This year, Jewish Federation of Kansas City’s Rabbi Gershon Hadas Society scholarship fund provided a total of $84,153 to 60 campers for summer 2026.
This is a record-breaking number of first-time camper grants and the most money awarded for one summer to date.
Twenty-five first-time camper grants were awarded, totaling $25,000. First-time camper grants are available to any child the first time they attend summer camp for three weeks or longer. In addition, 35 youths from the Kansas City metro area will receive financial assistance for camp, totaling $59,153.
Federation’s Community Planning Specialist Sierra Debrow, who is also the coordinator for Guardian Society grants and scholarships, shared why summer camp means so much to Kansas City’s youth.
“Immersive Jewish experiences, like summer camp and Israel travel programs, are some of the most impactful Jewish programs available to children. Children and teens attending Jewish overnight camps are more likely to feel that being Jewish is important to them, attend a synagogue or regularly light candles on Shabbat,” Debrow said.
Debrow also said their own experience at Jewish summer camp helped shape their Jewish identity and drew them to a career as a Jewish professional.
“The Jewish adults at camp allowed us to, perhaps for the first time, push ourselves to the edge of our comfort zones, to try, to succeed, and yes – sometimes to fail,” Debrow said. “Instilling Jewish pride, identity and belonging in our youth proves to be one of the best guarantees we have to ensure that the Jewish Kansas City of tomorrow is filled with bright, engaged and thriving Jewish leaders.”
Debrow said this year’s record-breaking grants and scholarships were made possible with the support of the Jewish Community Foundation, which granted $20,000 to the Guardian Society through its Community Legacy Fund. In addition, Guardian Society received $10,000 from the Flo Harris Foundation and additional support from the Lewis Family Memorial Fund. All the other funds for camp grants come directly from community contributions. Federation fundraises for the Guardian Society separately from its Community Campaign.
“The Guardian Society aims to ensure that any Jewish family who wants their child to have an immersive Jewish experience can do so. The funds are available to all Jewish families, regardless of denomination or affiliation,” Debrow said. “This way, whether it’s a family’s first time sending their child to camp or the fourth, our community and this grant support all children exploring their Jewish identity.”
Donations for the Guardian Society can be made at JewishKansasCity.org/GuardianDonate.
More information about the fund can be found at JewishKansasCity.org/GuardianSociety or by emailing .
