Camp Shelanu 2012

Another year of Camp Shelanu –for friends, for fun, forever!

Traditional Camp for rising grades K-5 runs June 18-Aug. 10.
Weeklong Specialty Camps for rising grades 2-5 include Sports, Art, Cooking, Circus, and Glee – dates coming soon!
Last Blast for rising grades K-7 runs Aug. 13-24.

Registration opens Jan 1 for members, Jan 15 for non-members. Four ways to register!

• Online
• In person at the Levin JCC
• By phone at 919-354-4936
• By mail at Levin JCC attn.: Camp Shelanu, 1937 W Cornwallis Rd, Durham NC 27705

Early Bird Special: Register by March 31 and get $25 off! (Does not apply to Babysitting Camp)

Multi week discount: Register for 4 weeks, get $50 off.  Register for 6 weeks, get $100 off.  Register for all 8 weeks, get a week FREE!*

 *Free week must be lowest price camp you have selected. Offer good until May 31.  Does not apply to Last Blast. Cannot combine weeks from siblings. Do not need to be consecutive weeks.

Questions? Contact Madeline Seltman, Camp Director, at 919-354-4948.

Progams by Age

Rising k-1 (must turn 5 by July 1): Campers have a blast in our traditional camp, exploring a little bit of everything!  Daily swim lessons and free swim, cooking, art, music, games, nature, Israeli culture, and so much more.  Weeks 2 and 7 include fun, safe field trips specially tailored for our littlest campers.

Rising 2-3: Campers choose between traditional camp and the week’s specialty camp.  Traditional campers do it all - swim lessons, free swim, cooking, art, sports, nature, and lots of special activities.  Weeks 3, 6,and 8 have these campers venturing out on fabulous field trips. Specialty campers delve into Sports, Cooking, Art, Circus, or Glee.  These campers have daily free swim (Circus campers swim 2 days).

Rising 4-5: Along with daily swim lessons, free swim, and lots of activities, traditional campers in this older group get to choose an elective each afternoon.  Weeks  3, 6,and 8 have these campers venturing out on fabulous field trips. Specialty campers delve into Sports, Cooking, Art, Circus, or Glee.  These campers have daily free swim (Circus campers swim 2 days).

Rising 6-7: During Last Blast weeks only, these campers enjoy Camp Shelanu activities and facilities with more independence and choice than other groups. Activities include twice daily free swim in our two pools with diving board and slide, arts, sports, movies, games, and more.

Rising 9-10: Our Leadership-in Training (LIT) program is a four-week summer session that provides leadership training, activity programming experience, self-awareness workshops, and team-building exercises to rising 9th and 10th graders at Camp Shelanu. Rising 10th graders who have already completed the LIT program are invited to participate in the Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program. During this four-week program, CITs will participate in field trips and lock-ins with the LITs, plan and implement weekly campwide programs for younger campers, and get hands-on experience working with the younger age groups. To apply for the LIT or CIT program, click here.

Applications for new and returning Camp Staff (rising 11th grade -college) available here.

School’s Out Camps and Pre-School’s Out Camps

School’s Out, J’s in! Crafts, games, songs, cooking...All the fun of Camp Shelanu, all year round!

Pre-registration required 48 hours in advance online or by calling 919-354-4936.

School's Out Camps

Hours: Regular Day: 8:30 am-3:30 pm.  Extended care: 7:30 am-5:30 pm
Ages: Grades k-5  
Cost per day: $40/day Member, $55/day Potential Member, $10 extended care
Dates: Monday, Feb 20
Thursday-Friday, Mar 15-16
Friday-Friday, Apr 6-13

Pre-School’s Out Camps
Camp Shelanu fun especially tailored to pre-school campers.

Hours: Regular Day only: 8:30 am-3:30 pm 
Ages: 3 and 4.  Must be fully potty trained.
Dates: Monday, Feb 20
Thursday-Friday, Mar 15-16

If your camper has never been to Camp Shelanu (Summer or School’s Out), please fill out a Health and Emergency Contact form.

Bring a vegetarian lunch and 2 snacks and dress in closed toes shoes and layers for the weather.

Questions? Contact Camp Director Madeline Seltman  at 919-354-4948.

