Summer Fun At The JCC Camps

From 16 months to children entering grade 10, there's something to offer for every age at the "Summer on the Hill" organizers say.

A new session for the camps start next Monday, July 25 and there is still room to sign up.

"We are super flexible, that's our mantra", says JCC Director of PR and Community Relations Leigh Blander.

The Prime Time program is for ages 16 months to 2 years, 9 months and is held in both air-conditioned rooms in the "J" as well as playtime in the playground. This program runs 9 a.m. to noon.

There are also extended program hours for all children who need a little extra time. Great for working families, children can be dropped off as early as 7:30 a.m. and picked up as late as 6 p.m. Hot lunch is offered to the older campers  three days a week at the cafe at the pool.

KinderCamp is offered for ages 2 years, 9 months-entering Kindergarten. This camp is based primarily around the outdoor pool complex. There are rolling grass hills in the shade, fields for games, arts and crafts and of course, the extra-large pool complex. Swimming lessons are a part of the curriculum every morning.

We followed a group of these campers on a short walk from the pool, over to the that sits on the 11-acre JCC property. 

In the science lab, one group was making "hover crafts" out of plastic bottle parts, balloons and a CD. The campers were reminded that any spare parts get recycled.

In the computer lab, children created robots during their "Robotics" class. Built by using Legos, children uploaded information to a microchip that they attached to their Lego robot. This programmed their robot where to go and how to move, such as following a line drawn on a large piece of poster board.

Simchah on the Hill is a camp designed for children entering grades 1-7. Specialty camps such as Culinary Institute, International Influences and Structures and Sculptures are offered along with Jewish traditions and Israeli cultures.

Jewish Teen Internship(JTI) is perfect for the 8-10th grader who is looking for a bit more out of camp. This isn't your typical councilor in training program. These kids get the opportunity to give back to the community weekly by taking trips to local schools and charities such as the Ford School, Haven from Hunger and helping the elderly in Chelsea.

JTI also has a Friday Fun Days and a cultural sleepovers with other teens from Israel.

And it's not only for kids of the Jewish faith, 80% of this program is comprised of Jewish teens and the other 20% are teens from other religious backgrounds looking to explore a little culture.

The Summer Membership promotion is still being offered at the JCC and members will receive a discount for the camps. They will pro-rate the summer membership fees.

Check it all out at www.jccns.org or contact Camp Director Darren Benedick at dbenedick@jccns.com or 781.631.8181.