From preschool through 12th grade, campers can travel through time this summer at the Tucson Jewish Community Center’s Camp J. Each week is based on a different era, starting with Jurassic Week and ending with Into the Future, with stops in Ancient Egypt, Royal Renaissance, Groovy ’60s/’70s and more.
“Our goal is for kids to have a camp experience that involves personal growth, independence, friendship-making, community service projects and the Jewish values that we instill in our program throughout,” says Camp J Director L. Scott Zorn, who also serves as The J’s director of Children, Youth and Family Engagement. “Everything we do, whether it’s music, art or whatever thematic programs we’re doing, we’re connecting into that time period, so kids can learn about history and have fun at the same time.”
Judaic programming includes a day with the Israel Scouts Friendship Caravan and dressing up as Biblical characters during the week focused on Israel: Land of Milk and Honey. Campers also enjoy Jewish and Israeli cultural activities with counselors from Israel.
A week centered around the Olympics, from Greece to Brazil, culminates with a three-day Maccabiah, Camp J’s version of the games. Wild West week will feature a field trip to Old Tucson for Arizona Heritage Day. Scott says that the Camp J staff has actively helped plan this year’s celebration of the various cultures that contribute to the history of Southern Arizona.
This year Camp J is introducing a series of half-day specialty camps that include tennis, robotics, photography, aerospace, pottery, nutrition, martial arts, performing arts, Bricks4Kids Lego and Parkour by Playformance. Specialty camps can be supplemented with Camp Sababa, an afternoon program of traditional camp activities, for a full day at The J.
Camp J is well known for its unique inclusion program for children and teens with special needs. Campers are paired with trained advocates, who enable them to integrate into the traditional camp program and participate in all activities, as appropriate. In operation for 15 years and primarily funded by the Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities, the inclusion program usually accepts 30-31 campers, which Scott says represents about 15% of the kids on their waiting list. He is excited that this year increased funding from DDD will allow another three to four campers to join the program.
Other Camp J highlights include swimming, field trips, overnights and a week of sleep-away camp at the Shalom Institute in Malibu, CA. The camp takes advantage of The J’s recently renovated facilities, which include a brand new indoor playscape, kosher demonstration kitchen, full-size gym, junior Olympic pool, splash park, art studio, youth lounge and more. All campers gather together on Friday afternoons to welcome Shabbat with a camp-wide lunch and party that ties into that week’s theme.
Camp J is open to all – you do not need to be a member of The J to attend. However, members may enjoy discounted rates, Early Bird pricing (if you register before April 1) and scholarships. A 5% sibling credit, which can be applied to future activity fees, is also available for families with more than one child attending the same camp session. For details, rates and registration, visit tucsonjcc.org, call 520-299-3000 ext.1601, or email camp@tucsonjcc.org.
