Favorite camp events include the Color Run and Apache Relay, Lip Sync Showcase, Camp JCC Gala, and Carnival Colossal. Daily fun happens with spirit days such as Crazy Hair Day, Tacky Tourist Day, Neon Day, and Tie-Dye Day, along with summer staples such as H2O Day, Watermelon Wednesday, and the Stars & Stripes Pool Party.

 Every morning at Camp JCC begins with Boker Tov, a camp-wide celebration of songs, cheers, and laughter, setting the tone for a joyful day, and each week closes with Shabbat blessings, songs, and, of course, challah for all.

Camp JCC is the ultimate all-in-one day camp summer experience—offering something for every child. Campers swim twice daily (including instructional swim), play sports, create arts and crafts, explore nature, and participate in music, drama, and classic camp games like gaga.

 Open to children of all backgrounds, faiths, and abilities, Camp JCC is a welcoming, inclusive community where kids can try new things, build confidence, and make lasting friendships. 

Camp JCC has a strong commitment to safety, low camper-to-staff ratios, and a caring team that ensures every child feels seen, supported, and successful. 

“Camp JCC is more than just camp, it’s a place where kids grow,” says Betty Ann Levin, executive vice president, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC.

 Fun and values go hand in hand at Camp JCC. All activities are designed to help campers build confidence, character, and connection through core Jewish values:

• Simcha (Joy): Celebrating each day with laughter, energy, and positivity. 

• Chaverut (Friendship): Building meaningful relationships rooted in kindness and respect.

• Ometz Lev (Courage): Encouraging campers to try new things and step outside their comfort zones.

• Arvut (Community): Creating a strong sense of belonging through shared traditions and experiences.

• Achrayut (Responsibility): Teaching accountability and leadership in everyday moments.

• Kehilah (Inclusivity): Welcoming and celebrating campers of all backgrounds.

Through these values, Camp JCC creates a community where every camper feels they belong—and leaves with skills that last far beyond summer.

For information, go to campjcc.org.

Kate-Lynn Cipolla is director of Camp JCC. She may be reached at klcipolla@ujft.org.

Summer camp season is around the corner, and the Secure Community Network (SCN) is launching its first-ever Camp Security Initiative Webinar Series, designed for camp administrators, counselors, parents, and campers. This program is intended to provide practical guidance to help in preparations for a safe and secure summer.

Protecting Campers: Safety Guidance for Counselors, is the subject of the webinar taking place on April 22. It will offer practical instruction for counselors on situational awareness, camper supervision, and reporting suspicious activity. The session includes a live Q&A period with security professionals.

SCN also offers a list of essential safety questions for parents to ask prior to sending their children to summer camp. 

 Some of the questions are:

1. Has the camp had a Threat, Vulnerability, and Risk Assessment performed and has it developed a plan to implement identified security and safety issues?

2. How is access to the camp controlled for visitors and vendors?

3. What is the procedure for handling a missing camper?

4. How does the camp communicate emergencies to campers, staff, and families?

The complete list of questions with details, is available at securecommunitynetwork.org.   

Since launching in April 2024, SCN’s Camp Security Initiative has trained more than 5,000 camp-related individuals, conducted more than 100 site assessments, and helped secure $2.2 million in Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) funding.

The countdown to Spring Break is officially on, with Camp JCC ready to transform a week away from the classroom into a memorable adventure. Designed specifically for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, the program offers a safe, inclusive, and vibrant environment where kids can truly be kids. Every day is curated with exciting themes to ensure that no two days feel the same. Campers can look forward to a jam-packed schedule that includes free swim sessions in the indoor pool, Gaga matches, and creative arts and crafts projects. 

 Spring Break serves as the ultimate “sneak peek” for the upcoming summer season. Many beloved summer counselors will be on-site, giving campers a chance to reconnect with their favorite counselors and get excited for the sunshine ahead. Each day features unique highlights, such as the “Camp Takeover,” where campers will dive into tie-dye and host mini color run competitions. Campers will also embrace the outdoors with guided nature hikes around the pond and building-wide scavenger hunts.

 Understanding that every family has different needs during the break, enrollment flexibility is offered. Parents can choose to register for individual days or dive into the full experience with a 5-day package. For those who need a bit more time, an extended care option is available, 8 am – 6 pm. 

 Register: www.campjcc.org.

To learn more about Camp JCC, Kids Night Out, School Days Out, children’s classes, and more, contact Kate-Lynn Cipolla, Camp JCC director, at klcipolla@ujft.org or 757-321-2306.

Get ready to hit the court and experience the madness! Children, ages 4–12, are invited to the Ultimate Bracket Bash Kids Night Out.

 The evening kicks off with basketball relays where campers can showcase their skills, followed by sports-themed arts and crafts. After working up a sweat, kids can cool down with a refreshing free swim before winding down for the night with a special snack and a movie finale. 

