FJC Camp Israel Trip Incubator 2 (CITI) Application Cohort 2

Camp Israel Trip Incubator (CITI) Overview

Foundation for Jewish Camp believes that knowledge of and engagement with Israel and Israelis can play a vital role in developing Jewish identity. With generous support from RootOne, FJC seeks to maximize the number of teens from FJC camps who participate in an Israel travel program.

The Camp Israel Trip Incubator (CITI) seeks to provide knowledge and resources to leadership from five overnight camps that currently do not offer an Israel travel program, enabling and empowering them to create one that reflects their camp’s unique culture and values. We are currently accepting applications for CITI Cohort 2.

Who Is This Program For?

Overnight Camps in the FJC network that do not currently offer an Israel Travel program for their teens and are committed to planning a trip that would launch in Summer 2028. Participating teens must be entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in the fall of 2028.
A year-round senior camp professional who has authority to make decisions for the camp (Executive Director, Camp Director, Associate Director, or experienced Assistant Director)
An Israel Trip Manager (new staff position made possible by Camp Israel Trip Incubator Grant) Israel Trip Managers are year-round, part-time staff who will be part of your team from May 1, 2026 through the Summer 2028.

Requirements for CITI Trips:

The CITI Program was established to help FJC camps develop a summer Israel Trip for their campers, and includes sleeping at least 20 nights in Israel. If you are interested in launching a trip but have any concerns or questions about any of the aforementioned requirements, please contact CITI Program Manager, Bobby Harris, bobby.harris@jewishcamp.org, to set up a time to discuss.

Grant Funding Includes:
1. Staff Capacity Funds: CITI will provide participating camps with $35,000 to help camps hire an Israel Trip Manager. Funds may be used to hire a new employee or to add this work to the portfolio of an existing professional. Israel Trip Managers will be the main driver of the CITI initiative and will participate in virtual and in-person learning sessions. Once the Israel Experience is developed, participating camps will also be eligible for additional funds to hire a RootOne/FJC Fellow who will be responsible for trip recruitment and staffing.

a. Israel Trip Manager: $35,000 (over the course of May 1, 2026 - August 2028. The amount of dollars listed relates to 3-week summer trips.)

b. RootOne/FJC Fellow: Approximately $10,000 (To Be Determined)(18 Months over the course of March 2027 - September 2028)

2. Marketing and Recruitment Funds: $10,000 over a 3-year period.

Other Benefits:

As part of CITI, you will not be working in isolation. On the contrary, you will be part of a learning community in which you can learn from and share with each other as you curate your camp's Israel experience.
Participation in CITI will provide may opportunities to work closely with CITI faculty comprised of subject matter experts and experienced practitioners in Jewish camping, marketing/recruitment, and Israel engagement, as well as FJC and RootOne staff. Learning and mentoring will not only occur during the formal learning sessions but also during those times "in between".

Program Content will Include:

How to recruit and market for an Israel trip
Managing changes in your community and camp culture
Designing the right trip itinerary for your camp
Finding the right staff for your Israel trip
Deciding whether you will run your own trip and plan it together with a tour operator, or run under an existing trip provider who already works with RootOne
How to best prepare and manage the staff for your Israel trip
Best practices for bringing the Israel experiences back to camp
Assuring camp's financial strength and providing financial assistance
Meeting trip providers and tour operators
Various approaches to Israel Education

Application Process:

Applications are now LIVE. Please only fill out this application once per camp.
Applications are due Friday, December 19, 2025.
You will be notified of a final decision by late February.

For the latest information about this program, check back to this CITI Info Sheet (PDF) and the FJC website - these will be updated to reflect the most up-to-date information.

If you have questions about CITI, please contact FJC's RootOne Senior Camp Consultant, Bobby Harris, at bobby.harris@jewishcamp.org

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Your Information (Primary Contact for this Application)

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

A copy of this application response will be sent as a confirmation to THIS email address. FJC will primarily be in contact via email - please use an email that is checked regularly.

Direct Phone Number

If we have questions about your application, please input the best direct number to reach you (include extension, if applicable).

Please note that this program is not available to day camps at this time. Please only fill out this form if your camp is an overnight camp.

Camp Name

Please choose from the list.

Organization/Camp Name

Role/Job Title

Role Type (choose the best-fitting option)

Other Role Type (please specify)

Number of Years in Current Role

Camp Director Information

Are you the Camp Director?

YesNo

Camp Director Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Direct Phone Number

Please input the best direct number to reach them at (include extension, if applicable).

Grant Administration Information

Who will be the main point of contact for the Grant Administration aspects of CITI (for reporting, invoices, etc.)?

Same as the Primary Contact info aboveSame as the Camp Director info aboveSomeone else

Grant Administration Contact Information

Please share the contact information for the person who will be the main point of contact for the Grant Administration aspects of CITI (for reporting, invoices, etc.).

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Direct Phone Number

Please input the best direct number to reach them at (include extension, if applicable).

Role/Job Title

Role Type (choose the best-fitting option)

Other Role Type (please specify)

SHORT RESPONSE QUESTIONS

What are the 3 main reasons that you are applying for your camp to join Cohort 2 of CITI?

What do you think will be your top 2-3 main challenges in launching the trip?

Based on how Israel is viewed and experienced in your current camp culture, what impact are you hoping that a camp-sponsored Israel trip will have on your campers, staff, and the overall culture of your camp?

Do you have a person in mind for the Israel Trip Manager position?

YesNo

Please share who you have in mind and why you think they would be a good fit for the position. Include what experience, skills, and attributes you think make them right for this role.

What experiences, skills, and attributes would you like to find in the person that you hire?

TRIP LOGISTICS QUESTIONS

Has your camp ever had an Israel trip before?

Yes No

When (during what years) did you run the program? Why did it end?

What grade will your campers be entering when they participate in the Israel trip?

Registration Numbers

Based on recent (2024, 2025, & 2026 projections) registration totals in the unit slated to go to Israel in 2028:

What is the total number that would be eligible to participate in the trip?

How many of those eligible do you estimate will actually register for this trip?

Is there anything else you would like us to know or that you would like to share?

CONFIRMATIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

You have almost completed your application for the Camp Israel Incubator Trip (CITI)!

Please confirm the following statements before submitting. Please note that once you submit, you will not be able to make adjustments to your selections.

Please confirm:

I confirm that my camp meets all of the program criteria and that I have read all of the program information outlined on the first page of this application. This information can also be found on this CITI Info Sheet (PDF).

Please confirm:

I confirm that my camp completed FJC’s 2025 Mini Census.

Please confirm:

I confirm that I have the support and approval of my Camp Director or Board Chair, Agency’s Executive Director/CEO (if applicable) to participate in FJC's Camp Israel Trip Incubator, if selected.

Click "Review" to review your responses on the form. After reviewing, click "Submit" on the very bottom to submit the form