CAMPERSHIPS

Camp Hatikvah is committed to ensuring that financial circumstances are not a barrier to a child experiencing a summer at Jewish camp. Through our Campership Program, we provide financial assistance to families who need support to make a summer at Camp Hatikvah possible.

​

We know that affordability looks different for every family, and our Campership Program is designed to reflect that reality.

​

We also know that deciding whether to apply for a campership can be difficult. The application takes time to complete and requires families to share personal financial information with us. Because of that, we want families to have a clear understanding of how our program works before deciding whether to apply. With that in mind, we have put together some questions and answers below to help you understand who may qualify for assistance, how we assess applications, and what you can expect from the process.​

​

How are camperships funded?

Camperships are primarily funded through the generosity of grants and donations. 

​

How are camperships awarded?

Camperships are awarded in the form of a fee reduction and are based on demonstrated financial need from your family’s income and assets. Our process is designed to be respectful and confidential, with the goal of partnering with families to make camp possible. 

​​

Who makes the campership decisions? 

Campership applications are reviewed and decided upon by our Campership Committee. We follow strict privacy procedures when processing applications and always take the utmost care to ensure your confidentiality. 

​

Do you have residency requirements?

Campership assistance from Camp Hatikvah is available to families whose primary residence is in British Columbia, Alberta or Israel.

​

If your family's primary residence is outside these areas, you are not eligible to receive support directly from Camp Hatikvah, but we encourage you to check with your local Jewish Federation. Many communities provide financial assistance to their members regardless of where their children attend camp.​

​

What financial information to your review?

To determine how much assistance, if any, you may need to help make Camp Hatikvah possible for your children, we look at your household income and your assets. 

​

Do you take any other factors into consideration?

Yes. We know that there are many factors that can affect a family’s ability to pay the full Camp fee, and household income does not always tell the whole story.

 

For example, a family may have a higher income but also have significant expenses related to caring for a child or family member with health or special needs or other exceptional financial circumstances. We may also consider the number of children attending Camp, the length and cost of their sessions, and significant Jewish education or childcare expenses.

 

Our goal is to look at each family’s circumstances as a whole and make a fair and thoughtful assessment of genuine financial need.

​​

When do applications for camperships open?

Applications for Summer 2027 are now available. You can complete yours by clicking here. 

​

When do applications for camperships close?

The first round of applications close on October 13th and the bulk of our funds will be distributed in November. Applications received after the deadline may be considered if funds are available but please be aware that you will likely receive less funding, if any, if you apply after the November 1st deadline. 

​

What documents will I need to complete my campership application?
All Canadian Families will need to:

 

• Submit their 2025 Tax Returns and their 2025 Notices of Assessment.

• Families with children in Jewish Day School will need to submit their 2026/2027 school fee invoices. ​

• If you are self-employed you may be required to submit your T2125.

• If you own or partially own a business from which you earn income, you may be required to submit your T2 and your year-end financial statements from your business.

​

Israeli applicants will be asked for different documentation at a later date. 

​

What if I am separated or divorced from the camper's other parent or guardian?

If both parents are financially responsible for the camp fees, they each need to fill out their own application. The information you provide will not be shared with the other parent. Each guardian is evaluated individually based on their income and the portion of the fees they are responsible for.

​

Am I guaranteed to receive a campership if I have been approved in previous years?

No. Camperships are awarded on a one-year basis, and families must reapply each year. Previous approval does not guarantee that assistance will be awarded in a future year or that the amount awarded will remain the same.

​

Camp Hatikvah has a limited annual campership budget, and awards are determined based on both each family’s financial circumstances and the overall level of need among families applying that year. As a result, the amount of assistance available to an individual family may change from year to year, even if that family’s financial circumstances have not changed.

​​

​

 

​