Our family had long appreciated the mission and values of Camp Tawonga. One of our children attended Taste of Camp and had a truly wonderful experience. As someone who works in the Jewish community, I had frequently recommended Tawonga to others, believing in the strength of its programming and community spirit. Unfortunately, our experience left us feeling deeply disappointed. Our child was registered for a summer session but was unable to attend due to the sudden passing of a close family member just days before camp began. As the family member's funeral was held out of state and organized by us, attending camp was simply not possible. We informed camp staff in advance, sharing both the situation and the fact that we are a financial aid family, and asked if any credit or accommodation could be made for a future session. We received single-sentence emails with zero condolences stating that the policy was no refund (which we didn't request) or credit. It was such a strange response we wondered if it was AI. Despite multiple follow-ups from us during a time of grief, we were told nothing could be done because the deadline had passed. At long last, the only acknowledgment of our loss was a brief line hoping the funeral preparations were going well--no further condolences or recognition of our child's disappointment were offered. By contrast, another camp we had registered with for a different child responded with immediate compassion--offering a partial refund without being asked, sending condolences, and even making a small kind gesture when our child was finally able to attend for a shortened period. As a family raising Jewish children and deeply involved in the Jewish community, this lack of empathy from a camp we had held in such high regard was especially painful. We weren't asking for a refund, just understanding and flexibility in a time of extraordinary personal loss. We struggled to name the Jewish value being demonstrated by Tawonga and still do. We will never return to Tawonga in the future--both due to financial constraints and a lack of confidence that our children's emotional needs would be supported in difficult times. The Jewish sleepaway camp we've attended for the past several years has actually lived and walked the values they advertise, and we couldn't be happier. We share this with the hope that it encourages a deeper reflection on how grief, compassion, and community care are handled. We continue to believe in the power of the Jewish community and wish all campers and families positive experiences in the future. -- A Jewish Family in the Bay Area read more

My kids had an incredible time at Camp Tawonga and will be returning next year. They are a fantastic team, running a fun, safe, joy-filled and child-centered experience. read more

Camp Tawonga was the best gift we ever gave our daughter. She's created lifelong friendships and learned so much about herself all the while having screen-free fun in nature!! Doesn't get better than that. The daily singing and dancing as ritual is the icing on the cake! read more

Thank you for providing such wholesome and connecting opportunities for our teens. My son has been attending Camp Tawonga for over 4 years and has benefited from numerous scholarships that have allowed our family to take advantage of this experience. Our son talks frequently about how much he appreciates Camp Tawonga and being able to spend screen free time with a great group of peers (my son is typically as glued to his phone as any other teen). He gets so much out of being immersed in a values based Camp Tawonga experience. I appreciate the influence, love and community that you have provided him. Thank you to all of you! read more

Camp Tawonga is a residential Jewish summer camp located a few miles west of Yosemite National Park. For more than 80 years, Tawonga has brought children and families together in nature through its wide array of programs. Tawonga's mission focuses on building positive self-esteem, creating a cooperative community, a partnership with nature, and fostering positive Jewish identity. My stepdaughter spent many a happy summer camp here and as a family we participated in many special weekends. I particularly enjoyed the Shabbat Stroll, a hiking excursion at nearby Hetch Hetchy, walks down to the river, excellent kosher style food, hanging out at the hearth inside the Lodge, and Tawonga's inclusive approach to its community. But probably my best memory was when we traveled to the parking lot near the Mormon Temple to meet the bus that would take the Campers to Camp Tawonga and pick them up when their adventure was over. The energy and joy in their movements and voices always made this parent proud and grateful on how Camp Tawonga made our family's world a better place to live and grow. read more

As an 11 year veteran (7 as a camper, 4 on staff) I can't offer you an unbiased review. That said, Tawonga is one of the best places on earth. Located just 20 minutes outside the west gate of Yosemite, this overnight summer camp is a truly special place. They provide a structured nurturing environment where children can gain self-esteem, live and play in a community that they've helped create, and learn respect and love for nature and the environment around them. From backpacking Yosemite to climbing the perch in the ropes course, swimming in the river below middle-falls, or just laying out on Stone Couch learning about the stars, I have so many fond memories of this place, a Yelp review could never sufficiently encapsulate my love for Tawonga. I can honestly tell you that I would not be the person I am today without my many wonderful experiences at Tawonga. I learned both who I am as a Jew, as well as who I am as a young man. Just like Sara O., I look forward to sending my kids there when the time comes. read more

