First Experience

August 6 - 12, 2007

For more information:

Sam Bloom, Director
Phone: (304) 599-4435
Fax: (304) 599-5064
sbloom@jccpgh.org

Stephanie Buzza, Administrative Coordinator
Phone: (304) 599-4435
Fax: (304) 599-5064
sbuzza@jccpgh.org

First Experience is a one-week introduction to the EKC overnight camping experience for children entering grades 2-5. We offer a wide variety of activities in all of our program areas, with a goal of helping campers become comfortable staying away from home.
Is my child ready?
Parents can evaluate if a child is ready for First Experience if he or she...

• spends the night at a friend's or relative's house without calling home.
• expresses an interest in attending First Experience.
• has friends attending First Experience.

Many day campers attend the JCC's James & Rachel Levinson Day Camp for three weeks and then spend the fourth and final week of the session at First Experience.

Ways you can help

• Talk to your child about what to expect at camp. Explain that the counselors will make sure they have a great time.
• Don't make promises you can't keep, such as telling your child they can call home if they miss you.
• Encourage your child to plan on having a successful stay at camp. Don't tell your child that you will come pick them up or they can come home if they're homesick.
• Tell your child that it's okay and natural to miss family, friends and pets. Reinforce that it's a short week and it's ok to miss someone and have a good time.
• Have a letter(s) waiting at camp when your child arrives. We do not allow campers to call parents, but parents can call us for an update on how their child is doing.

A top-notch staff
The First Experience staff is EKC's finest. All EKC staff undergo an extensive interview process and rigorous training throughout the summer to ensure that campers have a positive experience. We handpick staff who are caring, nurturing and sensitive to the needs of the first-time camper, such as comforting campers who are homesick, teaching about personal responsibility and how to live in a community environment, and encouraging campers to try new things.
Benefits and goals of camp

• build new skills
• learn to live in a group
• follow daily routines and expectations
• develop independence
• appreciate nature
• understand Jewish values and lifestyles
• become respectful of yourself and others
• have fun!

A typical day at EKC
The day begins at 7:55 am. After breakfast, the
entire camp gathers at the flagpole for shticks, announcements and fun. Campers enjoy three morning activities before lunch, which is followed by rest hour. Then it's off to two activities and free swim. After dinner, there is one more activity, followed by a snack and lights out at 9:30 pm. The campers stay busy from the beginning to the end of the day.
A sampling of activities includes: kickball, archery, tennis, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, cricket, swimming, pool games and parties, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, lake games, arts & crafts, pottery, drama, singing, Israeli Culture, Teva (nature), ropes course and other outdoor adventures, cookouts and an overnight
sleep out.