What makes successful campers?

At CYJ Texas, the foundation for every positive experience, from deep friendships to success in new activities, is the idea of chesed, or radical kindness. This commitment goes beyond just being friendly to your bunkmates. It means showing real respect for all people (including yourself!), all places (from the chadar ochel to your bunk), all things (like camp equipment and personal belongings), and all ideas and beliefs, even when they are different from your own. When you start with an open mind and treat every part of camp with value and dignity, you ensure that CYJ remains a safe, welcoming, and joyful home for everyone.

To ensure everyone stays safe and has fun, we need our campers to be good listeners who can follow directions from our dedicated camp staff and counselors. Successfully enjoying CYJ means knowing where you need to be and staying with your group during all activities—that’s how we keep the community strong, connected, and ready for whatever adventure comes next!

You’re ready for independence! Campers who can manage their basic routines—like showering, brushing teeth, and keeping their belongings organized—are perfectly set up to succeed. When you can take care of yourself, you are free to dive into all the action-packed activities!

Success at CYJ starts with a genuine desire for adventure! Campers who show curiosity and excitement about joining the ruach (spirit) are already halfway there. We believe that your passion to try new things and make lifelong friends is the most important skill you can pack.

From the waterslides to the ropes course, our most successful campers are flexible and ready to adapt. Having a positive, go-with-the-flow attitude means you’ll easily navigate a busy schedule, make friends in a new cabin, and find your chug (elective) activities without missing a beat!

If you’re camper is a sleepover superstar who has enjoyed a night away from home with a friend or family, you have the essential foundation for camp. Think of CYJ as the longest, most awesome sleepover ever—a safe space to grow confidence away from home and connect with new friends. For any first time families, we strongly suggest having a sleepover or two before your first summer. We would be happy to connect you with a family, or better yet, come to a CYJ Retreat before summer starts!

Growth is what we do here! Being ready means understanding that camp staff are here to help you shine. A successful CYJ camper is one who can speak up, share their feelings, and ask a counselor for support, guidance, or just a little extra help when they need it.