FROM THE DIRECTORS
Bring light into someone’s life this Chanukah season!
At the JCC Camps at Medford, we are proud to not only grow great swimmers, strong athletes, and talented artists, but most importantly to grow mensches, good people. In the hustle and bustle of the winter holiday season, we love the opportunity to take a few minutes to sit and reflect about the ways that we can bring light into someone’s life. In addition to being a time to celebrate the Chanukah miracle, a time for family, delicious fried foods, and giving and receiving gifts, this time of year is also a wonderful opportunity for teaching our children about ways that we can bring joy and happiness to others.
One of our more recent favorites is the concept of Fifth Night. Check out our article at the bottom of this newsletter for ways to celebrate a newer twist on the fifth night of Chanukah with your family this year. We look forward to hearing about the amazing ways our campers bring light to someone’s life this December.
B’Shalom,
Beth and Sara
WELCOME TO OUR NEW CHAVERIM DIRECTOR!
We are so excited to announce that we have hired a new Chaverim Director, Mike Noble!
Mike Noble brings over 30 years of camp experience to the JCC Camps at Medford. He’s been a camper, CIT, Counselor, Evening Programs Coordinator, Daytime Activities Coordinator, Head Counselor, Division Head and Assistant Director over that time span at both day and overnight camps. When he’s not at camp, he teaches Technology to 3rd through 5th graders, and holds both a Principal and Supervisor Certificate in education. Mike also spend his weekends as an MC and deejay entertaining at many types of social events. He is from Cherry Hill, New Jersey where he lives with his wife Ilisa, and their three kids, Jacob, 16, Paige,14, and Benjamin, 9.
WELCOME CENTER PROGRESS UPDATE
We are excited to report that the garage has been demolished, trees have been cleared, and the ground has been excavated and prepared. The footing for the new Welcome Center has been staked out, and we are anxiously awaiting the pouring of the foundation!
SPECIALTY CAMPS- AUGUST 20-24
We are excited to announce we are in the planning stages to offer one week intensive camp experiences after the regular camp season ends at JCC Camps at Medford.
The day will include transportation to camp and back from the Katz JCC, lunch, snack, ice-cream. Class sizes will be limited, some age restrictions may apply. Each program day will include: specialty area intensive, free swim, lunch, and choice activity.
Please take a moment and let us know the following:
Is it likely that your child would participate in a week of specialty programming at the JCC Camps at Medford, August 20-24, 2018.
- Yes
- No
JCC SUMMER SWIM TEAM
Does your child love to swim? Do they want to take their skills to the next level and compete against other swim teams in the South Jersey Area?
The Katz JCC and JCC Camps at Medford are looking to start the JCC Summer Sharks Swim Team. This swim team will practice 4 days a week and compete in June and July against other swim teams in South Jersey. Swimmers will have the choice to practice either before the camp day at the JCC and take the express bus to camp OR stay late after camp for practice and express bus back to the JCC. The mission of the Summer Sharks will be to advance all of our swimmers strokes, technique and endurance in a positive and team-building environment.
Please take a moment and let us know the following:
Would your child(ren) be interested in competing in the Summer Sharks Swim Team?
- Yes
- No
FACILITY UPDATE
Ken Zeigler, our Site Director, and his crew are hard at work making updates and improvements to our camp facility. Our most recent updates include:
- New fencing around our Camp Hilltop and Camp Shalom pools
- Sports fields have been aerated and seeded
- Tree trimming and removal to take down dead tree branches and clean up wooded areas
- Facelift at Carmel pavilion with fresh paint and paneling
- New decking installed between our two trailers
FIFTH NIGHT OF CHANUKAH
We love Fifth Night, and everything it stands for during the holiday season. The idea is that the fifth night of Chanukah can be set aside entirely for charitable giving and the teaching of tzedakah. There are so many fun and meaningful ways to try this with your family!
- Give each of your children a set amount of money to pick out toys, canned goods, or fun socks, and then bring them in together for donation.
- Pick a place to volunteer as a family such as a soup kitchen or food bank.
- Bake cookies or make latkes for an elderly neighbor.
- Open up your tzedakah boxes and count up what has been collected. Decide where you want to donate it.
- Create craft kits or small toy bags for children in a local hospital.
- Invite someone new to light candles with you to celebrate the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim, or welcoming guests.
- Clean out the closets and donate toys no longer played with or clothing that doesn’t fit.
- For older children- give each child $20 to donate for that night of Chanukah. Have them research a cause or organization they care about and want to donate to and present it to the family after candle lighting.