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!
Camp season runs June 19–August 18, 2023
Camp Registration begins February 15th at 8:30am!
Camp Ruach (rising 1st-8th graders)
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!
Contact Daniel “Tuxedo” Smedley or 253-0701 ext. 107 for more information.
Click below to register beginning Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 at 8:30am
Completed Camper Enrollment Packets & full camp payment are due by April 1st.
2023 Weeks and Themes
Ruach means “spirit,” and Camp Ruach campers have camp spirit in spades. This year Camp Ruach will be diving into the JCC’s 5 core values, intermixed with some of our zaniest themes yet!
- June 19–23: Hachnasat Orchim (Welcoming) Our first week of camp! We will be working to build an inclusive community through all of our programs and activities, and we may even have a welcome carnival!
- June 26–30:B’liel (Concoction) An ooey, gooey, mess of a science week! From slime to volcanoes to things that glow in the night, this is the week for burgeoning mad scientists (and just anyone who wants to have fun with a bit of goo).
- July 3–7: Metsuyanut (Excellence) This is our Maccabbiah (color war week) but it is a secret from the children, so don’t spill the beans. We will be having competitions and high-energy fun all week so bring your water bottles and all of your camp spirit!!
- July 10–14: Harpatkah (Adventure) A week-long delve into fantasy and fun! Stories, dreams, mysteries, and imagination are the fuel for the adventures everyone involved will experience.
- July 17–21: Limud (Learning) Who says learning can’t be fun? We will be introducing the new Learning Lab and many new outdoor learning activities. Business and fun run rampant as usual, come and see for yourself!
- July 24–28: Tziur (Drawing) Time to enjoy the fine arts and all that come with them. From Leonardo Da Vinci to Leonardo the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, nothing is off the table.
- July 31–August 4: Tikkun Olam (Repair the World) Tikkun Olam means “Repair The World.” We will do projects that focus on sustainability, tzedakah (charity), and remembrance.
- August 7–11: Tziporim (Birds) Our animal week dedicated to our avian friends. Insert bird joke here (sorry, I’m too bird brained to come up with a better one).
- August 14–18: Kehilah (Community) We’ll close out camp with a celebration of community and the coming together and acceptance of everyone and everything at camp.
Tikvah for Children with Autism (ages 6-12)
Camp Tikvah is the premier autism inclusion/integration summer day camp program of its kind in Western North Carolina. Tikvah enables children on the autism spectrum to enjoy the fun and community of Camp Ruach. Here, campers participate in activities alongside their Camp Ruach counterparts in an individually monitored and supported structure. Each one-week session runs interwoven with Camp Ruach, and enables these awesome kids to participate in as many peer activities as are individually appropriate. To register for Tikvah sign your child up for your chosen weeks of Camp Ruach and select the Tikvah add-on when filling out the enrollment form.
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.
