New Camper Shabbaton
March 6-8, 2026
CYJ’s New Camper Shabbaton is a fun, intentional introduction to camp life—designed especially for brand new campers and their families. Over the course of the weekend, campers get a taste of the activities, friendships, and routines that make summer camp special, while parents have the chance to explore the camp, meet staff, and feel confident about the summer ahead.
Campers will live in-bunk with our incredible CYJ counselors, allowing them to learn what it means to sleep away from home. They’ll try classic camp traditions like campfires, gaga and “rikud”. Gaga is a classic camp game while “rikud” is a big, exciting moment in camp. Knowing these before the summer will allow them to jump right in as pros! The majority of the weekend will be guided by caring counselors who focus on building confidence and comfort. All kids currently in 1st-6th grade must participate in the camper program, while younger kids of any age may stay with their parents.
Families will have their own parallel camp schedule filled with fun activities and tours of the facilities, to learn what it means to be a camp parent, and why coffee cake is so important. There’s time to connect with other families, meet camp leadership in an intimate setting, ask every question you have, and hear about how camp supports growth, independence, and friendships for your camper.
The weekend is filled with shared meals, laughter, and a sense of excitement for the summer to come. Everyone leaves with familiar faces, happy memories, and the reassurance that camp is a welcoming, safe, and fun place.
Frequently Asked Questions
The campers stay in bunks with children their same age range and gender. Each bunk will have up to 16 campers and 2 to 4 madrichim (counselors) with them. Parents will sleep in their own rooms with single and double occupancy options available. If you’d like to make your own, new, “camp friend”, we suggest the double occupancy option.
Be on the lookout for an email 2 weeks before the retreat for a packing list! But in the mean time, here is a list to reference:
- A nice outfit for Shabbat
- Enough clothes for 2 days
- 1 Towel
- Toiletries
- Sleeping bag
- Pillow
- Closed-toed shoes (preferably sneakers)
- Water bottle
- Boys should bring a kippah or hat
Be sure to check the weather before the weekend—you may want to bring rain gear, a sweater, or a jacket, depending on the forecast.
Please note that CYJ-Texas does not take responsibility for any lost, broken, damaged, or otherwise ruined property. With that in mind, we recommend labeling everything sent with your camper and leaving any expensive items at home.
Cell phones and video games should also be left at home. We’re striving to simulate the experience of summer camp—free of electronics and present in the moment—so we ask that screens stay home, or in the car for the weekend.
On a final note, we don’t allow any outside food into Camp. This is to both preserve the Kosher status of the facility and to protect campers with allergies. Don’t worry though — we’ll have enough food and snack options for even the pickiest eaters throughout the weekend.
This weekend is truly designed for both parents and campers to learn more about CYJ and be set up for a successful summer on both ends. At least one parent or guardian must attend.
During our New Camper Shabbaton, Judaism will look very similar to what we do during the summer session. This might mean hearing new things like the Birkat Hamazon (blessing after the meal) or seeing Parsha Players for the first time. We ask that you come with an open mind and ready to try everything.
Shabbat, in particular, is a very special time at camp. It is a time where we step back from our busy schedules and stay in the moment, connecting with each other in a deeper way. CYJ is a shomer Shabbat camp, meaning we don’t use electricity, write, or do any other creative work from Friday night to Saturday night. We’ll have some special meals, Shabbat-friendly activities around camp, and wrap it all up with the unforgettable CYJ havdallah and Rikud.
All camp meals are made in our separate kosher kitchens with strictly kosher ingredients. To maintain the kosher status of our grounds and meals, no food from outside Camp will be allowed.
We will have a nurse on staff throughout the New Camper Shabbaton so you can see how our systems work in camp. Any medication campers need will be turned over to our medical team upon arrival. Campers are not allowed to hold any medications on their person or in the bunk. We ask that you give the nurse exactly enough for the amount of time at camp. For example, if they take morning medications, we’ll need doses for Saturday and Sunday morning.
Our nurse will distribute all treatments and medicines at the appropriate time.
We think it’s simple and fair! Cancellations made more than 2 weeks before the retreat date will be fully refunded minus a non-refundable $25 registration fee per participant. Cancellations made within 2 weeks of the event will receive a 50% refund. Day of cancellations or no-shows are responsible for 100% of the retreat fees.
