Are you ready for a great summer at J-Camp?

I am thrilled to introduce myself to everyone. My name is Seth Finkle, and I will be the director for J-camp this summer at the Dwares JCC. When I moved to Providence a little more than two years ago, I did not imagine I would be in this position. I grew up in upstate New York and spent my summers at the local Jewish Community Center day camp and also attended Camp Eisner in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. I have spent most of my professional career working in a Jewish Community Center or with children. In Washington, D.C., I worked in the JCC’s professional theater, Theater J, on the Washington Jewish Film Festival and in their pre-school. Here in Providence I worked for two years at the Providence Children’s Museum as a floor manager before coming to the Dwares JCC.

I am excited to say that I think this summer will be the best one yet! We are going to continue to have a variety of activities for campers so they will be able to discover activities they enjoy. We will have theater taught by a local actress, Melissa Penick. Aim High Gymnastics will also return as well as all the favorites from last year. We will continue to have special guests on Friday. I am pleased to announce that award-winning Rhode Island performer Keith Munslow will perform as will Big Nazo. Don’t miss our Creepy Creatures week because Dave Machetti will visit with his snakes, turtles and alligator!

There may be snow on the ground, but summer will be here before we know it. I look forward to meeting everyone and enjoying a fun-filled and exciting time here at the Dwares JCC!

SETH FINKLE is director of Camp Haverim and teen programming coordinator at the Jewish Alliance.