Culver City, CA, USA
Choose an outdoor activity, join a friend for an elective, and help lead a Jewish camp tradition. Akiba Resident Camp brings these experiences together in a two-week overnight program for young people entering second through eleventh grade. Campers live in cabins, spend time in nature, and take part in shared activities that connect Jewish life with outdoor play and creativity. The program welcomes both Temple Akiba members and non-members.
Daily electives give children a say in what they do and who they join. Choices change from year to year, with examples ranging from hiking and cooking to arts and crafts, dancing, and creative science. Across the wider program, campers can swim, try archery, hike, enjoy music and drama, and take part in themed dances. Longstanding favorites include messy activities, a CIT carnival, and a night under the stars.
Jewish practice is part of camp life through camper-led Shabbat and Havdalah services. Staff build the program around community, responsibility, creativity, and connection, alongside the camp’s familiar games and songs. This resident experience suits children who want a mix of outdoor activity, group traditions, and opportunities to choose their own interests. Older participants can join the counselor-in-training and junior staff tracks.
| Ages: | 7–17 |
| Type: | Overnight |
| Gender: | Co-Ed |
| Lodging: | Cabin |
| Sports: | Sports, Sports Training, General Sports, Shooting, Archery |
| Water: | Water, Swimming |
| Adventure: | Adventure, Exploration, Hiking, Challenge, Zip Line |
| Academics: | Academics, Career, Culinary, Science |
| Arts: | Arts, Fine Arts, Arts & Crafts, Performing Arts, Drama, Music, Singing, Dance |
| Religious: | Religious, Jewish |
| Meals Type: | Provided |
You won’t be charged yet. The camp will contact you to confirm all terms first.
| Dates | Days | Price | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 18 - Aug 1, 2027 | 15 | $4,050 | |
| Jul 18 - Aug 1, 2027 | 15 | $3,850 | |
| Jul 18 - Aug 1, 2027 | 15 | $3,650 |
The resident program combines shared camp traditions with chugim, or electives. Each day, campers can choose a different activity or select a friend to join. Elective choices are refreshed annually; examples include nature walks and hiking, cooking and baking, Israeli dancing or yoga, arts and crafts, sports, and creative science. Children also take part in a broader activity mix that includes archery, ziplining, swimming, music, and drama.
Community activities give the group common experiences throughout the stay. Campers help lead Shabbat and Havdalah services, take part in themed dances, and look forward to the CIT carnival and an overnight under the stars. Familiar songs and games connect new campers with established camp traditions. Staff create fresh programming each summer while keeping these recurring elements.
Participation is organized by school grade. The camper track serves students entering grades 2–9, the CIT track serves those entering grade 10, and junior staff enter grade 11. Everyone is expected to attend the full two weeks. Rising second-grade applications receive a director’s review before approval. Trained Akiba staff lead programming, with separate directors overseeing camp leadership, creative activities, and staff development.
Campers have a variety of food options during their resident stay.
Children stay in cabins during the resident camp experience at Indian Hills Camp. A night under the stars is also one of the camp’s recurring traditions.
Certified lifeguards supervise swimming. The camp director oversees leadership and staff and checks that programming and behavior follow the camp’s mission. Staff create activities with safety as a priority.
Every registrant must provide proof of an up-to-date vaccination record.
Akiba staff grew up as campers and completed the camp’s two-year counselor-in-training program. Director Leah Penso has degrees in psychology and child development and counseling. Program Director Staci Miller oversees activity training, implementation, and evaluation. Staff and Leadership Development Director Melissa York leads the CIT program and supports staff development. Together, the team creates new programming each summer.
Families use the Campanion app for forms and camp updates. During the stay, the app shares photos, videos, and short messages. Uploading a current camper photo each year allows Campanion to create a personalized album. The camp also provides email and phone channels for questions.
Bus transportation runs between Temple Akiba and the campsite. All participants attend the full two-week stay, and applications for rising second graders require a conversation with the director before approval. Families submit forms through the camp account and Campanion app, including proof of current vaccinations. Scholarship requests become available in the Forms Dashboard after applying.
A $700 deposit is due with the application, reduced to $350 when registering by October 15. Final payment is due May 1; later registrations require payment in full. Early-bird and member rates are available. Sibling discounts apply to camper enrollments, with different rules for CIT and junior staff.
