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Shalom, Parents and Campers:

Welcome! 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! That is what camp is ALL about!

Everyone is welcome at Camp Gesher. All JCC camps have Jewish and Non-Jewish campers and staff. Our values-based programming is designed specifically for the

inquisitive 2.5-year-old all the way up to our “almost in high school” rising 9th

graders. Our staff 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 and directors work together as a TEAM to ensure that your camper has an outstanding summer! Our counselors, Camp Director, Aquatic, and Fitness staff, arts and crafts specialist, and our Camp Registrar, Melanie Pace, will always be ON- SITE.

We look forward to working with your child this summer, and we thank you for joining us for another summer of Camp Gesher.

Risa Strauss Elisa Westfall Melanie Pace

Camp Director Camp Director Camp Registrar

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Ages and Facility Information Our program is divided into four 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 designed 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. 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; please note these out of town field trips are an additional cost.

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 state-of-the-art facility.

Camp Schedule 7:30am-9:00am: AM Activities and Drop-Off with counselors in the GESHER ZONE

9:00am: Camp Gesher Day Begins

9:15am: Morning Gathering

9:30am-12noon: Morning Activities (swimming, creativity zone, fitness and movement, culture club)

12:15pm: Lunch

1:00pm-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 Gathering

3:30pm: Camp Gesher Day Concludes

3:30pm-5:30pm: PM Activities and Pick-Up with counselors in the GESHER ZONE

Values Explored

Week 1: Respect Week 2: Healthy Living Week 3: Teamwork Week 4: Citizenship (Week of July 4th; Mon. Tues. Wed. only) Week 5: Responsibility Week 6: Justice Week 7: Courage Week 8: Originality Week 9: Acceptance and Tolerance Week 10: Friendship

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

Through value based character education 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.

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Special Galaxy (Grades 6-9) Trip Options

Week 3: Charlotte JCC

*Week 3: Day trip (Wednesday, 6/24) to Charlotte, North Carolina,

where we will visit the Levine Museum of the New South,

and spend a fun-filled afternoon with the Gesher Teen Camp of the Charlotte JCC

Cost of excursion includes transportation (Southern Valet), program, all staffing, lunch, and snacks:

$60 per child in addition to weekly camp fee

Week 7: Asheville JCC

*Week 7: Overnight trip (Tuesday, 7/21-22) to Asheville, North Carolina,

where we will spend an afternoon, and evening “lock-in” with the Teen Leadership Group of the Asheville JCC.

Program will include putt-putt, movie, social action event, nature experience, meals and more!

Depart Columbia on Tuesday, July 21, at 9am and return after lunch on Wednesday, July 22.

Cost of excursion includes transportation (Southern Valet), program, all meals, staffing, and snacks:

$120 per child in addition to weekly camp fee

Camp Gesher Director, Risa Strauss, will Chaperone all trips with Galaxy Staff Members.

“Regular Galaxy Programming” will be available for non-trip campers.

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2015 Camp Gesher

Thank you for choosing to send your child/children to the 2015 Camp Gesher Summer Program! In this packet, you will find all the information required to register for our all new summer camp. In order to make registration as simple as possible, these registration packets are available at the JCC front desk as well as online at jcccolumbia.org. Please see the information below pertaining to all pages of this packet. If you have any questions regarding tuition or registration, please call Melanie Pace, our camp registrar, at (803) 787-2023 ext. 206 or email melanier@jcccolumbia.org. If you have any questions regarding your child's camp experience this summer please email me at risa@tolsc.org (during the off-season) or risas@jcccolumbia.org (during the summer months starting June 1 and ending August 15) . You can also call me at (803) 787-2023 ext. 210.

Pages 5-11 must be filled out completely to successfully register your child for Camp Gesher .

Page (5): Please provide family information on this page and attach a photo of your child.

Page (6): Please list all important medical and pickup information. Page (7): Please complete this form so we can learn more about you and your child.

Page (8): Please fill out the Physician’s Certification and have your child’s physician sign and date the document.

