CARL CAMP EXPANDS TO INCLUDE 7- AND 8-YEAR-OLDS
The Carl Summer Camp is expanding the age range for their summer camp program. The camp has traditionally offered sessions for children ages 3 to 6. This summer new programs are being designed for 7- to 8-year-olds. Weekly camp sessions begin in June and run Monday- Friday from 9 am -1 pm, with options for before and after care.
Picture happy children: on the playground blowing bubbles that they made in the classroom; finding insects in the bushes; digging in the flower beds to plant parsley and other herbs; laughing as they chase each other up and down the slides; using a blender to make yummy fruit smoothies; making cities out of blocks and Legos; experimenting with water color paints; mixing baking soda with vinegar and squealing with delight as a frothy brew rises and then overflows in the cups.
Each Summer Camp session has a different theme, such as art, nature, cooking or soccer; and all include outside time in the playground and garden, time to develop friendships, healthy snacks, hands on learning and exploration in a relaxed atmosphere and fun.
The Carl Summer Camp is housed in Congregation Shaarie Torah, 920 NW 25th Ave., Portland. For more information call 503-226-6131 or visit online at thecarlschool.com or shaarietorah.org.
GAN ISRAEL EXPANDS TRAVEL PROGRAM, ADDS TRANSPORTATION
As a leader of innovative programming, there’s always something new at Gan Israel Day Camp, known for its warm outreach to Jewish children from diverse Jewish backgrounds and affiliations.
A big addition this year is a three-day traveling camp on the Oregon coast for 9- to 11-year-old campers the week of July 29. Campers can sign up for just that one week. Activities during this special outing will include hikes and a sampling of many of the coast’s famous and exciting landmarks and activities – including visiting the Oregon Coast Aquarium and exploring sand dunes. The children will camp in tents under Oregon’s beautiful summer skies.
Also new this year, limited transportation will be provided to and from day camp for children in Portland’s Eastside and in Hillsboro. The recently-expanded grounds of the Maimonides Day School campus will host campers as they enjoy an array of indoor and outdoor activities. Instructional sports, swimming at a nearby water park-style pool and skill-building activities are combined with Jewish-themed activities like challah baking, “Trip to Israel Day” and shofar making. Older campers enjoy weekly trips to Portland’s most popular children’s venues.
Gan Israel has four divisions to cater to campers ages 2.5-3, 4-5, 6-8 and 9-11. The weekly sessions run from June 24-Aug. 16. For more information, a brochure and calendar, contact Simi Mishulovin [email protected], 503-246-KIDS (5437). For easy online registration and for special deals including a pre-March 15 early bird discount, go to CGIportland.com.
MJCC DAY CAMP REVAMPS MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM
The MJCC Day Camp has revamped its Camp Chai program for middle schoolers. Camp Chai will focus more on leadership opportunities, with each week having a special focus on a different topic. One week campers will be Junior Counselors, for example, and the next week will have an opportunity to be Junior Lifeguards. Other topics include public speaking and exploring future careers. Of course they’ll also have kayaking and sailing, both of which are popular. No matter what the week’s focus, however, Camp Camp Chai kids will work with our current MJCC Day Camp counselors and learn how to be Junior Counselors.
MJCC Day Camp, one of the oldest day camp traditions in Portland, continues to provide the best in all day camps with fun for all ages, including archery, swimming, soccer, arts, movie making and more. Designed with the needs of our parents and the desires of their children in mind, the MJCC Day Camp keeps campers coming back for more fun year after year.
For more information call 503-244-0111 or visit oregonjcc.org/daycamp.
THINGS ARE GROWING AT CAMP KALSMAN
Entering its seventh season URJ Camp Kalsman in Wshington state continues to grow and develop rapidly. The early success of Kalsman has led to an amazing 75% growth since its inaugural summer in 2007.
This summer will see a number of additions and changes to the camps programs and physical appearance. Through a grant from the Samis Foundation (Seattle, WA) the camp instituted a new gardening program. Kalsman will double the size of its garden to 5,000 square feet, which will produce enough fruits and vegetables to supplement the camp kitchen and provide an estimated 2,000 pounds of fresh produce to local food banks.
This wonderful addition nicely compliments other recent innovations including an animal farm and teva (nature) program.
The camp has also redesigned the Jewish educational component. Gone are the days of a formal educational hour at camp; now there will be fully integrated Jewish education at Kalsman. Campers will experience living Judaism at its best.
This summer also marks the opening of a modern health center at camp. Construction began this winter on a 4,800-square-foot facility. The health and safety of participants is our highest priority.
The staff at URJ Camp Kalsman are busy preparing for your child to join them this summer on the Jewish journey of a lifetime. Exciting activities include the 50’ Alpine tower, a giant swing, two giant gaga pits, biking, guitar, arts and crafts, hiking, music, Maccabiah, lake and pool activities, and sports. For information on programs for children entering second grade through high school, visit kalsman.urjcamps.org.
SCHECHTER TO OPEN THE TEVA LEARNING CENTER
Camp Solomon Schechter, located near Tumwater, WA, is opening the Teva Learning Center for this summer’s camp season, expanding the 60-year-old camp’s focus on learning about teva (nature) and tikkun olam (repairing the world).
