Camp Life | Herzl Camp

Herzl Camp is a welcoming, independent camp where young people become self-reliant, create lasting Jewish friendships, and develop commitment and love for Judaism and Israel. Herzl creates a vibrant Jewish community of future leaders. Founded by a committed group of Midwestern Jews in 1946, since then over 30,000 campers have spent their summers in Webster, WI, immersed in our unique brand of joyful Judaism.

Located on 140 acres in Webster, WI on the shores of Devils Lake, summers at Herzl are filled with friendship and fun! We are accredited by the American Camp Association and located just 2 hours north of the Twin Cities. Campers and staff come from all across the United States and Israel to try something new and be part of long-standing Herzl traditions.

Activities

Herzl Camp offers a wide variety of activities to excite and engage all types of kids. Campers choose three activities (chugim) each day and cabin groups can sign up for an activity together once a day. Our goal is to provide opportunities to try new things, build skills, and have fun! Some favorites are waterskiing, rock climbing, Ultimate frisbee, cooking, ceramics, dance, philosophy, newspaper chug, tennis, basketball, farm & garden, and many more. New this year – aerial park and challenge course!

Camp Sessions

For 2021, we are offering two 25-day sessions for most age groups. Campers in 3rd-5th grade have a 10-day option. Creating two separate sessions ensures that we can safely run camp even if the coronavirus pandemic has not abated. Click here for program dates and tuition.

Health & Safety

Herzl Camp provides medical coverage 24-hours a day, 7 days a week with nurses and doctors on site. Our Marpeah (Health Center) staff care for all routine health issues at camp without charge. Emergency services are provided at nearby Burnett County Medical Center, a fully-equipped trauma center.

In 2021, we will implement community mitigation strategies as required by the prevalence of the virus at that time. This may include testing, use of face masks, creating camper/staff pods, limiting of all-camp activities, and quarantining campers and staff who are ill. Visitors will not be allowed in 2021. Campers who must leave camp for personal reasons will not be able to return. For complete details, review our Covid-19 Preparedness Plan.

Food

We serve three healthy kosher meals and a nosh (snack) each day. Vegetarian options are available for all meals. Special diets and allergies are managed by a dedicated staff person. Whole grains, fresh veggies and ripe fruit are always on the menu.

Screen-Free Summers

Herzl Camp is screen-free! Our campers disconnect from electronics and enjoy a summer spent outdoors, playing games and making friends. This time in nature and in community creates opportunities to develop important social skills.

Jewish and Israel Education at Camp

As an independent, pluralistic camp, we’ve created uniquely “Herzl” Jewish and Zionist programming and education. At Herzl Camp, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Reform, and Modern Orthodox children pray and learn together daily.

Through daily experiential programming, we build camper connections to Judaism and their Jewish community. Each morning, campers and staff share Zman Kodesh and take a deep dive into Jewish values, prayer, and Torah. We do this through a variety of activities including music, meditation, art, movement, drama, or cooking.

Throughout the week, campers participate in several programs centered around Israel. In addition to specific educational programs about Israel, we weave Israeli culture, food, dance, and music into daily activities. We also bring Israel to life through our Israeli staff and our Israeli camper exchange program.

Shabbat is a restful time at Herzl and rich with tradition. Throughout Shabbat, we alter our activities to make the day more restful, more reverent, and different from the rest of the week. Shabbat services are led by a different camper program each week with guidance from our staff. We dress in white and welcome Shabbat with song and a caravan to services. Candles are lit. Hands are washed. Kiddush. Motzi. A delicious meal followed by Birkat and singing. The Torah is read. Shabbat ends with the entire camp participating in camper-led Havdala together.

Camp is for Everyone

At Herzl, we believe that camp is for everyone! Whether a camper needs support for nutritional, medical, social or behavioral, or physical needs, Herzl Camp staff are here to make the summer successful. We work to make sure that campers of different backgrounds and needs can participate and can create meaningful experiences, long-lasting friendships, and unique Jewish moments .

To do this, we partner with parents, learning as much as we can about our campers, and a building a individual camp plan for those who need it. We provide one-on-one staff or a point person to help campers navigate the camp world. Our facility is ADA accessible and we have a variety of programming to meet everyone’s interests.

Accreditations and Memberships

Herzl Camp is accredited by the American Camp Association. This means that we meet or exceed the industry standards in over 300 measures of health, safety and professionalism. Herzl Camp is also a proud member of the Association of Independent Jewish Camps, a group dedicated to pursuing best practices for independent Jewish camps.