Equity Statement
At Camp Nefesh, we are committed to creating a camp community where all campers, families, staff, and youth leaders feel safe, respected, and supported. As a free summer day camp serving immigrant and refugee children in the Sacramento region, we center the experiences of families who are navigating resettlement, cultural transition, and the lasting impacts of displacement. As a youth-led program from our founding, we also ensure that youth play the primary role in planning and implementing the camp while maintaining a safe and supportive culture for staff from all backgrounds to explore leadership roles, learn, and serve their community.
We recognize that immigrant and refugee communities have been disproportionately affected by war, forced migration, racism, xenophobia, fear of deportation and family separation, and discrimination. These realities shape the lives of the children and families we serve. We acknowledge this harm, both historically and in the present, and we take responsibility for creating a camp environment rooted in care, dignity, and belonging.
Our commitment to equity is intentional and ongoing. Camp Nefesh prioritizes the voices, lived experiences, languages, and cultural identities of immigrant and refugee campers and their families. We strive to ensure that our programs, policies, and traditions are culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and accessible, allowing every child to fully participate and feel valued.
We also recognize that our youth staff come from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and cultures. Camp Nefesh strives to ensure that all staff have a positive experience and that their ideas and voices are heard and valued.
We are proud to serve a diverse, resilient community of immigrant and refugee families. Above all, we prioritize the long-term well-being of children navigating resettlement and belonging, and we work to create a camp space where they feel safe to be themselves, empowered to grow, and supported in building community. Camp Nefesh stands for compassion, connection, and lasting positive change.