Camps

JCC of Greater Albuquerque Summer Day Camps

June 1 – August 13, 2010

Download 2010 Summer Day Camps Brochure (PDF document)

Register for 2010 summer camps

When you choose one of the JCC summer camps, you can be assured that you've made a great decision. We offer a variety of quality camps for children ages 5-15 including Camp Chai, Basketball Camp, JCC & Rio Vista FC Soccer Camp, Golf Camp, Horseback Riding/Aqua Camp, Performing Arts Camp, and our CIT Program. JCC campers have fun and make new friends while learning the values and traditions of Jewish culture in an informal educational environment. The camping experience can actually increase young peoples' connection to Judaism through the creative learning activities and observances that occur as part of camp activities.

Our campers work with dedicated camp counselors who help children have a positive experience and promote individual growth and group cooperation. Full-time JCC program staff members oversee each camp unit.

Send your child(ren) this summer to meet new friends, learn new skills, and develop a deeper understanding of Judaism. Then, when your children return to school, send them back to the JCC for our school vacation programs where they will see their camp friends and familiar staff faces.

CIT (Counselor in Training) Program

Our CIT (Counselor In Training) program had great success with the Malibu, CA trip last year! If you are 14-15 years of age and want to start taking on more of a leadership role in the camp setting, then our Camp Chai CIT program is for you. All of our CITs this year will go on a 4-day trip to the Shalom Institute Camp Center in Malibu, CA. They will take part in ropes courses, team builders, leadership training and have a great overnight camping experience. Along with all that the Shalom Institute Camp has to offer, the CITs will ride the train, take mountain hikes and go to the beach. The CIT team builder is a great way for your child to get prepared for their responsibilities as a JCC Camp Chai CIT.

Our CIT program runs for 9 weeks, from June 8 - August 7. "It taught me responsibility and had great ice-breakers that made you feel welcome. It was great to be around so many new friends," said former CIT, Leah Zalma. Our camp consists of four, 2-week sessions, plus an extra 1-week only session. Any interested CIT will need to commit for a minimum of 2 sessions (does not have to be consecutive) and can choose to do all 4 sessions if space permits. The fee for 2 sessions is $750 which includes the trip to the Shalom Institute. Any additional sessions (3rd and 4th) will be reduced to $275 per session. Session 5 will be $140. To register, call Tom at 348-4511 to set up an interview and pick up an application.

Camp Chai

Ages 5 - 13

Campers are grouped by grade and may choose from a variety of activities to create their session schedule. This schedule includes four structured time periods and two elective time periods taught by specialists in their field. Each two-week session, your child will be participating in the following structured activities: daily swim lessons, recreational swimming, sports, archery, arts and crafts, dance, gymnastics (K-1) and science art. Electives include: candy making, movie making, archery, a variety of dance options, sports, jewelry making, story time and much more. Themed weeks, special events, cook-outs and field trips are a part of all four sessions. Camp hours are 9 am - 4 pm. Before-care and after-care is available from 7 - 9 am and 4 - 6 pm using a punch card system (12 punches for $30).

Summer Shlichim Program

The aim of the Summer Shlichim Program is to send qualified, professional staff from Israel to our camp to add a uniquely Jewish and personal Israeli dimension. Shlichim are mature, educated young people who have completed army or national service and are experienced in areas of formal and informal education as counselors, teachers, youth or child care workers. Shlichim possess leadership as well as other assorted skills and talents and are highly motivated, dynamic role models able to work with our campers and staff. They are also open-minded, flexible, patient and most importantly, "mensches."

For the past six years, the JCC has brought in wonderful Israeli counselors who have added a great deal of culture and fun to the JCC camp experience. We are very fortunate to be able to offer such a great experience for our JCC campers. This year, we are very excited to be able to bring two Summer Shlichim to our camp. One will specialize in Israeli Culture and the other in Dance.

The JCC is looking for three to four families to house our camp Shlichim (one or both) for a couple of weeks during the summer. This is a great way to bring an incredible cultural experience into your home for you and your children. All of our previous host families have had a wonderful experience. If interested, please call Tom Gallagher at 348-4511.

