Weekend Programs FAQs

Families may receive 20% off program fees for sharing one of our traditional camper cabins with another family. Camper cabins house up to 16 individuals; two families would share one large camper cabin. This option is recommended for families with children ages 6+.

Why are you offering this?
At Tawonga, we want all families interested in our programs to be able to experience them. Family Camps have historically had long waitlists, and we want to make space for more families to attend. By housing families together, we can accommodate more people on our land.

How do I tell you I want to share a large camper cabin?
Upon registration, simply click the checkbox indicating your interest in sharing a cabin. In the spring or summer, you will have the opportunity to complete your family information forms and request another family you would like to share with; we will do our best to accommodate requests.

Will I get the incentive even if I don’t end up being housed with another family?
Housing assignments are made in the weeks leading up to the program; our goal is to ensure that all families wanting to share a cabin and receive this incentive are able to do so. Due to space constraints, we cannot guarantee that you will be assigned to a shared cabin until our housing team finalizes the assignments. If we do end up housing you with another family, you will retroactively get 20% reimbursed from your fees.

What if I want my own living space for my family?
The default is that families will have their own living space which could be a large camper cabin, small cabin, yurt, individual room in a shared space, etc. We have minimal housing with private bathrooms – these spaces are set aside for families with children under 2 years of age and families in need of specific accommodations for medical reasons.

Our weekend family programs are designed to combine all the best parts of a summer session at Tawonga into an extended three or four day weekend for the whole family! We welcome infants through grandparents for a unique blend of classic Camp activities, campfires, song sessions, a festive Shabbat celebration, family bonding and fun!

We offer a variety of weekend programs in the spring, late summer, fall!

Some weekends are themed and are targeted for specific groups. Keshet and Families of Color weekend offer affinity spaces for LGBTQ families and Families with at least one person in their family who identifies as a person of color.

See a sample schedule here.

All Family Camp programs features a similar schedule where kids two and older spend their mornings in groups with similar aged kids participating in traditional Tawonga activities while adults have the opportunity to choose from a variety of programmatic options such as hiking, river dipping, yoga classes, workshops, classic camp activities, or relaxing and reading under a tree. In the afternoons, families participate in activities all together and can choose to swim in our Olympic-sized pool, paddle boat on the lake, create at Arts and Crafts, or climb between trees on our adventure Challenge Course.

Evenings feature campfires with traditional staff-led shticks and a family talent show and songs led by our talented songleaders. Once the kids go to sleep, our staff keep watch on the cabins while parents can enjoy a glass of wine and snack followed by crafting or a dance!

Each family will be assigned to their own cabin unless you already let us know that you would like to share a cabin with another family. We do not offer cabin spaces for just kids. Our cabin spaces include individual rooms in shared spaces, large camper cabins, small cabins and yurts, and housing is spread all over the grounds. The majority of our cabins do not have electricity and are a short walk to a shared bathhouse. We have minimal housing with private bathrooms – these spaces are set aside for families with children under 2 years of age and families in need of specific accommodations for medical reasons. We cannot guarantee a specific type of housing and make every effort to accommodate each family’s needs. Families will learn about housing specifics upon arrival to Camp. If you have a question, please email [email protected].

We do have a small number of cabins with electricity available for our youngest and oldest campers, and those needing heightened accommodations for medical reasons.

We know that for some, the adventure of sleeping in a cabin without electricity or a bathroom is fun and exciting, and for others it might seem daunting. We are happy to talk you through it and see how we can best accommodate your family to ensure your stay at Tawonga is comfortable.

Our state of the art kitchen produces scratch-made delicious meals for our Family Camp community, taking careful consideration of the dietary needs and restrictions among our participants.

We serve meals that are kosher-style, meaning we won’t serve meat and milk in the same meal and strive to create menus that are simultaneously delicious for adults and children, and also make additional “kid friendly” alternatives. We aim to source foods locally when possible – even as local as our own organic garden – and can accommodate most dietary needs, restrictions and allergies. If you have a severe allergy please contact us and we will make a plan with you!

A few weeks before the start of your program, we’ll email you a welcome packet including a packing list, driving directions and tips and tricks for a fun weekend! We provide the housing, the food and the fun – you bring everything else!

We are thrilled to be able to offer morning childcare/day groups to kids ages two and older. The children will participate in fun camp activities including boating on the lake, arts and crafts, spending time in our garden and more. For those with little ones under two, we will have some fun baby/toddler and parent activities to enjoy!

We also offer night time coverage for all children regardless of age. You put your kids to bed and our loving staff will watch them while they sleep from 9-11pm!

Tawonga provides adult beverages (including wine and beer) each night at the “bar” once children are asleep. In addition, if adults would like to, they are welcome to bring wine to enjoy during dinner.

Camp Tawonga’s Adult Weekend Retreats are adults-only, multi-day programs held at our Camp in Groveland (near Yosemite). They offer a chance to unplug from everyday life, connect with community, enjoy the outdoors, and explore Jewish spirituality — all in a joyful, camp setting.

There are two separate programs in 2026: Women’s Weekend (October 15–18) and Men’s Weekend (October 22–25). Both run Thursday through Sunday.

Either! You’re welcome to bring a crew of friends and bunk together in a cabin, or come solo and meet new people.

These are adults-only, ages 21+ programs. Women’s Weekend makes exceptions for breastfeeding infants, but otherwise both programs are kid-free.

Each participant will be assigned a cabin with other participants. Our cabin spaces include individual rooms in shared spaces, large camper cabins, small cabins and yurts, and housing is spread all over the grounds. The majority of our cabins do not have electricity and are a short walk to a shared bathhouse. We have minimal housing with private bathrooms – these spaces are set aside for individuals with specific accommodations. We cannot guarantee a specific type of housing and make every effort to accommodate each participants’ needs. Participants will learn about housing specifics upon arrival to Camp.

You will have a chance to request cabinmates after you enroll in the program. We will do our best to accommodate your requests.

We know that for some, the adventure of sleeping in a cabin without electricity or a bathroom is fun and exciting, and for others it might seem daunting. We are happy to talk you through it and see how we can best accommodate you to ensure your stay at Tawonga is comfortable.

If you have a question, please email [email protected].

here’s something for everyone. Activities and programming include:

• Movement and exploration including morning hikes, dips in the Tuolumne River and yoga
• Classic camp activities like the high ropes Challenge Course, boating on the lake, arts & crafts, basketball, and ping pong
• Cooking in our new, state-of-the-art Garden Kitchen
• Creative activities like watercolor, jewelry making, and nature art
• A lively, musical Shabbat celebration and song sessions
• Guided workshops led by expert facilitators on topics like career, parenthood, spirituality, and relationships
• Daily Happy Hours with snacks and drinks, plus delicious meals prepared by Tawonga’s kitchen staff

October is typically cooler in the evenings but the days can vary. We will send weather and packing instructions in early September.

Most of our workshops and leaders are planned 6 – 12 months in advance, however, we encourage you to email [email protected] to see if there is an opportunity to lead an activity.

Yes. Financial assistance for all programs, including Adult Retreats.Financial Assistance applications are submitted after you register for the program.

Yes! If you invite a friend who has never attended a Tawonga Adult Retreat before, you’ll each save $150 off tuition.

 Visit the Women’s Weekend or Men’s Weekend page and click the registration link. When registering, select “Adult/Family Application” (not “Registration Form,” which is for other programs).