2026 Camp Guide by Cleveland Jewish Publication Company

CAMP GUIDE

A Cleveland Jewish News Advertising Special Section

Camp Curiosity | Beachwood and Cleveland, Ohio

| Photo / Ken Blaze

More than summer fun: Jewish camps shape lifelong values

ADRIANA GASIEWSKI agasiewski@cjn.org

WWELCOME TO CAMP WISE

A Transformative Experience Where Adventure, Judaism and Friendship Create Lasting Memories

119 YEARS OF JEWISH OVERNIGHT CAMPING

Tucked away on 325 wooded acres in Chardon, OH, Camp Wise is charged with energy, Jewish spirit, and pure fun.

Campers and sta come from all over the world, including Israel, for an unforgettable summer experience.

EXCELLENT CAMPER AND STAFF CARE

•Sta trained in mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health

•Licensed social workers and clergy on sta

hile working as a camp director for Camp Tawonga in San Francisco, Jamie Simon went on a walk around the camp with a 17-yearold camper, who shared the importance of having a counselor as a Jewish role and discovering their identity.

Walking past a sanctuary paid for by the camper’s family, the camper explained to Simon, now CEO of Foundation for Jewish Camp, why their family contributed money to building a sanctuary where the camper attended service.

“ is space has a lot of meaning to me because praying outside, praying in a community at camp, has really made me want to be Jewish,” the camper told Simon. “And now, as I go onto to college, (I’m) making sure that I’m going to a community that is going to allow me to be Jewish there, too.”

From nding a community at camps, children can explore their Jewish identities in a safe space, helping instill Jewish values that last well past camp, she said.

“It feels fun and joyful and not contrived, stressed or rigid,” Simon said. “And so, the vastness of Jewish camp can o er is a great place for young people to engage Jewishly.”

to Jewish camp last year reported that their kids had a more positive Jewish identity after Jewish camp than before they went to Jewish camp,” Simon said.

Park Day Camp in Pepper Pike takes a similar approach to helping children learning Jewish values from creating a community, according to Abbey Phillips, Park Synagogue director of day camp.

“ ey’re living them all day long because camp has so many di erent experiences, Judaism becomes associated with friendship, con dence, the sense of belonging,” she said. “And so, it’s really powerful in that way. It happens through organic experience.”

Because of these organic experiences, children can develop a moral compass and learn how to care for others, take responsibility and grow con dent within themselves.

“When our campers and our sta are given the opportunity to practice Jewish values in real situation like helping a friend or resolving a con ict, taking responsibility,” Phillips said. “ ose lessons stick, and so they don’t just learn about what Judaism teaches, but they learn how to live it.”

From following the belief of b’tzelem Elohim, the counselors ensure that children feel supported as well as celebrated for their unique strengths.

“ at’s part of the b’tzelem Elohim value is being proud in who are you and knowing you’re created in God’s image and feeling accepted because of it,” Phillips said.

At Hebrew Academy of Cleveland’s Camp S.T.E.P., which includes its three divisions: Ktan Tan, Yaleh and Ruanch Experience 4 Girls, there is a focus on Jewish values, education and heritage, according to Rabbi Simcha Dessler, menahel/educational director of Hebrew Academy of Cleveland.

Following one of its three pillars focused on building Jewish leaders, the Foundation, which supports 310 camps through grants, training and research, o ers a Cornerstone Fellowship to teach counselors “how to be Jewish role models and how to infuse Jewish values into the bunk and camp.”

e Foundation also provides grants for camps to have the resources to hire Jewish and Israeli educators.

rough these educators and counselors, campers can have Jewish mentors, helping them embrace their Jewish identity.

“Research shows 92% of families that went

“Some of the values we hope that children take with them are honesty and integrity, responsibility and respect, communal activism and leadership, empathy and compassion, sharing and caring,” he said. “All of which are important values that should be taught and lived.”

