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Summer camp is more than just a place for children to enjoy the great outdoors — it's a transformative experience that helps kids develop crucial life skills. Among the most valuable of these are social skills and team-building abilities, which play a critical role in a child's emotional and intellectual growth.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that emerges during certain seasons, most commonly in the fall and winter when daylight hours are shorter. For many, the reduced exposure to sunlight can disrupt the body's internal clock, leading to feelings of sadness, low energy, and difficulty concentrating. Although often associated with adults, youth are not immune to the challenges posed by this condition.

When the temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, staying active can feel like a daunting task. However, exercising in winter is not only important for maintaining your physical health, but it’s also a great way to support your mental well-being and boost your energy during the colder months. In this article, we’ll explore why winter exercise is essential and suggest some fun, effective activities to keep you moving. Plus, we’ll highlight how Siegel JCC can help you stay fit and motivated all season long!

This fall, the Siegel JCC applied to and was accepted into the JCC Global From Good to Great Program. This three-program designed to enhance the capacity and sustainability of JCCs in Ukraine, which have been impacted by war, simultaneously develops global collaborations with partner JCCs worldwide.

Lifeguarding is often seen as a casual summer job, but it’s much more than that; it's a vital service that saves lives and ensures safety at pools, beaches, and aquatic facilities. Lifeguards are the first responders in aquatic emergencies. They are trained to prevent accidents, respond swiftly to incidents, and provide critical first aid. The role of a lifeguard requires a unique set of skills and extensive training, making lifeguard certification programs essential for anyone looking to pursue this rewarding career.

Whether you're swimming in a pool, lake, or ocean, safety should always be a top priority — for swimmers at every age. Here are some essential swimming safety tips to ensure a fun experience for everyone.

Yoga, an ancient practice that originated in India over 5,000 years ago, has become a popular form of exercise and relaxation worldwide. It combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to improve overall health and well-being. Whether you're looking to increase flexibility, reduce stress, or simply find a new way to stay active, yoga offers a range of benefits for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike. This comprehensive guide will introduce you to the basics of yoga and answer common questions, helping you get started on your yoga journey.

On Monday, June 10, the Siegel Jewish Community Center (JCC) held its annual meeting, marking a significant transition in leadership and a renewed commitment to its mission. The evening was filled with reflections on the past year’s accomplishments, the celebration of dedicated volunteers, and the introduction of new leadership.

Flexibility and mobility are often overlooked aspects of physical health, yet improved flexibility and mobility come with valuable benefits, enhancing your overall physical performance and contributing significantly to your everyday well-being. Read on to learn more about the benefits of improved flexibility and mobility and discover some practical ways to enhance these essential elements of physical fitness.

Cardiovascular fitness — also known as cardiorespiratory fitness — refers to the efficiency with which the heart, lungs, and vascular system work together to supply oxygen-rich blood to working muscles during sustained physical activity. This type of fitness is crucial for overall health, affecting everything from heart health to mental well-being.

In this article, we'll explore the importance of cardiovascular fitness, discuss the numerous benefits it offers, and provide practical tips for incorporating cardio training into your lifestyle.

Summer camps are more than just a way to keep children busy during their school break. They offer a unique environment where kids can learn, grow, and develop essential life skills that are beneficial in their schooling years and beyond. Here’s a look at the crucial skills children learn at summer camp and why they are so important.

Today, kids ages 8-18 have an estimated 7.5 hours of screen time per day. In light of this digital lifestyle, the allure of the great outdoors is an essential and grounding force for the younger generation. Nature's classroom offers invaluable lessons and experiences, contributing significantly to a child's physical, emotional, and cognitive development. In this article, we’ll explore the multifaceted benefits of nature for children and how summer camps like Camp JCC serve as a gateway to these enriching outdoor experiences.

Swimming is not just a recreational activity; it's a crucial life skill that offers numerous benefits, both physical and mental. In this article, we'll explore the importance of swimming and provide tips on learning how to swim. Ready? Let’s dive in!

As digital devices increasingly monopolize the time and attention of our youth, it’s essential to not lose sight of the importance of physical activity. Exercise plays a critical role in the comprehensive development of young individuals, offering a myriad of benefits for their physical health and beyond. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of exercise for youth and discuss some practical tips for incorporating physical activity into daily routines.

“10 for 2” is a classic saying we have in the summer camp business. The saying means that campers wait ten months out of the year just to be at camp for two. To make the 2 happen, I am locked in the office world of sending emails, writing purchase orders, building excel spreadsheets, attending meetings, interviewing and hiring staff, calling field trips vendors, and all of the things that I never thought about happening in the background when I was a summer camp counselor in 2021! In fact, the start of my first off season in 2022-23, I looked out to the after-school care programing happening outside of my office with nostalgia for all the meaningful time I used to spend with kids as my main responsibility. Now it’s my second year as an assistant camp director! So why am I doing this again? Why am I doing the hard work of the 10 for the benefit of the 2?

February is not just the month of love and affection symbolized by Valentine's Day; it's also a time when the Jewish community embraces a profound form of love through understanding and inclusivity. Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAIM) is an essential observance that underscores the importance of inclusion in every facet of community life. JDAIM is a call to all members of the Jewish community to implement full inclusion in every community aspect, reflecting the inherent value in each person.

Dance isn't just a form of art or entertainment; it's a powerful medium that offers a plethora of benefits, ranging from physical health to emotional well-being and beyond. Whether you sway to the rhythm of ballroom beats, tap into the quick steps of salsa, or find peace in the fluid motions of contemporary dance, incorporating dance into your life can be transformative. Here’s a closer look at the benefits of dance.

