Camp Director Blog - December 2020

Shalom Camp JCC Friends and Family!

Today is December 10, 2020 and the first night of Chanukah. As I think about the miracle of Chanukah, I am reminded that when good people and hard work are involved, miracles can happen. Some would say that the ability to open a summer 2020 program safely was a miracle. I would not argue with them. But I would remind them that there were a lot of good people involved and hours of hard work in order to bring the vision to life. This winter is no different, a lot of good people are hard at work planning our Camp JCC program for summer 2021.

Here is what we are planning:

• Camp JCC registration to open on February 1^st (possibly sooner).
• Camp JCC will be open to those entering 1^st to 8^th grade in fall 2021.
• Nine weeks of Camp JCC program, June 21^st to August 20^th, camp closed July 5^th in observance of Independence Day.
• Gesher (bridge) program prior to the first day of camp, June 16^th to 18^th.
• Camp day to run from 8am to 5pm for all campers.
• Program content that you and your camper will be excited to be a part of:
• Specialists running three core areas of our traditional day camp: Arts and Culture, Sports and Games, Nature and Exploration.  
• Special events and guests throughout the summer, no field trips.
• Instructional swim and free swim on alternate days for all campers in the morning.
• A bus from the Wallingford, PA area (Ohev Shalom) is still in the negotiation stage. If you are interested in the bus from this area, please reach out to camp@siegeljcc.org if you have not already done so.

Here is what we don’t yet know:

• The exact COVID related regulations &/or guidelines. However, we will follow all of our state and camp license regulations.
• The schedule of program after August 20^th. Area district calendars are typically published in February/March. We will look at various school schedules and determine at that time if there will be an August Gesher program.

We are continuing to update our Camp 2021 FAQs online, please check there if you have any specific questions. Of course, if you have a question that you would like to discuss with camp staff please contact us at camp@siegeljcc.org or by calling the J at 302-478-5660.

As you light your Chanukah candle tonight and the following 7 nights, remember that we must continue to find the light in the darkness. To those families who do not celebrate Chanukah, I hope that you find comfort in the message and will also remember that miracles happen.

L’shalom (In peace),

Carrie Kee