First-time Campership Awards — Summer 2024

First-time campers may be eligible for awards of up to $1,000

 

Summer camp can be a transformative experience, providing children with the opportunity to make memories and friendships that last a lifetime. PJ Library wants to help children attend Jewish overnight camp for the first time by offering awards to qualifying families and is one of 100 funders of the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s One Happy Camper® (OHC) program.

The PJ Library Campership Award Program is now accepting applications for the 2024 camp season! Please review the eligibility details below to learn how to apply for a campership award through One Happy Camper.

The eligibility requirements for these awards are very specific. Before applying, please read carefully to make sure your family is eligible.

ELIGIBILITY


To be eligible to receive an award, a camper must be all of the following:

  1. A current or former PJ Library* subscriber or the sibling of a current or former PJ Library subscriber who was enrolled in PJ Library on or before September 1, 2023.
  2. Attending a nonprofit Jewish overnight camp** in the United States or Canada that is part of the Foundation for Jewish Camp's network.
  3. Attending overnight camp for the first time. First-time campers are children who have never attended a Jewish overnight camp for 12 or more consecutive days. Campers who attended a one-week “taste of camp” program in a previous year are eligible to receive a 2024 award.
  4. Attending camp in 2024 for 12 or more consecutive days.
  5. A resident of the US or Canada.

*Throughout this page, PJ Library refers to both the PJ Library and PJ Our Way programs.

**A full list of participating camps can be found on the One Happy Camper website.

Award Details

 
  • There are a limited number of awards for 2024, and all awards are available on a first-come, first-served basis, regardless of whether camper attends Jewish day school or not. Once all awards are distributed, additional eligible applicants will be placed on a waiting list.
  • PJ Library provides awards in the amount of $700 for campers who attend overnight camp for 12-18 days or $1,000 for campers who attend camp for 19 days or more.

    • Recipients who do not attend camp for 12 or more days for any reason will forfeit their award. Awards originally made for $1,000 will be adjusted for campers who only attend camp for 13-18 days.
    • Awards are distributed through the One Happy Camper program and are paid directly to the camp in the camper’s name.

      • One Happy Camper program rules require camps to verify that each award recipient meets all eligibility requirements (including first-time status and session length) prior to the campership being awarded.
  • Award funds are distributed to participating camps beginning in May 2024
  • If the camper receives an award from another One Happy Camper sponsor, they are not eligible for an award from PJ Library.

HOW TO APPLY

 
  • PJ Library partners with One Happy Camper to collect all applicants for its awards. That means, you just have to submit your application once with One Happy Camper to be in consideration for all camp awards available through the program. (i.e. PJ Library, local community awards, etc.)
  • One Happy Camper will begin accepting applications in early November.
  • At that time, eligible parents will receive an email from PJ Library with a unique access code to use on the One Happy Camper application.

    • This code is unique to your family and cannot be shared with other families.
    • Follow these steps if you did not receive an email from PJ Library by November 30, 2023.
  • Go to onehappycamper.org and click the “Apply Now” button.
  • Enter your access code on the bottom of the first page of the application, then complete the rest of the application.
  • In 5-7 business days, you will receive an email from PJ Library to let you know that your application information has been verified and provide additional information about the next steps in the process.
  • If we are unable to verify your child’s information, we will contact you for additional details.
  • All applications are reviewed first-come, first-served, and we typically receive many applications so make sure you apply early!

    • Once all funds are awarded, we will maintain a waiting list to utilize when/if additional funds become available.

TIMING

 

November 2023

Subscriber parents receive an email with an access code to use on the One Happy Camper application.

When all budgeted awards have been distributed, additional applicants will automatically be placed on a waiting list.

January - March, 2024

PJ Library verifies camp registrations directly with camps.

May 2024

PJ Library sends payments directly to camps.

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS


PJ Library is just one funder of the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s One Happy Camper (OHC) program. Program guidelines and restrictions of the OHC program will determine award eligibility and payment procedures.

The Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) reserves the right to limit the number of first-time campership awards that are distributed through the OHC program and determine applicant eligibility based on available funds for each award category. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete and submitted within the time restrictions specified by the program and that they meet all eligibility and camp attendance requirements.

The HGF will be the final determiner of an applicant's PJ Library-related eligibility as well as the recipients of awards granted through the application system.
 

FAQS

 

For additional questions, please email pjgtc@hgf.org.