Camp Butwin

St. Paul, MN • Established 1958

Camp Butwin Details

1375 St. Paul Ave
St. Paul, MN 55116

651-423-1485

Camp Butwin's Website

Affiliated with JCC of the Greater St. Paul Area

Day Camp

Our camp has a special needs inclusion program in which children are mainstreamed.

Session Lengths: 2 Weeks, 5 Weeks, 6 Weeks, 8 Weeks

Explore Camp Butwin

The Camp Butwin Story

Camp Butwin is located on Lake O'Brien on 88 wooded acres and surrounded by Lebanon Hills County Park in Eagan, Minnesota. Children play in a safe, stimulating setting and use a heated outdoor swimming pool, a lake with a boating area and a sandy beach, a ropes course and climbing tower, softball and soccer fields, an archery range, and areas for crafts, nature, and theater. Camp Philosophy Our specialty is Children! The Camp Butwin experience includes:

Cooperative, and inclusive approach in an outdoor setting.
Creative community experience through song, dance, art and celebration.
Building Jewish Identity through Israeli and Jewish themed programming.
Develop self-confidence and esteem by learning new skills and mastering old ones.
And, of course, we have lots and lots of FUN

Featured Activities at Camp Butwin

Boating Horseback Riding Israeli Culture Travel

Our Camp Leadership

Camp Butwin Director | Ben Savin

Ben has previously served the JCC community in a variety of roles, including Camp Butwin Assistant Director, JCC Maccabi Delegation Head, Youth Programs Coordinator, and most recently Early Childhood Assistant Director. Ben holds a degree in English and Education, summa cum laude, from Hamline University, and is a graduate of JCC Association of North America’s highly selective Merrin Fellowship for youth work professionals. Ben believes that the real work of being a kid happens during the summer months, and that camp provides the venue for developing self-confidence, exploring new interests, and taking pride in being one’s self, all while fostering a love for the outdoors. In his spare time, Ben enjoys playing guitar, trying new foods, and exploring the Twin Cities by bike.

Assistant Camp Director | Bess Brown

Bess grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and is a recent transplant to the Twin Cities. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Psychology where she focused on learning about art therapy and child development. Bess previously spent many summers at an overnight camp near Cleveland and can’t imagine summers without camp. She is passionate about camp as a place to not only have fun but also help campers and counselors develop real world skills. At her previous camp, Bess was very involved with bringing Jewish education and values into daily camp life and is excited to continue at Butwin! Bess is excited to explore the Twin Cities through eating at new restaurants, spending time outdoors, and trying new workouts.

Inclusion and Accessibility Coordinator | Megan McClanahan

Megan grew up in Saint Paul, graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Social Sciences. Megan has many years of camp experience, and camping is a huge passion of hers. Megan has worked in special education and in the mental health field for the past 5 years, including leading outdoor recreation with companies who focus on adaptive programming. Megan enjoys cooking, the outdoors, fishing, and has a new interest in archery! Megan is looking forward to seeing camp in action and meeting all the wonderful staff, kids, and families!

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Quick Links

Camp Website

Find Your Camp

Why We Host Schlichim

"Hosting Shlichim during the summers remains a wonderful experience for our family. Each year we meet dynamic and fascinating young Israelis with whom we maintain contact long after the summer has gone. Our kids are the greatest beneficiaries of the experience, finding in the Shlichim individuals who they come to regard as older siblings. It is an event we look forward to every year with good reason and plan on continuing for years to come."

- Soberman Family, The Jack and Pat Kay Centre Camp, Prosserman JCC

Connecting with Israel

“Although it was so new, Israel brought upon me a familiar sense of belonging much like what I feel at Camp Chi every summer. The ability to be in a place where one feels so free and proud to be a Jew is a feeling that makes me so proud to be involved in my Jewish heritage.”

- Joshua Krawitz, 17, Camp Chi, JCC Chicago