Golf Camps at Sandia Club

These comprehensive and exciting lessons will include the basic fundamentals necessary to learn the golf swing and all side-components of golf. They consist of learning the skills required for short game execution, specialty shots, course management and play. In addition, tips are provided on how to effectively get the most out of practice time, and what drills are helpful based on individual skill levels.

Following lunch everyday, campers will get actual course play. Campers will work with the highest quality teaching professionals in the area who will instruct them with sound fundamentals to help them quickly reach their golf goals.

Children will need to bring a sack lunch, water bottle, sunscreen, hat and golf clubs to camp daily.

Drop off is at 9 am at Sandia Golf Club at the main entrance to the pro shop area. Sandia Golf Club is located at 30 Rainbow Road, NE. Campers will start getting bussed back to the JCC beginning at 3:15 pm. Pick up time is 4 pm at the JCC Youth Lounge.

For more information call Tom at 348-4511.

4-Day Mini Camp

This camp will include games in the gym, play time outside on our field and playground, activities in our Youth Lounge including a DVD movie, air hockey, and foosball. This camp will also include rec swim time in our pool. Campers should bring gym shoes, bathing suit, towel, lunch, drinks and snacks. For more information call 332-0565. Please list dates attending on form.

JCC & Rio Vista FC Soccer Camp

Due to its outstanding success, Rio Vista will be back again this year to run the number one soccer camp in New Mexico. British-run Rio Vista prides itself on its coaching staff which provides the best soccer education possible. This camp is a must for all soccer players, novice or experienced. An unforgettable week of soccer is planned! Each camper will receive a soccer ball and camp t-shirt. Every player must bring their own shin guards and cleats to camp every day. For more information call Tom at 348-4511.

(For the full-day camp, lunch will be from noon-1pm. Campers must bring their own lunch. Also, please bring a swim suit and towel, since swimming will be included to cool down from the hot day.)

Performing Arts Camp

This 9-day camp will include jazz, ballet, tumbling, floor gymnastics, arts & crafts, musical theater, song, dance, and choreography class. Children will learn specific songs, dances, and scenes from an actual musical, and, at week's end, children will have the opportunity to put everything they learned together for a big end-of-camp performance. Performing Arts camp is instructed by JCC Children's Dance instructor Sarah Westerlund. Campers need to bring a sack lunch and water daily. Campers must be at least 6 when camp starts! For more information, call Tom at 346-4511.

Horseback Riding/Aqua Camp

Horseback Riding

Start the day at beautiful Heartlane Farms. Campers will learn the fundamentals of horseback riding and care, experience hands-on grooming, feeding, and caring for horses, as well as how to saddle, bridle, and ride. Each morning, campers will be riding approximately an hour and a half. Individualized and group instruction is provided by professional staff. Stiff-soled boots are required for your child's safety and insurance purposes. No tennis shoes. Children are encouraged to bring their own helmet to ensure proper fit.

Aqua Camp

Finish the day with a refreshing splash in the beautiful JCC pool. Bring a swimsuit, sunscreen and towel daily. Parents will drop off and pick up children at the JCC Campus. The JCC will provide transportation to Heartlane Farms. Bring a sack lunch and water bottle daily. You may also bring carrot snacks for your favorite horse! For more information, call Tom at 348-4511.

5-Day Sports & Activity Camp

This camp will be held inside our beautiful air conditioned gymnasium. Campers will play fun gym games including capture the flag, dodge ball, kickball, "sell out," cooperative games, and much more. Daily recreational swimming will also be included. This is a high energy camp and your child will have a ball. Campers should bring gym shoes, bathing suit, towel, lunch, drinks and snacks. Please list dates attending on form.

Basketball Camp

(Students entering high school may not attend this camp due to NCAA rules.)

This is a great basketball camp that will have students of all ability levels learning great new basketball techniques. The emphasis is on fundamentals. Students will be separated by their ability level and age to ensure appropriate skill development.

