Jewish summer camps adding security fees amid rising antisemitism
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
As antisemitism rises across the United States, Jewish summer camps are stepping up security and some are bringing additional charges as they try to combat threats before they arise.
FBI crime data It shows that between March 2025 and March 2026, 2,421 incidents of religion-based hate crimes were recorded in the US, 1,395 of which targeted Jews. There are hundreds of Jewish summer camps in North America, serving tens of thousands of children each year.
A recent attack on a synagogue in Michigan highlighted the dangers facing Jewish institutions and the people who rely on them, including children.
Ayman Muhammad Ghazali, a 41-year-old Lebanese-born American, allegedly crashed his vehicle into Temple Israel, a large reform synagogue in West Bloomfield, around 12:30 p.m. on March 12, then got out of the vehicle with a rifle and exchanged fire with a security guard, who shot and killed him. Preschool students and staff had to be evacuated for their safety.
An active shooter was reported at Temple Israel, a synagogue in Michigan, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. (WJBK)
AFTER THE MICHIGAN ATTACK, JEWISH YOUTH SHOWED THAT ANTISEMISM DOES NOT DEFINE THEM
Following the attack, police departments across the country increased patrols at houses of worship, Jewish institutions and other sensitive areas. As summer approaches, camps across the country are preparing to provide children with a fun and safe summer.
Secure Community Network (SCN) National Director and CEO Michael Masters told Fox News Digital that the response to the attack in Michigan was the product of “years of preparation” and investments in security.
“This investment has paid off with lives saved,” Masters said.
Working with Jewish institutions across North America, SCN launched an initiative focused on summer camps in April 2024. The organization told Fox News Digital that since the initiative’s inception, it has educated more than 5,000 people about the camp, conducted more than 100 facility assessments and inspections, and secured $2.2 million in federal funding.
Masters also includes SCN’s recently released list of 10 questions He encouraged asking about camps before sending children away for the summer and encouraging parents to be “persistent” in asking about safety. The questions cover a variety of topics, including the camper’s missing procedures, the availability of first aid kits and tourniquets, and how the camp controls access to the facility.
“Parents should ask: ‘Was your camp one of those considered?’ ‘Was your camp one of those in training?’ ‘Do your advisors know what to do?’ And the camp needs to be able to answer that question,” Masters said. He added that SCN provides its training to institutions free of charge.
“At the end of the day, a summer camp is still the most vulnerable space where we need to provide security for counseling and guidance,” SCN Director of National Programs Jim Tarasca told Fox News Digital.
Tarasca, who has worked at the FBI for more than 25 years and served as Special Agent in Charge of the bureau’s Detroit Field Office, noted that many camps are located in rural areas and present challenges such as communication barriers, including poor cellphone service. He also underlined the importance of empowering staff to view safety as “everyone’s responsibility” rather than the job of designated security staff.
Young people wearing helmets and seat belts while walking on a rope course outdoors. (Immorhand via Getty Images)
THE JEWISH SECURITY ORGANIZATION IS WORKING TO KEEP ITS COMMUNITY SAFE AGAINST THE HIGH TERRORIST THREAT
Some camps include security fees in their tuition fees, while others keep it on a separate line in their list of session dates and costs. Some camps that list the security fee separately state that the additional fee is meant to offset the increased costs of protecting campers and staff. While security fees vary widely depending on a variety of factors, such as the length of the session and whether the camp is day or overnight, the escalating costs are highlighted, with fees reviewed by Fox News Digital ranging as high as $250.
National Synagogue Youth Conference (NCSY) Summer Director Elliot Tanzman told Fox News Digital that while the organization has always had safety protocols in place, it has become “much more of a focus” in recent years as the group added new measures.
According to Tanzman, NCSY made changes to their clothing and gifts as part of their safety precautions because “we’re trying not to shout that we’re a Jewish group.” Acknowledging that the dress code might be a sign that some of the participants are Jewish, Tanzman also said that they made an effort to “not be too well-known.”
“It hurts to say something like that when instead of using the word ‘Israel’ on some of our T-shirts that we’ve worn in the past because it’s part of the program name, we just shorten it to ‘NCSY,’ ‘JSU,’ or one of our other brands so as not to bring up any form of anti-Semitism that we don’t want to experience over the summer,” Tanzman said. he said.
A boy prepares to take aim at the archery range at Camp Silver Gan Israel on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Huntington Beach, California. (Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County, credited via Getty Images)
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
Jamie Simon, CEO of the Jewish Camp Foundation, told Fox News Digital that safety and security is a top priority for summer camps. According to Simon, the foundation can provide guidance from safety partners, crisis communications resources and more to help camps continue operating while keeping children and staff safe.
“As new challenges arise, the field is not starting from scratch: camps are experienced, prepared and deeply committed to the well-being of every young person in their care,” Simon said. “This is a pivotal moment in Jewish life, and Jewish camp offers a joyful, immersive and proven space for young people to take pride in their Jewish identity, develop deep friendships and a lifelong sense of belonging.”
Summer camp has played a major role in the lives of Jewish Americans for more than 120 years. Founded in 1902, Sunrise Lake Camp is one of the oldest camps in the country. Museum of Jewish Heritage He noted that Sunrise Lake Camp in New York was originally founded to give boys in urban areas a chance to experience nature and escape the heat of the city. Sunrise Lake Camp alumni include many celebrities such as Neil Diamond, Jerry Stiller and Gene Simmons.
Fox News Digital’s Eric Mack contributed to this report.
