International experience

Сampers from 30 countries come together every summer to enjoy our 12-day sessions.

Fun activities

In Szarvas Camp you’ll find a wide range of different activities where you can try out your sport, communication or creative skills. Some of our bike trips are leaving 5:30 in the morning!

Building Jewish identity

Our approach to Judaism is open and pluralist. We accept all streams, styles and levels of Judaism. You can learn prayers, songs, visit the Synagogue or simply enjoy being Jewish.

Professional education

By using informal methodology our trained staff is guiding our campers through the educational agenda and theme. We might also teach you how to write a newspaper or create your own music.

Dates 2024

Session 1: June 30 – July 12

Session 2: July 14 – 26

Session 3: July 28 – August 9

Session 4: August 11 – 23

Participation Fee and Application

For Hungarian campers and those applying to the International Group, the application for Szarvas Camp 2024 started on 21 April.

Note: since 2024, on the new registration system, before applying for participation in summer camp, a new account/registration has to be made.

Please click here to learn more about the registration and application processes and the participation fee.

International Group

The International Group is intended for teens who want to experience Szarvas camp and get to know even closer teens from other countries and cultures. In order to take part in the International group, the teens need to be between 14 and 18 years old, and they need to have a good level of spoken English. The daily program of the International Group is the same as any other group's and is entirely conducted in English. The International Group will take place during all sessions this summer.

Campers from around the world to travel to the International Jewish Summer Camp in Hungary, where they spend two weeks making friends from around the world, exploring their own family roots, and learning about life in different Jewish communities. They do not serve as counselors, but rather enjoy the warm summer camp environment as equal participants with Jewish students their age from around the world.

Additional Events

Events and activities related to the preparation of the Summer camp

Unit Head seminars,

Madrich trainings,

Mentor meetings,

Pre-camps.

Community events from January to June

Mriya Family Camp for Ukrainian families,

JCC Budapest - Bálint House J-Camp.

Community events from August to December

Camp Jichak – Family Camp,

Machol Hungaria,

Senior camps,

and other events in partnership with local and international organizations.

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Vision

We believe in inclusive, innovative, and sustainable Jewish communities that enable self-fulfillment for all their members.

Mission

Szarvas Camp nurtures Jewish identity and belonging within a safe and celebratory educational environment. We cultivate Jewish literacy, leadership and the interconnectivity of young Jews and their communities worldwide.

Goals

Building Jewish Identity: We nurture and strengthen the Jewish identity of campers and team members by immersing them in an environment that celebrates Jewish tradition, culture, history, and values. Camp programs are designed to help young Jews from diverse backgrounds to relate to their heritage, as well as to connect with their peers.

Excelling in Jewish education: A cornerstone of our work is to provide high-quality, entertaining, and varied educational experiences rooted in informal educational methodologies. Camp programming is delivered with the help of qualified and knowledgeable professionals, ensuring that campers can further explore Judaism while also developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Developing leaders and communities: By nurturing the next generation of Jewish leaders, Szarvas Camp contributes to the development of vibrant Jewish communities. Profound and lifelong experiences in camp aim to inspire young people to be more engaged in their own communities and take on leadership or professional roles later in their life.

Creating a safe and encouraging environment: The camp places a high priority on creating an environment where campers and team members can explore and express their Jewish identities and their true selves without fear or concern. This aspect of our approach is essential in enabling personal growth and exploration among the campers and team members.

Fostering intercommunity relations: We create a pluralistic international environment that is based on understanding, dialogue, and collaboration. By bringing together Jewish youth from different countries and backgrounds, Szarvas Camp aims to contribute to an interconnected global Jewish community.

The camp is a joint program of JDC and the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation. The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) is the world’s leading Jewish humanitarian assistance organization. JDC works in more than 70 countries and in Israel to alleviate hunger and hardship, rescue Jews in danger, create lasting connections to Jewish life, and provide immediate relief and long-term development support for victims of natural and man-made disasters. For more information, please visit www.jdc.org