ABOUT OUR CAMP

Camp YJ founded in 1939, serves children ages 8-15 (completing grades 2-9). Located on 168 scenic wooded acres on the shores of Lake Baboosic in southern New Hampshire, our waterfront features two power boats, rafts and floats, numerous canoes, kayaks, sailboats and paddle boards. Natural beauty abounds with hiking trails, plenty of green space and places to play and relax! Camp facilities include a large heated pool, eight brand-new tennis courts, several playing fields, basketball and volleyball courts, archery range, broadcasting/video studios, outdoor adventure course, a new 40-foot tall climbing wall, a large modern dining facility, sturdy wooden cabins, and several other spacious indoor facilities, including a gym/theater, arts and crafts studio, and rec hall. Shabbat services are held in a beautiful grove, sheltered by towering pine trees. Music, dance, drama, and Jewish culture are integral parts of our program.

Core Values

Our core values provide the framework that has guided our community since the camp was founded in 1939. By making these principles part of our everyday language and culture at Camp YJ we provide an opportunity for campers and staff to celebrate, explore, practice and embrace these values.

Caring and Compassion
Community and Friendship
Love of Israel and Jewish Identity
Confidence and Courage
Curiosity and Wonder

mission

At Camp YJ in New Hampshire, our goal is to provide a safe, nurturing and healthy environment in a beautiful, natural setting where campers from a diverse range of Jewish backgrounds:

Have access to, gain knowledge and have success in a full range of activities including athletics, waterfront, creative arts, Jewish Life, outdoor adventure and more
Appreciate and value Jewish spiritual and cultural heritage and forge a lifelong, positive bond with Israel
Have fun, make friends and enjoy unforgettable memories within an accepting, supportive and well-supervised community

We accept, respect and celebrate campers from many Jewish backgrounds and traditions; our diversity is our strength! Through experiential living and learning, our campers develop appreciation, understanding, knowledge and yes, passion, for Jewish heritage and culture. Be sure to look at our Jewish Life section for more information. We are one of a select number of camps nationwide accredited by the American Camp Association, a national organization dedicated to serving the needs of children in all camp settings. We are also an active member of the New Hampshire Camp Directors Association and the Foundation for Jewish Camp and numerous other camp organizations.

HISTORY OF CAMP

Camp YJ was founded in 1939 by Harry and Louis Levine and Dr. Morton J. Robbins and is the oldest Zionist youth camp in the United States. The camp is a private non-profit organization that is operated by the Friends of Young Judaea and is not affiliated with the Young Judaea movement, other camps with similar-sounding names or with Hadassah. We are the original Camp Young Judaea!!

In the early years, campers lived in tents and actually helped build some of the bunks. They debated and discussed Zionist principles, sang songs, learned Hebrew and helped raise money for what was then known as Palestine. That passion and commitment to Israel has never waned. Our Israel trip program is the oldest co-ed camp Israel teen trip in the country.

Over the years, our supportive board of directors has overseen the construction of additional buildings and facilities, including a new dining hall in 1993, new basketball and tennis courts, a pool in 2008, new cabins in Girls Area (2016), new cabins in Boys Area (2020), a Migdal climbing tower coming in 2020 and plans for many other updates and upgrades. Despite these physical changes, the essential ruach (spirit) and sense of Jewish community has remained strong and vibrant.

During the past 85 years, YJ has provided a fantastic summer camp experience for thousands of campers. In fact, many former staff and campers are now parents (and even grandparents!) of current campers. No wonder that the camp’s Alumni Association includes thousands of enthusiastic alumni worldwide and sponsors events, get-togethers and reunions (including a 20th year Daled reunion every summer at camp).

If you or a family member is an alum (camper or staff), please sign up with the Alumni Association to receive occasional updates about camp and Alumni newsletters by clicking below and also joining our lively Facebook group and Follow us on Instagram!

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SIGN UP

meet Our Staff

Jon Spack

Jon Spack is the Executive Director of YJ. Jon grew up at YJ, starting as a camper in 1987 and later as a counselor and camp administrator. He has extensive experience in education and youth non-profit organizations that serve the needs of school-aged children and adolescents. Prior to joining YJ as Executive Director, Jon served as Chief Growth Officer for Coaching4Change, and previously served as the Executive Director of Discovering Justice. Jon is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and holds a master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. Jon resides in West Newton, MA with his wife and their two daughters. Jon can be reached at (781) 237-9410, ext 1, or at Jspack@campyj.org.
Melissa Hertzel

Melissa Hertzel is the Chief Operating Officer. Melissa is a proud member of Daled '91 and has more than 20 years of finance and operations experience with both non-profit and for profit businesses. Melissa and her husband Aaron live in Sharon, MA with their two children, Anna and Benny (Daled ‘23) and their dog Milly. Melissa can be reached at (781) 237-9410, ext. 4 or at Mhertzel@campyj.org .
Steve Stoddard

Steve Stoddard is the Director of Facilities at YJ. Steve lives at camp year-round with his sons, Cody and Jake, and his dog, cat and 2 birds! He also has a daughter, Dakota, and a 4 year old grandson, Declan. Steve and his family love the outdoors and enjoy hiking, snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, water sports, surfing and gold mining. Steve is also a working musician and can sing, play the guitar, piano, banjo, harmonica, drums and bass. Steve can be reached at (781) 237-9410, ext. 2 or at Sstoddard@campyj.org.
Kate Milstein Finlayson

Kate is the Director of Health Services with extensive experience in Pediatrics. After working in a variety of settings at major hospitals across the country, she is eager to join the camp community to manage the health center and oversee the medical care of all campers and staff. A member of Daled '95, Kate now enjoys watching her two boys grow and thrive at YJ as well (Ben Daled '26 and Theo Daled '28). When not at camp, Kate lives in Wayland, MA with her husband Alex, two sons, and dog Nix.
Marni Israel

Marni Israel is the Director of Recruitment & Family Engagement. A YJ alum (Daled ‘88), she is responsible for camper recruitment, communications, training and events. Marni resides in Holliston, MA with her husband Jason (also a YJ alum), their three children, Max, Sophie, and Sam, who all attend YJ, and their dog, Marley. Marni can be reached at (781) 237-9410, ext. 3 or at Misrael@campyj.org .
Ryan Rosen

Ryan Rosen is the Development and Operations Manager for YJ. Ryan (Daled 2010) has been a member of the YJ staff for 9 summers. He has served in many roles at YJ from Head of Athletics and Archery to Driver, and most recently as the Co-Head of Boys Area. Ryan lives in the Boston Area. Ryan can be reached at 781-237-9410 ext 6 or Rrosen@campyj.org.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Camp YJ is a nonprofit, 501c3 organization guided and supported by a dedicated Board of Directors. Our board members--including alumni, parents, and supporters--bring invaluable expertise from varied professional backgrounds to provide vital strategic planning and direction. They work closely with our administrative team to ensure that Camp YJ provides a high-quality, safe and memorable learning experience for Jewish children and young adults.

Please click on any Board member’s picture below for information about their background, expertise and connection to Camp YJ. To reach any members of our Board, please email us at Board@cyj.org.