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Camp @ JCC East Bay

Program Overview

Camp @ JCC East Bay offers an intimate day camp experience where campers can build healthy friendships with peers and counselors, try new things, develop new skills, test personal limits, and above all, learn how we come together to create an amazing community and an amazing experience in a fun and safe setting. We aim to give campers a sense of self and a sense of their own Judaism as they experience a wide breadth of activities.

We know that swimming embodies one of the best parts of summer! This year, campers will receive both swim instruction and free swim at King Pool. Instruction will be 2-4x/week, and free swim will be 2x/week. Camp wide special events and theme days, and a special Shabbat to close out each week will also be highlights of the summer.

Camp @ JCC East Bay is geared toward the camper who wants a more personalized camp experience in a rich Jewish environment.

For Summer 2025, JCC East Bay will offer several options for camp:

Sababa! (סַבָּבָּה) - Hebrew Immersion

S – Sports
B – Bricha (swimming pool)
B – Bishul (cooking)
A – Art
Hakol B’ivrit (all in Hebrew)

Building on the success of many years of summer camp, Camp @ JCC East Bay is launching Sababa! @ JCC East Bay (June 23-July 11), for rising K-4th graders.

Our Hebrew immersion day camp, designed for native and heritage Hebrew speakers, will bridge the gap between Israel and Berkeley. This pioneer year will feature one, three-week session offering all the fun of a traditional summer camp, but almost fully immersed in Hebrew language.

Hebrew-speaking specialists in art, sports, food, and music, mean that no one will sit around learning ‘about’ Ivrit (Hebrew language). This is just good old-fashioned summer kef (fun) in an immersive linguistic environment tailor-made to build confidence and enthusiasm of every Hebrew language learner, from novices to native-speakers. Campers will experience Israeli flavors and culture as part of each camp day.

Sababa! @ JCC East Bay emphasizes all the things that a great camp experience should: building healthy friendships, trying new things, developing new skills, and having fun!

    
The Sababa program is operated in collaboration with Kayitz Kef / Hebrew At Camp and the Brandeis University Consortium for the Teaching of Hebrew Language and Culture.

Traditional Day Camp

Our popular traditional day camp will run from June 23-July 25 for rising TK-4th graders. Register for all 5 weeks, or fill-in your summer weeks with camp at the JCC East Bay.

Each week will have a special theme and activities to highlight that theme. Specialists in art, music, sports, and STEM, along with a variety of choice periods throughout each week. We’ll visit local parks, make tasty treats, and more. Every week is different, so campers will want to come back for new experiences!

Art Camp

A brand new art camp running July 21-25 for rising 2nd-5th graders, with special projects each day, and larger projects that will be completed by the end of the week. Campers will participate in free swim, and camp wide activities, while taking a deep dive into their art. Aimed at the novice or intermediate artist, join a group of like minded art inspired kiddos looking for something unique.

Camp @ JCC East Bay camp is an extension of Berkeley Afterschool, and open to all rising TK-5th graders.

Details
  • Weekly swim lessons and free swim at King Pool 
  • Weekly walking field trips to Live Oak and Codornices Parks
  • Havdalah to begin each week with music and a moment of reflection.
  • Weekly specialists
  • Weekly garden projects
  • Hebrew immersion
  • Weekly themes
  • Oneg Shabbat at the end of each week in our courtyard. Homemade challah, grape juice, a songsession, and something new to sweeten the close of our weeks together!
  • Israeli Shaliach (emissary) for Sababa! @ JCC East Bay. The shaliach is a post-army Israeli young adult trained specifically to work with kids in Jewish day camps – bringing us Israeli flavor, culture, and language!

Campers are grouped by age, and will spend most of the day in their home groups. Throughout the day, campers will also have choice periods to explore individual interests.

Campers should provide their own Kosher-style lunch. Camp will provide Kosher snacks daily, but you may supplement with your own. Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions.

Schedule, Fees, & Discounts

2025 Schedule and Rates

Camp is available a la carte for traditional camp and as a 3-week session for Hebrew immersion. Enroll in 3 or more weeks for a discount!

Discounts

  • Super Early Bird: Register by January 31, save $50/week
  • Early Bird: Register by March 7: save $25/session
  • Multi Week: Enroll in 3+ weeks per child, save $25/week
  • Sibling: $25/week sibling discount
  • All discounts are combinable
  • Discounts are prorated for week of July 4

Camp Hours

  • Camp only: 9:00am – 3:30pm
  • AM Care: 8:30 – 9:00am
  • PM Care: 3:30 – 5:30pm

Sababa! @ JCC East Bay: June 23-July 11
Camp only: $1,465 (multi-week discount already included)
AM Care: $100
PM Care: $350
Camp closure: July 4

Camp @ JCC East Bay Camp: June 23-July 25
Camp only: $550 ($440 week of June 30)
AM Care: $40 ($35 week of June 30)
PM Care: $125 ($100 week of June 30)
Camp closure: July 4

Camp @ JCC East Bay Art Camp: July 21-25
Camp only: $550
AM Care: $40
PM Care: $125

Register now!

Financial Aid

The JCC East Bay is committed to making the JCC Summer Camp accessible to as many families as possible. If your child(ren) needs reduced fees to attend camp, please apply for financial assistance by completing this secure form.

Please enroll in camp before submitting your application. If you are unable to accept your financial aid offer, all deposits will be refunded. You may direct questions to Aaron Atlas, CPO, [email protected]. We will get back to you within two weeks.

FAQs

Where is Camp @ JCC East Bay located?

We are located at the JCC East Bay (1414 Walnut St, Berkeley, CA 94709).

Will transportation from Berkeley be available?

