MJCC offers diverse camp experiences

By Deborah Moon Seldner

Now is the time to register for summer day camps at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center, according to MJCC Day Camp Director Jordana Feves.
Camp Simcha, for children age 3 through entering kindergarten, already is close to full, said Feves.
And for some of the camps for older children, Feves said she needs to know if there is enough interest for every specialty camp each week. In the Camp Kehilla for campers entering kindergarten through second grade and Camp Ruach for campers entering third to sixth grade, Feves has planned up to five specialty camps in any given week. If there isn't sufficient registration for a particular camp by late May, the camp may be canceled (in which case parents will receive a full refund), she said. Camp Chai for seventh- and eighth-graders are also a series of one-week specialty camps.
All camps are divided by age and skill level, she said.
"I've tried to create a camp structure and camp offerings that will entice our older campers from third through eighth grade," said Feves, pointing especially to kayaking, surfing, sailing, mosaic mania and rock climbing.
Feves said she is very excited about partnering with the Portland Kayak Company to offer the Splish Splash Kayaking Camp for fourth- through eighth-graders.
"We are really excited," she said. "We have a great pool to learn the fundamentals and then we can take them out to the river."
Other organizations who are bringing specialty camps to the MJCC this summer are the Harlem Globetrotters, whose camp was very popular last summer; the Portland Timbers and the U.S. Basketball Academy.
A traditional day camp experience offering a variety of programming will be the basis for all Camp Simcha camps and will be available for Kehilla and Ruach campers on selected weeks.
"Our mainstay is the traditional day camp, which offers the best opportunity to experience a wide variety of activities," said Feves. "Jewish enrichment, arts, athletics, swimming and an overnight at BB Camp for older campers combine for the most variety."
Feves said that despite the construction going on at the MJCC over the summer, the pool will be open the entire summer. She said the gymnasium, rock wall, gymnastics facility and Sportsplex will be unaffected by the upcoming construction.
"We feel we are revving up for a really fun summer," said Feves, adding the camp's overall theme this year is "Come laugh your head off at MJCC Day Camp."
Camp Simcha will offer four two-week sessions (with options for two, three or five days per week) from June 26-Aug. 18.
Camp Kehilla and Camp Ruach will offer at least one camp every week from June 19-Sept. 1. Camp Chai offers camps for the same weeks, except for the week of Aug. 21.
None of the camps meet July 3 and 4. Extended day options are available for all camps except Chai.
MJCC members receive about a 10 percent discount for camps.
For more information, call Feves at 503-244-0111 or e-mail daycamp@oregonjcc.org.