Traditional Camp

Traditional Camp at Camp Shelanu includes a little bit of everything all rolled into a fabulous day camp experience!  Activities include daily swim lessons and free swim, cooking, art, music, games, nature, Israeli culture, and so much more, tied into a different exciting theme each week.  There are fun, safe field trips scheduled for grades k-1 weeks 4 and 7, and for grades 2-5 weeks 3, 6, and 8.

Cost: $195 All-Inclusive Member/$220
Ages: Grades k-5.
Dates:

Week 1: June 18-22	Pirates!
Week 2: June 25-29	JCCircus
Week 3: July 2-6	Holidaze (there is camp July 4)
Week 4: July 9-13	Animal Planet
Week 5: July 16-20	Around the World in 80 Days
Week 6: July 23-27	Space Odyssey
Week 7: July 30-Aug 3	Color Olympics
Week 8: Aug 6-10	Wacky Water World

Specialty Camps

Sports Camp: Kickball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, disc golf, badminton, handball, you name it!  Active kids will get their fill of drills and scrimmages of indoor and outdoor sports, plus daily free swim.

Cost: $225 All-Inclusive Member/$245
Dates:
Grades 2-3 – Week 1 (June 18-22) and Week 6 (July 23-27)
Grade 4-5 – Week 3 (July 2-6) and Week 8 (Aug 6-10)

Arts Camp: Arts and crafts of all kinds of media, from painting and drawing to candle-making and tie-dye. Get creative!  Daily free swim.

Cost: $230 All-Inclusive Member/$245
Dates:
Grades 2-3 – Week 3 (July 2-6)
Grade 4-5 – Week 5 (July 16-20) and Week 7 (July 30-Aug 3)

Cooking Camp: Campers learn about nutrition, food systems, and cooking skills, and make delicious dishes all day.  If you’re lucky, they’ll bring home a plate!  Daily free swim.

Cost: $250 All-Inclusive Member/$280
Dates:
Grades 2-3 – Week 4 (July 9-13) and Week 7 (July 30-Aug 3)
Grade 4-5 – Week 1 (June 18-22) and Week 6 (July 23-27)

Circus Camp: Legacy Studios brings you aerial dance, acrobatics, juggling, clowning, hooping - The greatest show at the JCC! Campers developing routines and build their own sets and props to perform their own circus on Friday afternoon.  Two days of free swim.

Cost: $250 All-Inclusive Member/$280
Dates: Grades 2-6 – Week 2 (June 25-29)

Glee Camp: Campers learn show-choir-style song and dance routines from talented instructors from Legacy Studios. Don't miss the fabulous show Friday afternoon! Daily free swim.

Cost: $250 All-Inclusive Member/$280
Dates: Grades 2-6 – Week 4 (July 9-13) and Week 8 (Aug 6-10)

Last Blast: Last Blast campers wind down with a more relaxed camp.  Squeeze every last drop of fun from the summer with free swim, sports, games, art, and even a couple of movies.

Cost:
Any 2 days: $72 All-Inclusive Member/$76
Any 3 days: $108 All-Inclusive Member/$120
5 days: $160 All-Inclusive Member/$180
Dates: Grades k-7 – Week 9 (Aug 13-17) and Week 10 (Aug 20-24)

Babysitting Camp:  Participants will compete American Red Cross Babysitting course, Child/Infant CPR and First Aid certifications, general water safety, and American Red Cross Masters of Disasters Program.  Daily free swim.
Dates:  Age 11-15 – Week 0 (June 11-15)
Cost: $225 All-Inclusive Member/$250

Before Care: 7:30 – 8:30 am: $30 All-Inclusive Member/$35 per week
After Care:  3:30-5:30 pm: $60 All-Inclusive Member/$65 per week

General Information

Below is some key information about Camp Shelanu.  For complete policies, additional information, and FAQs, check out the links to the left.

Judaism: As a Jewish day camp, Camp Shelanu is based on Jewish values and includes learning about Jewish culture and traditions.  However, there is no religious instruction or discussion of theology at camp. All JCC programs are open to anyone who wishes to participate, regardless of religious affiliation or background.

Location and Facilities: Camp Shelanu takes place at the Levin JCC at 1937 W Cornwallis Rd, Durham NC, 27705.  The facility includes a 5-lane lap pool with diving board and a zero-entry Family Fun pool with a looping water slide, full-sized gym, art and music classrooms, dance studio, and access to fields, playground, and wooded areas.

