Bay Area Soccer Camp for Boys & Girls: Elite Overnight Camp at Cal State East Bay

Finding the right summer soccer camp in the Bay Area means asking harder questions than who has the nicest fields or the longest list of drills. You’re looking for a place that sharpens your child’s touch and vision on the ball — and builds the confidence, resilience, and character that translate to everything else in life.

At Maccabi Sports Camp, we believe the soccer field is one of the best classrooms there is. Our co-ed overnight soccer camp is set on the beautiful campus of Cal State East Bay in Hayward — a world-class university facility in the heart of the Bay Area, with the space and infrastructure to support a truly immersive summer experience.

Boys and girls train together in a high-intensity, high-character environment rooted in the values of the Oshman Family JCC. Players don’t just get better at soccer — they grow into better teammates, better thinkers, and more confident people.

This is the only Jewish overnight soccer camp in the Bay Area. And there’s nothing else quite like it.

Enroll now, request a camp tour, request more information, or call us at (415) 997-8844 — we’re happy to answer any questions about the program.

More Than a Day Camp: The Overnight Advantage

Day camps develop skills. Overnight camp develops players.

The difference happens in the hours between sessions — the team meals, the cabin conversations, the early morning stretches, and the late-night debriefs after a hard day on the pitch. These are the moments where real confidence is built, where players learn to trust their teammates, and where friendships form that last long after the final whistle.

At Maccabi Sports Camp, our overnight model means your child is fully immersed in the game and the community for the entirety of their time with us. They aren’t being dropped off for a few hours. They’re living it — housed in the Cal State East Bay dormitories, sharing meals in the campus dining hall, and training on the same fields used by All-American collegiate athletes.

Boys and girls train and grow together. Our co-ed structure mirrors the reality of club and recreational soccer — where boys and girls develop alongside each other, push each other, and learn from each other. We’ve found this creates stronger competitors and better teammates across the board.

Elite Soccer Training Built on Four Pillars

PWhat separates a great soccer camp from a good one isn’t the number of drills — it’s the philosophy behind them. Our coaching staff, led by experienced mentors first and tacticians second, has designed a development model built around four interconnected pillars:

1. Technical Skill

From first touch and passing accuracy to finishing technique and set-piece execution, players at every level will work on the mechanics of the game in structured, high-repetition sessions. Our coaches use progressive training methods that challenge beginners and advanced players alike.

2. Tactical Intelligence

Great soccer is played in the mind before it’s played on the field. We spend real time teaching players to read the game — understanding positioning, pressure, transition, and space. Players leave with a sharper soccer IQ and a vocabulary for the game that will serve them for years.

3. Physical Conditioning

Speed, agility, strength, and endurance are trained deliberately and progressively throughout the week. We meet each player where they are and push them to a level they didn’t know they could reach.

4. Character Development

This is the pillar that makes Maccabi different. Every session includes intentional lessons in sportsmanship, resilience, leadership, and teamwork — grounded in Jewish values that have guided athletes and communities for generations. We don’t just train athletes. We help shape the people they’re becoming.

What Boys Gain at Maccabi Soccer Camp

For boys, Maccabi’s soccer program is a chance to be pushed — hard — in a setting that supports risk-taking, recovery, and growth. Male campers consistently tell us the training intensity surprised them, and the friendships they left with surprised them even more.

For the competitive player: structured small-sided games, position-specific coaching, and tactical sessions designed to prepare players for club tryouts, school teams, and beyond.

For the developing player: a patient, progressive environment where building confidence on the ball matters as much as winning games. Every player gets real coaching attention — no one gets lost in the crowd.

For the social kid: an overnight community of peers who share a love of the game. Boys form bonds in our CSUEB campus cabins and on our fields that feel nothing like a school-year friendship — and often outlast them.

What Girls Gain at Maccabi Soccer Camp

For girls, Maccabi provides something genuinely rare in the Bay Area: an overnight soccer experience that treats female players as serious athletes — full stop. No shortened sessions, no watered-down curriculum. Girls train alongside boys and receive the same elite-level coaching attention, tactical instruction, and competitive game opportunities.

For the aspiring club player: technical work that translates directly to tryout performance, plus tactical exposure to systems and concepts that most youth programs never get to.

For the player looking to build confidence: a team-first culture where female athletes are celebrated and challenged in equal measure. Our coaches understand how to build the mental side of the game, not just the technical side.

For the girl who loves camp and soccer equally: Maccabi is the only overnight soccer camp in the Bay Area with deep Jewish camp culture woven into the experience. It’s the best of both worlds — and then some.

Jewish Values. Real Friendships. Unforgettable Summers.

Maccabi Sports Camp is proud to be the only Jewish overnight sports camp on the West Coast, and a flagship partner of the Oshman Family JCC. What that means in practice isn’t a list of rules or a rigid religious structure — it’s a culture.

It’s a culture where character is treated as a skill that can be developed. Where community is built intentionally, not accidentally. Where athletes are celebrated not just for what they accomplish, but for how they show up for each other.

