JCC Summer Day Camps
Family Feedback
We love hearing from our families about how the summer went! Here are some of the things our families had to say about 2016: “JCC camp is always a wonderful experience. The staff is friendly and professional. The activities are fun and informative. The swimming instruction is top notch.” - Kelly S. “My son, Jackson, has had a blast during his last 2 summers as a Chaverim camper at JCC camp. His favorite parts included swimming, Pizza Fridays, camp songs (which he sings throughout the year) and special new camp friends and counselors that he looks forward to seeing every summer. Jackson never wanted to leave the fun at the end of the day, and we can’t wait for his younger brother to join him next summer.” - Betsy B. “My children love JCC and all of the counselors. They beg to go back every summer.” - Ashley L. “Grant loves the friendships and personalization of JCC camp. My camper feels special.” - Vanessa G. “Absolutely will return! Both Collin and myself love the JCC camp program! The directors, counselors, other attendees, activities, swimming instructions...so much to love!” - Valerie M.
Camp matters. It makes a difference. Camp allows children, youth, and adults to form a special community where great things happen. In an environment created just for them, children learn real life skills, develop self-esteem, and build their own sense of independence.
The camp experience produces many positive outcomes for children. Camp can foster: • Self-identity • Self-worth • Self-esteem • Leadership • Growth in personal skills and competencies
JCC Camp Gives Kids a World of Good
The American Camp Association (ACA) recently implemented the largest and most comprehensive study of the camp experience ever conducted in the United States. The results of the research confirm that camp builds the kind of skills that help children become successful adults. Campers Say: • Camp helped me make new friends (96%) • Camp helped me to get to know kids who are different from me. (93%) • The people at camp helped me feel good about myself. (92%) • At camp, I did things I was afraid to do at first. (74%) Parents Say: • My child gained self-confidence at camp. (70%) • My child continues to participate in some of the new activities he or she learned at camp. (63%) • My child remains in contact with friends made at camp. (69%)
The Long-Lasting Benefits of JCC Camp
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Summer Camp Newsletter
The Value of the JCC Camp Experience
For more than 150 years, JCC camps have been changing lives. Camp is full of fun and excitement, but it is so much more—developing children who are better equipped to lead in the twenty-first century with skills such as independence, empathy, the ability to work as part of a team, and a broader world view. Camp challenges children, keeps them engaged, develops creativity and their talents, and expands their horizons.
METAIRIE
So… How was last summer? WOW! That is the only word I can think of to describe Summer Camp 2016 here at the JCC. For the third year in a row, we have been rated Gambit’s Best Summer Camp, and we could not have done that without all of you! The summer always seems to pass in the blink of an eye, but we were able to pack so much fun into a short eight weeks. Field trips to laser tag, the Children’s Museum, and Patchwork Players are always favorites, but this year we were also able to visit some new places, like the WWII Museum and Longue Vue Gardens. Zion, especially, had some bigger trips this year – they got to go rock climbing at Slidell Rocks and to the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies! Chaverim’s Adventure Days were a big hit, with a return visit from Dancing Drum and a chance to meet animals with Zoo-Zoom.
We also had some great new things in Taglit this summer. We partnered with Upturn Arts to bring in some dynamite specialists and new topics, including photography and stage combat. Taglit also loved their new Adventure Week trip to Clue Carré Escape Rooms. None of our teams escaped, but they were all really close and are looking forward to facing the challenge again in summer 2017. Club Time! I have to say that this is where the campers had the biggest change this summer. With new, intensive clubs, campers got to learn things like sewing, theater, and cooking. They loved being handson in their club time, and a lot of them even requested MORE time. We truly loved seeing the program expand and the campers embrace the new offerings.
2017 Registration and Dates MARCH 26
Open House and Camp Reunion 1:00 - 3:00 PM
APRIL 14
Last day to receive early bird discount
MAY 26
All outstanding balances and camp forms due
JUNE 4
Camp Open House
JUNE 5
First day of summer camp
As always, we want to thank our staff and families for making it another stellar summer here at the JCC. We love having you here every summer; you are what make JCC camp such a special place. Seeing our camp families return every year truly makes our summer, and all of you will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
If last summer was so amazing, what’s next?
