![Kids summer camp in texas camp history.jpg?ixlib=rails 2.1](https://typewriter.imgix.net/u/e2afb9c0-bbc0-4949-a468-dcc3bb7c0ec3/p/151569/kids-summer-camp-in-texas-camp-history.jpg?ixlib=rails-2.1.4&auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces&fit=crop&w=1000)
CYJ History
Our Jewish Faith & Roots
![Summer camp treehouse tree fort kids texas jewish.jpg?ixlib=rails 2.1](https://typewriter.imgix.net/u/e2afb9c0-bbc0-4949-a468-dcc3bb7c0ec3/p/148767/summer-camp-treehouse-tree-fort-kids-texas-jewish.jpg?ixlib=rails-2.1.4&auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces&fit=crop&w=1000)
![Jewish summer camp for kids 6 15 texas.jpg?ixlib=rails 2.1](https://typewriter.imgix.net/u/e2afb9c0-bbc0-4949-a468-dcc3bb7c0ec3/p/151583/jewish-summer-camp-for-kids-6-15-texas.jpg?ixlib=rails-2.1.4&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=300&w=400)
Back then, about 100 kids from around Texas trekked every summer to Center Point, Texas, where the founders rented from a camp called “Camp Christian”. Though the children didn’t have air conditioning or water slides, from the start, CYJ-Texas forged a family of young Jewish campers with a lasting emotional connection to others like them who were passionate about Israel.
![Camp summer overnight ropes course.jpg?ixlib=rails 2.1](https://typewriter.imgix.net/u/e2afb9c0-bbc0-4949-a468-dcc3bb7c0ec3/p/148771/camp-summer-overnight-ropes-course.jpg?ixlib=rails-2.1.4&auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces&fit=crop&w=1000)
![Jewish summer camp traditions in texas.jpg?ixlib=rails 2.1](https://typewriter.imgix.net/u/e2afb9c0-bbc0-4949-a468-dcc3bb7c0ec3/p/151586/jewish-summer-camp-traditions-in-texas.jpg?ixlib=rails-2.1.4&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=300&w=400)
Beginning with the Zionist Organization of America and continuing with Hadassah until 2008, loving and honoring the State of Israel has been a priority at CYJ. The special CYJ culture of Hebrew music, Rikudei Am (Israeli dancing), arts, Kosher food and sports like “ga-ga”, basketball and soccer, create the bedrock of every camper’s summer experience. There are also elective options for photography, videography, mad science, cooking, pool games, and newscasting.
![Kids wall camp israel summer overnight texas.jpg?ixlib=rails 2.1](https://typewriter.imgix.net/u/e2afb9c0-bbc0-4949-a468-dcc3bb7c0ec3/p/148779/kids-wall-camp-israel-summer-overnight-texas.jpg?ixlib=rails-2.1.4&auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces&fit=crop&w=1000)
![Jewish summer camp for kids in texas history.jpg?ixlib=rails 2.1](https://typewriter.imgix.net/u/e2afb9c0-bbc0-4949-a468-dcc3bb7c0ec3/p/151588/jewish-summer-camp-for-kids-in-texas-history.jpg?ixlib=rails-2.1.4&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=300&w=400)
Many of today’s campers are the children of alumni who have remembered their time at CYJ as impactful and meaningful steps toward their growth into Jewish adults. CYJ boasts its relationship-building on all levels, including the marriages of at least 30 couples who first became connected through camp.