Camp Kee Tov

We have all always loved Camp Kee Tov, and LOVED the staff, but this summer went beyond that: One of my children was in recovery from an illness that meant that delicate and discreet support were required – and the staff TOTALLY stepped up, helped out, followed through and kept me well informed all the way.
My kid didn’t get that kind of support at expensive private school. The staff did it all beautifully and full of love and kindness. And I was delighted and relieved, but not surprised. .. because that is the kind of place that Camp Kee Tov is.

There’s no two ways about it, my kids are going to be Kee Tov lifers. They look forward to camp all year long, the 4 weeks go by in a flash, and there hasn’t been a single so-​so blah day for my kids yet. Every day has been a blast.
I don’t know how Zach, Emily and the rest of the staff keep up the ruach and fun all summer long, but they do.
And not only do the kids love it, but Kee Tov brings whole families together as well at family night and Kee Tov shabbats. There, you get to see all the wonderful counselors that are the very menschy role models I’m so glad my kids get to spend their summers with.
Kee Tov is an indispensable part of the East Bay zeitgeist and I’m so glad my kids are part of it.

This is seriously the greatest camp ever. The kids have a blast every day and they come home happy and sharing all these fun stories and songs. It’s also a real community. Every year many of the same kids go to the same session so my boys are making lifelong camp friends that they look forward to seeing every year. On the last day of camp, all the campers and parents/​guardians meet for a picnic and songs and it’s just a blast to catch up with friends and watch the kids run around and sing with such joy.
Wonderful camp, amazing counselors, greatest part of my sons’ summer.

Without a doubt the best camp ever! My daughter started CKT the summer before entering Kindergarten, and she absolutely loved it. She established wonderful friendships and relationships with the counselors which have lasted through to this summer. Now she is back and enjoying it just as much if not more. In addition to being an amazing camp full of creative fun and lots of love, the program is extremely well-​run and organized. Our whole family loves Camp Kee Tov!

Absolutely outstanding! My 6YO LOVED this camp and I was so impressed with the counselors and program. I can’t recommend it more highly.

Without doubt, this is the best day camp in the nation. From the directors to the counselors, there is the perfect combination of professionalism, enthusiasm, creativity, fun, nurturing and love! My kids don’t just beg to go to Camp Kee Tov every year, they want to grow up to be Camp Kee Tov counselors! The majority of the staff did too as they were campers for years, sometimes for 10 years, before becoming counselors. Every summer, a community is built and builds on previous years. Yet newcomers always feel welcome as do people of different backgrounds and faiths. Underlying all the fun is positive messaging about being our best selves, treating others and our planet well, and contributing to making the world a better place for all.

What can I say? It was the best experience of my daughter’s life. We are so grateful for the opportunity to attend this amazing camp. We have been hearing about how wonderful it is from tother parents and it is all true! I was concerned about her being one of the few Black children at the camp but it did not seem to phase her at all. She was so comfortable and part of it is because your counselors are an A+. Abby Gold is incredible, loving and sweet and we are so grateful to her. The best part is my daughter’s newfound interest in Judaism, she came home singing songs in Hebrew saying it was the best camp she has ever been to. Words can not express the love and gratitude I am feeling towards KeeTov. We are so coming back next year!

Parent: How was camp today? Did you have a good time?
Child: Camp is awesome good!
And it is.

Unquestionably awesome. Our son had the most amazing time. The staff and counselors are amazingly positive, enthusiastic and welcoming. The camp is well organized and feels like they both take wonderful care of the kids, but also let them get a bit dirty and be «kids.» I went when I was young, so thrilled my son can have the same experience. Kudo’s to everyone that makes Camp Kee Tov as incredible as possible.

My daughter has been attending Kee Tov for the past 4 years, and she loves it!!! She is a high-​maintenance kid who can really test adults, but the counselors at Kee Tov have always treated her with respect and love.
The kids are in constant motion, doing all sorts of activities every day.
The best thing about Kee Tov is the staff. Most of them started as campers. They are so full of energy! In fact, at the last family night, there was a group of former counselors in the crowd of families jumping around and singing along with the current counselors and campers.
My daughter has learned a lot about teamwork and Jewish values, and we are very grateful for this.