Our Basketball camp will be held in our beautiful, air conditioned, Cohen Gymnasium. Each backboard can be lowered in height 10 ft. to 8 ft. to accommodate each age group.

Abbie Letz, a former Lobo guard from 2001-2006, was part of three Mountain West Conference Championship teams and was a member of the only UNM team to advance to the Sweet Sixteen in 2003. A native of El Paso, TX, Abbie was named to the All-Conference Team in 2006 as well as the Academic All Conference Team in each of her four years. In 2006, Abbie was named the Female Athlete of the Year at UNM. She is currently teaching and coaching at La Cueva High School in Albuquerque, NM. We are very happy to have Abbie with us this year.

The cost of the camp will also cover a basketball and T-shirt for each camper. Campers should bring basketball shoes, shorts, tank-top or T-shirt, bathing suit, towel, and a daily sack lunch, drinks and snacks. For more information call Tom at 348-4511.

Habonim Goes to Camp

Summer is here, and that means FUN, FUN, and FUN! This year, we are excited to announce a great fun-filled trip for Habonim to Malibu, California! Yes, that's right, we said MALIBU! We are having a week long over-night camping experience where we will accompany teens from JCCs in Tucson and Phoenix.

Once we are all together, we will meet at the Shalom Institute where we will become one big camp to have an experience of a lifetime. We will leave Albuquerque via train and will arrive in Los Angeles ready for action. At camp, we will do many activities including mountain hikes, team building activities, night hikes, a Ropes Course, and, most importantly, meet new friends from other JCCs.

We will leave Albuquerque on June 14th and arrive in Malibu on Monday June 15th. We will return home to Albuquerque on Friday June 19th.

Price will include, train, food, and camp for the week. For more information contact Tom Gallagher at 348-4511.

Habonim Junior Camp Experience

For those enthusiastic individuals looking for something more exciting than just another summer vacation, the Habonim village experience offers older campers an excellent opportunity to grow as young adults through a wide range of engaging classes and activities. Both physically and intellectually stimulating, the Habonim summer camp experience aims to challenge campers to advance as individuals, within a close-knit cooperative community, by appealing to the different talents and interests that the campers have.

As the oldest village within Camp Chai certain exclusive privileges apply to only Habonim campers including meeting separately from the rest of camp, having a recreational swim time on a daily basis apart from younger campers, participating in morning and afternoon classes designed just for their age, and taking part in an additional field trip during each session.

Previous Habonim field trips have included ice skating, bowling, hiking & picnic, movie & miniature golf, museum visits, and a trip to the University of New Mexico. With an excellent morning and afternoon curriculum catering to young adults, the Habonim village is a unique opportunity for campers to learn, grow, and build relationships experientially.

Call Matt at 348-4551 for more details.

Please refer to registration form for pricing.

Blast Off to Science Camp

3...2...1...BLAST OFF TO SCIENCE CAMP! This camp will introduce science to campers in a way they have never experienced before. Each day, campers will be involved in hands on hands experiments, fun arts and crafts, and games based on the different areas of science. Campers will enjoy learning about astronomy, geology, paleontology, biology, modern science and technology, and much more!

The week will end with a field trip to Albuquerque's Natural History Museum, Explora Children's Museum, and the National Atomic Museum of Albuquerque. JCC's Blast Off to Science Camp is instructed by Sarah Westerlund. After a week at the JCC's Blast Off to Science Camp, science will never be boring again! Campers need to bring a sack lunch and water daily. Campers must be at least 6 when camp starts! For more information, call Tom at 348-4511.

JCC's "Lights, Cameras, Acting Camp"

JCC campers will have fun learning the different techniques and skills used in today's plays, television shows, and movies. This 5-day camp includes activities such as the art of acting on stage, storytelling, improvisation, acting for film, writing scripts and screenplays, costume design, stage make-up and much more. Campers use these skills to produce not only a live performance, but also a movie which they will present at the end of the week. Campers will write, produce, direct, and star in their very own movie. Limit of 18 children, so act quickly! See you on the set!