Camp Tawonga
A Jewish overnight camp near Yosemite offering a wide range of activities focused on community, nature, and Jewish...
▌ Editor's read The Camp Tawonga website loads successfully and presents as a legitimate camp. It is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) with an expiration year of 2024, and holds California state license number 030900010. The camp has been operating for 98 years, indicating a long-standing presence and experience in youth programming. It is a nonprofit organization. The website mentions that all staff undergo background checks, including fingerprinting and reference checks. Camp Tawonga offers overnight programs for children and families, with a focus on Jewish values, community building, and outdoor activities in Yosemite National Park. Google reviews show a strong rating of 4.9 stars based on 268 reviews, with many praising the camp's inclusive environment and positive impact on campers. Social media handles are @camptawonga on Instagram and camptawonga on Facebook.
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ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 192898+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Who thrives here Ages 7–17
Camp Tawonga is built for middle-school campers — an age where leadership tracks, deeper specialization, and identity exploration take over from generalist day-camp formats. overnight/sleepaway programs that thrive at this age publish a clear weekly progression rather than a rotating activity menu, and the staff-to-camper conversation usually matters more than the activity list.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Yes
- Established
- 1928 (98 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Overnight/Sleepaway
- Ages: 7–17
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: Main office: 131 Steuart Street, Suite 460, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
- Phone: (415) 543-2267
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: Financial aid is available.
Runs 24-hour residential, 4 sessions (4 one-week), from May 22 to Sep 6.
Sessions
Bookable units published by the camp. Each row is a one-week session.
- Session 8 May 22 – 25, 2026 · 1 week
- Session 9 Aug 20 – 23, 2026 · 1 week
- Session 10 Aug 27 – 30, 2026 · 1 week
- Session 11 Sep 3 – 6, 2026 · 1 week
↗ What parents like
- Located near Yosemite National Park
- Focus on community and Jewish values
↘ Watch for
- May not be suitable for non-Jewish campers
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: mixed
Frequently asked about Camp Tawonga
- What ages does Camp Tawonga accept?
- Camp Tawonga is open to children ages 7–17. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does Camp Tawonga cost?
- Camp Tawonga publishes $2,232/week for the standard session. Financial aid is available. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are Camp Tawonga's hours?
- Camp Tawonga runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Is Camp Tawonga accredited?
- Yes — Camp Tawonga is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 98 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
- Who runs Camp Tawonga?
- Camp Tawonga is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 98 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Camp Tawonga provide lunch?
- Camp Tawonga does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
- How does Camp Tawonga compare to other overnight/sleepaway camps in San Francisco?
- Camp Tawonga is one of 5 overnight/sleepaway camps in San Francisco that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Camp Tawonga with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Day camp vs. overnight camp · Decide whether the format fits your child and schedule.
- Packing list and camp prep · Plan gear, medication notes, labels, and drop-off prep.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
Browse similar camps
Indexable directory cuts for families comparing Camp Tawonga against nearby options.
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Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Camp Tawonga.
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