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Don't hesitate to send your child. Mine was reluctant to go, dreading it even, but she just returned from the one week "taste of camp" program and couldn't be happier about her experience. The staff is warm and helpful; the camp director is communicative and lovely. The daily blog posts showed what an amazing and special Place Tawonga is. read more

Kids really enjoyed summer camp and we just did our first family camp. I had not been there since I was a kid some 30 years ago. Was a great time had by all. Great community and sense of belonging. Songs. Skits. Camp fire. Ropes course. River. Lake. Archery. Had all that you need to keep you busy and disconnected from our wired world. Staff was very friendly and engaging. Would recommend. Thanks. read more

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Our daughter attended Tawonga for two and a half weeks. It was her first time at sleep away camp, though not her first time staying away from home without her family. She arrived home exhausted. She said that the schedule had the kids in her bunk out until 10pm, then waking up at 6:45am. My daughter said she repeatedly asked the counselors if she could go back to the bunk early, but was never allowed to do that. She mentioned that on a couple of occasions she fell asleep during the activity when it was a campfire. She also learned on the first day that she was originally supposed to be in a different bunk, a bunk with more kids her age and an earlier bedtime. She spent much of the session wishing she'd been in that bunk instead of the one she was in. On the more positive side, she said that she did enjoy a lot of the activities, particularly swimming, crafts, and the ropes course. Taken all together, she said she had a decent time, hence the "ok" star rating. I spoke to the director, who does seem genuinely concerned with the experience my daughter had, and acknowledged the things that should have been done differently. It felt to me like the director and senior staff don't really have much control over what actually happens at the camp, and that if the staff at camp decide they're not going to listen to your camper, there's not much the director or anyone else can do about it, since they're not on site. read more

There is no place like Tawonga. I grew up here as a camper and now have worked on and off for the past 11 years. If you are looking for loving and welcoming Jewish community with which to celebrate life, in a spectacular place next to the Tuolumne river. This is it. Send your kids here. read more

I used to go to Camp Tawonga as a kid. Some of my fondest memories are of my time at camp. I made amazing friends, learned a ton about myself, and learned lessons that made me a better person. It was at Camp Tawonga that I learned about different types of music, about what makes Judaism such a spiritual and special religion, and about the sense of community that we have. Going to Camp Tawonga really tied me to other Jewish people in a way I had never experienced. Outside of my time in Israel, I'd say that Camp Tawonga is the primary reason that I have such a strong Jewish identity. It's amazing. I highly recommend sending your kids to Camp Tawonga. I'll be sending my kids there some day! read more

It is difficult to even know what to highlight about Camp Tawonga-that's how great it is! I wish I grew up at a camp like this. As a Tawonga staff member I, like hundreds of people before me, developed a connection to the land, the community, and the camp philosophy that will live in me forever. I still almost 15 years after being on summer staff there use the training manual to think about principles of leadership, management, and engagement in the work world and world in general. Camp is a tech free oasis in a chaotic world. It is a place where kids are accepted and validated for who they are and allowed to like what they like, dress how they want to dress, dance and sing with joy, play with abandon and love in community without fear. Children are led by fearless and energetically beautiful young adults who act as positive role models and support them to learn, explore, grow and find themselves. Countless campers become staff members as they grow into young adults b/c of their connection to camp. Families can also enjoy camp at Spring and Fall family camps which are a fun experience that allow the joy in everyone to come out. What could be better than going out to a beautiful site by Yosemite, singing, dancing, making arts and crafts, playing games, celebrating Judaism (in a hippy, nature, CA way), swimming, learning stuff, and pigging out on food that the amazing kitchen staff makes for you? The second I got pregnant with my child I started saving money for him to be able to go to camp Tawonga one day and that is no joke. There are many things in the world I am unsure of, but that Camp Tawonga will be a positive place for generations to come is one thing I am certain of. Long live Tawonga! It is one of the most profound informing experiences of life for hundreds of amazing people! Drink the Kool Aid-you'll be glad you did! read more

Absolutely one of the best done camps there is. Went there as a kid 30 years ago and send my kids now. Still great!

