JCamp Information
A Place Where You Belong
Thank you for a fantastic summer 2023! Please keep an eye out for our next School's Out Camp programs as the year goes on.
Give your children an amazing 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.
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, Director of Camp & Family Programs, at eappel@thejla.org or 323-556-5205.
JCamp Values
Community
Kehillah/קהילה
Building meaningful relationships creates stronger individuals, lifelong friendships, and an ongoing sense of belonging.
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
Yetzirah/יצירה
We construct a safe space for exploring, challenging ourselves and cultivating our talents.
Respect
Kavod/כבוד
Designing a space where everyone can be themselves by treating everyone with kindness and compassion.
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
Edana Appel
Director of Camp and Family ProgramsEdana 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.
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!
Melo Taylor
Assistant DirectorMelo 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.
FAQ
Read up on our most frequently asked-about topics below.
What time does JCamp start?
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.
How does pick-up work?
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.
What should I pack for my camper every day?
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.
What is the best way to communicate day-to-day issues with JCamp staff?
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.
What does JCamp offer for snacks during the morning and aftercare?
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.
Is JCamp nut-free?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.
What if my camper does not know how to swim?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.