What’s New at Sleepaway Camp for 2025?
Check out this selection of updates from your favorite sleepaway camps.
It’s never too early to start planning for summer vacation, especially when those plans involve sleepaway camps. Below you’ll find a selection of updates from your favorite summer sleepaway camps. F
rom upgraded facilities to expanded staff resources for mental health, this is shaping up to be a summer to remember!
Camp Barney Medintz
Camp Barney Medintz is excited to introduce an integral enhancement to our camper support system, even further strengthening our commitment to community and camper care.
We are proud to announce the creation of a role on our year-round team dedicated to community care. Emily Shapiro, who has been a vital part of Camp Barney since 2008, evolving from camper to staff member to assistant director, steps into this new role focused solely on social, emotional, and mental well-being. With an advanced degree in clinical social work and a specialization in disability studies from the University of Georgia, Emily is uniquely positioned to provide ongoing support to our campers and their families. Emily will work closely with campers, parents, and guardians – not just during the summer months – but throughout the year to ensure campers are set up to have an impactful and positive camp experience. She will also supervise our inclusion and community care teams who are onsite all summer, fostering seamless collaboration and ensuring that every camper’s mental, social, and emotional needs are met both during the summer and beyond. This year-round approach strengthens our ability to provide personalized care and enhance the overall camp experience.
“The Den” remains an integral part of our community care program. This sensory cabin serves as a calming space for campers, using proven methods to help them process emotions, recharge, or learn coping skills. It also serves as the headquarters for our on-site community care team during the summer, ensuring immediate access to professional support.
At Camp Barney Medintz, our mission is to create a supportive and inclusive environment where every camper can thrive. With the addition of a year-round team member dedicated solely to community care, we are better equipped than ever to meet the diverse needs of our campers and provide them with transformative experiences.
Camp Blue Ridge
Here in the breathtaking North Georgia mountains, Camp Blue Ridge is gearing up for another unforgettable summer—complete with some fantastic new additions that we’re thrilled to share with you!
First up, we’re proud to unveil our brand-new music pavilion! This beautiful space will be the new home for our guitar, keyboard, ukulele, drums, and vocal programs. The pavilion even features a roll-out stage, perfect for concerts where campers can showcase their musical talents. Many of our campers arrive at Camp Blue Ridge as beginners, picking up an instrument for the very first time. By the end of the summer, they’re not only jamming in a band but might even find themselves center stage as the lead singer. We can’t wait to see our campers shine in this inspiring new space!
And that’s not all—we’ve given our cooking classes a flavorful upgrade! With all-new camp-themed recipes and upgraded ovens, this summer’s culinary program is bound to be a hit. Campers will also get hands-on experience preparing for special camp events, adding a whole new layer of excitement to the kitchen. And, of course, the famous Color War Bake-Off is back and bigger than ever. We can already taste the delicious creations our young chefs will whip up in their quest for victory!
At Camp Blue Ridge, we’re always looking for new ways to help our campers learn, grow, and discover their passions. This summer is shaping up to be our best one yet, and we can’t wait to welcome our campers back to the Blue Ridge family.
Camp Blue Star
We are pumped for summer 2025! Get ready for our big kitchen update with our new executive chef and her incredible culinary team. With brand new Color War and Maccabiah themes, we also have some new camp-wide, special day programs in store. If you love taking care of animals, you will be amazed with our brand-new, state-of-the-art Farm & Barn center. From newly expanded mountain bike trails to a new stage in our HeRo amphitheater, we are keeping on keeping on.
Camp Coleman
This summer, URJ Camp Coleman is thrilled to introduce a variety of exciting updates that will enhance the camper experience and ensure that every participant has an unforgettable time. We’ve carefully crafted these changes to prioritize camper well-being, foster creativity, and create an overall fun and balanced atmosphere. Here’s a preview of what’s new at Coleman for Summer 2025:
Upgraded Aerial Circus Arts Program
One of the most exciting new additions to our camp offerings is the upgraded Aerial Circus Arts program. This program will take your campers to new heights—literally! We’ve enhanced our circus arts activities with state-of-the-art equipment and additional coaching to make this a truly exhilarating experience. Whether it’s learning the art of trapeze, aerial silks, or other circus disciplines, campers will have the chance to push their limits in a safe and supportive environment. The upgraded program will not only inspire confidence and strength but will also provide a fun and creative outlet for expression. This thrilling new activity is sure to be a highlight for our campers this summer.
