A Seattle Sephardic story, carried into summer.
SAC grew from community retreats into a camp built around Sephardic tradition, Jewish learning, outdoor adventure, and lifelong memories.
Sephardic Adventure Camp traces its story to the early 1950s, when Seattle Sephardic families brought together children, community, the rich Sephardic tradition, and the great outdoors of the Northwest. The experience was powerful enough that it kept coming back every summer.
The camp was shaped by Seattle's two Sephardic congregations, Sephardic Bikur Holim Congregation and Congregation Ezra Bessaroth. Their goal was clear: preserve Sephardic tradition, strengthen Jewish values, build character, and give children a joyful summer they would remember for life.
Our timeline
- 1902
Seattle's Sephardic roots take hold
Early Sephardic Jewish families from Marmara, Tekirdag, Constantinople, and Rhodes began building community in Seattle. Sephardic Bikur Holim would become one of the city's two Sephardic congregations, alongside Congregation Ezra Bessaroth.
- 1915
Language, learning, and tradition
Seattle Sephardim formed a Sephardic Talmud Torah, strengthening Hebrew learning while preserving Ladino, the traditional language carried by many Sephardic families.
- 1950s
Summer retreats begin
Energetic fathers, excited children, Sephardic tradition, and the Northwest outdoors came together for summer retreats that were so meaningful they continued year after year.
- SAC
SAC becomes a shared community project
Sephardic Bikur Holim Congregation and Congregation Ezra Bessaroth recognized the value of these retreats and helped create Sephardic Adventure Camp to preserve tradition, build Jewish character, and make summer memories.
- Now
A Northwest camp with a wider reach
SAC now draws campers and staff from Seattle and Jewish communities across the United States, Canada, Israel, Spain, and beyond.
What still guides camp
The activities have grown, but the heart of the program is the same: Sephardic heritage, Jewish values, outdoor adventure, and a staff that helps campers feel known.
Sephardic tradition
Culture sessions, Sephardic baking, Torah learning, daily prayer, and Shabbat help campers experience tradition as something alive and joyful.
Northwest adventure
The camp day includes outdoor activities like kayaking, archery, swimming, field sports, and field trips alongside arts, drama, dance, and camp-wide programs.
Community leadership
Former campers, college and yeshiva students, educators, nurses, and community rabbis all help shape the summer experience.
From local Seattle families to campers from across the country and beyond, SAC remains a place where children can build friendships, practice tradition, and bring the ruach home with them.