OUR COMMUNITY
ON THE COVER
JCC
JCC Traditions
Traditions
JCC DAY CAMPS, WEST BLOOMFIELD
J
CC Day Camps provide opportunities for all abilities and ages
including archery, arts and crafts, sports and nature. Throughout
the summer, we had the ability to create special programming for
our campers who look forward to these days all summer.
Special programming during our weeks focused on camp-long tradi-
tions such as our Messy Day, where campers were able to get as messy as
possible with our messy obstacle course and messy archery with shaving
cream, paint and more.
Our nine Shlichim had the opportunity to share mem-
ories and activities from their homes with campers and
staff through our Israel Day. Campers wrote wishes for the Kotel, created Tel Aviv sand
art and tapped into their guerilla artistry with graffiti drawing.
This isn't mentioning Family Shabbat, Rumble in the Jungle Maccabiah Games, our
95th summer Birthday Bash and the End of Camp Talent Show! Our Special Needs
camps went on 40+ field trips such as the Oakland County Fair and Toledo Zoo while
working on interpersonal and vocational job skill training (see story on page 14). We
also partnered with groups at Jewish Senior Life and throughout the community to
ensure that relationship building was at the forefront of all activities.
No matter the programs, camp had a great summer, and we look forward to 2025!
Camp Funtabulous
Camp Funtabulous
at Hillel ECC
at Hillel ECC
CAMP HILLEL ECC, FARMINGTON HILLS
T
he Hillel Day School Early Childhood Center’s (ECC) Camp
Funtabulous provides a fun and developmentally appropriate summer
experience in a play-based, child-centered and child-directed environ-
ment. In addition to offering 2- to 4-year-old campers a fun and educational
summer, the camp also runs a two-week Kindergarten Readiness program, envi-
sioned as a “Camp with Content” for 5-year-olds preparing to start kindergarten
in the fall.
This summer, 25 rising kindergarteners participated in Hillel’s Kindergarten
Readiness camp. Throughout the year, ECC4 teachers Barbara Dworin and Jacki
Berns created the Kindergarten Readiness curriculum. In addition to the usual
Camp Funtabulous activities such as gym, yoga, water games
and free play, Kindergarten Readiness campers hunted for
letters, beaded patterned medallions, created calendars and
practiced number and letter recognition skills.
The curriculum also included a Safety Town component
where campers learned about calling “911” in an emergency,
fire safety, “Street Smarts Skills,
” “Stranger Danger” and the
importance of being safe when out and about with their fami-
lies. They also memorized their phone numbers and addresses.
Teacher Barbara Dworin shared, “Our campers gained inde-
pendence and discovered new talents, and we loved watching
them become confident and comfortable kindergarteners, willing to
try new things and appreciate their many strengths.
”
TOP RIGHT:
These young campers get ready
for an epic game of tug of war.
Kindergarten Readiness
campers and their
teacher Barbara Dworin.
OUR COMMUNITY
ON THE COVER
continued from page 9
Berns created the Kindergarten Readiness curriculum. In addition to the usual
cream, paint and more.
ABOVE, TOP TO BOTTOM:
JCC Day Campers get ready for
fun on the water. Campers have
fun getting dirty on Messy Day.