Camp Staff: Our staff members, all of whom participate in a comprehensive training program, are mature high school and college students, or adults with camping, teaching, or recreational experience. Counselor to camper ratio is 1:9.  Camp Director Madeline Seltman, MSW, will be returning from Summer 2011.

Field Trips: Grades k-2 go on age-appropriate field trips Weeks 4 and 7, and grades 2-5 Weeks 3,6 and 8. Transportation is by bus, and high staff ratios and supervision procedures are in place.  See the website for details on trip destinations and dates.

Weather: Camp Shelanu is an indoor/outdoor camp.  In the event of inclement weather, including severe heat, daily activities will be modified.

Wait List Policy: If a camp is full and you are not registered, you may be placed on a wait list. You will make no payment at that time and will be contacted by staff if we are able to add you into the camp.

Cancellation Policy: If the JCC cancels camp for any reason, full credit or a refund will be issued. If you decide to cancel a session, we issue refunds, minus a $50 fee per session. Fees are nonrefundable once a camp session begins.  Refunds will not be given for missed days due to illness.

Late Registration Policy: A $15 Late Registration fee will be assessed on any registration made fewer than 7 days before the start of any camp session.

Financial Assistance: Camp Shelanu strives to serve the entire community. Limited scholarship funds are available based on demonstrated need and awarded through a confidential process.  Contact Debbie Zoller at dzoller@shalomdch.org or 919-354-4922.

Special Needs Inclusion

Through a generous grant from the National Inclusion Project, Camp Shelanu is implementing the Let’s ALL Play program model for inclusion of campers with special needs.  The partnership includes staff training as well as scholarships for campers with special needs. For more information, contact the Camp Director, Madeline Seltman at 919-354-4948. To find out more about the National Inclusion Project, please visit their website: http://www.inclusionproject.org

Typical Day

At 7:30, Early Care campers arrive and play cards or shoot some hoops.  At 8:30, the rest of the campers arrive on the side patio and are greeted by smiling counselors!  We start our day with the Camp Shelanu song and the Hebrew word-of-the-day before campers head off to their first activity. 

For traditional camp, in the morning are swim lessons -beginners might learn to float on their backs, while more experienced swimmers work on diving or learning a new stroke. After drying off, it’s snack time!

There are a couple more activities in the morning - tie-dying a shirt in arts and crafts, making strawberry jam in Cooking, or taking a nature hike on the trails in Duke Forest. 

By now, everyone is ready for lunch time!  After lunch is free time in the gym or on the playground.

In the afternoon, there is time for another activity, like soccer or music, before free swim.  Maybe today is the day to take the yellow band test to be able to go down the slide!

After swimming, second snack and some songs and games round out the day until pick up at 3:30.  After care campers play games, make friendship bracelets, or read stories.  Can’t wait to come back tomorrow!

FAQs - Camp Experience

How large is the camp?  How big are groups?
Camp Shelanu has between 60 and 90 campers per week.  Campers are divided into co-ed groups by age.  Groups are 10-18 campers with 2 or more counselors.

My child is not Jewish.  Will he/she be comfortable?
Camp Shelanu welcomes campers of all religious and cultural backgrounds. While there is no religious instruction or theology discussed at camp, there are activities related to Jewish traditions, holidays, culture, and Hebrew language.  Some examples are cooking traditional Jewish foods, taking an imaginary trip to Israel, and saying prayers over candles, grape juice, and bread on Friday afternoons for Shabbat (the Sabbath). We make efforts to make campers feel comfortable by explaining any Jewish cultural aspects or Hebrew words that are used, and we never require campers to do participate in activities they are not comfortable with. 

What are the camper to counselor ratios?            
We never exceed 9 campers to one counselor.

How old does my camper need to be to attend camp? 
Campers must be entering kindergarten and turn 5 by July 1.  Grade levels for various specialty camps refer to rising grade.

What are the facilities like?
Camp Shelanu is held on site at the Levin JCC, which features a lap pool with diving board and a zero-entry family fun pool with a looping water slide.  The Levin JCC also has a full sized gym, dance studio, and art and music classrooms. Additionally, Camp Shelanu makes use of the playground, field, and some indoor space at our neighbor, the Lerner School.

