Thank You for an Amazing Summer
Dear J Camp Families,
Our camp shirts said it best: Play. Explore. Repeat. That simple phrase became the heartbeat of J Camp. Throughout the summer, 1,123 campers and our incredible team of 129 staff members brought those words to life, playing with joy, exploring new adventures, and repeating the magic that makes J Camp so special.
We welcomed old friends and new friends from eight countries across the globe and 14 states. For the first time in three years, we brought back our shlichim (Israeli emissaries), who infused camp with Israeli culture and connection. Thank you to the families who opened their homes to them and joined us in this enriching program.
This was also a summer of leadership. We launched a new Character Ambassador role to weave camp values into everyday moments, and our CITs (Counselors in Training) stepped up as the future leaders of J Camp.
Programming highlights included lively field trips for Tiyulim campers—formerly X Camp—named for the Hebrew word tiyulim (tee-you-leem), meaning “journey.” It perfectly reflects the spirit of independence, growth, and discovery that define the experience our teens are searching for. This summer saw the return of Maccabiah, a multi-day competition focused on teamwork and joy. We welcomed Made to Sew as our newest specialty vendor and, of course, enjoyed plenty of Shabbat celebrations and visits from our favorite dinosaur, Shlomo.
We are so grateful to the Mercer Island Community and Event Center, the Seattle Jewish Community School, and our newest hosts at Northwest Yeshiva High School for their hospitality and partnership this summer. Their support allowed us to keep building and expanding J Camp in exciting new ways.
Most of all, this summer was about community. Campers discovered new strengths, made lasting friendships, and lived out the values of J Camp each day. Great programs make a difference, but it’s our incredible staff who truly make camp exceptional. A special thank you to Shane Piha, Assistant Camp Director and J Kids Coordinator, who has been in his role for a year. His mentorship, goofy, and engaging ideas, and DJing skills brought another level of energy and fun to J Camp.
Thank you for sharing your children with us this summer. I can’t wait to see you back at J Camp next summer if not sooner. Until then—play, explore, repeat.
With gratitude,
Aliza
J Camp Director
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