camps in New York and Pennsylvania for the broader selection of programs. Jewish summer programs in Israel (see our Israel Trips page) are also very popular with LA families.
What is Camp Kesher like?
Camp Kesher is NCSY's Pacific Northwest overnight camp on 100 oceanfront acres in Ocean Park, Washington. It offers an adventure-forward program including white-water rafting, rock climbing, zip-lining, archery, ropes courses, creative arts, and Jewish cooking — alongside warm NCSY Jewish programming. Under 100 campers with a 1:5 staff ratio. Pricing: $2,799–$3,299 + $500 registration.
Does Camp Nageela West accept girls from all Jewish backgrounds?
Yes — Camp Nageela West warmly welcomes girls from all Jewish backgrounds. The camp is outreach-oriented, meaning it is designed to be welcoming to girls regardless of their level of observance. One Happy Camper grants are available for first-time overnight campers.
Are there Jewish summer programs in California?
California has several Jewish day camps and some overnight options through local Jewish organizations, Federation camps, and Reform/Conservative movement camps. JSummer focuses on the Orthodox overnight camp segment; for the full California Jewish camp landscape, the American Camp Association's Jewish camp directory is a helpful resource.
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