Walden is a Jewish Camp - Camp Walden, Ontario, Canada

Camp Walden is a privately owned camp that has been offering friendships and memories that last a lifetime to Jewish children from around the world since 1970. Jewish children learn about their rich culture and heritage through our camp programming. There are many aspects of the Walden experience that are inherently Jewish.

Prayers and Shabbat

Much of Judaism revolves around ritual of prayers even for the most secular Jewish families. Shabbat is celebrated each Friday with blessings over the Shabbat candles, challah, and a full Kiddush over grape juice, followed by a traditional Friday-night meal. Each unit of campers host Shabbat and learn the blessings. There is a procession to the dining hall starting with the oldest campers who march through camp collecting each unit of younger campers. Campers make Shabbat special and different by ensuring they wear their nicest blue and white clothing.

Kosher-Style Dining

Camp Walden is in the spirit of “kashruth”. We offer kosher-style dining (meat and dairy foods are not served together, and we do not serve pork or shellfish). In addition, we offer kosher meat for those campers who are more observant with kashruth.

Bar and Bat Mitzvah Preparation

Many campers come to camp needing to prepare for their upcoming B’nai Mitzvot. They are always accommodated at camp in any capacity necessary to allow them to be successful in their preparation.

Jewish Cultural Programming

Camp Walden is committed to exposing campers to their culture and heritage through programming. Each year, Camp Walden donates 18 camperships (the Jewish lucky number) to Israeli campers whose families have in some way been affected by war and/or terrorism. These orphans or children of the injured immerse themselves in Walden life and contribute back to their camp community by leading Jewish cultural programs for other campers.

A Zionist Position on Middle East Politics

Before application, campers and staff should be aware that Camp Walden holds, as part of its institutional philosophy, that the democratic State of Israel has a right to exist and prosper in its current borders.