research dossier

CAMP EXTREME D/B/A PROJECT EXTREME

LAWRENCE, NY · EIN 364428246 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE O55 · Youth Development · Medium ($1M-$10M) · projectextreme.org

revenue

$1.9M

expenses

$2.2M

net assets

$-173K

employees

volunteers

program ratio

81%

mission · from form 990

PROJECT EXTREME PROVIDES INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING AND SOLUTIONS FOR TEENS IN -NEED, THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. PROJECT EXTREME USES A COMBINATION OF EXPERIENTIAL AND INTELLECTUAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE THE SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT OUR TEENS IN NEED REQUIRE AND BENEFIT FROM. PROJECT EXTREME'S LAYERED ARRAY OF YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED AS LIFE-CHANGING INTERVENTIONS TO ASSIST TEENS BREAK THE CYCLE OF THEIR ANTI SOCIAL, SOMETIMES DANGEROUS, SELF-DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR. PROJECT EXTREME HOSTS A BROAD ARRAY OF SHORT AND LONGER DURATION PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ASSIST TEENS IN NEED AND THEIR FAMILIES IN ADDRESSING AND OVERCOMING THE VARIOUS CHALLENGES THEY ARE FACING BY PROVIDING THEM WITH: SOCIAL SUPPORT,, LIFE-SKILLS TRAINING, POSITIVE /HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT, SELF ESTEEM AND SELF WORTH DEVELOPMENT, FUN AND SAFE ACTIVITIES. EACH OF THE PROGRAMS IN THE PROJECT EXTREME PORTFOLIO HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS TO ENSURE MAXIMUM THERA

profile · synthesized from sources

Project Extreme operates therapeutic outdoor adventure programs for Jewish teens facing emotional and behavioral challenges, particularly those from Orthodox backgrounds. The organization serves at-risk and "off the derech" youth through wilderness-based interventions combining physical challenges, counseling, and Jewish cultural elements like Shabbat and kashrut. Programs emphasize personal growth, emotional support, and life skills development in a structured, safe environment.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

#1 primary $0

PROVIDE A RESIDENTIAL FACILITY KNOWN AS THE MINNESOTA GIRLS ACADEMY (MGA) THE MINNESOTA GIRLS ACADEMY IS A RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY LICENSED BY THE STAE OF MINNESOTADEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERCIES. MGA ASSISTS GIRLS AGES 13 TO 17 IN OVERCOMING THE EMOTIONAL OR BEHAVIORAL STRUGGLES THAT CAN KEEP THEM FROM LIVING FULFILLING LIVES AND HAVING HEALTHY SOCIAL AND FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIPS. MGA IS FOUNDED UPON THE BELIEF THAT EVERY GIRL IS UNIQUE. BECAUSE EACH CHILD POSSESSES A DISTINCT COMPILATION OF EXPERIENCES, TALENTS, RELATIONSHIPS, AND STRUGGLES, MGA OFFERS A TREATMENT PROGRAM THAT IS CUSTOMIZED TO MEET HER SPECIAL NEEDS AND HELP HER BECOME MORE CONFIDENT, SECURE, AND HEALTHY. BY COMBINING THE BEST FEATURES OF A BOARDING SCHOOL, A TREATMENT FACILITY, AND A TRANSITION PROGRAM, WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR STUDENTS, GIVING THEM THE SUPPORT AND TOOLS NECESSARY TO THRIVE. MGA EXISTS IN THE HEART OF THE QUAINT COMMUNITY OF BRICELYN, MINNESOTA. OUR LOCATION PROVIDES THE PERFECT BALANCE OF SAFE AND COMFORTABLE SURROUNDINGS WITH ACTIVE, INVOLVED COMMUNITY LIVING. MGA IS A WARM AND INVITING PROGRAM WHERE GIRLS ARE MADE TO FEEL WELCOME, INCLUDED, AND APPRECIATED. WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE A PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS GIRLS TO EXPERIENCE FREEDOM, TOGETHERNESS, SAFETY, AND INDEPENDENCE. A NURTURING COMMUNITY IS CRITICAL TO HELPING TEEN GIRLS FEEL IMMEDIATELY SAFE AND CARED FOR, SO THAT SHE CAN ADJUST QUICKLY TO TREATMENT AND GET ON WITH THE WORK OF HEALING. MGA CULTIVATES A NURTURING COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING APPROPRIATE STRUCTURE AND LOTS OF ACTIVITY, ENCOURAGING CONNECTION WITH STAFF AND OTHER STUDENTS, AND BALANCING THERAPY, SCHOOL, AND FUN. MGA'S ACTIVITIES ARE RECORDED AN A SEPARATE FORM 990 FILED BY THEM.

