JCC Adds Day Camps in East Cobb, Johns Creek
Above: Jacob H., Graham S. and David F. take a break from the summer camp games.
The Marcus Jewish Community Center is expanding north and west with its day camps for the summer of 2016.
In addition to the JCC’s main Zaban Park campus in Dunwoody and a continuing satellite operation at Emory University, the center will operate at two Reform synagogues: Temple Kol Emeth in East Cobb, which is the home of the JCC’s Sunshine School preschool center, and Congregation Dor Tamid in Johns Creek, where the arrival of the camps (announced in September) is part of a broader programming partnership.
“We are thrilled to be able to bring the MJCCA’s stellar camp experience to other parts of metro Atlanta, making our camps even more accessible,” said Meryl Rindsberg, the director of the Marcus JCC’s day camps.
The Marcus JCC also offers free bus transportation from 23 locations around the metro area.
Online registration opened Sunday, Jan. 10, for returning campers and begins at 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, for new campers.
Dor Tamid’s 10-acre campus will offer the traditional Camp Isidore Alterman camp; such specialty camps as Welcome to Hogwarts, Lego Robotics and Creative Chefs; and the Lynne & Howard Halpern Drama Camp.
Campers at the North Fulton location will make weekly trips to Zaban Park campus and to the nearby Standard Club, where they will be able to swim, ride horses and enjoy other amenities.
The offerings at Kol Emeth will include the Lynne & Howard Halpern Drama Camp and such specialty camps as Legoland, Welcome to Hogwarts, Junk Art and Science Discovery.
Besides adding the locations, the JCC’s day camp program is expanding its hours with the new Camp Late Nights. The program starts when the normal camp day ends, running from 4 to 8 p.m., and includes dinner.
Each Camp Late Night will feature a theme: Wet and Wild, which involves Slip ’N Slides, water balloons and pool games; Karaoke and Movie Night; Rec Games & Inflatables; or Talent Show.
Camp Late Night is in addition to extended care available before and after the regular camp hours.
Bumper boats are being added to the lake at Zaban Park to provide a fun activity on hot days.
Altogether the Marcus JCC offers more than 100 options for children from ages 5 to 14, including the Barbara & Sanford Orkin Teen Camps, performing arts camps, Sherry & Harry Maziar Sports Camps, and the Gesher Hebrew immersion camp.
The Hebrew immersion camp is expanding to accommodate rising kindergartners through third-graders. Other popular returning camps include American Ninja Warrior and Atlanta Hawks basketball. The Halpern Drama Camp, being held at all four camp locations, will culminate this year in performances of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” or “Seussical.”
Traditional Camp Isidore Alterman serves children entering pre-kindergarten through sixth grade next fall. The ages for other camps vary.
Among the new offerings this year:
- Cirque, offering rising third- to eighth-graders the chance to try circus acrobatics. Instruction will focus on developing coordination and aerial awareness while building strength and flexibility.
- So You Think You Can Dance for rising kindergartners to eighth-graders, focusing on developing and strengthening dance skills and teaching the art of performance.
- Comic Camp for rising third- to sixth-graders to explore the world of comics under the leadership of Jordan Gorfinkel, the cartoonist for the Atlanta Jewish Times, who managed the Batman comic franchise.
- Minion Madness for rising first- and second-graders to explore the lives of the Minion characters, learn their banana language, create Minion crafts, cook Minion-themed recipes and play Minion games.
- Zombie Invasion for rising third- to sixth-graders to learn how to survive a zombie apocalypse.
For information about the various day camp offerings, call 678-812-4004, or visit
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