Camp Tawonga
Camp Tawonga is a Jewish overnight summer camp near Yosemite, offering a wide range of outdoor activities and...
▌ Editor's read Camp Tawonga's website, tawonga.org, loads successfully and presents as a comprehensive camp site. It is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), with accreditation valid through 2025, and holds California state license number 550000001. The camp, founded by Benny and Harry, has been operating for 98 years, indicating a long history and established program. It is a nonprofit organization. The website explicitly states a staff-to-camper ratio of 1:4 and mentions that all staff undergo background checks. Camp Tawonga is an overnight camp, offering various sessions for different age groups. Google reviews show a strong rating of 4.9 stars based on 222 reviews, with many reviewers praising the camp's inclusive environment, engaging activities, and positive impact on their children's development and Jewish identity.
Who thrives here Ages 7–17
Camp Tawonga is built for middle-school campers — an age where leadership tracks, deeper specialization, and identity exploration take over from generalist day-camp formats. overnight/sleepaway programs that thrive at this age publish a clear weekly progression rather than a rotating activity menu, and the staff-to-camper conversation usually matters more than the activity list.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Yes
- Established
- 1928 (98 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Published by camp see camp site →
Details
- Category: Overnight/Sleepaway
- Ages: 7–17
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: 31201 Mather Rd, Groveland, CA 95321
- Phone: (415) 543-2267
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: Price for a one-week session.
Runs 24-hour residential, 4 sessions (4 one-week), from May 22 to Sep 6.
Sessions
Bookable units published by the camp. Each row is a one-week session.
- Session 8 May 22 – 25, 2026 · 1 week
- Session 9 Aug 20 – 23, 2026 · 1 week
- Session 10 Aug 27 – 30, 2026 · 1 week
- Session 11 Sep 3 – 6, 2026 · 1 week
↗ What parents like
- Located near Yosemite
- Focus on community and Jewish values
↘ Watch for
- Website is slow to load
Logistics
- Lunch provided: Yes
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: outdoor
Frequently asked about Camp Tawonga
- What ages does Camp Tawonga accept?
- Camp Tawonga is open to children ages 7–17. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does Camp Tawonga cost?
- Camp Tawonga publishes $1,795/week for the standard session. Price for a one-week session. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are Camp Tawonga's hours?
- Camp Tawonga runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Is Camp Tawonga accredited?
- Yes — Camp Tawonga is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 98 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
- Who runs Camp Tawonga?
- Camp Tawonga is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 98 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Camp Tawonga provide lunch?
- Yes — Camp Tawonga includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.
- How does Camp Tawonga compare to other overnight/sleepaway camps in Groveland?
- Camp Tawonga is one of 13 overnight/sleepaway camps in Groveland that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Camp Tawonga with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Day camp vs. overnight camp · Decide whether the format fits your child and schedule.
- Packing list and camp prep · Plan gear, medication notes, labels, and drop-off prep.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Camp Tawonga.
- 6-Day Yosemite High Country Adventure · Yosemite National Park · Ages 13–18 · $1,990/week
- Camp Tawonga - Session 1 (Grades 5-10) - JCC Member Fee · Groveland, CA · Ages 10–16 · $1,798/week
- Camp Tawonga - Session 1 (Grades 5-10) - Standard Fee · Groveland, CA · Ages 10–16 · $1,898/week
- Camp Tawonga - Session 1a (Grades 3-6) - JCC Member Fee · Groveland, CA · Ages 8–12 · $1,897/week
- Camp Tawonga - Session 1a (Grades 3-6) - Standard Fee · Groveland, CA · Ages 8–12 · $1,997/week
- Camp Tawonga - Session 1b (Grades 2-5) - JCC Member Fee · Groveland, CA · Ages 7–11 · $1,895/week
- Camp Tawonga - Session 1b (Grades 2-5) - Standard Fee · Groveland, CA · Ages 7–11 · $1,995/week
- Camp Tawonga - Session 2 (Grades 5-10) - JCC Member Fee · Groveland, CA · Ages 10–16 · $1,798/week