Children and parents excited for Camp J

Before 9 a.m. on June 5, dozens of excited campers arrived at The J for the first day of summer camp. With bags of sunscreen, bathing suits and anticipation, the campers were welcomed by their new counselors and broke into cabin groups for introductions and the first Morning Circle of the year.

Noa Hadayer was among the parents dropping her two children off at camp. She sends Daniel and Eyal to Camp J each year because it’s “the best summer camp in the area with all sorts of activities they enjoy and they have friends in the camp from previous summers. Swimming is their favorite part of summer camp.” Younger campers get a thirty-minute swimming lesson from an instructor each day, and all campers get free swim time every day.

In the first several weeks of camp, children have attended specialty camps with LEGOS®, soccer, cooking, art, rugby and theatre. Specialty Camps at The J focus on one specific theme, but there is still time for fun at the pool, songs and activities with the rest of the campers.

Traditional camps, Keff (Grades K-3) and Trek 46 (Grades 4-6), also had plenty of fun with arts and crafts, Israeli culture from our Shlichim (Israeli Emissaries), sports and, of course, GaGa. Trek 46 campers also travel on field trips and have visited the Kentucky Derby Museum, the Parklands of Floyds Fork, the Falls of the Ohio, Holiday World and had an overnight at The J.

Each week in traditional camp has a special theme and campers are encouraged to dress up on Wednesdays. Themes so far have included Wild West and Dinosaur Days. Future themes include Medieval Times, Maccabi Color Wars and the Golden Age of Piracy.

Camp J’s youngest campers in ELC Summer Camp are enjoying learning new songs, taking swim lessons, playing in the wading pool, listening to stories and doing arts and crafts. They have also enjoyed the outdoor playground, playing in the dance studio and other fun activities.

Each afternoon, parents like Noa pick up their children after a day of fun and their kids cannot wait to tell them all about the excitement of the day. Camp J is often the highlight of the summer. Camp Director Mindye Mannel says that “it’s good to have somewhere for kids to go to in the summer that feels like home, somewhere they look forward to going to every day and every summer.”

It is not too late to join the summer of fun at Camp J. Registration is available for camps at www.jcclouisvillecamp.org. Join Camp J this summer to make memories and friends that will last a lifetime!

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