Just three weeks after deadly wildfires caused widespread destruction throughout Northern California, resulting in significant damage at the camp’s physical location in Santa Rosa, the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) has announced that URJ Camp Newman will be housed for Summer 2018 at the facilities of California State University Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime), located on the waterfront in Vallejo, a short drive from both Santa Rosa and San Francisco.

“What the wildfire has shown us is how strong and resilient we are as a community. Almost immediately, everyone rallied around us. The result was that in just a short amount of time, we found a beautiful site for Camp Newman’s Summer 2018: Cal Maritime’s superb campus,” said Rabbi Erin Mason, Camp Director of URJ Camp Newman. “We’re calling it “Newman by the Bay! The campus is breathtaking: a mixture of hillside living and Bayfront recreational areas with plenty of trees, expansive green lawns, large athletic fields, an Olympic size pool, a Beach Volleyball court, and fun programming areas. We’ll be able to do all the activities our campers love – like Ultimate Frisbee, swimming, basketball, art, music, song sessions – as well as gather together for meals and Shabbat. And, of course, campers will get to experience the same Camp Newman culture and community that leads to making great friendships and experiencing life-changing moments. We’re thrilled that we’ll all be together this summer – just as we have every summer for the past 70 years.”

Summer 2018 registration will open on Sunday, November 12, at 12:00 p.m. PST as a live event on URJ Camp Newman’s Facebook page with a special Shehecheyanu moment for the community.