Camp Tizmoret Shoshana, Hawley, PA

Introduction / Overview: Where Creative Orthodox Jewish Girls Soar

For families across Pennsylvania seeking a summer camp experience that deeply integrates professional artistic training with strong Torah values, Camp Tizmoret Shoshana offers a unique and highly specialized destination. Located on a stunning campus in Hawley, PA, in the scenic Pocono Mountains, Tizmoret Shoshana is the premier sleepaway summer program dedicated to the creative arts for Orthodox Jewish girls, catering to those finishing 5th through 11th grades.

The camp's mission, founded over two decades ago, is to foster and encourage a passion for the creative arts—including instrumental music, vocal music, drama, dance, visual art, and creative writing—as a beautiful way of serving HaShem. It is not merely an arts camp that happens to be Jewish; it is a camp that consciously integrates Jewish observance and artistic expression, teaching campers how to celebrate and use their unique talents within the framework of their religious values. This distinct focus has created a "magical bubble" environment where girls from diverse Jewish backgrounds—including Bais Yaakov, Modern Orthodox, and Sephardic communities—find a warm, accepting, and non-judgmental place to develop lifelong friendships and artistic skills.

The atmosphere at Camp Tizmoret Shoshana is one of intense creative programming, spiritual growth, and community. With a small, tight-knit community of approximately 70-80 campers and a dedicated staff-to-camper ratio of nearly 1:3, every girl is seen, heard, and supported. Whether a camper is a highly advanced artist or an absolute beginner looking to explore a new medium, the camp provides top-tier training from professional faculty in a supportive, fun, and Torah-guided setting.

Location and Accessibility: A Secluded Pocono Sanctuary

Camp Tizmoret Shoshana is hosted at the Watonka Outdoor Facilities, a quiet, rustic, and secluded property situated on 100 acres in the Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The physical address is 328 Wangum Falls Rd, Hawley, PA 18428, USA.

This location offers a serene and inspiring backdrop for the camp's focus on artistic and spiritual development. The grounds feature a private 10-acre lake and are surrounded by the natural beauty of the Poconos, offering a much-needed retreat from the fast pace of city and suburban life.

While secluded, the camp is easily accessible for Pennsylvania residents and families from neighboring states. For those who choose not to drive directly to Hawley, the camp provides an organized transportation option: a bus that departs from a location close to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey, facilitating travel for families in the greater Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, including Eastern Pennsylvania. The location in Hawley also places it near the beautiful Lake Wallenpaupack area, which is a major recreational hub in the Poconos, though the camp's focus is primarily on-site programming.

Services Offered: Professional Training in a Torah-Observant Setting

Camp Tizmoret Shoshana offers a comprehensive, enriching program based on dual priorities: high-caliber arts instruction and full adherence to Orthodox Jewish law and custom.

Torah-Guided Environment: All activities, including artistic instruction and daily life, are guided by Torah principles, including a strict adherence to *tznius* (modesty) in dress and *kashrut* (dietary laws) in meals. The camp is under the guidance of a respected camp Rabbi.
Full-Time Health and Wellness Staff: The camp employs a full-time nurse and, thanks to a Foundation for Jewish Camp grant, also staffs a dedicated mental health professional, along with a 'Quiet Room' for campers needing time to recharge.
On-Site Accommodations and Meals: Campers are housed in cabins with bunk beds, storage space, and attached bathrooms, with a ratio of 6-7 campers to 1 counselor. Three kosher meals and a daily snack are provided, with fruit always available.
Communication: Communication is facilitated through designated Friday afternoon phone calls and printed emails delivered to campers.
Transportation: Organized bus service is offered from a major regional hub near Newark, NJ, or families may choose to drive their campers directly to the Hawley, PA campus.

Features / Highlights: Interdisciplinary Arts and Community

The unique draw of Camp Tizmoret Shoshana is its specialization, providing an environment rarely found elsewhere in the Jewish camping world—a serious, yet nurturing, hub for the arts.

Artistic Majors and Faculty: Campers choose to major in one of seven concentration areas, taught by professional faculty: Fine Art, Arts & Crafts, Creative Writing, Dance (e.g., contemporary, ballet), Drama, Instrumental Music (e.g., strings, piano, guitar), or Vocal Music.
Torah Integration: Daily *shiurim* (Torah lessons) are provided, with options for campers to choose their preferred topic, ensuring that spiritual growth is intentionally integrated with their creative pursuits.
Recreational Facilities: The campus grounds, used by the host facility, include access to a private 10-acre lake for boating and swimming, basketball and tennis courts, and a general recreation room for ping-pong and other games.
The Collaboration: A signature annual tradition is "The Collaboration," where girls from different artistic majors work together on interdisciplinary performance pieces, fostering teamwork and holistic artistic expression.
Community and Atmosphere: The small size (under 100 campers) ensures a warm, friendly, non-judgmental atmosphere where girls can freely pursue both their *Yiddishkeit* and their artistic talents, making friends who share both passions.

Contact Information

Camp Tizmoret Shoshana operates its summer program at the Watonka Outdoor Facilities, serving the Orthodox Jewish community from across the United States and beyond.

Address: 328 Wangum Falls Rd, Hawley, PA 18428, USA (Location of the summer campus)

Phone: Official contact information is managed through the central camp office, which can be found on their website. Please refer to the camp's official application or contact page for the current phone number, as summer camp logistics often rely on off-season administrative contact and online application portals.

Conclusion: Why Camp Tizmoret Shoshana is Suitable for Pennsylvania Locals

For Pennsylvania Orthodox Jewish families, Camp Tizmoret Shoshana represents an exceptional and locally accessible summer opportunity. As one of the few overnight camps specifically dedicated to the high-level integration of Torah observance and the creative arts for girls, it fills a niche demand that families often struggle to meet.

The camp’s location in the scenic, rural Poconos provides a convenient, drivable summer destination for residents in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the rest of the Commonwealth. This geographical ease, combined with the camp's specific, professional, and Torah-aligned programming, makes it an optimal choice for local teens who are passionate about dance, music, drama, or writing. Instead of choosing between spiritual growth and artistic development, this Hawley-based camp provides a "one-stop" solution, allowing Pennsylvania girls to spend their summer maximizing their creative talents while strengthening their Jewish identity in a supportive, focused, and enriching environment.