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide transportation. If you are interested in attending camp in Oakland, please enroll in JCC Kids’ Club Camp.

Can I see the Parent Handbook?

Yes! The 2025 Camp Parent Handbook will be available soon.

What should my child bring to camp? And what about lunch and snacks?

Campers should bring a backpack with a non-perishable, nut-free lunch, full water bottle, sunscreen, and a hat. A change of clothes and a light sweatshirt is always a good idea. Please label everything.

Snacks will be provided during camp and PM extended care, but your camper is welcome to bring additional snacks, if desired. Any food provided by camp will be Kosher.

What type of training will staff receive?

Prior to camp, all staff will attend a full schedule of in-person trainings on all policies and procedures including: age appropriate programming, health and safety related procedures, training in effective communication, building community, inclusive programming, building Jewish identity, and much more.

How many campers will be in each group?

Groups may include up to 16 campers, with 2-3 counselors at any given time.

Can we pick a friend for our camper to be with in a group?

Having friends at camp depends entirely on the registration and notice given – we will do our best to accommodate. Please email [email protected] with your request as soon as possible.

What about refunds?

Cancellations must be made by May 2, 2025 to receive a refund (less $100 non-refundable deposit per week). Payments will not be refunded for changes and cancellations made after the May 2 deadline.

Contact Us

Email the JCC Summer Camp Team at [email protected].

Program Overview

Camp @ JCC East Bay offers an intimate lower key day camp experience where campers can discover new interests, test personal limits, and most importantly, have fun in a Jewish setting.

In this exciting and safe environment, campers will make new friends and develop meaningful relationships with their counselors. We aim to give campers a sense of self and a sense of their own Judaism as they experience a wide breadth of activities. Camp @ JCC East Bay is geared toward the camper who wants a more personalized camp experience in a rich Jewish environment.

Camp @ JCC East Bay camp is an extension of Berkeley Afterschool, and open to rising K-4th graders.

Information about camp 2025 will be available soon.

Contact Us

Email the JCC Summer Camp Team at [email protected].

Details

*NEW FOR 2024*

  • Weekly swim lessons and free swim at King Pool (walk to King Pool)
  • Weekly walking field trips to Live Oak and Codornices Parks.
  • Havdalah to begin each week with music and a moment of reflection.
  • Weekly specialists
  • Weekly garden projects
  • Hebrew infusion
  • Weekly themes
  • Oneg Shabbat at the end of each week in our courtyard. Homemade challah, grape juice, a songsession, and something new each week to sweeten the close of our weeks together!
  •  

Campers are grouped by age, and will spend most of the day in their home groups. Throughout the day, campers will also have choice periods to explore individual interests.

Campers should provide their own Kosher style lunch. Camp will provide Kosher snacks daily, but you may supplement with your own. Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions.

Schedule, Fees, & Discounts

2024 Schedule and Rates

Camp is available in 2 or 3 week segments, or come for all 7 weeks, and receive a discount!

Discounts

  • Super Early Bird: Register by January 19, save $80/session
  • Early Bird: Register by March 15: save $40/session
  • Enroll in all 7 weeks: save $240
  • $25/week sibling discount
  • All discounts are combinable

Camp Hours

  • Camp only: 9:00am – 3:30pm
  • AM Care: 8:30 – 9:00am
  • PM Care: 3:30 – 5:30pm

Session 1: June 10 – July 3 (3.5 weeks)
Camp only: $1,450
AM Care: $100
PM Care: $350 
Camp closures: June 12 (Shavuot) & June 19 (Juneteenth)

Session 2: July 8 – July 19 (2 weeks)
Camp only: $1,050 
AM Care: $75
PM Care: $250

Session 3: July 22 – Aug 2 (2 weeks)
Camp only: $1,050
AM Care: $75
PM Care: $250 

Register now!

Financial Aid

The JCC East Bay is committed to making the JCC Summer Camp accessible to as many families as possible. If your child(ren) needs reduced fees to attend camp, please apply for financial assistance by completing this secure form.

Please enroll in camp before submitting your application. If you are unable to accept your financial aid offer, all deposits will be refunded. You may direct questions to Aaron Atlas, CPO, [email protected]. We will get back to you within two weeks.

FAQs

Where is Camp @ JCC East Bay located?

We are located at the JCC East Bay (1414 Walnut St, Berkeley, CA 94709).

Will transportation from Berkeley be available?

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide transportation. If you are interested in attending camp in Oakland, please enroll in JCC Kids’ Club Camp.

Can I see the Parent Handbook?

Yes! Camp Parent Handbook 2024.

What should my child bring to camp? And what about lunch and snacks?

Campers should bring a backpack with a non-perishable, nut-free lunch, full water bottle, sunscreen, and a hat. A change of clothes and a light sweatshirt is always a good idea. Please label everything.

Snacks will be provided during camp and PM extended care, but your camper is welcome to bring additional snacks, if desired. Any food provided by camp will be Kosher.

What type of training will staff receive?

Prior to camp, all staff will attend a full schedule of in-person trainings on all policies and procedures including: age appropriate programming, health and safety related procedures, training in effective communication, building community, inclusive programming, building Jewish identity, and much more.

How many campers will be in each group?

Groups may include up to 16 campers, with 2-3 counselors at any given time.

Can we pick a friend for our camper to be with in a group?

Having friends at camp depends entirely on the registration and notice given – we will do our best to accommodate. Please email [email protected] with your request as soon as possible.

What about refunds?

Cancellations must be made by May 24, 2024 to receive a refund (less $100 non-refundable deposit per week). Payments will not be refunded for changes and cancellations made after the May 24 deadline.

Contact Us

Email the JCC Summer Camp Team at [email protected].