named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Camp Extreme Boys

Therapeutic outdoor adventure program for Jewish boys aged 13-17, held in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and Minnesota, combining wilderness activities with counseling and Jewish cultural observance

Camp Extreme Girls

Therapeutic outdoor adventure program for Jewish girls aged 13-17, held in the Canadian Rockies, combining wilderness activities with counseling and Jewish cultural observance

Holiday Retreats

Special retreats during Jewish holidays to provide at-risk teens with a supportive, pressure-free environment infused with holiday traditions

Weekend Retreats

Follow-up programs offering recreational activities like skiing and snowboarding along with life skills training and progress reviews for past participants

activities · 6 groups

What they do

Youth Development and Support Services 2 activities
- Facilitate daily discussion groups and learning sessions for at-risk teens
  
  Hosts daily discussion sessions and learning groups to help at-risk teens process experiences, reinforce lessons from activities, and set personal goals.
- Host weekend and holiday retreats with behavioral skills training
  
  Organizes weekend and holiday retreats that combine recreational activities like skiing and snowboarding with behavioral skills training, life skills development, and progress reviews for at-risk teens.
24/7 Crisis and Warmline Support Services 2 activities
- Operate a crisis intervention helpline for teens and parents
  
  Runs a crisis intervention helpline (516-612-3922) staffed by professionals who provide emotional support, advice, and resource connections to teenagers and parents facing behavioral or emotional challenges.
- Operate a national crisis text line for individuals in crisis
  
  Provides real-time, anonymous support via a crisis text line accessible by texting LEV to 741741, connecting users with trained volunteer counselors within five minutes on average through a secure online platform, with conversations typically lasting 15 to 45 minutes.
Guided Outdoor Expedition Programs 1 activity
- Deliver therapeutic outdoor adventure programs for at-risk teens
  
  Runs adventure-based programs for boys and girls that include camping, rock climbing, white water rafting, mountain biking, and skiing, designed to build self-confidence and address destructive behaviors through structured outdoor challenges.
Residential Care for At-Risk Youth 1 activity
- Operate residential treatment and transitional living programs for youth and young adults
  
  Provides residential treatment for girls ages 13 to 17 with emotional or behavioral challenges and operates transitional living shelters—Allan's House for young men and Miryam's House for young women aged 18 and older—to support life skills development and healthy communication.
School-Based Mental Health and Family Support 1 activity
- Provide curated resource referrals and support guides
  
  Offers compiled resource guides and referrals to help individuals access alternative high schools, drop-in centers, education assistance, parental support, addiction treatment, wilderness programs, and behavioral health services during times of crisis.
Youth One-on-One Mentoring 1 activity
- Provide post-program follow-up and ongoing mentorship support
  
  Offers continued guidance after program completion through a formal mentoring program (Project HOPE) that pairs at-risk teens with young adult mentors under a social contract requiring weekly contact, and encourages participation in Shabbatons and Yom Tov programs.

