Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

On Sunday, Feb. 2, the Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando will kick off its Camp J summer camps from 1– 4 p.m. at its Maitland location. The Camp J Kickoff will feature an opportunity to find out more information about everything that Camp J has to offer-from their specialty camps, such as magic, theater, Mad Science, LegoRobotics, and pottery; to their sports camps, such as Edgerrin James football, scuba, TGA golf and sports journalism camps.

Coming off of a successful 2013 summer, organizers expect the event to be full of a lot of energy and a lot of smiling faces.

"Last summer we went back to a more traditional Jewish day camp model, and I was excited to see all of the positive feedback from research we conducted with our participants," said Abby Paulson, Camp J director.  "Our new camp committee has been working hard to ensure the highest quality camp programs for 2014, and they are so excited to present the new plans for this summer to the community," Paulson added.

The kickoff will feature activities for children by the specialty camp providers, demonstrations by Mad Science, Starving Artist Studios, and See Magic Live, and a song session with a very special guest.  The kickoff event will be the first time to get the 2014 camp brochure and to see what's new at Camp J this summer.

New this summer, rising kindergartners (Sameach) will be participating in Camp J, or what a lot of them call "Big Kids Camp."  The campers will remain with early childhood staff from Camp J Jr. and will be taking trips every day to Camp J to participate in age-appropriate experiences including the energetic morning flag program, afternoon song session, specialist activities, Shabbat, and even weekly field trips.

This year they are offering a number of discounts and everybody who registers for Camp J by March 31 is eligible for some type of discount. There is a returning camper discount for anybody who attended Camp J in 2011, 2012 or 2013, where they can receive up to $400 off.  New campers can receive $100 off.  Registration opens at the kickoff event on Sunday, Feb. 2.

Amy Schwartz/Roth JCC

Camp J director, Abby Paulson

Since 1973, the Roth JCC of Greater Orlando has been home to Camp J summer camp in the heart of Maitland. The 12-acre campus is the perfect site for a full, enriching camp experience. Their air-conditioned facility features a gymnasium, art studio, game room, and theater.  But the outdoor facilities are what really make the camp experience. Children will learn to swim in the Junior Olympic-size pool, play ball on their athletic fields, shoot hoops on their outdoor basketball court, learn to serve on the tennis courts, get messy in the Science Pavilion, and strengthen gross motor skills on the state-of-the-art, age-appropriate playgrounds.  

For more information, please visit http://www.orlandojcc.org/camp or contact Abby Paulson at AbbyP@orlandojcc.org.