We are thrilled to introduce our new Camp Director Josh Toups who can’t wait to maintain the huge success of JCC Summer Camp while bringing in some new ideas to mix things up! This year, we have some exciting things in the works! • New lunch service by Waffles on Maple. • Longer Arts and Specialty blocks. • More quality take-home projects. • Top artists and musicians from the New Orleans area to instruct our campers. • Exciting new field trips like the Escape Family Entertainment Center at the Margaritaville Resort in Biloxi! • Our new innovation lab, Livnot* *Livnot, which is Hebrew for “to build,” will give your campers a play space to make inventions come to life, build with our Imagination Playground, create LEGO® structures, learn about circuitry, ignite volcanoes, make observations through microscopes and do guided experiments with camp counselors and specialists.
Sports Camp
Building on the success of the Uptown JCC’s Sports Camp, Metairie will be offering a four week sports camp this summer from June 5 - 30, lead by Coach PJ. This will be an opportunity for your camper to get in-depth instruction into some major sports and also lesser known ones. Each week will focus on one major sport like baseball, football, soccer or basketball. Sports campers will join Taglit and Zion on their annual Blue Bayou field trip and will enjoy elite guest coaches. They will also take part in all of the whole-camp activities like capture the flag games, Color Wars and giant water balloon activities. Sports Camp will fill up quickly, so reserve your spot today!
JCC Summer Day Camps
1. Metairie Park Country Day 2. Jewish Community Day School 3. Gates of Prayer 4. St. Clement of Rome 5. St. Catherine of Siena 6. Metairie Academy 7. Torah Academy 8. Ecole Bilingue 9. International School of Louisiana 10. St. Dominic
JCC SUMMER CAMP STAFF Josh Toups, Camp Director
Josh is so excited to take on the new role of camp director. A Denham Springs native, Josh has been running quality children’s programming and camps for over ten years. Formerly, Josh was a Talented Theater and elementary school teacher, and he is dedicated to creating a magical, fun, safe and educational experience for children. He recently became a father and loves spending time with his wife, Robin, and his daughter Vera. When he is not at the JCC, you can find him cooking extravagant meals for his family, or running bingo and doing comedy at Children’s Hospital on Saturday mornings.
Our List of Top Girls and Boys Names in 2016: 1. Benjamin 2. Isaac/Izaac 3. Noah 4. Andrew 5. Matthew
1. Sarah 2. Abigail/Abby 3. Rebecca/Rebekah 4. Caroline 5. Sophie/Sophia
JCC Summer Day Camps
Where do our campers come from? Top 10 Schools – Metairie Camp:
Camp Reunion and Open House Sunday, March 26 1:00 - 3:00 PM JCC - Metairie Gymnasium Visit with your favorite counselors, enjoy lunch, and play games! Information and tours available for prospective families, so bring a friend to learn more about our fabulous summer camp!
Top 10 things that remind me of JCC Camp:
Terrance Perkins, Assistant Camp Director
Terrance has been with the JCC for eight years as a camp counselor, game room supervisor, and now as the children’s director and assistant camp director. He is a lifelong resident of NOLA and has degrees in secondary education and educational counseling. You may find Terrance around the J playing basketball, working out, or having NERF battles with Coach PJ.
PJ Jones, Sports Director
PJ Jones graduated from Rhodes College in 2013 after playing four years of Division III football and receiving a B.A. in history. This will be PJ’s second summer working at the Metairie campus. His favorite kind of music is classic country western. You can often find Coach PJ in the gym with Mr. Terrance beating him in NERF battles.
Stephanie Krell, Membership Director and Administration
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It’s hard to believe but Stephanie has been working for the JCC for eight years! She works closely with new and returning camp families and helps run things behind the scenes. She also manages the Metairie social media page, so be sure to follow us on Facebook! Stop by her office or give her a call for all your JCC needs.
CHAVERIM FIELDTRIPS ISRAEL MACCABEE SWIMMING
CLUBTIME HAMOTZI JCC SABRA TAGLIT
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