 Participants are encouraged to show their team spirit by arriving dressed in their favorite jerseys or team colors. Parents, remember to pack your child’s dinner to enjoy before the fun officially tips off. Space is limited. Register at JewishVA.org/KNO. 

To learn more about Kids Night Out, School Days Out, Camp JCC, children’s classes and more, contact Kate-Lynn Cipolla, Camp JCC director, at klcipolla@ujft.org or 757-321-2306. 

Sandler Family Campus

When school is out, Camp JCC is in. Children currently in K-5th grade can look forward to a week filled with energy, friendship, and fun with a jam-packed schedule that includes free swim sessions in the indoor pool, creative arts and crafts projects, high-energy gym games, and plenty of time playing Gaga or exploring the incredible new playground. 

 Since every family has different needs during the break, the camp offers enrollment flexibility: choose individual days or dive into the full experience with the convenient 5-Day Package. In addition to the standard School Days Out program, an extended care option, 8 am – 6 pm is offered. Whether looking for a single day of reliable childcare or a full week of friendship and fun, Camp JCC provides a safe, vibrant environment where kids can truly be kids. 

 To make the week special, many beloved counselors from the summer will be there to lead the way, bringing that camp spirit and mentorship to every activity. These familiar faces ensure that campers feel at home from the moment they check in – surrounded by staff who know exactly how to turn an ordinary morning into an extraordinary memory.

 Each day will feature an exciting theme, ensuring that no two days feel the same. Campers will have the chance to embark on epic scavenger hunts, solving riddles and working as a team to uncover hidden treasures. Between high-energy activities, there will be time to make special snacks that are as tasty as they are fun to create, giving everyone a chance to express their culinary creativity. A variety of organized games to promote teamwork and sportsmanship will also take place. Whenever the weather permits, plenty of time will be spent outside, soaking up the fresh spring air and enjoying the sunshine.

 Spring Break Camp serves as a social bridge, allowing kids to step outside their usual school circles and bond with peers through shared challenges and laughter. Whether strategizing during a game of Gaga or collaborating on a masterpiece in the art room, these moments are where lifelong bonds begin. This is the perfect opportunity for children to reconnect with their camp friends and make new ones. Every single moment is meticulously designed to be an unforgettable break from the classroom routine. 

To secure a spot, visit www.campjcc.org.

To learn more about Kids Night Out, School Days Out, children’s classes, and more, contact Kate-Lynn Cipolla, Camp JCC director, at klcipolla@ujft.org or 757-321-2306.

 Activities included crafts, games, sports, Camper’s Choice, STEM projects, daily free swim, and Israeli culture with Tidewater’s Shinshinim Noga Yaniv and Yarden Lahan. 

 As a part of the Camp JCC School Days Out program, myriad options were available for families – multi-day packages, as well as individual days – to attend. Since many school calendars are not aligned with each other, the option to customize schedules enabled campers to participate in class holiday parties, holiday travel plans, and the fun of Camp JCC.

 Camp JCC School Days Out is open to Kindergarteners through fifth graders. More information, pricing, and registration can be found at campjcc.org. Registration is open for Spring Break/Passover Break, which is already filling up.

To learn more about Kids Night Out, School Days Out, children’s classes, and more, contact Kate-Lynn Cipolla, Camp JCC assistant director, at klcipolla@ujft.org or 757-321-2306.To learn more about Camp JCC, or to hear about year-round opportunities for teens in the community, contact Sierra Lautman, senior director of Jewish Innovation, at SLautman@UJFT.org or 757-965-6107.

 Camp JCC School Days Out allows campers to spend time at the Simon Family JCC with friends, see many of their favorite counselors, and enjoy their favorite camp activities during non-summer months. Campers can expect to participate in free swim, gaga, arts and crafts, sports, and games – all with new and old friends. Covering the winter and spring breaks of multiple school districts, as well as select federal holidays, School Days Out offers families a multitude of options to attend when school is not in session. As school districts and their calendars are not all the same, families can sign up for individual days, select a 5- or 10-day bundle of days that best fit their schedules, or select a bundle for all of the school days out. Payment plans are available for select options.

 Camp JCC School Days Out is for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade. More information, pricing, and registration can be found at www.campjcc.org. Registration is now open, and spots will fill, so sign up today.

To learn more about Camp JCC, or to hear about year-round opportunities for teens in the community, contact Dave Flagler, director of Camp and Teen Engagement, at 757-452-3182 or DFlagler@UJFT.org.

To learn more about Camp JCC or to hear about year round opportunities for teens in the community, contact Dave Flagler, director of Camp and Teen Engagement, at DFlagler@UJFT.org or 757-452-3182.