Time to think summer camp at the Dwares JCC

Summer vacation will be here before we know it, so now is the time to start thinking about your plans. Summer J-Camp at the Dwares JCC offers everything you’d expect from a great summer experience – sports, music, nature exploration, swimming – all within a warm and welcoming community. J-Camp, which enrolls campers from ages 5 to 11 and Counselors-in-Training (CITs) from ages 12-15, is managed by nurturing staff that includes educators, child-care professionals, artists, coaches, an Israeli shaliach (emissary) and qualified counselors. Each week at J-Camp, there is a dedicated theme that ties in both secular and Jewish educational components. Elective activities, field trips and special guests make J-Camp a new adventure each week. One of the great benefits of J-camp is the fact that we run for 9 weeks while other camps only run for 8 weeks. In addition, as part of the USDA-funded Summer Food Service Program, J-Camp offers lunch and snacks daily at no extra charge to campers. 

Camp takes advantage of the warm New England summer, and we spend as much time outside as possible. Each morning we will have a morning circle meeting where we sing songs and learn a Hebrew word of the day. This morning ritual re-enforces the strong community that’s important at J-Camp. New this year is music as a class and an elective for campers. Our summer schaliach, Nave, specializes in music and will be sure to add a great new component and energy to camp!

Weekly themes, field trips

and special events

Week 1: Sailing the Oceans/Connection to Other Cultures. Our field trip this week will be to Spring Lake Beach, and our special guest will be from Save the Bay.

Week 2: Party in the USA/Welcoming of all Guests. Our field trip this week will be to Camp JORI, and we will have a special visit from the Providence Fire Department

Week 3: Heroes/Honor and Respect. We will visit RISPCA this week and have a special visit from the Burrillville Police Department.

Week 4: Under the Big Top/Strong Family Bonds. We will head to the EcoTarium this week and have a special visit from the Big Nazo puppets.

Week 5: Creepy Crawlers/Caring for the earth and environment. On field trip day, we will spend the day at the Roger Williams Park Zoo and will have the opportunity to spend some time with snakes, rabbits, tree frogs and an alligator when animal expert Dave Marchetti visits us.

Week   6:     Monsters/Acceptance of Others. Help cheer on the Pawtucket Red Sox this week and then enjoy a fun performance by award-winning performer, Keith Munslow.

Week 7: Construction/Repairing the World. Travel to Boston this week as we visit the Boston Children’s Museum. Play curator Linda White will visit on Friday, and show us how we can create awesome projects with recyclable material.

Week 8: Olympics/Maccabi/Sportsmanship and teamwork. We will travel to South County and spend the day at the Rhode Island Rock Gym. We will make our own sundaes to celebrate Olympics week!

Week 9: Wild Things/Kindness to Animals. Our final field trip will be to Douglas State Park. We will end camp with a dance party and extra-special Shabbat celebration.

SETH FINKLE is the director of Camp Haverim at the Alliance. For more information, contact him at 401-421-4111, ext. 146.