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.