The new year is a time of renewed hope and aspiration, especially when it comes to personal fitness. Whether you're a seasoned gym-goer or a newcomer, setting achievable fitness goals is the first step toward a healthier and happier you. In this article, we’ll walk you through setting fitness goals for the new year — and setting yourself up to achieve them.

Among the many pandemic pastimes, bread-baking was one of the most fruitful. The Siegel JCC’s Program Director, Katie Glazier, led a virtual challah-baking lesson while the stay-at-home order was in effect, with many members tuning in to follow and bake along. It was during this time that Katie discovered the Challah Prince – an Israeli-born, self-made challah artist. Idan Chabasov, the Challah Price, has become an Instagram sensation with videos of some of the most beautiful challah braids. With a background in professional dancing, video production, and PR, it is Idan’s mission to bring art into the Challah baking world. Now, Jewish Federation of Delaware and the Siegel JCC are partnering to bring the Challah Prince to our community in Delaware.

In today's fast-paced world, where our attention is constantly pulled in different directions, taking a step back to focus on the present moment can be a bit of a challenge. Yet this practice — known as mindfulness — comes with profound positive effects. Whatever your circumstances, mindfulness can serve as a powerful tool to enrich your life. Here’s a closer look at what mindfulness entails, why it’s so beneficial, and how you can develop mindfulness in your world.

“When I approach a child,” said Louis Pasteur, “he inspires me in two sentiments: tenderness for what he is and respect for what he may become.” This sense of affection in the present and possibility for the future is part of what makes working with kids so inspirational and rewarding. Though not without its challenges, working in early childhood education (ECE) provides a wealth of benefits and personal fulfillment.

Today, we’ll take a closer look at ECE, its far-reaching importance, and the joys of working in the field.

Pickleball has been making waves in the sports world, and if you haven't heard of it yet, you're in for a treat. This sport combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, offering a unique and exhilarating experience for players of all ages. In this article, we'll introduce you to the world of pickleball, exploring its origins, how and why you should be playing, and where you can get in on the action.

"No man,” wrote author and scholar John Donne, “is an island." As social creatures, we inherently seek connection, belonging, and purpose, all of which a community provides. Communities foster social connection, which is integral to our mental health, and encourages socialization that has a range of health benefits. Let's delve deeper into the beneficial aspects of community involvement for both our mind and body.

Everyone knows exercise is essential, but as people age, maintaining physical fitness becomes even more important. Not only can regular exercise help seniors feel healthier and more energetic, but it can also contribute to better balance, reduce fall risk, and even help manage chronic diseases. Let’s take a closer look at how fitness can benefit seniors, some effective exercises, and our best exercise tips for older adults.

Embarking on a fitness journey can be overwhelming, and with so many options available, it can be challenging to find the right path for your unique needs. One approach that has gained popularity in recent years is counting macros, a nutrition strategy designed to help you meet your goals, whether that's weight loss, muscle gain, or improved overall health. Here’s what counting macros means, why a macro-based nutrition plan could be beneficial for you, and how to get started counting macros.

On Sunday, May 6th, the Siegel JCC of Delaware was proud to bring a 23-person delegation to the Mid-Atlantic Mini & Junior Maccabi Games in Baltimore, the first since COVID. This one-day, Olympic-style event for Jewish youth ages 9-12 rotates between host sites in the region. For our 12-year-olds, this was their first and last year of eligibility; they were only eight the last time the games were held. Despite getting the short end of the stick, these athletes paraded onto the field with their heads held high in solidarity with the other 500+ participants, fully embracing their common interest in sport and common heritage as Jewish kids.

Anyone who works at a JCC can tell you it is a wonderfully unique experience. Every day is different and keeps you on your toes in the best possible way. When the JCC Association announced it was putting on the JCC’s of North America Professional Conference this year, the first since before Covid, we were all understandably very excited. Getting together with other JCC professionals from around the country who understand the passion and dedication it takes to work at a non-profit like this is such an amazing opportunity. Unfortunately, to our profound collective disappointment, the conference had to be canceled. That’s when a beautiful thing happened. JCC leaders, including our very own CEO, Ivy Harlev, stepped up and worked together to create regional conferences all across the country, giving even more J staff the opportunity to get together than would have attended the original conference. There were almost 170 J team members at the JCC Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference alone!

If you're one of the many parents who has a full-time job, you're probably familiar with the stress of juggling your work schedule with your child's school schedule. For families in this situation, afterschool programs like Siegel JCC's KidsPlace program provide a place for kids to spend the afternoon hours until their parents are able to pick them up.

In 2018, J staff member Sarah Segestrom died by suicide at the age of 16. The loss of Sarah had a profound impact on our community, with teens, parents, grandparents, and educators seeking support in helping themselves and those they care about through mental health struggles.

5 years ago, Sarah’s journey and memory inspired the creation of the Wellness Summit, a program with goals of opening up honest lines of communication around mental health and reducing the stigma around mental illness. Over the last five years, the Wellness Summit has been a forum for sharing grief, learning about the impact of mental health, and finding ways to cope as a community.

Does the idea of sitting at a desk all day make you feel physically sick? Are you happiest when spending time outside, being active, with other people? Do you enjoy working with a team of supportive, like-minded people? Are you a student looking for a seasonal job that is both enjoyable and will make a good addition to your resume? If the answer to any of those questions is "yes," then a job as a camp counselor might be the right fit for you. As a member of a summer camp staff team at a place like Siegel JCC, you'll get to experience a truly unique opportunity to grow as a leader and a person—while also having the time of your life.