The main facility of the Teva Learning Center is a 2,000-square-foot organic, sustainable garden that contains the traditional Seven Species of Israel mentioned in the Torah. An environmental educator will work on programming and activities, as well as working with the camp’s head chef to use the garden’s produce in camp meals.
The project is funded in part by the Special Initiatives Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, and will reach approximately 550 campers each year. Schechter is seeking additional support to fully fund the program.
“The Teva Learning Center is an incredible opportunity for our campers to, literally, get their hands dirty and discover where our food comes from and how our actions directly affect the balance of nature,” says Sam Perlin, Schechter’s executive director. “They will also learn concrete ways to preserve that balance –tikkun olam (repairing the world).” For more information, call 206-447-1967 or visit campschechter.org.
WILLOWBROOK ARTS CAMP ADDS GARDEN FOR ALL CAMPERS
Willowbrook is a summer arts camp for children ages 3-18, where creativity flourishes in a rich environment of integrated arts and nature. Offerings include theater, music, dance, arts, crafts, ceramics, photography, nature and more. No previous experience is necessary.
All campers may participate in and enjoy our latest addition, the Willowbrook Garden. Surrounded by activity in a small corner of camp is a peaceful oasis of flowers and vegetables donated by nurseries in the community and tended by campers. Large troughs and pots are planted by all age groups, with a willow tree in a place of honor at the center. The Garden provides an opportunity to examine plants and the effects of sunlight, water and soil on their growth. Children find a place to write, work on projects, draw, create films, sing, practice their play lines or simply visit with friends during their busy camp day.
Willowbrook experienced record attendance in the summer of 2012. For more information and for new and returning camper specials, visit the camp website Willowbrookartscamp.org or call 503-691-6132.
OES EXPANDS LEADERSHIP OPTIONS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS
This year the OES Summer Program has expanded its camps for middle school students. A camp called “Leadership Challenge” will use workshops, games, mentoring and field trips to build skills in ethical decision-making, conflict resolution, communication, collaboration and management. Another new camp called “Business FUNdamentals” will help students ethically evaluate business ideas, assess market feasibility, gain an understanding of legal requirements for start-ups, increase financial literacy and market their ideas. In another class called “Money Matters,” middle school students will learn about budgeting, the power of compounding money, smart spending, smart borrowing, smart investing and the use of credit cards. They will gain insights while having fun playing the interactive Millionaire Game, Financial Football and Financial Soccer.
High school students who enjoy debating may be interested in a two-week afternoon class at OES called “Constructing an Argument.” The class will use the popular college textbook They Say, I Say: The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing to teach time-saving strategies for research, note-taking and organization. Activities include direct instruction, writing and research time, individual conferences and class debates. In another class, students in grades eight through 12 will learn how to use GeoGebra mathematics software to create graphs, solve equations, investigate real- world problems and create works of art. Small group activities allow students to work together to investigate problems that would be difficult or impossible to solve without technology.
For more information, visit oes.edu or call summer program director Joan Lowe at 503-768-3145.
OREGON CHILDREN’S THEATRE EXPANDS SUMMER OPTIONS
When young actors step on to the summer stage at the Summer Acting Academy at Oregon Children’s Theatre this summer, they’ll have some new options: Giants, Monsters, and Zombies for the youngest actors; CAMP (Create a Musical Performance); and The Broadway Voice. Classics such as Broadway Dance Crew; Shake Hands with Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream; and Pirates and Mermaids
will be back, too. The SAA features an all-star lineup of instructors, convenient inner east side studios (1939 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland) and options for ages 4-18 and all experience levels. Choose from full or partial day classes and one or two week time frames. For details, visit octc.org or call 503-228-9571 ext. 4.
DAYS ARE LONGER AT PJA’S SUMMER DISCOVERY PROGRAM
Though summer days will fly by at the Portland Jewish Academy Summer Discovery Program, this year the days actually will be a bit longer than in the past. This summer the program has added an extra hour, so programs will run from 9 am to 1 pm daily, with pre-care available at 8 am.
PJA’s Summer Discovery Program runs from July 8-Aug. 2 and is for children ages 4 through sixth grade. Classes are taught by experienced professional instructors and offer enrichment through inquiry, experiential play and project work. Summer Discovery is celebrating its fifth summer at PJA and is growing stronger each summer.
“We’ll also be extending opportunities for older students to assist PJA Summer Discovery instructors in topics about which they have deep knowledge (as it relates to the planned camp week),” says Celinda Llanez, Summer Discovery director. “This is a great way to encourage older students to be involved in continuous learning over the summer. It also gives them an opportunity to stretch their own presentation skills.” Exciting classes that have been added this summer include Creating Projects for Africa, Talking Hands (Speak in Sign Language), and two Jewish cooking classes Mensch Chefs and Rugelach, Babka, Kreplach! Back by popular demand are Engineering with LEGOS, Dogs 101, Mathmagic and Kid Concoctions. For more information, visit pjaproud.org/summer, contact Celinda Llanez at [email protected] or call 503-244-0126.
