Merage JCC Blog - Camp

Fifth-grader Shahrez beams as he talks about his first business venture, a website “SBay Kids”. Designing and building the technology himself, Shahrez is already into audience development suggesting he created a site and product line that “attracts people”. “SBay Kids is named like ebay, I want people to come find things they like. I priced everything in the mid-range and selected items that I love then other people will love them too.” The website looks ...

Here in the OC, while fall does not mean fall sweaters, it certainly does mean “Back to School”. Back to heavy-laden schedules and carpools, homework and school lunches, sports and Hebrew school. Back to the world of “fine” and “good”. Despite enveloping our kids in rich activities and fun, when asked “how was your day?”, universally we hear the seemingly requisite responses of “fine” and “good”. Amazingly our children ...

In late July, Netflix revived the movie Wet Hot American Summer, turning it into an eight-episode series. The series, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, is a prequel to the original film and set during the first day of camp. When originally debuted in 2001, the film was a critical and commercial failure. Yet, thanks to its all-star cast of up-and-coming comedians and its 1980s-era soundtrack, it has achieved cult status. Many of the cast return in Netflix’ revival, including ...

According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, fifty-five percent of our youth, 12 to 18 years old, volunteer each year. That rate is nearly twice the adult rate. Youth involved in religious activities are even more likely to volunteer. So, it is not surprising to see communities of Jewish youth traipsing around OC making a difference. Yet, it can still be a challenge to find a volunteer experience. Each year Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’a lot hosts its Mitzvah Launch, ...

When Learning is Fun… Just because the school year is done, it doesn’t mean that kids stop learning. Sometimes creativity is needed to sneak learning into summer vacation fun. One of our Camp Haverim families shared what happened when they mixed math with ice cream: “Each summer, we ponder how to connect learning with 10 weeks of summer fun. Last summer we came up with an idea: find Orange County’s very best ice cream! What could be more fun than that? We’d ...

For kids summer time is about fun and adventure. As the weeks seem to go on and on, parents wrack their brains for ways to engage our kids in creative and meaningful ways. Below are 18 everyday ways to have fun with your kids while exploring Jewish traditions and values. Cook challah together, add kid-friendly elements like chocolate chips, sprinkles or cinnamon sugar. Draw an Israeli Chutes & Ladders game board with a map of Israel and adding chutes and ladders and explore Israel. Finger ...

“Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement… look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible” – Abraham Joshua Heschel When Jewish camp matters Our contemporary lives are busy. Our kids are surrounded by American culture. A Jewish camp experience immerses our kids in Jewish experiences and friends. While our kids are running, playing, swimming, traveling, busy with arts and science and all the ...

Mah Nishtanah: How is Jewish Camp Different From All Others? It is true, every single year for over 20 years, I have run a Jewish summer camp. And, yes, when I write about sending your kids to Jewish camps, yes, it will sound like I am advertising the JCC’s camps. Let’s face it, I am. A bit. But I spend every single summer at Jewish camp, because I believe in them. The JCC believes in them. We believe they are great experiences for your kids and we believe Jewish camp is an ...

The other day my boss asked me if I had recently spoken to one of our members. I confidently replied “Yes, I just texted her.” When did we accept that texting and high-tech gadgets replace actual conversations, and frankly, that it is o.k.? We see it everyday, kids juggling IPads, I-phones, DSL, and computers. While parents moan about this obsession with electronics, do we actually recognize what is happening with our younger generations? The number of hours kids are ...

As I am writing this article, it’s cold and blustery outside. It seems odd to be thinking about camp. Nonetheless, it’s time to plan for your kids’ summer. Here at the Merage JCC we’ve been coordinating summer camp since last year’s camp ended. Sure, this article is going to sell our camps. We believe in camp – we believe it is an important component of Jewish life. Statistics show that camp experiences are one of the top three indicators that our kids will ...