Jewish campers will feel immediately at home in our community. Campers from all backgrounds consistently tell us Maccabi gave them something they didn’t know they were missing: a group of people who competed hard together and had each other’s backs completely.

Evening programming, Shabbat traditions, and community rituals are woven into the week in a way that feels natural and alive — not scheduled or obligatory.

Our Home: Cal State East Bay in Hayward, CA

Maccabi Sports Camp is hosted on the campus of California State University, East Bay — a spacious, tree-lined university campus nestled on a hill in Hayward, CA, with sweeping views of the Bay Area and a sense of remove that’s perfect for an overnight camp experience.
The CSUEB campus offers state-of-the-art athletic facilities built for serious athletes, and our campers have full access to them:
– Full-sized and small-sided soccer fields — the same surfaces used by CSUEB’s collegiate athletes
– University dormitory suites used as cabins, each housing 8 campers with 2-3 dedicated counselors
– Lane and recreational swimming pools for off-field recovery and evening activities
Campus dining hall serving kosher-style meals, with organic, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options
– Classrooms and outdoor spaces for team discussions, group activities, and evening programming
– A beautiful campus garden used for Shabbat and community gatherings
 
The CSUEB campus is located in the East Bay — centrally accessible to families across San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco, the Peninsula, and Silicon Valley, just a short drive from all three major Bay Area airports.

Want to see the campus and facilities for yourself? Request a camp tour or attend an open house — or call us at (415) 997-8844 and we’ll walk you through what a week at camp looks like.

Program Details at a Glance

Who it’s for: Boys and girls, ages 8-16, all skill levels from beginners to competitive club players

Camp format: Overnight (sleep-away) — the only Jewish overnight soccer camp in the Bay Area

Location: Cal State East Bay (CSUEB) campus, Hayward, CA — centrally accessible from across the Bay Area

Housing: CSUEB dormitory suites serving as cabins; 8 campers + 2-3 counselors per cabin, organized by grade and gender

Training: Morning and afternoon sessions with position-specific coaching, tactical instruction, and competitive game play

Dining: Kosher-style meals in the CSUEB campus dining hall; organic, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options available

Evening programming: Team activities, Jewish life programming, community events, Shabbat

Staff: Expert coaches who are mentors first — athletes, educators, and role models selected for their character as much as their credentials

Affiliation: Oshman Family JCC | West Coast’s only Jewish overnight sports camp

What Families Are Saying

“He came back from camp a different kid—in the best way possible. He was more helpful around the house and even showed grace when he lost during family game night. The lessons he learned at Maccabi went way beyond the soccer field.” – Parent of a 5th Grade Camper

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this camp co-ed? Can boys and girls attend together?

Yes — Maccabi Soccer Camp is fully co-ed. Boys and girls train together throughout the week, with coaching and programming designed to develop every player regardless of gender. Playing in a mixed environment builds a broader skill set and stronger competitive instincts.

What ages and skill levels is this camp for?

We welcome players ages 8 through 16. Our coaching staff works with beginners who are just falling in love with the game and competitive club-level players looking to sharpen specific technical and tactical skills. No matter where your child is in their development, they will be challenged and supported appropriately.

Is this an overnight camp or a day camp?

Maccabi Soccer Camp is a true overnight camp — a sleep-away experience that combines elite soccer training during the day with community, friendship, and Jewish life programming in the evenings. This makes us unlike any other soccer camp in the Bay Area.

Where exactly is the camp located?

Camp takes place on the campus of California State University, East Bay (CSUEB) in Hayward, CA. The CSUEB campus is in the heart of the Bay Area, accessible from San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco, the Peninsula, and Silicon Valley, and a short drive from all three major Bay Area airports. Note: the Oshman Family JCC office is located in Palo Alto — but the camp itself is at CSUEB in Hayward.

Does my child need to be Jewish to attend?

Not at all. Campers of all backgrounds are welcome at Maccabi Sports Camp. Our Jewish values and culture create a warm, character-focused environment that resonates with families across traditions. Jewish campers will feel deeply at home; campers of other backgrounds consistently tell us they leave with a sense of belonging they didn’t expect.

What are the facilities like?

Camp is hosted on the full Cal State East Bay campus, giving campers access to the same world-class athletic facilities used by CSUEB’s collegiate athletes — soccer fields, pools, gym facilities, classrooms, and large outdoor spaces. Campers stay in CSUEB dormitory suites and eat in the campus dining hall, which serves kosher-style food with organic, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options.

How do I register?

Click the Enroll button above to start the application through our CampInTouch portal. You can also request more information or schedule a camp tour using the links in the navigation.

Ready to Give Your Child the Summer They’ll Talk About Forever?

Enrollment for our Bay Area co-ed overnight soccer camp fills quickly — especially for families returning from previous summers. Whether your child is a first-year camper or a Maccabi veteran, we want them on the field with us this summer at Cal State East Bay.

Spots are limited. Secure your child’s place today.

Enroll now, schedule a camp tour, attend an open house, or call us directly at (415) 997-8844 — we’d love to have your child with us this summer.

Have more questions? We’d love to answer them. Request info today!