Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps occupy a 187-acre coastal site near Malibu at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains. Camp Hess Kramer and Gindling Hilltop Camp have welcomed generations of Jewish campers from the LA area since 1952. Siegel & Strain developed a master plan in 2012 providing a vision for renewed facilities balanced with the site’s regulatory and environmental challenges.

The first phase of implementation—design of a new 450-seat dining hall—was cut short by the 2018 Woolsey Fire, which destroyed many camp buildings. Heavy winter rains further damaged remaining facilities with mudslides and debris deposited along the creek corridor.

Beginning in 2019, Siegel & Strain assisted WBTC with fire recovery and site stabilization, then worked with camp leadership to update the master plan and navigate entitlements with multiple agencies, including Ventura County and the Coastal Commission.

The rebuild plan includes demolition of damaged infrastructure, renovation of three existing buildings, and construction of 31 new buildings totaling 138,000 sf. Facilities are strategically sited to minimize impacts to steep slopes, sensitive habitat, and Little Sycamore Creek, with creek bank stabilization and corridor restoration promoting long-term habitat health.

Siegel & Strain is currently leading construction of Phase 1, which restores six damaged buildings in Lower Camp, constructs one new structure, and repairs essential infrastructure—accommodating 200 overnight beds and 270 dining seats to resume camp operations at reduced capacity.