Camp Gadol
Summer Camp for Kids at Heart!
Stay tuned for summer 2025 information!
To evoke the nostalgia and sheer joy of the wonderful, carefree summer days of childhood, the J offers a mini-camp experience for adults: Camp Gadol (camp for ‘big’ people/grownups). It is a one-week, half-day program, 9:30am-1:30pm with 3-4 activities each day; lunch is provided. Enjoy fun themes and activities like color war, sling shot archery, singing & dancing, art, games, Shabbat, and more! See the schedule below.
Example schedule from summer 2024:
Day 1: Welcome to Summer Camp!
Enjoy an icebreaker activity and share favorite camp memories with others. Make friendship bracelets, go on a scavenger hunt, and make s’mores over a fire after lunch.
Day 2: The Art of Living
Explore Jewish wisdom about the art of living, make a beautiful mixed media botanical print, play ping pong for prizes, and create a visually pleasing dairy charcuterie board for lunch!
Day 3: Color War
Wear your favorite color today! Use color throughout the day: play games for brain stimulation, tie dye handkerchiefs (challah covers), play sling shot archery, learn about “eating the rainbow” for nutrition and enjoy healthy smoothies with nutritionist Linda Mench!
Day 4: I ♥ Israel
Take a quick trip to Eretz Yisrael and experience Israeli culture with Community Shlicha Avia Halevi and her husband, Avi Eisen — just back from Israel! Learn about the Negev with a trivia game and make a small tray using the art of Yemenite basketweaving. Participate in Israeli Dancing before enjoying a delicious Mediterranean-style lunch.
Day 5: Shabbat Happens
Get in the mood for Shabbat! Make Havdalah candles from beeswax, participate in a hands-on service project to help repair the world (Tikkun Olam) with Bikor Cholim, sing traditional Sabbath and camp songs with guitarist/song leader Shy Ashkenazi, while enjoying bagels and lox! Weather permitting, enjoy some fun outdoor games, too!
Attend the full week or individual days.