Increased Staffing for Mental and Physical Health
At Camp Coleman, camper well-being has always been our top priority, and this summer, we’re taking it even further. We’re proud to announce increased staffing levels dedicated to both mental and physical health support. Our expanded team will include more counselors trained in mental health first aid, as well as additional medical staff to ensure a safe and healthy environment for everyone. Whether it’s providing emotional support or responding to physical needs, our team is here to ensure campers feel supported and cared for throughout their time at camp. This increase in staffing allows us to give each camper the attention they deserve, creating an even more positive and safe camp experience.
New Morning Snack for Taste of Coleman through Nachshonim
To kickstart the day with energy, we’re excited to introduce a new morning snack for campers in the Taste of Coleman through Nachshonim units. This snack break ensures campers are fueled and ready to engage in all of the fun, learning, and adventure that Camp Coleman has to offer. It’s just one more way we’re making sure our campers feel nourished and energized for the day ahead.
Camp Judaea
Camp Judaea is thrilled to unveil exciting updates for summer 2025! Rooted in Jewish values and set in the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains, our camp is always growing and innovating to ensure each camper has an unforgettable experience. Here’s what’s new this year:
Outdoor Cooking Studio
We’re adding a brand-new outdoor cooking studio where campers will learn hands-on culinary skills while connecting to nature. Campers will have the opportunity to master Israeli cooking recipes from start to finish with friends in this new space full of creativity and teamwork.
Enhanced Teva (Nature) Programming
Our updated Teva program offers even more opportunities for campers to explore all things Teva! Highlights include encounters with animals, guided hikes on our scenic trails, and engaging nature-based activities that deepen their connection to Israel, Judaism, and the natural environment.
Silent Disco Fun
Get ready to dance the night away with our brand-new silent disco equipment! This exciting addition adds fun new programming to our evening activities!
Tikkun Olam Weekend
In response to the hurricane that deeply impacted our community, Camp Judaea is introducing a Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) weekend. This meaningful initiative will engage campers in hands-on service projects, fostering a sense of responsibility and compassion while making a positive impact.
Camp Ramah Darom
Exciting things are happening at Camp Ramah Darom for Kayitz (Summer) 2025! Our brand-new program center will be ready, giving campers more indoor space for activities, including a multipurpose room, music rehearsal space, fitness center and dance studio. The waterfront is also getting a major upgrade with new docks, boats and water slides, making lake time even more fun! Older campers will have a slightly different schedule, allowing them to sleep an hour later and enjoy new free-time options. Our youngest campers will experience Sababa (Great), a new period where they can try activities like science, climbing and dance. Plus, we’re introducing a STEM chug (elective) filled with exciting hands-on projects. We can’t wait for an amazing summer!
Sababa Beach Camps
Sababa Beach Camps is excited to be returning to Israel this summer with a three-weeks-at-camp and three-weeks-in-Israel experience this summer for rising high school sophomores through seniors.
Sababa continues to offer the best beginner, intermediate, and advanced instruction in surfing, sailing, scuba diving, and ocean discovery. We are growing our Surf and Sai Plus programs to help campers who want even more lessons in their chosen specialties. This program allows for more individualized instruction in surfing and sailing.
We have hired an art educator to help our campers express themselves through art and use art as a spiritual outlet.
6 Points Academies
URJ 6 Points Sports Academy
Flag football was added to our sport major roster during Sessions 1 and 3; Gymnastics is now offered in Session 1 in addition to its typical Session 3 offering; we have added a camp rabbi to our summer team to raise the standard for Jewish life; Zoe Sellers joined the full-time team as the assistant director of engagement and operations.
URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy
Erin Levine joined the full-time team as the newest assistant director of engagement and logistics; Biology was added to the Sci-Tech workshop to evolve the offerings for our scientists, where campers will dive deep into the study of living organisms—particularly plants—through the scientific method; The Programming and Coding workshop will focus on Python programming language this summer.
URJ 6 Points Creative Arts Academy
Technical theater is the newest major at CAA, where campers will learn about lighting, set design, sound, costuming, stage makeup, prop management, stage management, and more; campers will enjoy a newly renovated arts center, including a newly renovated theater; parent tours will now be offered during Opening Day drop-off to allow families to immerse themselves in camp and enjoy the beauty of the Westtown School; Rookie Day will be bigger and better than ever, encouraging rising second- to fourth-grade campers to try out CAA on July 27, 2025, for a day full of activities and camp fun!
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