With the generous support of the Jim Joseph Foundation, the Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) is establishing a Specialty Camps Incubator designed to provide expertise and support to a cohort of four individuals, organizations or existing camp professionals as they plan and implement their vision for new models of nonprofit, Jewish specialty camps in non-traditional settings (school or college campuses). The FJC Specialty Camps Incubator is based on the model of the business incubator, formed to accelerate the launch of potentially successful entrepreneurial ventures by providing assistance during the early years and a platform for peer learning and support.

Through a rigorous, national selection process by a team of independent advisors, the FJC Specialty Camps Incubator will select four new specialty camp proposals that possess a strong Jewish mission that aims to weave Jewish culture, values, and learning -- as well as Israel education --throughout the elements of the program to attract new segments of Jewish children entering grades six through twelve. The FJC Incubator will provide financial and technical support to the new camp ventures from the planning and start-up stages through the first three years of operation.

The deadline for Letter of Intent submissions has passed (May 1). Applicants will be notified by May 23rd if they have been invited to submit a full proposal. The cohort of Incubator Fellows will be announced in September 2008. The Incubator will launch in November 2008.

The Specialty Camps Incubator provides training and support in all aspects of new camp development, including:

• Design and implementation of the specialty and Jewish programs
• Refinement of the business model
• Business and financial operations
• Camper recruitment and marketing
• Staff recruitment, hiring and training
• Site identification
• Fundraising strategies
• Nonprofit management and board development

The Specialty Camps Incubator seeks four high-capacity, experienced professionals who demonstrate:

• A proven record of success in operating camps and/or youth development programs, OR relevant business experience.
• A history of success as a leader in developing and implementing strong teams
• The readiness to dedicate full time involvement in the new camp
• A long term commitment to the growth and success of the new camp venture
• An openness to learning and sharing new ideas
• A strong commitment to implementation of best practices in the field of summer camp
• An interest in working in a collaborative manner with other members of the Incubator

The Specialty Camps Incubator participant receives:

• A generous salary and benefits package for the lead professional
• Start-up and operational funding over a period of up to five years, pegged to pre-determined performance goals
• A contractual agreement with the FJC Incubator that outlines the terms of the relationship based on attainment of stated goals and objectives
• Seminars and workshops led by experts in the field
• Personal coaching and advising
• A network for mutual support, training, exchange of best practices, and other joint initiatives

The Specialty Camps Incubator seeks proposals that include:

• A mission that expresses a commitment to Jewish experiential learning and Israel education and infuses a Jewish vision throughout
• Innovative camp programs and models that have the ability to attract new segments of the Jewish camp market of sixth to twelfth grade children
• A developmental program design which demonstrates progression and growth, based on sound educational principles
• A business plan with strong indicators of success
• A camp concept that will be located in an existing facility (college campus, boarding school, or available camp grounds), and will not require capital investment

Application and Admissions Process:
Applications for admission will be accepted according to the following timeline:

1. All applicants must submit the online Letter of Intent due May 1st
2. A select number of applicants will be invited by May 15th to submit full proposals
3. Full proposals are due August 1st
4. Finalists will be informed by August 15th
5. A personal interview will be scheduled for the finalists during the week of September 2nd
6. The cohort of Incubator Fellows will be announced by September 15th
7. The first Incubator workshop will take place on or about November 1st

Click here for Request for Proposal
Click here for FAQ

For more information about the Specialty Camps Incubator, please contact incubator@jewishcamp.org or 646-278-4500