To instill these values, campers are surrounded by role models and like-minded peers to help them appreciate their Jewish identity. Because of its summer camp setting, children can create unique experiences from their time in these camps, helping enforce the lessons of these values.

“ e camping experience allows for creative outdoor and indoor opportunities that children can’t always get to this extent in classrooms during the academic year,” Dessler said.

Dessler

Phillips

Simon

How summer camp fosters key skills in campers

NOELL WOLFGRAM EVANS

There was a time when you would emerge from spending a summer in the woods with vital life skills. Summer camp taught you water safety and how to shoot a bow and arrow. You learned what to do if you were lost in the woods and of course you also learned how not to get lost. But in 2026, is camp just a transitional stop in childhood or are campers still learning relevant life skills?

“Remarkable things happen to people when they go to camp,” Liz Stevens, owner and director of Camp Walden in Cheboygan, Mich., said.

Nici Mahen, assistant director of Falcon Camp in Carrollton, explained that “as we continue to be thrown new challenges, camp is still helping kids develop certain skills.”

As an example, Mahen cited a skill that’s seemingly lost to many adults – disagreement.

“We expect kids to disagree with things, but to do so in a respectful manner and really they haven’t had a lot of time or exposure to develop that type of skill,” she said.

Camp also presents campers and counselors with an opportunity to discover their true selves.

“Kids need time away (from their parents) because the person whom they are is re ected very di erently when it’s not through the eyes of a parent,” Stevens said.

For many children, especially younger campers, the experience gives them not just a chance to consider their identity, but it can also be the rst time that they’ve had real exposure to choice.

“Camp helps kids develop con dence in making choices with a nice safety net of counselors to support them,” Mahen said.

at could be as simple as wearing what they want, when they want to, choosing what to eat or selecting an activity to do that day.

Stevens pointed out that another key skill developed at camp is what could be called social accountability.

“More than the activity skills that campers learn, what’s important are the social skills for example, many kids have never shared a bathroom,” she said.

It’s not just about sharing spaces though, a di erent sense of responsibility can develop when it’s your job to clean that bathroom or communal space.

Randy Lubratich, community engagement coordinator at Habonim Dror Camp Tavor in ree Rivers, Mich., said that “the skills campers develop – independence, collaboration, leadership, empathy, resilience, don’t expire. ose lessons show up throughout their lives in friendships, careers, parenting and civic life. Camp might feel like summer, but its impact lasts a lifetime.”

Perhaps one of the best outcomes at camp that a child can experience is discovering what it is that they can’t do.

“Camp gives you an opportunity to fail,” Stevens said. “You learn that things can be di cult but that’s how we grow. At camp, kids get an opportunity to discover that you can fail but still have friends, still be respected.”

Lubratich said that “what unites all sleepaway camps

and what they’re best at is in this intersection of community, meaning and growth,”

All of the camp res, canoe trips, cabin games, crafts and sing-a-longs help camp to leave a special place in a camper’s heart, but Mahen said that there is perhaps one lasting, intangible experience that sets camp apart.

“Genuine human connections happen at camp that don’t happen at any other place,” he said.

• For ages 4–14, boys and girls, and all levels of gymnastics experience, from developmental to competitive gymnastics.

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Noell Wolfgram Evans is a freelance journalist.

Lubratich Mahen Stevens

HAWKEN! EN!

Summer camps seek to create magical moments

NOELL WOLFGRAM EVANS

Summerprogramsfor boysandgirlsages 4 -18

Magical. It’s a simple word that campers across generations have called upon to describe their time under the trees. It’s been used to describe a full summer of experiences or a single moment like a stolen kiss on a moonlit canoe ride.

In a world lled with digital experiences, camps today are refocusing on creating space for those magical moments to develop. For most camps that starts by going screen-free and that means everything from phones to Kindles. If campers want to read at camp, they’ll need to take the tattered copy of

“Huckleberry Finn” o the shelf.