financials · form 990 · fy2024

revenue

Total revenue$1.92M

Contributions & grants$1.70M89%

Program service revenue$217K11%

Investment income$00%

Other revenue$470

expenses

Total expenses$2.24M

Program expenses81%

Admin / overhead10%

Fundraising9%

Salaries & benefits$822K

Grants paid out$0

Largest expense lineCompensation

balance sheet

Total assets$486K

Cash$141K

Investments$25K

Liabilities$659K

Net assets$-173K

Liquid reserves0.9 mo

4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -14.0%

leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1

Name	Title	Hours/wk	Compensation
ARON Y WEINBERG	PRESIDENT	60	$259K

relationships · 42

Who they work with

Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families Partner — Refers individuals to ACA for healing from family dysfunction and addiction-related trauma.
Aish Tamid of Los Angeles Partner — Partner organization providing therapeutic and community reconnection services for teens and young adults.
Alcoholics Anonymous Partner — Refers individuals to Alcoholics Anonymous for recovery from alcohol addiction.
Aliya Girls Loft Partner — Partner organization offering daily activities, therapy, life skills workshops, and placement support for post-high school women.
Amudim Hotline Partner — Partner organization providing confidential crisis support, listed in Project Extreme's resource directory
Bnos Chomesh Academy Partner — Listed as a provider of personalized education with NYS Board of Regents, Judaic and Secular studies curriculum.
Bnot Chaya Academy Partner — Listed as an alternative educational program providing structured education and New York State Regents diplomas.
CAHAL Partner — Partner organization providing self-contained yeshiva-based classes for children with learning differences.
Communities Confronting Substance Abuse Partner — Partners with CCSA to support families affected by addiction through education and training.
Crisis Text Line Partner — Collaborates on crisis support services, using the Crisis Text Line platform to provide text-based intervention.
Crisis Text Line Partner — Partners with Crisis Text Line to provide text-based crisis support to individuals in need.
EdSmarts Partner — Partner organization offering a directory of educators, mental health professionals, and special education resources.
Guard Your Eyes Partner — Refers individuals struggling with pornography to Guard Your Eyes for support and recovery resources.
Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons and Significant Others Partner — Collaborates with JACs to address addiction within Jewish family life.
KindEar Partner — Partner organization whose crisis hotline is listed and promoted by Project Extreme
Lev Teen Center Partner — Partner organization operating a drop-in center with programming including meals, mentoring, therapy placement, and educational support for youth.
Maayan Academy Partner — Listed as an educational program supporting girls who have not succeeded in mainstream schools through therapeutic, academic, and spiritual support.
Mercaz Rochel – Center Girls Partner — Partner organization providing social activities, dinner, trips, and inspirational programming for girls.
Minnesota Department of Human Services Government — Licensed residential treatment facility provider
Minyan Shelanu Partner — Partner organization operating a youth drop-in center with educational programming, meals, mentoring, and placement support.
Miryam’s House Partner — Jointly operates as a registered nonprofit organization with Project Extreme under the same tax ID.
Narcotics Anonymous Partner — Refers individuals to Narcotics Anonymous for recovery from substance addiction.
Ohr Naava Partner — Listed as a women’s Torah center offering Torah classes, workshops, and social events under Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein.
PROJECT EXTREME Partner — Operates Camp Extreme as part of its programming for at-risk Jewish teens.
Project Extreme Network — Miryam's House operates as an extension of Project Extreme.
Ptach Partner — Partner nonprofit organization providing Jewish and secular education for children disenfranchised due to learning differences.
Sexaholics Anonymous Partner — Refers individuals to Sexaholics Anonymous for recovery from sexual addiction.
Shaarei Arazim Partner — Listed as providing individualized guidance to help students grow into productive members of society and Klal Yisroel.
Shalva High School Partner — Listed as a school focusing on life skills development and structured education combined with extracurricular activities.
The Chill – Girlz Headquarters Partner — Partner organization offering a drop-in center with crisis intervention, mentoring, case management, and placement services for youth.

+ 12 more

strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

Faith-Integrated Therapeutic Programming

methodology: faith_based_therapeutic_programming
By embedding Shabbos observance and Kosher dietary laws into therapeutic programming, we address the specific cultural and spiritual stressors of Orthodox Jewish teens because culturally congruent environments increase psychological safety and engagement.
Integrated Treatment and Education

methodology: integrated_treatment_and_education
By combining boarding school academics, therapeutic support, and transition programming in a single structured environment, we promote emotional and behavioral healing in teen girls because continuity of care across domains reinforces lasting change.
Strengths-Based Mentorship with Long-Term Continuity

methodology: strengths_based_mentorship
By using a strengths-based approach to build self-esteem and pairing it with sustained mentorship through formal social contracts, we support long-term behavioral change because teens internalize self-worth and maintain accountability beyond program completion.
Text-Based Crisis Intervention with Emotional De-escalation

methodology: crisis_intervention_via_text
By using text messaging as the primary channel for crisis support, we reach users in distress more effectively because it is a familiar, low-barrier medium, and we guide them from emotional "hot moments" to calmer states through empathetic listening and timely referrals.
Therapeutic Adventure Model

methodology: therapeutic_adventure
By immersing at-risk teens in structured outdoor adventures with inherent risk and rigor, we foster character development and self-control because overcoming guided physical challenges builds resilience, accountability, and emotional regulation.