Why Camp JCC?
6125 Montrose Road Rockville, MD 20852 jccgw.org 301.881.0100
The Camp JCC approach Camp JCC is a place where Jewish identities are born and fostered. Camp JCC offers the opportunity for campers to gain valuable skills. Campers are learning to take turns, they are learning the value of teamwork and competition, they are learning to take risks, and they are gaining self-esteem, all in a nurturing and inclusive environment. Camp JCC offers your child a place to learn new skills and build on existing ones, whether navigating the ropes course, learning a new swim stroke, performing in a play or creating works of art. Camp JCC offers a variety in everyday programming. Campers get to experience all the activities that camp has to offer from swimming, to playing gaga during sports, to learning a new dance during Israeli Dance. Our older campers get to choose how their day will look and can focus on activities that they enjoy. We have several values that are entwined into every activity we do at camp. We instill a spark of spirit (ruach) in every camper who comes through our doors, and create a community (kehillah) that fosters a sense of friendship (chaverut) between campers and staff. That sense of community is also what allows our campers to build their confidence (bitachon atzmi) and gain independence (atzmaut) and learn valuable leadership (manhigut) skills. We also have our many traditions (masoret) that keep campers coming back year after year. Camp JCC offers your child opportunities to build a strong Jewish identity, foster lasting friendships and create memories that last a lifetime.
Our Values
Ruach (spirit) רוח Kehillah (community) קהילה Masoret (Traditions) מסורת Chaverut (Friendship) חברות Bitachon Atzmi (Confidence) ביטחון עצמי Atzmaut (Independence) עצמאות Eretz Y’israel (Israel) ארץ ישראל Manhigut (Leadership) מנהיגות
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Ruach – Spirit Here at Camp JCC, Ruach is the spark of joy that lives within each of our campers and staff members. At Camp JCC, the value of Ruach is experienced by: • Singing in the hallways when going from activity to activity • Cheering on your teammates during J Games • Weekly rocking song sessions • Staff greeting campers when they arrive to camp each day By the end of the summer, campers will: • Learn about themselves and who they are • Make decisions about what they like – the new thing they love from camp • Find their inner spark
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Camp JCC is a place filled with activities for every kind of kid. No matter what your child’s interest is, they will have the time of their life at Camp JCC.
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Kehillah – Community Here at Camp JCC, Kehila is the sense of belonging, the warm welcoming environment we have at camp and the supportive environment to be yourself. It’s also finding the place where you belong. At Camp JCC, the value of Kehila is experienced by: • Each child being part of a bunk group • Getting to know your group & counselors • Activities with your bunk every day • Sharing camp with family & friends • Celebrating Shabbat By the end of the summer, campers will: • Have a new group of friends • Contribute to the success of an activity • Feel success in building relationships • Create unity within their bunk/unit
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Camp JCC is a magical place where children have fun, make fast friends and challenge themselves in a warm, supportive environment. They offer everything, from swimming, soccer and baseball to field trips, theater and crafts. Every child is loved and there is something for everyone! I can’t imagine our summers without Camp JCC.
Masoret – Traditions Here at Camp JCC, Masoret are the things that make Camp JCC special. They are the events that campers look forward to year after year. At Camp JCC, the value of Masoret is experienced by: • J Games – competition where camp is divided into 4 teams to compete in various activities • Puttin on the Hits – lip sync competition • Lavan Gold Rush program – 1st graders searching camp for gold • Opening under the tent – 750 campers and staff come together every morning By the end of the summer, campers will: • Learn about our traditions • Find the value in the traditions in their family • Create traditions for themselves
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The cheers and songs my children came home singing reminded me of when I went to camp.
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Chaverut – Friendship Here at Camp JCC, Chaverut are the bonds formed between campers and staff. It’s the experience of going through a fun-filled day with friends at your side. At Camp JCC, the value of Chaverut is experienced by: • Campers getting to know the people in their group • Campers making connections that continue beyond camp • Holding hands with your friends while walking to activities • Cheering your friends on during a kickball game By the end of the summer, campers will: • Create a bond with the group (bunk) • Feel successful in making new friends • Make and keep friends for years to come • Develop trust with campers and staff
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My son had another amazing summer at Camp JCC. I love that Camp JCC has an inclusion program and my son has a chance to befriend and connect with children with special needs.
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Bitachon Atzmi – Confidence Here at Camp JCC, Bitachon Atzmi is fostering the development of each camper and creating an environment that honors and accepts the special contributions each individual makes to our camp community. At Camp JCC, the value of Bitachon Atzmi is experienced by: • Campers going down the zip line for • Passing the deep water test in the pool the first time • Performing stage in front of friends • Hitting a ball after practicing for 3 days • Stepping up on stage to help lead on that skill Israeli dancing By the end of the summer, campers will: • Learn to take risks • Have feelings of accomplishment • Build their self – esteem • Feel comfortable in new situations
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When people ask my son what he’s good at, he says, ‘I’m really good at Camp.’
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Atzmaut – Independence Here at Camp JCC, Atzmaut is learning to do things ourselves. We help each other enhance our personal understanding of self, develop our personal ethical code and learn life skills. At Camp JCC, the value of Atzmaut is experienced by: • Spending your first summer at camp • Trying a new activity • Choosing a chug (elective) By the end of the summer, campers will: • Make their own decisions • Speak their mind • Advocate for their needs
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There is so much power in your inclusion program. My children have learned empathy and acceptance as a result of engaging with the inclusion campers in their group – an invaluable life lesson that will stick with them forever.
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Eretz Y’israel – Israel Here at Camp JCC, Eretz Y’israel is the connection we have to Israel. It’s learning about Israel and seeing how Israeli kids are just like us. It’s also the connection to the people, land and history. At Camp JCC, the value of Eretz Y’israel is experienced by: • Having Shlichim (Israeli counselors) • Israel Day come to camp • Israeli dancing • Singing Hatikvah (Israeli National Anthem) • Israeli campers & camp groups every morning • Israeli culture activity By the end of the summer, campers will: • Understand about the culture and people of Israel • Learn Hebrew language • Build connections to friends in Israel
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The Jewish values and ties to Israel are very important to our family, which is a big reason we chose the JCC.
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Manhigut – Leadership Here at Camp JCC, Manhigut is strengthening the skills campers have by providing opportunities to lead their fellow campers. There are also opportunities for staff to learn to be leaders in the camp community. At Camp JCC, the value of Manhigut is experienced by: • Seeing your counselors lead an activity • CITs participating in the program and • Mitzvah Corp campers working with becoming counselors Adom campers on a project By the end of the summer, campers & staff will: • Participate in public speaking • Motivate and inspire others • Lead a group • Recognize leadership potential
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The Camp JCC team and staff work incredibly hard to ensure a fun, safe and meaningful Jewish camp experience for 750+ campers! I was amazed at how many kids and counselors my children knew by the last day of camp.
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See you at Camp!
campjcc@jccgw.org • 301.348.3883 www.campjcc.camp
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF GREATER WASHINGTON 6125 Montrose Road • Rockville, MD 20852 • jccgw.org