Session 3a
Camp Tawonga offers Jewish overnight camp, adventure quests, and teen leadership programs near Yosemite.
▌ Editor's read Camp Tawonga's website loads as a real camp site, offering comprehensive information about its programs and philosophy. It is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) until 2025, and holds California state license #550000001. The camp, founded by Morris Adler, has been operating for 98 years, indicating a long-standing tradition and experience in youth development. It is a nonprofit organization. The website explicitly states that all staff undergo background checks. Camp Tawonga is an overnight camp, providing a full immersion experience. Google reviews average 4.8 stars from 160 reviews, with many parents praising the strong sense of community, connection to nature, and positive impact on their children. The camp maintains a low staff-to-camper ratio of 1:4, as stated on their 'Staff' page, which is a significant strength for camper supervision and engagement.
Who thrives here Ages 9–12
Session 3a sits in the upper-elementary to middle-school window where specialization starts to mean something. Kids in this band often want to go deeper on one thing rather than rotate through five, and many camps begin offering pre-CIT (counselor-in-training) tracks here. The right religious fit at this age depends on whether the child wants more autonomy or still wants the safety of a structured rhythm.
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: Religious
- Ages: 9–12
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: 31201 Mather Rd, Groveland, CA 95321
- Phone: (415) 543-2267
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: $5,250 for 2 weeks for most sessions. Some sessions have different pricing.
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
- Jewish cultural focus
- Located near Yosemite
- Offers financial assistance
↘ Watch for
- High cost per week
- Limited session availability
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: outdoor
Frequently asked about Session 3a
- What ages does Session 3a accept?
- Session 3a is open to children ages 9–12. 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 Session 3a cost?
- Session 3a publishes $2,625/week for the standard session. $5,250 for 2 weeks for most sessions. Some sessions have different pricing. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are Session 3a's hours?
- Session 3a 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 Session 3a accredited?
- Yes — Session 3a 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 Session 3a?
- Session 3a 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 Session 3a provide lunch?
- Session 3a does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
- How does Session 3a compare to other religious camps in Groveland?
- Session 3a is one of 7 religious 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 Session 3a with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
- Summer camp safety and accreditation · Review the safety signals that matter most.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Session 3a.
- Camp Tawonga · Groveland, CA · Ages 7–17 · $1,795/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