Camp Hatikvah’s Family Camp is so popular, a new off-site program has been created to meet demand. (photo from Camp Hatikvah)
Camp Hatikvah is celebrating a milestone year after Family Camp 2026 broke all previous registration records. A total of 94 families, nearly 400 participants, applied to take part in next summer’s program, marking one of the strongest showings of interest in the camp’s history.
Family Camp has become a beloved tradition and a powerful entry point for future generations of campers. Designed primarily for families with young children, the program offers a relaxed, joyful introduction to camp life and serves as an early touchpoint for those who may eventually join the camp’s regular summer sessions.
Camp leaders say this year’s unprecedented demand is more than a testament to the program’s popularity but a promising sign of the camp’s long-term strength. Families who attend Family Camp often return year after year and many children ultimately go on to enrol in Camp Hatikvah’s broader programming.
Beyond its role as a recruitment pipeline, Family Camp plays an important part in building community. The weekend brings together a diverse mix of participants, including alumni returning with their own children, newcomers to the city or country, and families simply looking to share a meaningful getaway. Conversations spark on the dock, friendships form over meals and laughter echoes across the property. The atmosphere is relaxed, welcoming and deeply communal.
With accommodations for only 56 families, the camp faced a difficult dilemma this year: how to manage the remaining 38 families who would otherwise land on a waitlist. Turning families away just didn’t feel right.
The solution came in the form of an expanded initiative: Family Camp Day Camp.
The newly launched option will allow families to stay off-site while participating fully in the daily camp experience – from programming and activities to the ruach (spirit) and joy that define Family Camp. The goal is simple: say “yes” to more families in a year when enthusiasm has reached new heights.
The addition of Family Camp Day Camp not only makes space for more participants, but also strengthens the camp’s future. It opens the door for more young children to build early memories at camp, encourages alumni to reconnect with the community and welcomes families who may be experiencing Camp Hatikvah for the first time.
With record interest, renewed energy and a new program offering, Camp Hatikvah’s Family Camp is poised for its most inclusive year yet.
– Courtesy Camp Hatikvah