PJ Goes to Camp incentive grants

PJ Goes to Camp incentive grants is sponsored by PJ Library. Provides incentive grants for campers who attend Jewish overnight camp for a specified number of days.

First-time Camp Awards | PJ Library tag on every page of your site. --> First-time Camp Awards — Summer 2026 First-time campers may be eligible for awards of up to $1,000 Due to overwhelming demand, we are no longer accepting first-time camp award applications for summer 2026. Please check back beginning in October for updated eligibility rules and important information about summer 2027.

The Azrieli/PJ Library Camp Award Program, which is made possible by the Azrieli Foundation. The PJ Goes to Camp Award Program, which is made possible through the support of Melinda Goldrich/Goldrich Family Foundation and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. The award amounts and eligibility requirements for these two awards are the same.

Before applying, please read carefully to make sure your family is eligible. To be eligible to receive an award, a camper must be all of the following: Attending a nonprofit Jewish overnight camp*** in the United States or Canada that is on the One Happy Camper website . Attending overnight camp for the first time .

First-time campers are children who have never attended a Jewish overnight camp for 12 or more consecutive days. Campers who attended a one-week “taste of camp” program in a previous year are eligible to receive a 2026 award. Attending camp in 2026 for 12 or more consecutive days.

A resident of the US or Canada. **Throughout this page, PJ Library refers to both the PJ Library and PJ Our Way programs. ***A full list of participating camps can be found on the One Happy Camper website .

There are a limited number of awards for 2026, and all awards are available on a first-come, first-served basis, regardless of whether camper attends Jewish day school or not. Once all awards are distributed, additional eligible applicants will be placed on a waiting list. Both tracks provide awards in the amount of $700 for campers who attend overnight camp for 12-18 days or $1,000 for campers who attend camp for 19 days or more.

Recipients who do not attend camp for 12 or more days for any reason will forfeit their award. Awards originally made for $1,000 will be adjusted for campers who only attend camp for 13-18 days. Awards are distributed through the One Happy Camper platform and are paid directly to the camp in the camper’s name.

One Happy Camper rules require camps to verify that each award recipient meets all eligibility requirements (including first-time status and session length) prior to the award being granted. Award funds are distributed to participating camps beginning in May 2026. If the camper receives an award from another One Happy Camper sponsor, they are not eligible for an award through PJ Library.

Please know in advance of applying: PJ Library partners with One Happy Camper to collect all applicants for its awards. That means, you just have to submit your application once with One Happy Camper to be in consideration for all camp awards available through the program.

(i.e. The Azrieli/PJ Library Camp Award Program, PJ Goes to Camp, local community awards, etc.) One Happy Camper will begin accepting applications in mid November 2025. At that time, eligible families will receive an email from PJ Library with a unique access code to use on the One Happy Camper application. This code is unique to your family and cannot be shared with other families.

Follow these steps if you did not receive an email from PJ Library by the end of November. Go to onehappycamper. org and click the “Apply Now” button.

Enter your access code on the bottom of the first page of the application, then complete the rest of the application. In 5-7 business days, you will receive an email from PJ Library to let you know that your application information has been verified and to provide additional information about the next steps in the process. If we are unable to verify your child’s information, we will contact you for additional details.

All applications are reviewed first-come, first-served, and we typically receive many applications so make sure you apply early! Once all funds from both tracks are awarded, we will maintain a waiting list to utilize when/if additional funds become available. When all budgeted awards have been distributed, additional applicants will automatically be placed on a waiting list.

PJ Library verifies camp registrations directly with camps. PJ Library sends payments directly to camps. PJ Library is just one sponsor within the One Happy Camper platform.

Program guidelines and restrictions of One Happy Camper will determine award eligibility and payment procedures. The Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) and the Azrieli Foundation reserve the right to limit the number of first-time camp awards that are distributed and determine applicant eligibility based on available funds for each award category.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete and submitted within the time restrictions specified by One Happy Camper and that they meet all eligibility and camp attendance requirements. The HGF and the Azrieli Foundation will be the final determiner of an applicant's PJ Library-related eligibility as well as the recipients of awards granted through the application system.

What if I did not receive an email with an access code? If you have not received an access code by November 30, please contact us. Please note that there are some communities that are ineligible for this award, so families in those areas will not receive access codes.

See next FAQ for details. Are there areas of the US or Canada where residents are NOT eligible for an award from PJ Library? Yes.

There are some communities that are ineligible, so families in those areas will not receive access codes. Those communities are Calgary, AB; Delaware; Hartford, CT; Houston, TX; Madison, WI; Memphis, TN; North Palm Beach County, FL; Palm Springs, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Quebec; St. Paul, MN, Syracuse, NY; and Toronto, ON.

The communities of Alabama; Arkansas; Cincinnati, OH; Cleveland, OH; Florida Panhandle; Kansas City, MO; Louisiana; Mississippi; Omaha, NE; and Western Massachusetts provide locally administered camp grants. Applicants from these communities will be directed to their local first-time camp program coordinator instead of one of the PJ Library camp awards. Can multiple children from the same family receive awards?

Yes! Families may request and receive an award for more than one child if each one is attending camp for the first time. You will use the same access code for all the children in your family.

Does PJ Library distribute awards based on financial need? No, this is a general award program not tied to financial need. Can I receive an award from PJ Library in addition to (or in place of) a One Happy Camper grant from my local community?

My child attended camp last year but did not receive an award through PJ Library. May we apply for an award this year? Possibly.

This program is only for children attending camp for the first time in 2026. However, if your child attended overnight camp for fewer than 12 days in 2025 they are eligible to receive an award in 2026. What if my child is not eligible for an award through PJ Library?

Even if you are not eligible for an award from PJ Library, there still may be other funding available to you. Check out your options and eligibility by filling out an application on the One Happy Camper website . I have already paid (or I am required to pay) the camp in full.

Can the PJ Library award be sent to me? No. Funds are distributed to the camp on behalf of the camper. You will receive formal notification of the award and should use that notification in lieu of that payment to the camp.

What if my child receives an award for 2026 but does not attend camp, either by our choice or because the camp does not operate? First-time camp awards granted for 2026 but not paid to camps will be withdrawn. Campers whose awards are withdrawn may apply for an award in a subsequent year under the terms and conditions of the program and applicants for the year in which they request an award.

The One Happy Camper operating agreement with camps requires them to return awards paid on behalf of any camper who does not attend camp for a minimum of 12 days. Check this box if you lived at a different address while receiving PJ Library books: