Akiba Resident Camp
Indian Hills Camp, 5249 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230
About
Akiba Resident Camp includes camper-led Shabbat and Havdallah services, themed dances, hiking, archery, ziplining, swimming, music, drama, sports, arts and crafts, nature and hiking, baking and cooking, Israeli dancing and yoga, wacky sports, creative science, messy programs, a CIT carnival, an overnight under the stars, and chances to roast s’mores over fire pits. The program uses a Freedom of Choice chugim (elective) structure that lets campers pick different activities or choose friends to join each day, with chugim options modified every year. Campers are greeted by staff who are described as enthusiastic, warm, sometimes silly, and dressed in crazy costumes, and many camp games and songs have been used for decades.
• Ages: 8–16 years old
• Schedule: Akiba Resident Camp Summer 2026 Chaverim: Celebrating Friendships runs July 19–August 2, and all registrants are expected to attend for the full two weeks.
• Price: Temple Akiba Member Camper (Entering Grades 3–9): $3,400; CIT (Entering Grade 10): $3,200; Jr. Staff (Entering Grade 11): $3,000; Non-Member Camper (Entering Grades 3–9): $3,700; CIT (Entering Grade 10): $3,500; Jr. Staff (Entering Grade 11): $3,300; register by December 31, 2025 and pay 2025 rates (save $175 per camper); sibling discount policy: $100 off the 2nd child, $50 off child 3+ (no sibling discounts if multiple siblings are enrolled in the CIT or Jr. Staff programs); $700 deposit due with application, or $350 if registering by October 15, 2025; final payment is due by May 1, 2026.
Beginning in 1965, Akiba Resident Camp has provided Jewish youth with an inclusive and immersive camp experience, and Temple Akiba has offered this camping experience for almost 60 years. The mission of Akiba Resident Camp is to provide a safe, inclusive and immersive Jewish camping experience that fosters connection, personal growth and imagination. Akiba Resident Camp is open to Temple Akiba members and non-members who are entering 3rd–11th grade in 2026, and bus transportation is provided to and from camp and Temple Akiba. The program includes camper-led Shabbat and Havdallah services and an array of refreshed activities each summer, and camper-led Shabbat and Havdalah services are described as extra special in the outdoors. First-time and seasoned campers are described as walking away feeling like family and with a renewed love for their Jewish roots and the outdoors.
The leadership team includes Camp Director Leah Penso, Program Director Staci Miller, and Staff and Leadership Development Director Melissa York. Camp Director Leah Penso has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Child Development from San Diego State University and a Master of Science degree in Counseling from CSU Long Beach, and she owns a private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist. Program Director Staci Miller has both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s of Science degree in Communicative Disorders with an emphasis in Speech Pathology from CSU Northridge and works during the school year as a speech therapist within the LAUSD school district. Staff and Leadership Development Director Melissa York has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies from UCSB and a Master of Arts degree in Non-profit Management from the University of Judaism and works at the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles as the Senior Director of Volu (title truncated in the source).
Temple Akiba Camps and Youth Programs use CampMinder for all camp registrations and required forms, and the CampMinder Campanion app is used for submitting forms and for sharing photos, videos, and short message updates during camp. All registrants are required to show proof of an up-to-date vaccination record.
Last updated March 14, 2026.
• Ages: 8–16 years old
• Schedule: Akiba Resident Camp Summer 2026 Chaverim: Celebrating Friendships runs July 19–August 2, and all registrants are expected to attend for the full two weeks.
• Price: Temple Akiba Member Camper (Entering Grades 3–9): $3,400; CIT (Entering Grade 10): $3,200; Jr. Staff (Entering Grade 11): $3,000; Non-Member Camper (Entering Grades 3–9): $3,700; CIT (Entering Grade 10): $3,500; Jr. Staff (Entering Grade 11): $3,300; register by December 31, 2025 and pay 2025 rates (save $175 per camper); sibling discount policy: $100 off the 2nd child, $50 off child 3+ (no sibling discounts if multiple siblings are enrolled in the CIT or Jr. Staff programs); $700 deposit due with application, or $350 if registering by October 15, 2025; final payment is due by May 1, 2026.
Beginning in 1965, Akiba Resident Camp has provided Jewish youth with an inclusive and immersive camp experience, and Temple Akiba has offered this camping experience for almost 60 years. The mission of Akiba Resident Camp is to provide a safe, inclusive and immersive Jewish camping experience that fosters connection, personal growth and imagination. Akiba Resident Camp is open to Temple Akiba members and non-members who are entering 3rd–11th grade in 2026, and bus transportation is provided to and from camp and Temple Akiba. The program includes camper-led Shabbat and Havdallah services and an array of refreshed activities each summer, and camper-led Shabbat and Havdalah services are described as extra special in the outdoors. First-time and seasoned campers are described as walking away feeling like family and with a renewed love for their Jewish roots and the outdoors.
The leadership team includes Camp Director Leah Penso, Program Director Staci Miller, and Staff and Leadership Development Director Melissa York. Camp Director Leah Penso has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Child Development from San Diego State University and a Master of Science degree in Counseling from CSU Long Beach, and she owns a private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist. Program Director Staci Miller has both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s of Science degree in Communicative Disorders with an emphasis in Speech Pathology from CSU Northridge and works during the school year as a speech therapist within the LAUSD school district. Staff and Leadership Development Director Melissa York has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies from UCSB and a Master of Arts degree in Non-profit Management from the University of Judaism and works at the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles as the Senior Director of Volu (title truncated in the source).
Temple Akiba Camps and Youth Programs use CampMinder for all camp registrations and required forms, and the CampMinder Campanion app is used for submitting forms and for sharing photos, videos, and short message updates during camp. All registrants are required to show proof of an up-to-date vaccination record.
Last updated March 14, 2026.
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