FROM THE DIRECTORS
A Modern Day Camp Dayenu
Passover is just coming to an end as this email goes out, and we are reflecting on a wonderful holiday with friends, family, and lots of matzah! One of the most well-known songs we sing at the Passover seder is Dayenu, loosely translated as “It would have been enough.” It reflects on the glory of what G-d did for the Jewish people as they left Egypt. Here is our version of Dayenu, focusing on the glory of what we get to experience each summer:
If we only got to experience seeing campers running with excitement off the buses on the first day of camp, Dayenu.
If we only got to dance in the bus yard to our favorite music with campers and staff, Dayenu.
If we only got to eat ice cream or popsicles every day of the summer, Dayenu.
If we only got to see a Camp Shalom camper hit their first home run, Dayenu.
If we only watched a camper brave the rock wall for the first time, Dayenu.
If we only got to see a camper shine on stage in the Camp Aaron show, Dayenu.
If we only heard our camp song sung each morning at flagpole, Dayenu.
If we only watched a bunk of campers learn a new Hebrew word, Dayenu.
If we only watched a camper in Open Hearts/Open Doors make new friends in their bunk, Dayenu.
If we only watched our LITs grow in leadership skills, Dayenu.
If we only saw our staff grow and develop more each summer, Dayenu.
We are so fortunate to be able to count all of these and more as blessings that we encounter EVERY summer at the JCC Camps at Medford!
Hoping you all had a wonderful Passover!
B’Shalom,
Beth and Sara
WELCOME CANDI!!!
We are so excited to welcome Candi Alvarez to our JCC Camps at Medford family as our new Program Administrator! Candi’s primary responsibility will be working with camp staff through the hiring and paperwork process, as well as the many behind the scenes duties that keep camp running!
Candi is excited to join the JCC Camps at Medford team. Candi previously worked at the Katz JCC’s Early Childhood Center, as the Daily Operations Manager. Recently relocated to South Jersey, Candi comes to us from Andover, NJ where she served as the HR Administrator at Sussex County Community College for five years. She has her associates in paralegal studies, and is a member of the National Paralegal Association. Candi is a former Cub Scout Leader, for her son’s pack and a Girl Scout Leader for her daughter’s troop. Well versed in outdoor safety and fun, she is a big believer in “kindness counts!”
Candi has never been to camp before, so she is excited to spend her first summer at the JCC Camps at Medford!
Candi can be reached at calvarez@jfedsnj.org and 856-424-4444 ext. 1241.
EARN MONEY!
Don’t forget: We offer a fantastic referral discount. Refer a new camp family to the JCC Camps at Medford and if they come this summer, earn $100 toward your child’s camp tuition!
Bring a friend to meet us on Sunday April 15 for our Camp Open House at our Medford campsite, 11 AM- 2 PM. Join your friends at camp for lunch, a craft, and show off your favorite summer home!
SPECIALTY CAMPS AUGUST 20-24
The JCC Camps at Medford is excited to offer one week intensive camp experiences after the regular camp season ends. If your child would like to take a deeper dive into an area at camp they love or try something totally new, they can join us August 20-24. Our goal is to inspire campers to grow, learn and explore interests in a challenging and fun environment.
Specialties include:
- Adventure Challenge
- Robotics 1 & 2
- 3-D Printing
- Drones
- Art
- Handwork and Fashion Design/Machine Sewing
- Football
- Culinary Arts
- Teenpreneur
Each day will include transportation to and from camp from the Katz JCC, lunch, snack and ice-cream. Each program day will include: specialty area intensive, free swim, lunch, and choice activity.
Program sizes will be limited, some age restrictions may apply. Register early before options are sold out!
FACILITY AND WELCOME CENTER UPDATE
Our facilities team is hard at work getting camp ready for the summer, and we have two exciting new projects to share:
-Our conference center is getting a new HVAC system! It will be a total overhaul and will keep us very cool in the summer and keep visitors warm in the winter!
-The Splash Park is getting an overhaul, as well! The whole system and inner workings are being replaced, a bright and new colorful floor is being put down, and two new elements are being added. We can’t wait to see campers running through the water this summer!
-Check out the latest pictures of the Welcome Center…it is coming along! (Beth will provide photo)
OPEN HEARTS/ OPEN DOORS STOCKTON INTERNS
The JCC Camps at Medford is thrilled to announce the continuation of our partnership with Stockton University. We will serve as the field placement for two Level II Occupational Therapy students who will be a part of our Open Hearts/ Open Doors and Coolanu staff teams. These interns will be working with us for four weeks prior to camp and then will be with us the entire summer! Last year’s interns were an incredible addition to our staff team, and we are excited to welcome our two new interns this year. We look forward to this relationship with Stockton continuing for years to come! Here is a little information on our Stockton interns:
Kristina Brenner is a graduate student at Stockton University and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. She will be working with the inclusion programs this summer at the JCC Camps at Medford. She has volunteer experience teaching swimming classes to children with varying abilities. Kristina can’t wait to use what she learned at camp this summer. During her free time she enjoys outdoor activities, arts and crafts, spending time with her family, and dancing. She is very excited to create long lasting memories with the JCC Camp campers and staff this summer!
Allie Bennett is pursuing a Master’s degree in occupational therapy from Stockton University and will be working with the JCC Camps at Medford this summer. She enjoys the beach, crafts and DIY projects, animals, and socializing at her waitressing job. Allie is extremely excited for the opportunities and adventures that are to come this summer at camp.
LABEL YOUR CAMP GEAR!
Do you hate having to search the Lost and Found at the end of each summer? We work hard to return every labeled item that ends up in our Lost and Found, but we can’t return your towels, shirts, bathing suits, and more, if it does not have your child’s FULL NAME on it. This year, we are so excited to again be working with Oliver’s Labels!
Oliver’s Labels are laundry safe, weather proof labels for all of your camp gear needs. We recommend putting them on EVERYTHING that comes to camp. Last year we worked hard to return lost and found items, and we were able to return so many more thanks to these labels!
The best part? You can order them right through your Camp InTouch Portal! Log in the same way you do to complete your camper’s forms. Instead of clicking on Forms and Documents, click on Camper Clothing Labels¸ and purchase whatever size package you would like! And the JCC Camps at Medford receives 20% of each purchase!
TASTE OF NJY
Calling Camp Shalom campers…
Enjoy a week of overnight camp fun at NJY Camps! We are so excited to open this to our Masada/ Dimona campers this year, as well!
Modern cabins with in-cabin bathrooms • Fun night programs including: cookouts, pool parties, and campfires. Arts & Crafts, Banana Boats, Batting Cages, Boating, Cooking, Gaga, Giant Swing, Guitar, Gymnastics, Jet Ski Rides, Mountain Biking, Rocketry, Lake Slide, Ropes, Sailing, Sports, Skateboarding, Woodshop, Zipline and more
July 30-August 3
$140 per camper*
*This program is being generously subsidized by NJY Camps
Limited Space Available
Price includes transportation, food and all activities
Must be registered at JCC Camps at Medford for week 6 to participate. Contact Sara at ssideman@jfedsnj.org with questions.