3 minute read
Kids can discover new interests and dive deeper into existing ones at Camp JCC
By Heather Lavin JCC Program Director
One of the earliest lessons I learned working with youth (and being a parent) is that every child is on their own journey.
At the Jewish Community Center, we strive to provide opportunities at every step along the way. In our building, we see kids at all stages of life, from toddlers in Early Childhood Education to young adults returning to the JCC to work as camp counselors and lifeguards.
Some children find their passion at a young age, while others require more time for exploration. And what sparks enthusiasm for one child might not work for their siblings or their friends. With that in mind, we work hard to offer a variety of recreational and enrichment opportunities all year long and at all stages of their development.
The JCC is a great place to try something new, with programs that vary from season to season. You’ll find recreational sports like JHoops basketball and aquatics offerings in a safe and supportive environment. Creativity can start at a young age with exploring dance through creative movement or with mixed media in a class like Messy Art. Strategic thinkers may gravitate toward chess club, while those who were born to perform can be seen on stage in Stagemakers Youth Theater productions. If you have multiple children with varied interests, you might find yourself in our building dropping off one at swim practice and the other at a guitar lesson at the same time.
Camp JCC is a perfect example of such varied offerings under one program. Camp Adventure provides campers in grades 1-8 with a traditional day camp experience in a familiar setting. It offers a rotating schedule of activities from instructional swim lessons to art, sports and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). There are new experiences (cue weekly field trips and special events) and opportunities to hone skills by repeating favorite activities (archery and a Gaga showdown, anyone?).
Young campers, rising pre-K and kindergarteners, experience much of what Camp Adventure has to offer at a more flexible pace with active, hands-on and age-appropriate fun at every turn. Our new counselor-in-training program provides teens in grades 9 and 10 a chance to learn new skills and develop personally while becoming leaders at our camp. For our campers who have an early passion, specialty camps provide a concentrated environment and expert instruction to dive deep for one week and flourish. Artists can express themselves through jewelry making, cartooning and crafts. Budding young chefs can take ownership of the kitchen with cooking and baking. Theater performers will be inspired by “The Greatest Showman” and “Encanto” and bring weekly themes to life on the stage. Hobbyists can get lost in their love of Lego brick building, Harry Potter, mysteries and fairy tales. No matter where your child is on their personal journey, the JCC is a great place to try something new or dig deep into what they already love. Whether kids enroll in activities all year long or see us only during camp, they will find a supportive and caring staff and a chance to make lifelong friends as they learn, grow and have fun.
All our youth and camp offerings can be found at lvjcc.org. We hope to see you soon.
\ ��- SC HOLARSHIPSAVAILABLE
Scholarships will be awarded to individuals for Jewish teen education experiences that will enrich the recipients, enhance the community, and increase the likelihood of future engagement with Jewish life.
Scholarships are provided by the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley's annual campaign, on a non-needs basis.
Teens may request scholarships for: Conventions Jewish youth group summer programs Jewish summer camps Certain trips to Israel Leadership development programs
LIMITED FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE.
Scholarship forms are available at www.jewishlehighvalley.org/scholarships
DEADLINE: MARCH 24, 2023
Cantor Ellen Sussman Temple Shirat Shalom
I have a lot of experience with the JCC camp. Both my children became counselors in training and then counselors.
I remember putting my smiling kids on the bus with their friends. All I wanted was for them to come home safely after a day of running around in the sunshine and cooling off in the pool.
I actually did, however, have another agenda: there is nothing like camp to build