What is Camp Nageela?

Camp Nageela is a non- profit camp aimed at giving quality Jewish summer experiences to children. Our goals are to keep our campers safe, give them a fun, friendly environment, and to provide a positive outlook to Judaism. Camp Nageela has been around for over 30 years, but 2010 was our inaugural season in the West. We build on that success as we return to for our fabulous sixteenth season in 2025.

 

Who is Nageela for? ​

NageelaWest is for any Jewish child between the ages of 9 and 15 who is interested in having an awesomely fun summer. Campers come from all over the country, primarily from the Western states, and from a huge spectrum of backgrounds and schools.  We have 4 age divisions:

• Noar- entering grades 4-6

• Alufim- entering grades 7-8

• Giborim (teens)- entering grades 9-10

• SITs- entering grades 11-12

 

What kind of activities will I participate in?

We pride ourselves on providing a broad prism of experiences. Our campers will visit national parks, play sports, participate in craft activities, and water sports. Our traditional sports activities usually include basketball, soccer, football, softball and volleyball. We will also have swimming, diving, dodgeball, hiking, boating, drama, music, dance, team building activities, night activities, music videos, and much, much more. ​We offer many clubs (elective activities) in a variety of areas like music, fishing, art, tennis, gymnastics and more. ​

 

What are the facilities like?​

We are located on a beautiful 180 acre campus on the shores of Wooster Lake in Illinois. You can get more info by clicking here .

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Do I need to know Hebrew?​

Absolutely not. The majority of Nageela campers have Sunday- school level Judaic education, or none. No previous Jewish knowledge is necessary.

 

How much does it cost?

​Camp tuition is $3,900 (with an additional $500 discount that ends Dec 1). Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Cancellations through March 15 will receive all funds returned minus a $100 processing fee. After March 15 there are no refunds. Iit's always worth starting early and getting on a payment plan. Starting a payment plan in November will allow most people to pay only a few hundred dollars a month, instead of getting hit with a large bill in June.

2. First time campers are usually eligible for $1000 off. Second time campers may be eligible for a grant as well.

3. We are always willing to work with families on a payment plan. If you feel like you need time or assistance, please contact us.​

 

Are there any outside financial incentives?

The Foundation for Jewish Camp, in partnership with a number of cities provides a first year campership grant to eligible families . Currently most West Coast cities participate. If you're a member of PJ Library, you're probably eligible for a grant through FJC as well. Please visit onehappycamper.org for information. Even if FJC says you’re ineligible, please check with us, as we might be able to work out outside eligibility.

Additionally, many local Jewish organizations including the Jewish Federation in your city and many temples and synagogues offer camp scholarships. Please contact your local organization.Many of these programs have limited funding and so it's important to apply early.  Please check with your local Federation frequently, as the application usually opens for only a brief window and closes rapidly.​

 

What type of communication will I have with my child during camp?

We want to be partners in your child's development, and we stay in regular contact with parents. Camp counselors call parents to update them on your child's progress, and the Camp Director is always available to answer calls. Calls are usually returned in minutes, rather than days.  Along with the majority of West Coast Jewish camps, campers do not have cell phone access while at camp. This break from the addictive technology goes a long way to developing better social skills, tech non-dependence and general happiness. We encourage campers to write letters home, and distribute parents' emails daily.​  We also post pictures. Lots and lots of pictures.

 

What? You're not coed? Why not? 

Camp Nageela West is proud to be the only non- coed Jewish overnight camp on the West Coast. Summer camp is about children living away from the pressures of school, the city, and even family. For adolescents and teens, few things are more stressful than gender mixing. Kids at coed camps have to address questions of sex and sexual identity, and there is a near- constant pressure to look great, act funny or cool, and impress people. Often, children feel pressured into relationships or encounters they're not comfortable with. Or, quite frankly, the children might be comfortable with, but you as parents would not be. We believe that children thrive in a single gender setting, free from sexual tension, particularly when said children attend coed schools or programs during the year.​

Directors of coed camps have confided that it's also more difficult to ensure that staff members are focused on campers. In a non coed camp, the staff members have far fewer distractions, and are able to focus laser- like on their young charges.

 

Who will be taking care of my children?

Ultimately, as a parent, this is your most important question. Our staff members will set your mind at ease. Here are some of the reasons we believe our staff is second to none:

Industry high staff to camper ratio.

We boast a ratio of a staff member for every two campers. We don't believe ANY other camp can make such a claim​​Intense training. Our Nageela staff training seminar is thorough and intense. All staff members are trained in camper care, abuse detection and prevention, child development and camp culture. Many Nageela staff members go on to lead distinguished careers in Jewish camping, education and lay leadership.  We have recently upgraded our training in the areas of detecting and preventing sexual abuse.

Vetting.

We do not attend hiring fairs. We do not engage agencies to find foreign college students. These are OUR CHILDREN! Every Nageela staff member is personally acquainted with the camp administrators, or a friend of the camp administration members. They're part of a personal network of highly trusted individuals. We can do this because of our small size.

They're super fun!

Nageela staff members are high energy, and high volume. They're talented in many areas such as music, performing arts, computers, sports, extreme activities and pickle juice drinking.Mission driven. Nothing can compare with or replace meaningful dedication.

Our staff members, without exception, harbor a passion for Jewish education and child development. To these guys and girls, camp is not a job. It's a calling.

 

What is your technology policy?

Technology and the internet have undoubtedly brought great access to information and communication. Yet studes show that particularly in children and teens, exposure to multiple hours of daily device usage is directly correlated to severely increased episodes in depression, and even suicide. Many psychologists believe the reason for this is a decrease in face to face social interactions. Tweens and teens increasingly feel 'left-out' or lonely, disconnected in a world where everyone is connected.

At Camp Nageela West, as well as many other camps, we believe that camp is the cure. Pure, personal social interaction, without the distractions of screens. Children come home from camp making eye contact more, being better able to read and respond appropriately to body language cues, and having developed independence from their digital prisons.

We do not have a zero technology policy, but we are screen free. Campers may bring iPods or mp3 platers along, but no gaming systems, Nintendo Switches, or tablets. Our campers do not have web access, and any phone or device with internet capabilities are not allowed in camp. That means no snapchat, instagram, facebook, texting, what's app or even Clash Royale.

Our campers have usually agreed that (even though they don't particularly like the policy) they're happier this way!

 

​​Is there a deadline to sign up?​

There's no deadline as long as there are still spots open.

 

I heard that CNW was a travel camp. What happened?

​For 11 of our 15 summers, we operated as a traditional camp one a campus. Our campuses ranged from a ranch in Utah, to a school in Sedona, to a cabin community in Big Bear lake, California. For four summers we took the adventure to the road as a travel camp. Eventually, we'll become more mature and want to settle down on a permanent campus. For now, we're enjoying sharing a beautiful campus with Camp Nageela Midwest!

 

Is there a dress code?

​Our campers dress however they feel comfortable. Our only requirements are that all tops should cover one’s shoulders (no spaghetti straps), full shorts (no minior biker shorts) and refrain from exposing midriffs and low-cut tops. No offensive slogans or images may be worn. Boys are required to wear head coverings during meals and prayers. Nicer clothes are expected for Shabbat.