United States Jewish summer camps began near the end of the 19th century, when the Jewish population in the United States increased via immigration. It was a way for Jewish children of Eastern European immigrants to assimilate and "Americanize" at a time when summer camps excluded Jews from their ranks, as well as a way to allow children living in the city to experience the countryside. After the Second World War the number of Jewish camps in the U.S. expanded as a way to preserve
Jewish culture. This period also saw the founding of camps tied to the Reform and Conservative movements. The 2010s and 2020s have seen the creation of specialized Jewish summer camp programs, for groups such as adults and LGBT children.
Outside the United States American-style Jewish summer camps can also be found in other countries, such as
Camp Kimama in Israel. In Glämsta on the Swedish island of
Björkö, a Jewish summer camp has been operating since 1909, initially only for children from impoverished homes. == Demographics ==