Camp Kef (Camp Fun)

for children in grades K-6

Imagine fresh air, green grass and sunshine. Add your best friends and tons of new adventures and you are dreaming about Camp Kef. Whether your child is a first-time camper or seasoned veteran, a world of excitement awaits them at Camp Kef.

Our qualified professional staff helps each child learn and grow. Everyday in Camp Kef we spend the day participating in arts and crafts, science, nature education, active games, cooking, and Judaic enrichment. Red Cross-certified swim instructors supervise free swim in our heated indoor pool (swim lessons are available before and after camp each day).  Each week campers get to explore the amazing offerings of the Seattle area in the summer. Field trips include Family Fun Center, local parks, Remlinger Farm, the zoo, local lakes, an Argosy cruise, and much more.   

SJCC Camp Kef provides an enriching summer filled with a wide variety of activities, from sports and Judaics to creative art and nature exploration. We promote an environment of respect, cooperation and caring where children discover new interests and talents.

Chugim
Campers participate in a chug (area of special interest) of their choice everyday. There are wide variety of chugim, including sports, Judaic projects, arts and crafts, science/nature, cooking, kickball, gaga, and drama. Each of the chugim focuses on a specific project each week, like plaster face masks, candle making, the human body, and more.

Swimming
Campers take to the water each morning for a free swim. If the camper passes the necessary swim test, they can slide down our new TurboTwister slide. In addition to free swim, our Red Cross-certified instructors also stress safety when in, on or around the water. Lessons are available through our SJCC Aquatics Department before and after each camp day.

Camp Kef Villages
We take the utmost care at Camp Kef to place your child with an appropriate group of children of similar age and abilities. Children are grouped into villages according to school grade. Each village has its own special activities. A senior counselor and junior counselor will supervise each group of 10-14 children.

Shemesh Or (Sunshine)
Grade K-1
Shemesh Or is the Camp Kef experience for younger children who enjoy the outdoors in an age-appropriate program that include swimming, nature, science, Judaic activities, arts and crafts, music, and drama plus weekly field trips, exciting themed programming and a lakefront camp site.

Ofarim (Trailblazers)
Grades 2-3
Through arts and crafts, drama, sports, science, and Judaics, Ofarim campers learn to work and play together, make new friends and develop new skills. The summer program includes a daily swim, chugim (clubs), chofesh (free time), tzrif time (village activities), weekly field trips, and themed programming at a lakefront camp site.

Chalutzim (Pioneers) SESSIONS 1 AND 2 ARE FULL
Grades 4-6
Chalutzim campers participate in challenging programs that include Judaics, sports, science, theater, and arts and crafts. Campers will develop new friendships and reconnect with old friends. The summer program includes lots of field trips, tikkun olam (repair the world) projects, community service activities, team building, Israeli activities structured around pop culture and leadership opportunities in working with younger campers. Chalutzim campers will participate in an end-of-session sleepover at the SJCC. Chalutzim campers also have the chance to take their own field trips as a group once a week for a more challenging hike or trip in the outdoors.

You may request that we group your child with friends of the same age; we will try to accommodate your request but we do not guarantee placement.

Typical Camp Kef Daily Schedule
9:30 a.m.         Opening Circle: songs and skits
10 a.m.            Swimming
11 a.m.            Tzrif (village) Time - gaga, tag games, stories, etc.
Noon                Lunch
12:30 p.m.        Shira (singing)
1:00 p.m.          Chugim: science and nature
2 p.m.              Afternoon Activity - tie dye, make your own ice cream, water Olympics
3 p.m.              Chofesh (free time): kickball, playing in the lake
3:30 p.m.          Snack Time and Announcements
4 p.m.              Closing Circle

Judaic Programming
Each year, Israeli counselors spend the summer at SJCC Summer Camps to help us learn more about life in Israel. Campers learn Jewish and Israeli history through stories, song, food, pop culture, and dancing. We incorporate special themes into the program, such as a Trip to Israel, a Maccabiah (sports) tournament, falafel making, and Judaic arts and crafts projects.

Every Friday afternoon, each village gathers together to welcome Shabbat with a blessing over the candles, juice, and challah. Some groups bake challah for a Shabbat snack. The impact of Jewish living at camp lasts a lifetime.

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LOCATION
Stroum JCC Mercer Island campus and Herzl-Ner Tamid

TIME
Monday though Friday
9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

DATES
Session I: June 21-July 9
Session II: July 12-July 30
Session III: August 2-20

 

COST
Early Bird Registration (received by April 1): $505 per session
Standard Registration (received after April 1): $565 per session

For more information, contact SJCC Youth and Camp Program Coordinator Matt Korch at MattK@sjcc.org or 206-232-7115, extension 242.