Page (9): Please see JCC MEMBER weekly fees for camp. Please be advised that if participating in the “Early Bird” discount, ALL fees for those weeks MUST be paid for in full by May 1 (10%) or June 1 (5%). If participating in the Sibling discount, siblings must be in camp the same weeks. A small amount of Financial Aid is available per request and approval by Camp Director and Registrar. Page (10): Please see the COMMUNITY weekly fees for camp. Please be advised that if participating in the “Early Bird” discount, ALL fees for those weeks MUST be paid for in full by May 1 (10%) or June 1 (5%). If participating in the Sibling discount, siblings must be in camp the same weeks. A small amount of Financial Aid is available per request and approval by the Camp Director and Registrar.

Page (11): Please fill out this payment authorization form. Registration will not be accepted without complete payment information on file. Please be advised that payments must be submitted to the JCC no later than the MONDAY prior to the camp week your child is attending. Example: To register for the week of June 15-19, payment MUST be received no later than

Monday, June 8.

Important Date to Remember: SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2015

CAMP GESHER OPEN HOUSE

2 pm-3:30 pm

Meet the staff, Information, Fun Refreshments, Facility Tour, Activities, and More….

We look forward to seeing & working with your child this summer!

Risa Strauss Elisa Westfall

Camp Director Camp Director

CHILD’S INFORMATION

2015 Camp Gesher

Summer Camp Registration Form 5

Please write legibly

Camper Last Name: Camper First Name: Gender:

Birthday: School Attending: Grade as of Fall 2015:

Address: City: State: Zip:

T-shirt free with registration! Extra shirts are available at $5 each

Shirt Size: Youth SM Youth M Youth LG Adult SM Adult M Adult LG Adult XL

PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATION Are you a JCC Member? Yes/No

Mother/Guardian Last Name: First Name:

Address: City: State: Zip:

Work Phone: Cell Phone: Home Phone:

Email: Occupation: Company:

Father/Guardian Last Name: First Name:

Address: City: State: Zip:

Work Phone: Cell Phone: Home Phone:

Email: Occupation: Company:

Preferred Method of Contact? Email Text Cell Phone Home Phone Work Phone

HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT US? _____ Friend or family___________________________________________________________________________ _____ Advertisement____________________________________________________________________________ _____ Website_________________________________________________________________________________ _____ Camp Expo______________________________________________________________________________ _____ JCC Staff________________________________________________________________________________ _____ Member_________________________________________________________________________________ _____ Other___________________________________________________________________________________ _____ We are a returning JCC Camp Family __________________________________________________________

PLEASE ATTACH A PHOTO OF YOUR CHILD TO THIS FORM.

RETURN FORM PHONE FAX MAIL OR BRING TO

Melanie Pace

803-787-2023 EXT 206

803-462-1337

306 Flora Drive Columbia, SC 29223

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JCC Camp Registration Form

Pick Up Information: Please list the individuals who will be picking up your child on a regular basis.

Name: Relationship:

Name: Relationship:

Name: Relationship:

Medical Information:

*The JCC does not have a nurse on staff and is unable to give your child medicine during camp hours*

Please list any allergies (including food allergies) that your child may have:

Does your child have any chronic conditions (asthma, diabetes, etc.)?

Is your child currently taking any Prescription Medications on a regular basis and for what purpose?

What are the potential side effects of any medication currently administered?

Has your child had any serious operations or injuries?

Medical Waiver: I understand that under certain conditions emergency medical treatment may be required for my child during the hours he/she is in attendance at Camp Gesher Summer Camp. If emergency treatment should be required for my child, and in the event that I cannot be reached, I hereby give my consent to the Katie and Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center Staff to secure emergency medical treatment as necessary.

Parents’ Initials:

1st Emergency Contact _ Phone:

2nd Emergency Contact Phone:

Photo Release: I give my permission for my child’s image to be used in printed, video, and website publications for Camp Gesher

and/or the Katie and Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center.

Parents’ Initials:

Signature of Parent/Guardian Date:

JCC Camp Gesher Getting to Know You Form

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Dear Camper:

We are really excited about meeting you! We would like to know a little about you before your first day at Camp Gesher. Please take a few minutes and complete this form. Thank you for sharing and we are looking forward to sharing our camp with you!

