Kindergarten, campers can build part or all of their daily schedule
through elective programs. JCCT camps stress community and are
actively supervised and evaluated by a committee of interested parents.
Each year, the committee solicits input from campers and parents to
implement improvements for the next summer. More than 95% of the
families who responded to the evaluation rate JCCT camps as great or
good!
Highlights of the summer were:
• Israeli Scout Caravan - Each year this group of touring
performers spends a day in our camp performing and visiting with
campers.
• Nitzanim - Two teens from Pardes Katz in Israel work in our
camp each summer. These staff members work in the Judaics/Israel
area to share their ruach [spirit} with the camp.
• Maccahiah - Always
a favorite, this day long
event whips up camp
spirit for fun and
competition.
• Aquatics - The
biggest hit of camp,
instructional and free
swim are a favorite part
of the day. Water Day is
an exciting rotation of
fun water activities for
all ages.
• Venture Out - For sixth through eighth graders, this camp
increased to six weeks last year with plans for eight weeks this
summer.
• Judaics - Shmuel Itzhak from Hebrew Academy headed up the
Judaics programming for all camps, blending traditional Judaics and
Israeli themes.
• Nature - Rob "Nature Boy" Meyer was a favorite of campers
and staff teaching about the environment.
• Music/Parent Night - Cathy Francis, music specialist, always
leads a fantastic music program and entertaining Parent Night
Performance.
YOUIH AND VIRGINIA BEACH
The Youth and Virginia Beach Departments grew in all aspects
this past year. JCCT programs are geared for young families and revolve
around Jewish holidays.
VIRGINIA BCI-I PROGRAMS
- The Sukkot Festival at the Hebrew Academy of
Tidewater had more than 175 families attend who rode ponies, saw a
magician and created a family burlap quilt.
- JCCT's "Israeli-Style" Chanukah Party hosted.by
Temple Emanuel attracted more than 1 S0 families to play Ga Ga,
participate in the Dreidel Factory, make Chanukah Magnets, story-
telling, singing, dancing, the dreidel game and lots of other fun!
. The Purim Carnival at Kempsville Conservative
Synagogue drew more than 150 families, as well as approximately S0
teenagers. Booths included face painting, arcade-style basketball, the
castle maze, sand art and the marriage booth.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
• Middle School:
JASY [Jewish Association o[ School Youth], for sixth through
eighth grade pre-teens, held approximately 12 programs including
"Saturday Night Blasts," over-nights, ski-trips, volunteer opportunities
and leadership and social development. "Saturday Night Blasts" are the
most popular of these activities. Pre-teens participate in Havdallah,
hang out with friends, stick to the fly wall, tye-dye and lots more.
Fifteen to 45 pre-teens attended each JASY program.
• High School:
JCCT provides an outlet for all Jewish teens, from all different
denominations, to feel comfortable and "hang out." A variety of teen
programs are offered:
The Teen Leadership Council incliades representatives of each
area youth group. Its purpose is to plan "Jewish Teen-Wide" events for
all ninth through 12th graders, mixing all denominations of Jewish
teens, when they otherwise would not get the opportunity to interact.
Volunteering is Contagious [VIC] oversees the Jewish Social
Action Internship and plans community service/tikun olam bi-annual
events. The Jewish Social Action Internship is offered each semester.
Through the
internship, the
JCCT provides a
service for ninth
through 12th
grade students to
gain volunteer
hours, meet new
friends and feel
good about
themselves. The
internship
consists of seven
or eight programs
a semester and
draws approximately 25 to 35 teens.
Operation Understanding Hampton Roads [OUHR} is a new
leadership development program for high school students designed to
rekindle the historic relationship between African-Americans and Jews.
The JCCT cosponsors and oversees this exciting program with the
Hunton Y. Currently, 16 teens are active in OUHR.
THE CENTER FOR ADULT LIVING
The Center for Adult Living Department provides a variety of
services and programs to enrich the lives, minds and health of our
adults. Special programs are organized by the Clubs and Center for
Adult Living Department:
• The Virginia Festival of Jewish Film was an outing
opportunity to go to the movies. This year the senior adults saw "The
Yiddle With His Fiddle."
• JCCT Chanukah Party and Israel's 50th Anniversary opening
ceremony were special occasions for our senior adults. They pitched in
and helped decorate the Barr Social Hall, staff the kitchen and serve
dinner to approximately 300 people.