This is a wonderfully run camp that has been a wonderful addition to our Berkeley summers for 3 years now. My 14 year old son just finished his last year as a camper and is asking me to make sure he’s on the list to apply to be a CIT. My 5 year old attended 2^nd session and absolutely loved it; my worries of whether he’d get enough attention disappeared after the first moments. As noted above, it’s strong programmatically, and there are well trained counselors who are very excited to be in their roles, leading and setting an example for the younger children. So building on the well organized and executed schedule and excellent communication coming from the Director, Zach, is a ton of daily fun — lots of singing, playing, skits, and trips. These folks travel all of the Bay Area. I haven’t taken my kids to the places these folks go. Even the little ones, after some relaxed get to know you time, go on a bus to weekly swimming, Little Farm, and Tilden. Highly recommended.

Camp Kee Tov is the best camp ever! I went as a camper and I have worked there for the past three summers, and I can honestly say that I never stopped having fun! The community that builds during the summer is so strong and it continues to be that way during the year. I love this camp more than anything and I have nothing but good things to say about it!

If I could give Camp Kee Tov (So Good) 10 stars I would. My son is 7 and just finished his 3^rd summer. One of the many things that impressed me is how kids & family come back for many years. I heard of one parent who went as a kid and now sends her kid. A bunch of the counselors were campers too. When I first told Josh that he was going to take a school bus to camp (they pick up from Chabot as part of the camper fee) he thought that was awesome and camp hadn’t even started. Anyway, Beckett was 1 of Josh’s counselors when he was in Rishonim (the first). Josh told me he was his favorite. I ended up meeting his Mom at the CKT shabbat service at the temple and told her that she was raising a mensch (I don’t have to translate that do I)! I heard he left camp a bit early because he was off to college, even though he wasn’t Josh’s immediate counselor his presence was obviously felt. The last day of camp is a Family shabbat picnic dinner at Roberts park. You see all kids singing the Hebrew songs Eric the song leader has taught them and it’s truly wonderful. But lo and behold, who do I see amongst the large crowd of campers and their families, but Beckett. I figured he was in a college nearby but no, he went off somewhere in Texas but he said he couldn’t miss the picnic. Towards the end of the evening I asked Josh to point out his 3 counselors to me. As he is searching different teenagers grab him and hug him. I keep asking him, is this your counselor and he says no but they were part of the Habonim (the builders) group. Josh tells me he is looking forward to next year when he finally gets to go camping (2 nights @ Tilden) which is great since his parents aren’t the camping type. I ask Josh every year if he wants to be a counselor when he grows up and he always says yes. I guess that’s Ruach (spirit) for you!

A couple of my friends moved to Madison, Wisconsin this year and they said there is only one thing the kids really miss in Berkeley, and that is Camp Kee Tov.
My daughter and two of her friends from her school are so excited to be going to camp here this year. They have so much fun everyday!
If I was a kid again, I would beg my parents to send me to Camp Kee Tov too.

best camp ever
enough said

Camp Kee Tov is the kind of experience that truly lasts a lifetime. From the joyous sounds of the youngest campers in the morning to the camaraderie of the staff who returns year after year it epitomizes all that is good in our community. Campers, staff, and parents alike rave about Kee Tov, and rightfully so. As a parent there is no place else I would want my children around (I have two kids in camp and one on staff). As a teacher In the area I cannot recommend highly enough the Kee Tov experience for any child, regardless of religion. Two thumbs up!!!

Camp Kee Tov’s website says «Kee Tov frienships last a lifetime» and I’m someone who can say, «It’s really true!»
I’m delighted to discover something that was part of my childhood is still around and going strong! When I look back to my four summers attending camp, they really represent some of the best memories I have of growing up. I still remember making Challah, singing songs in Hebrew (and some good ol’ favorites), Fridays’ Shabbat celebrations, and camping overnight in Tilden Park. In fact, it was my first time ever to go camping and I still love it!
No, I’m not Jewish, but because of my experiences I feel a special connection with my friends that are. At Camp Kee Tov, they welcome everyone with love and enthusiasm. Their camp is not just a place to learn about and appreciate Judaism, it’s also where kids form friendships, explore the outdoors, and experience unique activities that help shape who you are. I will be forever grateful to this camp for what they have given me. Anyone looking for a great camp for kids to attend – Camp Kee Tov is a perfect choice!
As we used to chant in the bus, «Have you got that Ruach (spirit)?» Yes, they do!