2026 CBF DATES & RATES

Session Name

Who It’s For

Dates

Tuition

5-Day Starter

2-Week Rookie

First Session

Second Session

Full Season

First-time campers
(current 1st–5th grade)

New and returning campers
(current 1st–11th grade)

June 14–19
July 12–17

June 14–26

June 14–July 9

July 12–30

June 14–July 30

$995

$2,995

$5,495 (1-5 grade)

$5,995 (6-11 grade)

$3,695 (1-5 grade)

$3,995 (6-11 grade)

$8,495

5-Day Starter:

A shorter camp experience perfect for first-timers. Packed with big camp fun — with the option to extend!

2-Week Rookie:

A fun-filled experience that sparks creativity, cabin bonding, and confidence in first-time campers and 5-Day Starter Session graduates. This program also has the option to extend and stay for the remainder of First Session.

First Session:

The classic Camp Ben Frankel Experience – rich with tradition, deeply immersive, and full of community. First Session is great for new and returning campers alike.

Second Session:

A vibrant session with nonstop camp excitement — perfect for families who want a shorter camp experience later in the summer.

Full Season:

The complete summer experience with total immersion into the program rated #1 in Parent Satisfaction amongst Jewish overnight camps every summer since 2022.

Sibling Discount:

A discount is available for each sibling after the first and are contingent upon meeting the payment deadlines below and having no open balance from prior years. The discounts available are as follows:

Additional Info

Non Refundable Payment Deadlines and Plans

A non-refundable deposit is due at the time of application. Deposits will only be charged after your application is received and reviewed. Deposit amounts are as follows:

$350 for 5-Day Starter Session, Rookie Session, and Second Session
$500 for First Session and Full Season

1/3 of tuition is due by Dec 1, 2025
2/3 of tuition is due by Jan 30, 2026
Full tuition is due by Mar 31, 2026
Payments are non refundable
Payment deadlines must be met to qualify for the Early Bird promotion and Sibling Discounts
Monthly payment plans are available and highly encouraged, to arrange a plan please contact us

Final Payments

All camp fees must be paid in full by March 31, 2026

Financial Aid

We are committed to ensuring that all children are able to attend Camp Ben Frankel, regardless of financial need
We partner with the One Happy Camper (Campership) program to provide first-time incentives to encourage parents to choose Jewish camp. Please check their website for details at www.onehappycamper.org.
Speak with your rabbi or synagogue leadership, many congregations provide assistance for summer camp tuition.
Check this database of need-based scholarships maintained by the Foundation For Jewish Camp
Contact your local Jewish Federation for recommendations
Internal, need-based assistance is available through our scholarship fund. Before requesting a financial aid application, we require families to first attempt the above recommendations.
Allocations for 2026 financial aid are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis beginning October 1, 2025.
Applications will only be considered if they are filled out completely and include all of the requested information.

To request a financial aid application from Camp Ben Frankel, please contact aaron@campbenfrankel.org or sarah@campbenfrankel.org.

Staff Gratuity

Our camp staff are extraordinarily hard-working and passionate about providing incredible experiences for their campers. Our staff gratuity fund helps provide recreational programming and supplies to boost morale and express gratitude for their incredibly hard work.

$30 for 5-Day Starter

$50 for 2-Week Rookie

$80 for Session 2

$90 for Session 1

$150 for Full Season

You may opt-out of the staff gratuity by contacting our office.

Transportation Options

Campers can travel to and from Camp Ben Frankel the following ways:

Camp bus from St. Louis or Chicago

We offer two camp buses, one from St. Louis and one from Chicago
Buses are air conditioned
Includes luggage service
Contact us for details about pickup and drop off locations
St. Louis bus: $95 each way
Chicago bus: $275 round trip or $145 each way

Arrival or departure at Lambert St. Louis International Airport (STL)

Did you know campers attend CBF from 25+ states? Many campers travel to CBF by plane!
Arrival to camp:
- We meet unaccompanied minors as they disembark the plane, from there we collect their luggage and then transport them on a CBF shuttle directly to camp
- We meet accompanied minors at baggage claim and then board the CBF shuttle to camp
Departure from camp:
- Unaccompanied minors are escorted by a CBF staff member through security to the departure gate. The staff member waits at the gate until the plane departs.
- Accompanied minors: a CBF staff member escorts the camper to a prearranged meeting spot at the airport to meet a parent, guardian or designated chaperone
Airport arrival/departure: $95 each way

Drive to/from Camp Ben Frankel’s campsite in Makanda, IL

Many families drive to camp for dropoff and pickup on opening and closing day