Everyone loves summer camp, and Jewish Community Center Camp Director Julie Hollander says, “This year, we are taking what everyone loved about camp last year and doing it again, and we’re adding new specialty camps, and activities and more.
Swimming is always an important part of camp, and at the JCC camp, all campers, two years old through 3rd grade, who are registered for Camp J-Tots or Camp Keff, will receive swimming lessons as part of the Lenny Krayzelburg Swim Academy. Krayzelburg is a four-time Olympic gold medal winner, and his Swim Academy is the premier swim instruction program in Louisville. The JCC is the only place that offers this program.
Camp J-Tots and Camp Keff are back and better than ever. In addition to both instructional and free swim, children are involved in creative, engaging, age-appropriate activities all day long. Get Up Gang and Stay N Play activities are also available for families who need to drop off children before camp begins or pick them up later.
Children in grades 4-6 can choose the new Camp Trailblazer, which includes an overnight adventure each week; Out n About Camp, which offers daily field trips and a late night every Thursday; or Be a Pro, where campers shadow different professionals at their places of work in addition to traditional camp activities.
Middle Schoolers also have a lot to look forward to. They can help make the world a better place in Community Service Camp, doing projects at places like Gilda’s Club, Ronald McDonald House, Veteran Affairs and more. They can even fulfill their Pledge 13 and Beta Club requirements while having fun at camp with their friends.
New this year, eighth graders who love camp and are eager to help younger children have a positive experience, too, can apply for the Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program. Participants gain experience learning how to be effective counselors, how to handle to tough situations and how to connect with campers as well as basic safety. There’s some fun mixed in, too. CITs participate in two off-site trips each week. All potential participants must be interviewed and selected for inclusion. Applications for this program are due by May 7. Contact David Siskin, dsiskin@jewishlouisville.org for an application.
Looking for something more? There are specialty camps galore. Does your child like to act or dance, do art or ride horses, build things with Legos or play sports? Then there is a specialty camp for him or her. New camps this year include Sailing, Robotics and Sports Stars.
Get all the details at the Camp Open House, Sunday, March 18, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Bring your children to participate in art activities and games while you get the answers to your questions about summer camp, tour the JCC facility and the outdoor campus and meet the camp directors. And, of course, you can register your children for camp.
Whether you register at the Camp Open House or not, when you turn in your registration by Friday, March 23, including a 25 percent deposit, and you pay in full by May 18, you will receive an Early Bird discount – five percent off your camp fees.
Check the summer 2012 JCC Camp Guide for new member and refer-a-family discounts, complete camp descriptions, fee information and registration forms. If you did not receive one in the mail, you can download it by clicking here, or pick one up at the Jewish Community Center.
If you have questions, please contact Camp Director Julie Hollander, 238-2708 or jhollander@jewishlouisville.org.