New Camper Shabbaton

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 activities like games, campfires, and learn their first rikud dances. Rikud is a big, exciting moment in camp, and this allows 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 ages 6-12 must participate in the kid program, while kids under 6 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

WHAT ARE THE SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS?

The campers stay in bunks with children their same age range and gender. Each bunk will have up to 16 campers and 2 to 3 staff members with them.

WILL TRANSPORTATION BE PROVIDED?

DALLAS AND HOUSTON

Transportation will be provided to and from Camp. Spring Camp starts the moment your child gets on the bus! Each bus will have 2-3 CYJ staff members. There will be a bus tracking app available for you to follow our ride and an email will be sent when we arrive at camp. You will also receive an email when we depart camp Sunday morning with an ETA and link to track the bus. We will provide snacks and water for the bus, but feel free to pack your child a bus snack as well!

The bus from Dallas will depart from the NE corner of Preston and Frankfort on Friday at 12:00 pm. Please arrive at 11:30 am so we can leave for camp on time! Pick up after Spring Camp will be on Sunday at approximately 2:30 pm at the same location.

The bus from Houston will depart from the Congregation Beth Israel on Friday at 1:00 pm. Please arrive by 12:30 pm so we can leave for camp on time! Pick up will also be at the Houston ERJCC on Sunday at approximately 1:30 pm.

AUSTIN AND SAN ANTONIO

Transportation will not be provided for campers in San Antonio and Austin. Use our address (121 Camp Young Judaea Rd, 78676) or follow our directions from Austin or San Antonio. Please drop your child off at camp at between 5:00-6:00 pm on Friday. Pick up will be on Sunday morning from 10:00-10:30 AM.

WHAT SHOULD MY CAMPER PACK?

Be on the lookout for an email 2 weeks before Spring Camp 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 campers to use Spring Camp as a screen holiday. Any cell phone brought to camp will be collected by a counselor and returned to the camper at the end of 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. Any food your camper takes on the bus with them will be collected.

CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT SPRING CAMP’S RELIGIOUS PRACTICES?

We will practice our Judaism during Spring Camp in the same way that we do during the summer session.

Shabbat 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 or fire, write, or do any other creative work from Friday night to Saturday night. We’ll have some special meals, some communal prayer services, Shabbat-friendly activities around camp, and wrap it all up with the unforgettable CYJ havdallah and Rikkud.

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.

MY CAMPER TAKES REGULAR MEDICINE… WHO SUPERVISES THAT?

We will have a nurse on staff throughout Spring Camp. Any medication campers need must be turned over to her, both to ensure the child remembers their prescriptions, as well as to maintain safety in the cabin for all campers. Those driving to camp should deliver their campers’ medicine to the nurse upon arrival. For children riding the bus, medication should be given to the supervising staff member before boarding.

Our nurse will distribute all treatments and medicines at the appropriate time.

HOW DO I GET IN CONTACT WITH MY CHILD IF THERE’S AN EMERGENCY?

In the event of an emergency, we ask that you contact our CYJ emergency cell phone number, 832-269-9633.

If you don’t receive an answer right away, please leave a detailed message including how to get in contact with you. You can also leave a message at the main Camp phone number 713-723-8354, which is monitored 24-7 during the weekend.

WHAT IS CYJ’S RETREAT REFUND POLICY?

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.

HOW MUCH DOES SPRING CAMP COST?

Regular: $300 per camper

This price includes food, housing and activities