“My children now equate their own perception of being Jewish as being accepted, cared for, and feeling connected to both people and to the outdoors as part of their Jewish identity. This is a beautiful thing!”
Leslie C.
Parent
95%
of our families are likely to recommend Camp Mountain Chai to family or friends.
Based on the 2024 Camper/Staff Satisfaction Insights survey. Percentages are based on 4/5 ratings on a scale of 1-5.
“I don’t know what or how you did it, but both of my boys came home more confident and independent!“
Dana R.
Parent
“Sara has become a more confident, compassionate, spiritual, loving person because of her Camp Mountain Chai experience.“
Last chance to reserve your spot! 🏕️
Join us tonight from 7–8 PM for an exclusive virtual tour and get an inside look at what makes our community so special. This is the perfect opportunity for prospective families to explore, ask questions, and connect, all from the comfort of home.Don’t miss out!
Reserve your spot now: [https://tinyurl.com/CMCAprilVirtualTour]
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#CMC #SummerCamp #Explore #Connect #Belong
Happy Passover from Your Friends at CMC!
Each year at the Passover seder, we proclaim, “Let all who are hungry come and eat,” reminding us that Jewish life is built by welcoming others and creating spaces where everyone belongs. As we retell the story of Passover, our tables become places of connection, belonging, and shared Jewish memory.
At Camp Mountain Chai, we carry that value into everything we do.
Each summer, we work to ensure that every Jewish child has the opportunity to experience the magic of Camp Mountain Chai, regardless of financial circumstances.
Read more about sisters Manuela and Mia who have benefited from camper scholarships and make your Passover gift TODAY so future campers can experience the magic of CMC.
https://conta.cc/4dapA1y
We are proud to introduce our CMC 2026 Kavanah Trip Leader & Staff! 🎉🇩🇴🏕️❤️
We are thrilled to announce that Hillary Altes will be our Kavanah Trip Leader. Hillary has extensive experience working with Jewish youth and has been on CMC Leadership staff for years, including staffing the Kavanah trip in Summer 2024 and as our Staff-in-Training (SIT) Director in Summer 2025. Hillary is passionate about empowering young people to make a positive impact in the world, and we are fortunate to have her leading the way. We know this is such an incredible and meaningful journey, and we cannot wait to share it all with you very soon.
Meet Kaia: Kaia is so excited to be returning to Camp Mountain Chai this summer as a member of the Kavanah staff! Her CMC journey began many years ago as a camper, and she even participated in the Kavanah program herself — an experience that played a meaningful role in shaping who she is and deepening her love for this community. Kaia is passionate about creating a supportive environment where every camper feels connected, confident, and proud of who they are.
Meet Oli: Originally from the UK, Oli is thrilled to be joining the Kavanah trip to the Dominican Republic this summer, where he’ll be supporting campers every step of the way. His focus? Making sure every single person in the group feels safe, included, and confident as they travel, explore, and create memories that will last a lifetime. When he’s not cheering on the group, you can find Oli on the football field, and that same energy and enthusiasm he brings to the game is exactly what he’ll be bringing to Kavanah.
Meet Sam: Originally from London, Sam joined the CMC family last summer as a Sports Specialist and it didn’t take long for camp to work its magic. Sam loved the experience so much that returning this year was an easy decision! This summer, Sam is stepping into an exciting new role as part of the Kavanah staff, and couldn’t be more thrilled to share this one-of-a-kind experience in the Dominican Republic with our campers. Sam’s warmth, enthusiasm, and genuine love for the CMC community make them a perfect fit for this meaningful journey.
Let’s Pickle! Join your CMC friends for a fun afternoon of Pickleball, Pizza & Popsicles. We can’t wait to see you! Remember to RSVP by Friday, March 20.
📅 Date: Sunday, March 22
⏰ Time: 12pm - 3pm
📍Lawrence Family JCC in La Jolla
🔗RSVP:https://tinyurl.com/CMCPickleball
#CMC#CampFriendsAreTheBestFriends #SummerCamp #CMCPickleball
Save The Date for CMC Alumni & Staff Shabbat
📅 Date: Friday, June 26
📍At CMC
Join us for Shabbat dinner and evening activities. Visit camp again on Saturday for Tefillah and activities.
Registration coming soon!
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#CMC#CampFriendsAreTheBestFriends #SummerCamp #CMCAlumni
Today we say L’hitrot to someone who quickly became a special part of our community.
Jake Niefeld joined our team on November 15, 2024 as our Operations & Logistics Coordinator. From day one, he brought warmth, curiosity, creativity, and a deep sense of purpose to his work. Whether he was solving a logistical puzzle or sharing music, Jake had a way of bringing people together and making moments more meaningful.
Jake is many things: a musician, songwriter, lifelong learner, and a passionate Jewish soul. Anyone who spent even a little time with him could see how deeply his Judaism informs the way he moves through the world. His ability to connect people and create moments of reflection made a lasting impact on those around him.
We are incredibly proud to share that Jake has been accepted to the Rabbinical School at Hebrew Union College, where he will begin his studies this summer on the journey to becoming Rabbi Jake.
Jake, thank you for the care, joy, music, and heart you brought to this community. We will miss you and can’t wait to see the incredible rabbi you will become.
Kol hakavod and b’hatzlacha on this next chapter! ❤️
We’re bursting with pride for CMC alumna Kelsey O’Driscoll! After a devastating spinal injury, Kelsey refused to give up on her dream and has qualified for the 2026 U.S. Paralympic Alpine Team. Kelsey credits her time at CMC for shaping her resilience - you can take the girl out of camp, but you can’t take the camp out of the girl! Tune in to watch Kelsey compete in downhill, super-G, combined, giant slalom, and slalom events March 7-14. The whole CMC family is cheering you on, Kelsey!
To learn more about her journey from Zoola to the Paralympic podium check out our most recent newsletter here: https://conta.cc/4b2eUzs
Want to support Kelsey? Support her GoFund me here: gofund.me/24bdfde03
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#TeamKelsey #CMCPride #CMCStaffAlumni #2026MilanParalympics