TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Institutional Sketch

Scope and Content Note

Organization and Arrangement

Restrictions

Administrative Information

Series A: Camp Institute Program Records. 1964-1967

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A Finding Aid to the 

Swig Camp Institute Records

1964-1967

Manuscript Collection No. 671

Institutional Sketch

The Swig Camp Institute, sponsored by the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, is one of the oldest Reform Jewish camps in the United States. It is part of the "Camp Institutes for Living Judaism" that bring spiritual and cultural programming to Jewish youth. The brainchild of a handful of rabbis from the Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis, the camp opened in 1947 in the Santa Cruz mountains. Originally named Camp Saratoga, the camp was renamed after Benjamin H. Swig in the early 1950s, following the donation that allowed the camp to grow and flourish.

The early campers came for two to three week sessions to share Jewish experiences, learn about Jewish history and culture. They also learned about nature and other typical camping experiences. Later programs had a more structured aspect such as Solel, which focuses on learning the Hebrew language. Other programs were run in conjunction with national organizations such as the National Federation of Temple Youth.

In October 1999, an anonymous donor gave 2 million dollars for the renovation of the camp. It currently operates in cooperation with Camp Newton, which was opened by the UAHC in Santa Rosa, California in 1996. It is one of 12 camps operated by the UAHC, serving 12,000 Jewish youth every summer.

Camp Swig is located nine miles north of Saratoga on 200 acres of forested land. The camp currently focuses on programming for teenagers. Camp Newton offers programs for kindergarten students through twelfth grade. Both camps run several concurrent sessions which enroll hundreds of Jewish youth.The Swig Camp Institute, sponsored by the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, is one of the oldest Reform Jewish camps in the United States. It is part of the "Camp Institutes for Living Judaism" that bring spiritual and cultural programming to Jewish youth. The brainchild of a handful of rabbis from the Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis, the camp opened in 1947 in the Santa Cruz mountains. Originally named Camp Saratoga, the camp was renamed after Benjamin H. Swig in the early 1950s, following the donation that allowed the camp to grow and flourish.

The early campers came for two to three week sessions to share Jewish experiences, learn about Jewish history and culture. They also learned about nature and other typical camping experiences. Later programs had a more structured aspect such as Solel, which focuses on learning the Hebrew language. Other programs were run in conjunction with national organizations such as the National Federation of Temple Youth.

In October 1999, an anonymous donor gave 2 million dollars for the renovation of the camp. It currently operates in cooperation with Camp Newton, which was opened by the UAHC in Santa Rosa, California in 1996. It is one of 12 camps operated by the UAHC, serving 12,000 Jewish youth every summer.

Camp Swig is located nine miles north of Saratoga on 200 acres of forested land. The camp currently focuses on programming for teenagers. Camp Newton offers programs for kindergarten students through twelfth grade. Both camps run several concurrent sessions which enroll hundreds of Jewish youth.

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Scope and Content Note

The Swig Camp Institute Records describe the administration and programs of the Swig Camp Institute (also known as Camp Saratoga) located in Saratoga, California. The Swig Camp Institute is sponsored by the Union of American Hebrew Congregations and serves Jewish youth in the northern California region.

Records cover two years, 1964 and 1967 and include administrative records, correspondence and programmatic material.

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Organization and Arrangement

The records are arranged in a single alphabetical series.

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Restrictions

Access Information

The records are open to all users and are available in the reading room of the American Jewish Archives.

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Administrative Information

Citations

Footnotes and bibliographic references should refer to the Swig Union Camp Institute Records and the American Jewish Archives.

Provenance

The Swig Union Camp Institute records were donated by Ronald Klotz, Zionsville, Indiana, in July 2001.

Processing Information

Processed by Melinda McMartin, November, 2001.

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Box and Folder Listing

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