Springboard announces 2017 High School Break programs

Move over, boring Spring Break plans. Springboard, the Jewish United Fund’s communitywide initiative for teens, has 12 different program options for its 2017 roster of immersive high school vacation experiences.

Springboard’s four- and five-day programs – offered through partnerships between JUF and seven outside organizations – are designed to introduce Jewish teens to new skills while they have fun and connect with other Chicago-area students. Next spring’s roster includes sessions focusing on social justice, travel, outdoor adventure, music, art, science, cooking, filmmaking and more.

“We’re thrilled with the diversity of this year’s program offerings,” said Sarina Gerson, director of JUF's Teen Engagement Initiative. “There are so many unique experiences being offered that will appeal to a wide range of teens.”

The 2017 offerings were selected from by a panel of teens and lay leaders from proposals submitted last spring.

“JUF’s Teen Engagement Committee brings together lay leaders – all parents – with unique perspectives on the Jewish teen landscape,” said Susan Sacks, chair of the Teen Engagement Committee, who has helped oversee the development of Springboard since the pilot launched last year. “It was exciting to see the programs take shape and incorporate feedback from parents and teens. After the successful pilot [in the spring of 2016], we are looking forward to many more teens experiencing these innovative programs. There’s something for everyone.”

All programs are open to 9th and 10th graders in the Chicago area. The heavily subsidized cost is $250 for five-day programs, $200 for four-day.

Spring 2017 Programs include:

Big Apple Adventure is a unique New York experience that will give Chicago Jewish teens the chance to explore one of the world’s most vibrant Jewish communities and strengthen their own Jewish identities. Run by Midwest NCSY over President’s Day Weekend, Feb. 16-20.

Farm to Table Chefs Immersion, at Pushing the Envelope Farm in Geneva, Ill., is being offered March 27-30. Participants will have a unique opportunity to learn about food justice and environmental issues, work in the garden, cook meals for those in need, and participate in cooking challenges.

Spring into Action, run by the American Jewish Society for Service, is designed exclusively for Chicago-area teens to connect service work, the political process, and advocacy. This is accomplished through a hands-on program in the Illinois state capital of Springfield that connects them to the Jewish values of pursuing justice and repairing the world. March 27-31.

Chicago Teens for Change (CTC), run by Young Judea, takes participants out of their everyday surroundings and immerses them in an entirely different environment. The community formed in CTC aims to engage in intensive community service, youth leadership development and experiential Jewish learning that is both enriching and transformative. March 26-30.

School of Rock at Beber Camp is based on the camp’s long-running summer music program for teens. Participants form bands, create music, record songs, perform in front of live audiences, and share their creations on social media. They also will meet with music performers and industry experts, all in a fun overnight camp setting. March 27-31.

BreakAway, a multi-track experience run by JCC Camp Chi, will offer five different specialized projects. Choose from multimedia, cooking, woodworking, wilderness survival or Hebrew learning – all led by professional instructors. Teens will enjoy unique program experiences while also having time to hang out with the whole group for meals, evening and late night programs, trips and more. March 27-31.

ArtStudio and SciLab will be offered by OSRUI (the Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute). ArtStudio builds on the success of OSRUI’s Tiferet program and combines study of the arts with a focus on Jewish themes and Jewish living. At SciLab, teens will solve a crime, learn to survive in the outdoors, explore the wilds of Wisconsin, investigate the night sky, and much more. Teens will spend the main part of their day in the specific area of focus of their choice and come together as a group for meals, sports and recreation, and evening programs. March 27-31.

Program registration is available online at springboardchicago.org; Email springboard@juf.org for more information. Springboard is made possible by generous grants from JUF, The Jim Joseph Foundation, The Crown Family, and an anonymous family foundation.

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