Here’s How to Make Camp Last a Little Bit Longer
Camp is finished. Kids are either back in school, about to start school or telling you that they are bored at home. Everyone misses camp. The good news is that we have five ways to keep the warm fuzzies from Apachi J Camp going for a few more weeks. Cheer on the Home Team […] Learn More ›
How ‘The Goonies’ Inspired Me to Become a Camp Director
That’s right, the 1985 action/comedy The Goonies is (one of) the reasons I am a camp director today. It started a few summers after this classic movie’s release, at the Oakland Piedmont Jewish Community Center in California. I had grown up in the OPJCC summer camp, and now I was a first-year unit head. The […] Learn More ›
28 Little Things that are a Big Deal for Campers
The big events at camp are fun, but we think you’ll agree that it is the little things that really make a difference in what makes a camper’s experience so special. Our counselors are experts at doing this so we asked them to tell us their tricks for the trade. Create a secret handshake for […] Learn More ›
JCC Chicago Camps Named BEST Camps by Make it Better Magazine
The votes are in! JCC Chicago J Camps and JCC Camp Chi were named BEST day camps and best overnight camp by Make it Better Magazine in their 2017 Best Of Awards! This is the 2nd win for day camps and the 4th win for Camp Chi. It’s an honor to be included among so […] Learn More ›
Elaine Frank Apachi is Turning 10!
Turning 10 is an exciting milestone. It’s the birthday celebrated where a child enters The Double Digits Club, and they are so proud! Everyone captures the iconic family photo of a child holding up both hands, eager to show off this exciting birthday. At Elaine Frank Apachi J Camp. we are turning 10 too! In […] Learn More ›
Staff Training’s All-Star Line Up
As JCC Chicago Apachi, Chi and Chavayah camp directors, we sometimes joke that to be successful in our jobs, we need to know a little about everything. We are equal parts social workers, nurses, drum majors, lawyers, plumbers, teachers, referees, guides, artists, gardeners, lifeguards, chefs, parents, carpenters and coaches. In fact, this is true for […] Learn More ›