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January 10, 2003/Shevat 7 5763, Vol. 55, No. 20
Winter camps afford kids opportunities for fun
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
While most people associate winter with snow, Winter Camp at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center means swimming in the facility's new outdoor heated pool. Campers at the JCC Shemesh Day Camp swam twice a week as part of the on-site activities at the camp.
Photo courtesy of the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center
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As a parent, it's a dilemma every year - the children are out of school for two weeks over the holidays, but mom and dad still have to work. Fortunately for working parents, several Jewish organizations hold winter camps to keep the children busy in a fun and educational environment.
The first camp held at the new Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center on the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus was a great success, according to Kim Biggard, youth services director.
"About 30-40 percent of the campers were new campers for us," says Biggard. "This is really exciting. It's the opportunity to show them what summer camp can be like."
With about 120 campers per day, the VOSJCC camp was held on-site two days a week with games, crafts, guest entertainers and swimming in the JCC's new pool. Twice a week the campers went on field trips to locations such as Crackerjax, Great Arizona Puppet Theatre, Jillian's, Arizona Science Center and Bank One Ballpark.
The Tri-City Jewish Community Center's camp also utilized special guests - including a Mesa Southwest Museum dinosaur exhibit, Mad Science and a hula instructor - as well as field trips to Polar Ice and Out of Africa, according to Lisa Edson, youth services director. The campers stayed active with a snow day (three tons were delivered), a portable rock climbing wall and a day where campers had the opportunity to bring their bicycles, rollerblades and scooters to ride around the JCC.
The approximately 50 campers also enjoyed a New Year's party on New Year's Eve with a DJ and entertainment.
At Chabad of the East Valley, in addition to playing games, doing crafts and enjoying field trips, the 25 campers also learned about the Jewish home and the synagogue. On Christmas Day, the campers visited an assisted-living home to visit with residents on a day that few volunteers are available, according to Rabbi Mendy Deitsch.
The children also spent a day in Oracle visiting with children attending a 10-day camp for the children of Chabad rabbis from all over the world.
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