Do you provide lunch or snacks?
Campers bring their own lunch and two snacks each day.  Food must be in accordance with Levin JCC’s kashrut policy (no milk and meat together, no pork products, and no shellfish.)  Lunches are not refrigerated but coolers are available.

What if my child has food allergies, dietary restrictions, or keeps kosher?
Please make sure the Camp Director is aware of these concerns in advance.  While campers bring their own food and we enact a no sharing policy, we periodically provide a special snack or cook and eat something as part of a cooking activity. The Camp Director can work with you on solutions.  For example, campers with gluten intolerance may bring a special treat to eat instead of challah (braided bread) on Friday afternoons, or campers with peanut allergies may be seated at a table without anyone with nuts.  We are not a nut-free facility.  While all food brought in or provided is in accordance with the Levin JCC’s kashrut policy, it may not match some families’ kashrut practices. Contact the Camp Director to discuss.

What are field trips like?
There are field trips scheduled for grades k-1 weeks 4 and 7, and for grades 2-5 weeks 3, 6, and 8. The destinations of the trips and permission slips will be posted in the spring. Past field trips have included Carolina Tiger Rescue in Pittsboro, Jump Zone in Cary, Hickory Mountain Farms in Chatham County, Museum of Life and Science in Durham, and Wet ‘n’ Wild in Greensboro. We travel by bus and have extra staffing for field trip days.

What is the swim program like?
Traditional Campers receive daily instructional swim as well as free swim.  Swim lessons are taught by certified lifeguards with training in swim instruction, and are assisted by counselors. Each Monday, campers who are new that week take a swim test (see below) to be placed in a swim lesson group.  Activities vary by level, from skills like floating and breath holding for non-swimmers to improving strokes for proficient swimmers.
Campers are strongly encouraged to participate in both swim lessons and free swim, but no camper is forced to swim.  At instruction swim, campers who are not swimming may be asked to sit on the edge of the pool.
Specialty campers have daily free swim (Circus camp swims only 2 days).

What is the swim test like? What are the swim levels?
As with the Levin JCC pool in general, all campers must wear a colored band at all times in the pool and on the pool deck. The full swim test policy is available here.
Red bands are non-swimmers and must stay in the family pool. Yellow bands must be able to jump in and swim the width of the lap pool without goggles, and may go in the shallow end of the lap pool and down the slide. Green bands must be able to jump in the deep end, tread water for 60 seconds, and swim the length of the lap pool without goggles, and may go in the deep end of the lap pool and off the diving board.
Campers need to swim test once per summer at Camp Shelanu or at Levin JCC pool as a member (last summer’s test does not count, nor does a test at another pool.) 

What do the campers do if it's raining or excessively hot?
On most days, campers have indoor and outdoor activities.  If it is excessively hot or raining, outdoor activities will be replaced with indoor activities.  For example, soccer or free time pay take place in the gym instead of on the playground and field.  Campers may swim in light rain, but will not swim if there has been lightning or thunder.

What should my camper bring?
In general, traditional campers should come dressed in swim suits under clothing for morning swim and should bring a second swimsuit and towel for afternoon swim.  specialty campers should bring one bathing suit and towel.  Closed-toed shoes are required daily - flip flops are only permitted to walk down to the pool deck.  Campers should also bring sunscreen, water bottle, lunch, and two snacks.  You will receive an email the week before any camp session with any special instructions for what to bring (e.g., household item for a craft project, special clothing for a specialty camp).

What are before and after care like?
Before care and after care are less structured than the camp day.  Campers typically have free play with games, friendship bracelet string, toys, books, etc.

How is Last Blast different from regular camp?
Last Blast has a more relaxed pace than the regular camp season.  There is a second free swim rather than instruction swim.  Some of the specialties no longer take place.  Some of our camp staff change during these weeks.  Additionally, older campers (6th and 7th grade) have more independence - for example, a period of unstructured time playing air hockey and foosball in the teen lounge.

Who will be taking care of my camper?
Camp Shelanu staff are chosen on the basis of enthusiasm, experience with and love for children, maturity, and leadership.  Staff in specific skill based areas are provided special training and come with additional experience. All applicants require references, an interview, and a criminal background check. Staff receive training in programming, behavior management, safety and supervision, and sexual abuse prevention.  The Camp Director is a full-time, year round staff person with a Masters in Social Work.

