Jewish Content at Camp

At JCC Summer Camps, we're inspiring Jewish journeys and a connection to Israel by emphasizing Jewish identity and traditions – we live, breathe, taste and smell the rich traditions of our people. Jewish themes and activities are woven into programming through music, crafts, Hebrew language, special events, Shabbat celebrations and much more!

Tzedakah Projects

Each camp will participate in an ongoing tzedakah (charity) project. We'll collect Tzedakah money each Friday – at the end of the summer, we'll donate all the funds to a deserving organization chosen by each camp!

Participate in TAG

Campers at Camp Shemesh, Chaverim and Hoover have the chance to participate in TAG initiatives created by the Mandel Center for Jewish Education. TAG is an acronym for Torah (learning and living), Avodah (service and spirituality) and Gemilut Chassadim (acts of loving kindness), three encompassing values of Judaism taken from Pirkei Avot that provide a firm foundation for the formation of one's Jewish identity and humanity. TAG initiatives add Jewish richness, beauty, quality and meaning to our camps through Jewish experiences and education.

We're at camp, but we're still learning!

This summer our campers are going on a gibor (hero) tour. Each week we will focus on a different Jewish value that all heroes have. Values include respect, protecting the earth, community, watching what you say, love for your country, courage of the heart, responsibility and Israel. In addition each week a different superhero will come to camp to enforce these values. So come take a tour and explore the hero in you!

Israeli staff brings ruach!

Each summer the JCC welcomes Israeli staff to share their culture, language and ruach (spirit!). We invite our camp families to share this international experience by extending home hospitality. Call the camp office at 559-6251 or email tkauffman@columbusjcc.org for more information on this opportunity of a lifetime.

We welcome every camper!

JCC Summer Camps welcome all children, regardless of religious affiliation, to participate in our camp experience and to share in our rich Jewish heritage.