*Serving ALL children of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and religions: 2.5 years – entering 9th grade. *Daily swim instruction and recreational swim.*Jewish life, world cultures, gardening and nature, health and fitness, arts and music will be experienced and explored.*Dedicated, mature, and enthusiastic staff.*Modern facilities: indoor pool, nature garden, fitness center, gymnasium - ALL On Site.*AM and PM Extended Camp Day Option.*Leadership Program for rising 6th-9th graders with weekly career exploration field trip component.

Camp DayWe offer a weekly program, with the camp day beginning at 9 am and ending at 3:30 pm. We will also offer counselor coverage and activities for AM care from 7:30 in the morning and PM care until 5:30 in the evening.

Weekly Camp Gesher Tuition

Early Bird (through May 1) – 10% off weeks paid by May 1Early Bird (through June 1) – 5% off weeks paid by June 1Total Sibling Discount - 5% off 2nd and subsequent children that attend camp in the same week. *Campers that are residents of the greater Columbia area must be a JCC member to receive a member discount. It pays to join the JCC! As a JCC member, you save approximately $30 a week per child! Registration Information available online at jcccolumbia.org or contact Camp Registrar, Melanie Pace 803.787.2023 ext. 206.General Camp Open House and Informational Meeting for Parents and Campers: Sunday, May 31, 2015 at 2 pm. For more information concerning your child’s camp experience, contact Risa Strauss, Camp Director at 803.787.2023 ext. 210.

Exciting & Innovative Camp Experience at Your JCC for 2015 and Beyond!

Building Bridges Through Leadership and Values

10 Week Camp ScheduleJune 8 - August 14

“A fun, nurturing, and creative environment where children’s spirits will soar, and lasting summer

friendships and memories will flourish.”

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Building Bridges Through leadership and Values

Tract 1 (Starburst: age 2.5 - age 4)Member$170$210

Community$200$240

Tract 2-4 (Milky Ways, Comets, & Galaxies: rising K - 9th grade)

9:00am-3:30pm7:30am-5:30pm

Member$160$200

9:00am-3:30pm7:30am-5:30pm

Community$190$230

Camp Gesher (Bridge in Hebrew) is committed to providing a safe, vibrant, and enriching day camp experience.

This happens through careful hiring, innovative programming, and a focus

on positive values and character education in a Jewish setting. We

strive for our campers to learn new skills, accomplish realistic goals,

and return home each day happy, satisfied and looking forward to

camp the next morning!

Our counselors come from the Columbia area, chosen by the Camp Directors and are hired for their experience, creativity, and caring nature.

All are trained in Red Cross First Aid, and CPR certification, age-appropriate program planning, water safety, good childcare practices, and more.

At Camp Gesher, all staff counselors and directors work together as a TEAM to ensure that your camper has an outstanding summer!

Shalom

and

Welcome!Week 1: RespectWeek 2: Healthy LivingWeek 3: TeamworkWeek 4: Citizenship (week of July 4th- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday only)Week 5: ResponsibilityWeek 6: JusticeWeek 7: CourageWeek 8: OriginalityWeek 9: Acceptance and ToleranceWeek 10: Friendship

The concepts of responsibility, understanding, giving with kindness, and goodness will be reflected in all of our programming – each and every day.

Our campers will form a positive relationship with and learn about:*Jewish Life and World Cultures*Swimming and Fitness*Arts and Crafts*Nature and Gardening*Drama and Music*Team Sports and New Group Games Each week our programming will revolve around a common theme and value that will be woven through each day culminating in a Sabbath/Shabbat celebration emphasizing Shalom, the Hebrew word for peace.

It is our goal to create a caring, fun, and creative atmosphere where children will thrive in a non-competitive environment.

7:30am-9:00am: AM activities and Drop-Off with counselors in the GESHER ZONE9:00am: Camp Gesher Day Begins9:15am: Morning Gathering9:30am-12noon: Morning Activities (swimming, creativity zone, fitness and movement, culture club)12:15pm: Lunch1:00pm-2:45pm: Afternoon Activities in the form of “Specialty Tracks”- Chugim, in Hebrew (free swim, nature garden, sports, music and drama, Hebrew)2:45pm: Afternoon Gathering3:30pm: Camp Gesher Day Concludes3:30pm-5:30pm: PM activities and Pick-Up with counselors in the GESHER ZONE

Daily offerings / Camp Schedule

Elisa WestfallCamp Director

Risa StraussCamp Director

Melanie PaceCamp Registrar

VALUES EXPLOREDVALUES EXPLORED

STAFF

Our program is divided into three distinct tracts: Tract 1 (Starbursts): Age two and a half year through age 4. Our camper to staff ratio for this age group is 5:1. Tract 2 (Milky Ways): Rising kindergarten to rising 2nd grade. Tract 3 (Comets): Rising 3rd grade to rising 5th grade. Tract 4: (Galaxies): This leadership program is specially de signed for our pre-teen campers in rising 6th grade through rising 9th grade, focusing on skills development and career exploration. This tract includes a weekly field trip component. Our camper to staff ratio for these age groups is 8:1.

Our Camp Directors, Aquatic and Fitness staff, arts and crafts specialist, and Camp Registrar,

Melanie Pace, will always be ON-SITE.Exciting program highlights for the 2015 Camp Gesher Summer include: Partnering with the University of South Carolina and the Department of Education on youth nutrition and benefits of healthy snacking. Galaxy Field Trip on June 24 to Charlotte JCC and July 21-22 Galaxy Over-Night Field Trip to

Asheville JCC. Exciting facility highlights for the 2015 Camp Gesher Summer include: 22 acres of private, maintained land, covered outdoor areas, outdoor playground, outdoor gaga ball pit, high-school regulation size indoor basketball gymnasium with new equipment, and an indoor heated swimming pool. All campers this year will receive a weekly aquatic skills certificate

detailing their accomplishments in our exceptional facility.