Summer Day Camp at the JCC
The JCC has three summer camp options: Camp Ruach, a unique Jewish day camp experience open to rising first through ninth graders; Tikvah program of Camp Ruach, an inclusive day camp experience for children on the autism spectrum; and a Leaders-In-Training program for teens. Summer day camp at the J is open to children and teens of all backgrounds, cultures, and religions.
Find your friends at Camp Ruach!
Countdown to Camp:
Camp season runs June 17–August 16, 2024
Camp Registration begins February 1st at 8am!
Camp Ruach (rising 1st-7th graders)
Contact Daniel “Tuxedo” Smedley (featured in left photo) or 253-0701 ext. 107 for more information.
Whether they are here for one week or the whole summer, Camp Ruach campers come away having grown and changed, carrying a newfound sense of confidence. Here, everyone is celebrated! Feeling valued and supported, campers become strong, confident community members while gaining new abilities and having fulfilling experiences. Our energetic Camp Ruach staff work and play with our campers to ensure that they feel safe and nurtured as they have the time of their lives! Click here for the 2020 Camp Ruach podcast episode to hear more about Camp Ruach summer magic! Need-based scholarships are available through the Esther and Hyman Burstein Scholarship.
Click below to register beginning Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2024 at 8:00am
Completed Camper Enrollment Packets & full camp payment are due by April 1st.
2024 Weeks and Themes
June 17-21 אדמה Adama (Earth)
We start off our elemental journey this summer with a week of earth themed activities. Prepare to get dirty as we dig down deep to study fossils and rocks, build a garden bed, and practice some Tikkun Olam.
Freaky Fashion: Trolls and Tree Huggers
Camp Closed for Juneteenth on Wednesday June 19
June 24-28 אוויר Avir (Air)
This week will be a celebration of aerodynamics, from wind to wings! We will build our own flying devices, and practice with projectiles like bows and sling shots.
Freaky Fashion: The Sky’s the Limit
July 1-5 אש Aesh (Fire)
Things get heated we move into our fire week. We will teach fire safety as we build our own camp fires both real and replica (as age appropriate).
Freaky Fashion: Red Hot
Camp Closed for Independence Day on Thursday July 4
July 8-12 צל Tzel (Shadow)
This week we will dabble in darkness, as we embrace all things shadowy and mysterious, from secret agents and ninjas to shadow puppets and shadow sculpture.
Freaky Fashion: Go Under Cover (spies and pajamas)
July 15-19 מים Mayim (Water)
Let’s beat the summer heat with a week long celebration of water. We will spend all week getting soaked as we compete in our traditional Wacky Water Olympics. We will paint with water colors and build boats.
Freaky Fashion: Fishy Fashions
July 22-26 שִׁירָה Shira (Music)
This week will be educational and entertaining as we delve into the world of music and sound. Each day will be themed around a different musical genre or idea. We will experiment with vibrations, build our own instruments, and make music with our surroundings.
Freaky Fashion: Punk vs Country
July 29-August 2 לב Lev (Heart)
This year for Heart we will be combining two camp traditions into one epic week of camp. We will be taking our annual Seth Olson Make a Difference Day and pairing it with our Maccabiah week to create a week long charity competition. We will have epic all camp games and events, alongside a different charity event for each camp group!
Freaky Fashion: A different fashion event every day!
August 5-9 אור Or (Light)
This week is the inverse of our shadow week, because you can’t have shadows without light. Campers will enjoy crafting candles and suncatchers, playing with photography and lanterns, and putting on a camp wide talent show for friends and family.
Freaky Fashion: Sunshine and Rainbows
August 12-16 זמן Zman (Time)
We will wrap up our summer camp season with an exploration of time, reflecting on the past and looking to the future. We’ll close out camp with an old timey carnival.
Freaky Fashion: Time Travel
Tikvah for Children with Autism (ages 6-12)
More information on Camp Tikvah is coming soon.
Contact Daniel “Tuxedo” Smedley or 253-0701 ext. 107 for more information.
Leaders in Training Program
Leaders in Training (LIT) are an integral part of the Camp Ruach experience. As rising freshmen and sophomores in high school, these teenagers help plan and run activities, support senior staff, and help make unforgettable memories for the campers attending each session. LITs will receive special trainings, activities, and discussions geared towards building healthy communication skills, a strong work ethic, and will learn first hand what it means to be a leader. The goal of the LIT program is to help build confidence, cement leadership skills, and give real-life interpersonal experience to teens who are looking to grow into successful young adults.
Email Assistant Youth Programs Director Justin Greenbaum for more information.