Name Gender

Age/Grade Name of School

1. Here are a few things I would like to do at camp:

2. A couple of things I’d like you to know about me are:

3. When I have spare time at home, I like to:

Dear Parent or Guardian:

Please help us give your camper the best possible camp experience by providing us with some additional information.

1. Has your child ever had a day camp experience? If yes, which camp and how would you describe his/her camp experience?

2. What type of hobbies does your child enjoy?

3. I hope my son/daughter experiences or learns this at camp:

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All campers must have a current physician’s certification for 2015, to be completed by your camper’s physician. This may be faxed to the Katie and Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center at (803) 462-1337.

Camper’s Full Name:

Age: Height: Weight:

Immunization Record: Campers must meet the state requirements for school attendance. State accepted waivers can

be provided in place of the immunization record.

Vaccines Doses Received Date of Last Dose

DPT or DT or TD 1 2 3

IPV 1 2 3 4

MMR 1 2

HIB or PRP-D* 1 2 3

Varicella 1 2

PCV 1 2 3

Other:

Recommendations and Restrictions in Camp:

__________ ______ _______This camper may participate without restriction in the usual camp activities, which may include any of the

following: swimming, sports.

If No, please specify restrictions and recommendations below:

It is my opinion that the patient herein described is physically able to participate in all age appropriate camp

activities, except as noted above. This child has had the immunizations required for school or day care attendance in

the state of South Carolina.

Date:

Physician’s Printed Name:

Physician’s Signature:

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JCC MEMBER DISCOUNT RATES*

Camp Session Camp Times Starbursts (Age 2.5 to Age 4)

Milky Ways (Rising K-Rising 2nd)

Comets (Rising 3rd-Rising 5th)

Galaxies (Rising 6th-Rising 9th)

Total

Week 1 June 8 - June 12

9 am – 3:30 pm $170 $160 $160 $160

$_________

7:30 am – 5:30 pm $210 $200 $200 $200

Week 2 June 15 - June 19

9 am – 3:30 pm $170 $160 $160 $160

$_________

7:30 am – 5:30 pm $210 $200 $200 $200

Week 3 June 22 - June 26

9 am – 3:30 pm $170 $160 $160 $160

$_________

7:30 am – 5:30 pm $210 $200 $200 $200

Week 4 June 29 – July 1 (Wed.)

(prorated)

9 am – 3:30 pm $102 $96 $96 $96

$_________

7:30 am – 5:30 pm $126 $120 $120 $120

Week 5 July 6 - July 10

9 am – 3:30 pm $170 $160 $160 $160

$_________ 7:30 am – 5:30 pm $210 $200 $200 $200

Week 6 July 13 - July 17

9 am – 3:30 pm $170 $160 $160 $160

$_________ 7:30 am – 5:30 pm $210 $200 $200 $200

Week 7 July 20 - July 24

9 am – 3:30 pm $170 $160 $160 $160

$_________ 7:30 am – 5:30 pm $210 $200 $200 $200

Week 8 July 27 – July 31

9 am – 3:30 pm $170 $160 $160 $160

$_________ 7:30 am – 5:30 pm $210 $200 $200 $200

Week 9 August 3 - August 7

9 am – 3:30 pm $170 $160 $160 $160

$________ 7:30 am – 5:30 pm $210 $200 $200 $200

Week 10 August 10 - August 14

9 am – 3:30 pm $170 $160 $160 $160

$_________ 7:30 am – 5:30 pm $210 $200 $200 $200

Galaxy Week 3

Charlotte Trip

$60 $_________

Galaxy Week 7

Asheville Trip

$120 $_________

TOTAL:

$____________

Counselor Lunch Foundation

Gift a camp counselor with lunch! Our counselors are always on site.

Would you like to contribute $30 towards a Camp Gesher staff lunch? (please circle)

YES NO

If yes, a Camp Gesher staff person will contact you for more information. Thank you for taking care of our camp counselors!

Discounts Early Bird (through May 1) – 10% off weeks paid by May 1

Early Bird (through June 1) – 5% off weeks paid by June 1

Total 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.

