About
Keshet Camps offers activities such as learning a new swim stroke, participating in a talent show, water play, art, movement, music, outdoor exploration, fitness, games, gymnastics, special theme days, and field trips. Campers take weekly trips that can include swimming at local pools, playing at Viking Gymnastics, trips to local beaches, amusement parks, and water parks, and volunteering in the community. The Gesher overnight camp includes art, music, swimming in a lake and pool, Shabbat, and a field trip to a waterpark in the Wisconsin Dells.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Multiple day and overnight options, including half-day and full-day day camps from June 15 to August 7, with some programs running June 15 to July 31 and an overnight Gesher 1 session from June 21–30
• Price: Camp Keshet North full summer $5,380; Camp Keshet South full summer $4,700; Keshet-On-the-Go full summer $6,450; Apachi day camp options $4,280–$4,900 full summer; Gesher 1 $5,650; optional bus and before/after care fees available; all families can receive a $300/week discount from the Special Camp Scholarship Endowment Fund, and JCC Chicago offers campers with Keshet support a 20% discount on camp tuition (bus, before care, and after care are full price)
Keshet Camps are part of Keshet’s recreation programs, which are based on a model of inclusion where campers with and without disabilities do all camp activities together, eat together and, at overnight camp, live together. Camp Keshet North is a half-day program for elementary and middle school campers, including those who attend ESY in the mornings, and Camp Keshet South is a half-day program for teens that focuses on social-emotional growth. Keshet-On-the-Go has a lower staff ratio of 1:3 or 1:4 for campers who need supportive guidance in social or high-sensory environments but are independent in self-care, while Camp Keshet North and South offer support ratios of 1:1 or 1:2. Gesher is for teens and young adults ages 13–21, with support ratios of 1:1–1:3, and Gesher 1 uses a retreat center with shared rooms and partially accessible grounds with activities adapted for accessibility.
Keshet’s experienced staff includes social workers, special education teachers, therapists, recreation professionals, trained camp counselors, and paraprofessionals, with each camp site having a Keshet site director and/or inclusion coordinator. The leadership team includes Jennifer Phillips (Chief Executive Officer), Brenda DeMattio (Chief Program Officer), Jamie Lake (Chief Communications Officer), Erich Kirr (Chief Financial Officer), Lexi Silvers-Castillon (Director of Development), Anca Beniuc (Director of Finance), Robin Horton (Director of Human Resources), Lisa Lew (Director of Quality Assurance), Alex Pomerantz (Director of Recreation & Camp), and additional program and operations leaders. Keshet is described as a national leader in facilitating inclusive camp programs and states a mission of providing support, purpose and joy to people of all abilities through education, recreation, adult, and residential programs.
Keshet works with partner camps and organizations that are committed to promoting inclusion, including JCC Chicago day and overnight camps and Junior Gan Israel, and is a partner with Jewish United Fund in serving the community. The Keshet-On-the-Go group regularly volunteers in the community. Keshet reports having over 75 programs in the Chicago area and Wisconsin, 3 residences, 200 dedicated staff and lay leaders, and thousands of engaged donors, serving 600 people with disabilities and impacting 4,000 school and camp peers, volunteers, family members, coworkers, and friends each year. In 2024, Keshet granted $221,230 in scholarships, and there has been a 62% increase in participants at Keshet’s adult day program, GADOL, since 2020. Adults 18 and older can join adult summer programs such as Adults on the Town, bowling, golf, and a Dells trip.
Last updated May 24, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Multiple day and overnight options, including half-day and full-day day camps from June 15 to August 7, with some programs running June 15 to July 31 and an overnight Gesher 1 session from June 21–30
• Price: Camp Keshet North full summer $5,380; Camp Keshet South full summer $4,700; Keshet-On-the-Go full summer $6,450; Apachi day camp options $4,280–$4,900 full summer; Gesher 1 $5,650; optional bus and before/after care fees available; all families can receive a $300/week discount from the Special Camp Scholarship Endowment Fund, and JCC Chicago offers campers with Keshet support a 20% discount on camp tuition (bus, before care, and after care are full price)
Keshet Camps are part of Keshet’s recreation programs, which are based on a model of inclusion where campers with and without disabilities do all camp activities together, eat together and, at overnight camp, live together. Camp Keshet North is a half-day program for elementary and middle school campers, including those who attend ESY in the mornings, and Camp Keshet South is a half-day program for teens that focuses on social-emotional growth. Keshet-On-the-Go has a lower staff ratio of 1:3 or 1:4 for campers who need supportive guidance in social or high-sensory environments but are independent in self-care, while Camp Keshet North and South offer support ratios of 1:1 or 1:2. Gesher is for teens and young adults ages 13–21, with support ratios of 1:1–1:3, and Gesher 1 uses a retreat center with shared rooms and partially accessible grounds with activities adapted for accessibility.
Keshet’s experienced staff includes social workers, special education teachers, therapists, recreation professionals, trained camp counselors, and paraprofessionals, with each camp site having a Keshet site director and/or inclusion coordinator. The leadership team includes Jennifer Phillips (Chief Executive Officer), Brenda DeMattio (Chief Program Officer), Jamie Lake (Chief Communications Officer), Erich Kirr (Chief Financial Officer), Lexi Silvers-Castillon (Director of Development), Anca Beniuc (Director of Finance), Robin Horton (Director of Human Resources), Lisa Lew (Director of Quality Assurance), Alex Pomerantz (Director of Recreation & Camp), and additional program and operations leaders. Keshet is described as a national leader in facilitating inclusive camp programs and states a mission of providing support, purpose and joy to people of all abilities through education, recreation, adult, and residential programs.
Keshet works with partner camps and organizations that are committed to promoting inclusion, including JCC Chicago day and overnight camps and Junior Gan Israel, and is a partner with Jewish United Fund in serving the community. The Keshet-On-the-Go group regularly volunteers in the community. Keshet reports having over 75 programs in the Chicago area and Wisconsin, 3 residences, 200 dedicated staff and lay leaders, and thousands of engaged donors, serving 600 people with disabilities and impacting 4,000 school and camp peers, volunteers, family members, coworkers, and friends each year. In 2024, Keshet granted $221,230 in scholarships, and there has been a 62% increase in participants at Keshet’s adult day program, GADOL, since 2020. Adults 18 and older can join adult summer programs such as Adults on the Town, bowling, golf, and a Dells trip.
Last updated May 24, 2026.
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