How do I contact the camp in the summer?
If you have an urgent issue and need to reach you camper or camp staff during the day, please call the Welcome Desk at 919-354-4936.  Staff there can reach Camp Director at any time by walkie-talkie.
If you have a question or comment that is not urgent, you can reach the Camp Director by phone, email, or in person by appointment.  Drop off and pick up are very busy times and you may not be able to speak with the Camp Director at length at that time. 

What if my camper is injured or ill?
For minor injuries, camp staff may administer first aid (ice pack, band aid, etc) and let you know at the end of the day.  If your camper becomes ill, we will call you to come pick him or her up.  Camp staff are trained in CPR and First Aid at the lay responder level, and Camp Director is a certified in CPR at the Professional Rescuer level.

What should I do if we’re arriving late or leaving?
If you know you will be arriving late or leaving early, please let the Camp Director know ahead of time, and we can let you know where your child’s group will be.  Otherwise, call the Welcome Desk at 919-354-4936.  Staff there can reach Camp Director by walkie-talkie.

Does Camp Shelanu offer opportunities to meet the staff and receive information in person?
You may call us anytime to arrange to come and tour the facility and meet the Camp Director. There will also be an Open House before the start of camp where you and your child can meet his or her counselors.

Do you have a special program for teens?
The Leader-in-Training (LIT) program for rising 9th and 10th graders features leadership training, activity programming experience, and team-building exercises designed to empower teens to effectively lead on youth group boards, in classrooms at religious schools, at Camp Shelanu, and in other roles around the Jewish and non-Jewish communities. For more information and to apply, click here.

Can I work at Camp Shelanu?
We are looking for mature, responsible, energetic individuals from all backgrounds to apply to be staff at Camp Shelanu.  Rising 11th and 12th graders may apply to be Junior Counselors and rising and returning college students may apply as Senior Counselors.  We may also be looking for part time specialists in art, music, dance, cooking, etc.  Click here for more information and to apply.

FAQs - Registration and Payment

Can you register anytime?
Any registration made less than 7 days before the start of a camp session is subject to a $15 Late Registration Fee.

Can you switch from one camp week (Session) to another?
Any change in registration is subject to availability. 

When are payments due?
Full payment is due at the time of registration.  Contact Camp Director if this presents a problem.

Do you do refunds?
Any session cancelled in advance may be refunded minus a $50 cancellation fee.  There are no refunds once a camp session has started, and no refunds for missed days due to illness.

Do you have financial aid?
Levin JCC has limited scholarship funds for camp and other JCC programs.  Funds are distributed in a confidential process through Jewish Family Services, based on demonstrated need.  Please contact Debbie Zoller at dzoller@shalomdch.org before May 1, 2012.

Are there other fees for t-shirts, field trips, etc?
No, all costs are included in camp tuition, including field trip admission costs and one Camp Shelanu t-shirt for every camper!

When are Health and Emergency Contact, Media Release, and Field Trip Permission forms due?           
All forms are due one week before the start of camp.

Does my camper need a physical to attend camp?
The health form asks that parent/guardian sign off that campers have had a physical in the last year and are in good health to participate in all activities at camp.  However, the health form does not need to be signed by a physician.

If I had a health Form from last year's camp, can I use it?
No, you must submit a new health form this year.

Forms

• Summer Camp Registration Form
• Summer Camp Health and Emergency Contact Form coming soon…
• Summer Camp Publicity Waiver coming soon…
• School's Out Camp Health and Emergency Contact Form

Staff info & application

We are now accepting Camp Staff applications for the following positions:

Junior Counselors (entering 11th and 12thgrade).  Download the Counselor Job Description.

Senior Counselors (entering or returning college students).  Download the Counselor Job Description.

Specialty Camp Leaders in Art or Cooking (professionals and very mature college students).  Download the Specialist Job Description.

Specialists in Traditional Camp in Arts and Crafts, Cooking, Music, Sports, Nature, or Judaics (part-time, professionals and very mature college students) Download the Specialist Job Description.

Assistant Camp Director (professional or graduate student) Download the Assistant Camp Director Job Description.

Inclusion Facilitator (professional or graduate student) Job Description coming soon.  Contact Camp Director for more information.

To apply, fill in the online application  or stop by the Levin JCC for a hard copy.

For more information, contact Camp Director Madeline Seltman, 919-354-4948.