Week 3 Charlotte Trip

Week 7 Asheville Trip

COMMUNITY RATES 10

Camp Session Camp Times Starbursts

(Age 3 to Pre-K)

Milky Ways (Rising K-Rising 2nd)

Comets (Rising 3rd-Rising 5th)

Galaxies (Rising 6th-Rising 9th)

Total

Week 1 June 8 – June 12

9 am – 3:30 pm $200 $190 $190 $190

$__________

7:30 am – 5:30 pm $240 $230 $230 $230

Week 2 June 15 – June 19

9 am – 3:30 pm $200 $190 $190 $190

$__________

7:30 am – 5:30 pm $240 $230 $230 $230

Week 3 June 22 – June 26

9 am – 3:30 pm $200 $190 $190 $190

$__________

7:30 am – 5:30 pm $240 $230 $230 $230

Week 4 June 29 – July 1 (Wed.)

(prorated)

9 am – 3:30 pm $120 $114 $114 $114

$__________ 7:30 am – 5:30 pm $144 $138 $138 $138

Week 5 July 6 – July 10

9 am – 3:30 pm $200 $190 $190 $190

$__________ 7:30 am – 5:30 pm $240 $230 $230 $230

Week 6 July 12 – July 17

9 am – 3:30 pm $200 $190 $190 $190

$__________ 7:30 am – 5:30 pm $240 $230 $230 $230

Week 7 July 20 – July 24

9 am – 3:30 pm $200 $190 $190 $190

$__________ 7:30 am – 5:30 pm $240 $230 $230 $230

Week 8 July 27 – July 31

9 am – 3:30 pm $200 $190 $190 $190

$__________ 7:30 am – 5:30 pm $240 $230 $230 $230

Week 9 August 3 - August 7

9 am – 3:30 pm $200 $190 $190 $190

$__________ 7:30 am – 5:30 pm $240 $230 $230 $230

Week 10 August 10 - August 14

9 am – 3:30 pm $200 $190 $190 $190

$__________ 7:30 am – 5:30 pm $240 $230 $230 $230

Galaxy Week 3

Charlotte Trip

$60 $_________

Galaxy Week 7

Asheville Trip

$120 $_________

Discounts Early Bird (through May 1) – 10% off weeks paid by May 1

Early Bird (through June 1) – 5% off weeks paid by June 1

Total 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.

Counselor Lunch Foundation

Gift a camp counselor with lunch! Our counselors are always on site.

Would you like to contribute $30 towards a Camp Gesher staff lunch? (please circle)

YES NO

If yes, a Camp Gesher staff person will contact you for more information. Thank you for taking care of our camp counselors!

TOTAL:

$____________

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*Payment for at least one week must be included with registration.

CHECK PAYMENTS: I understand that if I choose to pay my camp fees by check, I am responsible for submitting my payments to the Katie and Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center no later than the Monday prior to the camp week my child attends. If for any reason my check does not clear, I will be responsible for that amount plus a $25 service charge. If payment has not been received by the Monday prior to each week my child attends camp, the credit card I have provided will be charged.

Authorized signature:

Refund Policy: Camp refunds will only be given one week prior to your child's registered session. If your child is unable to attend because of illness, and/ or physician’s orders another weekly session may be chosen, or a prorated refund may be issued at the discretion of the JCC Parent/Guardian Initials: _______

Fee Agreement:

I hereby understand and agree by signing this Payment Authorization form that I am obligated to the Katie and Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center to pay all summer camp fees in full, via credit card, or by check as I have indicated above.

Parent/ Guardian Initials: _______

I understand that if my child is not picked up by the chosen time each camp day, a fee of $10 for every 15 minute increment he/she remains in the care of Camp Gesher staff will be charged to the credit card I have provided. Parent/Guardian Initials: _______

I understand that payment IN FULL for all days registered and a copy of this form completed and signed is required to attend camp.

Parent/Guardian Initials: _______

Parent/ Guardian Signature: Date:

PAYMENT OPTIONS _______ PAYMENT IN FULL

_______ CREDIT CARD/WEEKLY PAYMENT

_______ PAY BY CHECK

CAMP FEES

TOTAL CAMP FEES DEPOSIT* ______________ BALANCE ______________