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JCamp Information

A Place Where You Belong

Thank you for a fantastic summer 2023! Please keep an eye out for our next session's information.

Give your children an amazing summer experience with JCamp. Our day camp is designed to create a safe, fun, and engaging environment for your children to explore and grow. With a variety of activities, including outdoor play, arts & crafts, and sports, your children will have a summer to remember.

Registration is offered on a rolling basis as the summer goes on.

Scholarship opportunities available for Russian Jewish families (with one Russian speaking grandparent). Financial aid is also available.

All enrolled children are required to be fully vaccinated, including for Covid-19.

For questions or more information contact Edana Appel,
JCamp Director, at eappel@thejla.org or 323-556-5205

JCamp Values

community

Community

Kehillah/קהילה

Building meaningful relationships creates stronger individuals, lifelong friendships, and an ongoing sense of belonging.

joy

Joy

Rinah/רינה

 We take seriously the mitzvah (commandment) of increasing joy in life. We aim to bring joy to ourselves, our community, and everyone in our lives.

creativity

Creativity

Yetzirah/יצירה

We construct a safe space for exploring, challenging ourselves and cultivating our talents.

respect

Respect

Kavod/כבוד

Designing a space where everyone can be themselves by treating everyone with kindness and compassion.

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Growth

Gedilah/גדילה

 Learning through experience builds confidence in our abilities and teaches us that growing up is truly about discovering our highest potential.

A Day In the Life at Camp

JCamp Staff

Learn more about our amazing program leaders

Year-Round Team

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Edana Appel

Director of Camp and Family Programs

Edana has been the Director of JCamp since Summer 2016.  Her time in Jewish summer camps has taken her to six different camps all across the country.  She has a Masters in Jewish Professional Leadership and an MBA in Non-Profit Management from Brandeis University and also studied there as an undergrad. Outside of the JCC, Edana loves to shop, craft and binge watch shows.

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Dan Chomstein

Assistant Director


Dan was born and raised in Mexico City and has been a part of the JCamp family for three years. His background is in sports management and his passion is playing games with campers. He loves hiking, hanging out with his cat, and his favorite color is purple. Dan’s favorite part of JCamp is being the snack master! 

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Melo Taylor

Assistant Director

Melo has worked at the J for over two years. With a variety of Jewish professional experiences in summer camps, youth groups, synagogues, Jewish Day schools, and JCCs in other parts of the country, her passion is teaching young people through art, theatre, and music. Melo graduated from Chico State with a degree in Theatre Arts. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her dog, gardening, and shopping for shoes she doesn’t need.

Summer Staff


JCamp Staff are chosen for their commitment to building community and creating an environment where campers thrive.  Each staff member plays an important role in making camp happen from greeting campers as they arrive, tending to skinned knees, teaching new games, sharing in their joy of trying something new and finding a lost item at the end of the day.  Our staff is composed of individuals who represent a wide variety of backgrounds, talents and interests. 
Are you looking for a fun and exciting job this summer?  
Join us at JCamp and make memories that will last a lifetime! 

Stay tuned for more information about Staff Openings & Applications for the next JCamp session.
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FAQ

Read up on our most frequently asked-about topics below.
tip-light%402xWhat time does JCamp start?
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Edana AppelDirector of Camp and Family Programs
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Drop off begins at 8am every day.  We ask that all families are in Carline by 8:50am.  Our camp day begins with Morning Circle at 9am.

tip-light%402xHow does pick-up work?
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Dan ChomsteinAssistant Director
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Closing Circle ends each day at 3:15pm, which is when Pick Up begins and continues until 5pm. To pick up your camper, you will send us a message on the Playground App when you are about 10 minutes away.  This will allow us time to get your camper to Carline with all of their belongings when you arrive.

tip-light%402xWhat should I pack for my camper every day?
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Melo TaylorAssistant Director
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 We recommend that campers use a backpack.  Every day campers need sunscreen and lunch.  Everyday except for Wednesday campers need a swimsuit, flip-flops/pool shoes, and towel. Additionally we recommend a plastic bag for wet clothes and change of clothes.

Most importantly, please label all of your camper’s items.

tip-light%402xWhat is the best way to communicate day-to-day issues with JCamp staff?
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Liora BernsteinCamper Care Specialist
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The best way to communicate with JCamp staff is through the Playground App. In addition to informing us when you are picking up your camper, you can also share any other information like early pick up, missing items or asking for a check in on your camper. Additionally, you can email your camper’s unit head for more information about your camper.

tip-light%402xWhat does JCamp offer for snacks during the morning and aftercare?
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Edana AppelDirector of Camp and Family Programs
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All snacks provided by JCamp are individually packaged, kosher and peanut free. Morning snacks include pretzels, popcorn, potato chips and on Fridays chocolate chip cookies in honor of Shabbat. Afternoon snacks tend to lean to include more options like gummies, popsicles, animal crackers and more.  Campers can always eat snacks sent from home.

tip-light%402xIs JCamp nut-free?
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Dan ChomsteinAssistant Director
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JCamp is not a nut-free program. However, all of the snacks we serve are nut-free, kosher and individually wrapped. We can accommodate any other kinds of food allergies and have STRICT rules about not sharing food in order to keep everyone safe.

tip-light%402xWhat if my camper does not know how to swim?
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Liora BernsteinCamper Care Specialist
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All campers have the choice to participate in swimming each day. JCamp has exclusive use of the pool during swimming. The shallow end of our pool is 3 feet, where most campers can stand comfortably.  Additionally, campers can bring flotation devices and will have access to life jackets if needed.  

Campers who choose not to swim will have other activities during swimming.

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