How could you not like this camp? It's beautiful, the weather is always nice, the staff is lovely, the food is delicious, the programming is fantastic. It's a great place to work or to be a camper. I worked here for 3 years and was a camper for one. These were both great decisions. read more

First, I should note, I love camp. I believe in it. And as much as I got that love from another Jewish summer camp, I'm sending my kid to Camp Tawonga. If you're reading this, you may already know that Tawonga is kind of the "gold standard" of sleep away camps for Bay Area families. The camp surroundings are gorgeous, the staff is highly trained, mature, and enthusiastic, and people come away from Tawonga feeling good about what they've been given and what they have to offer back. As an adult who never got to go to (kid) summer camp at Tawonga, I love Camp Tawonga. For the last six summers, my partner, daughter and I have attended Keshet, the nation's best (and only?) Jewish, LGBT family camp. I know I'm gushing, but I'm serious when I say that this one long weekend is one of the highlights of our year. read more

Camp Tawonga really is a magical place... they really do live the values they espouse on their website. It's about community, it's about joyful Judaism, it's about being your best self...and it's about a wonderful group of kids and counselors and leaders coming together to have a ton of fun in beautiful setting! I was so incredibly moved witnessing how beautifully they handled the sad fire situation this summer when they had to cancel the last session of camp. Everyone came together in an amazing way... they were true "mensches" all around! Tawonga is a very special part of my kids' lives and we have loved our family camp, Rosh Hashanah services and other "down the mountain" experiences. There's nothing like a Tawonga song session!?! Ruach. That's what Tawonga is all about. read more

I don't know what they put in the water, but the kids become totally addicted to this camp after their first time. Parents beware: it's not possible to attend only once. For my daughter and her friends the best thing about summer break is Camp Tawonga. They plan for it for 12 months and start on the day they return from camp. The activities are a nice mix of outdoor, craft and religion. They are very good at making sure the kids apply sunscreen every 15 minutes while in the pool. The kids make new friends from around the Bay Area. There are back-country hiking that the kids love and surprisingly don't complain about. The food is very good. The kids even learn the complete Ha'motzi. My only issue is that parents can see the camp only if they sign up for an expensive family weekend. Otherwise there is no way to see the grounds. If my daughter didn't like the camp so much this would have been a deal breaker for me. read more

We sent our kid for summer camps and participated is a handful of family weekend and we had a great time!

As a long-time parent of campers at Tawonga, and a long-time camper myself at other Jewish camps, I can honestly say that I have never seen any camp (day or overnight) as dedicated to the nurturance and care of campers than Tawonga. My kids love it like no other place on Earth. Not only has Tawonga given them some of the best experiences and friends of their lives, it has actually made them better people -- developing their self esteem and confidence, enhancing their care and sensitivity toward others and the world, opening their hearts and minds. I highly recommend this camp. read more

I have never been to a place that has as much meaning, love, positivity, knowledge, wisdom, and grace as does Camp Tawonga. Anyone who gets to be a part of this magical place is blessed. read more

hey, im almost 11 and i LOVE CAMP T!!! is almost heaven! ive gone for 3 years and I love it!!! but im not sure if i should try camp newman or camp ramah, 2 of my cousins and my brother went 2 camp ramah, and my friend went 2 camp newman. some peeps didnt like camp ramah, cuz it wuz 2 hot, but, maybe i should try it read more

I have been taking my family to Camp Tawonga's Family Camp weekend for the past 4 years and I can't recommend it highly enough! If you love the outdoors, music, arts & crafts, swimming, and tons of childcare so adults can have fun too, these weekends are for you! The staff is incredible with the kids. My boys wanted to spend all of their time with these fabulous role models. This is a great spot for little ones too as they set up toddler areas in the back of the dining hall with toys and staff to keep little ones happy. The activities set up for adults are phenomenal including hikes, specialty crafts, parenting workshops, ropes course, yoga, gardening and more. The evenings are filled with wonderful activities for families and then later in the evening counselors come to your bunk so parents/caregivers can enjoy an amazing spread of food and fun evening activities. All of this while getting the chance to get away from city life, enjoy the beautiful outdoors and starry skies each night. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! read more