“Away from screens, campers learn how to communicate, problem solve and connect with others in meaningful ways, often forming friendships that cross social, cultural and economic di erences,” ReGinae Goodwin Reynolds, director of auxiliary programs at Hawken School in Chester Township, said.

Mushkie Galperin, camp director at Camp Gan Izzy in Solon, said that “camp is de nitely a valuable opportunity for kids to have screen-free time and focus on face-to-face interactions.” She said that focus can lead to “an important setting for building social skills and learning coping mechanisms. “

Reconnecting with nature not only helps campers relook at the world around them, it also helps alleviate some of the social anxiety they can undergo from being connected to everyone, all the time, and yet still feel somewhat alone.

Summer programs for boys and girls ages 3 -18

“Today’s campers are navigating heightened stress, constant connectivity and fewer unstructured opportunities to simply be kids,” Goodwin Reynolds said. “Camp plays an even greater role in supporting social emotional development, resilience and connection in ways that are di cult to replicate elsewhere.”

Hawken Summer Programs provide some of the best summer enrichment opportunities in Greater Cleveland. Campers can choose from a broad menu of programs that are speci cally designed to be age-appropriate, fun, and worthwhile. Day Camps (Girls, Boys, & Coed options) One-week Passport Camps • Summer Studies for Grades 9–12 Athletics Camps (coming March 2026)

To register and for full camp/course descriptions visit summer.hawken.edu or contact us at 440-423-2940 or summerprograms@hawken.edu.

In addition to individual development, the experience of living in the woods with, essentially, a group of strangers gives campers a chance to understand and build a community.

“Camps are powerful community builders,” Goodwin Reynolds said. “ ey create environments rooted in belonging and shared purpose. rough team activities, traditions and daily routines, campers learn what it means to be part of a community where everyone has a role and is valued. Camp fosters trust, mutual respect and a sense of responsibility to one another, skills that extend well beyond the summer months.”

In a way, camp also ips the script on the traditional support systems a child has grown up with. For example, where once they relied on parents to help them nd friends, they end up doing the same for mother and father.

“Building a community at camp matters not only for the campers, but for their families as well,” Galperin said. “When children form friendships, families often connect too, arranging playdates, getting to know one another and building lasting relationships.”

Rabbi Dan Utley, director of Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland’s Camp Wise in Claridon Township, said that “cabins are at their best when they become minifamilies. We train counselors in each cabin to develop strong and inclusive relationships between campers, and help campers learn how to navigate di erences in others and develop positive peer connections with their cabin mates and friends.”

Goodwin Reynolds said that “in today’s increasingly digital and divided world, camp o ers something that is both rare and deeply needed.

Noell Wolfgram Evans is a freelance journalist.

Galperin

Goodwin Reynolds

Utley

A different kind of summer camp finds its audience

SHANNON MORTLAND

There is still a winter chill in the air and plenty of snow on the ground, but it is time for parents to look ahead to summer to determine which day camps their children will attend.

Many traditional camps still exist that o er overnight experiences in rustic cabins, making s’mores by the camp re and participating in activities along with other children. However, there are plenty of nontraditional options to suit every taste.

In addition to traditional day and sports camps, Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills o ers specialty camps each summer, said Rhonda Rickelman, director of auxiliary programming at Gilmour Academy.

For example, Gilmour has day camps that enable children to experience cooking in the school’s industrial kitchen. Students can also take Fun with Drones, Adventures in reads to learn sewing or choose the Sky-High Adventure, which focuses on activities such as rock climbing and ziplining.

“Most of these are half-day options

to enable children to experience activities they may be interested in, want to give a try or delve deeper into,” Rickelman said.

Summer camp options at Gilmour Academy are o ered for children as young as 3 years old up to those in grade 12. Some camps are 15 hours spread over several days. Classes will run from June 1 to July 31.

In addition to spurring creativity, the camps can help lead children to a career choice later. Gilmour Academy has a Youth Business Academy, in which participants create their own business. Money Movers teaches kids how to invest and Pro Playmakers positions children as the general manager of a sports team, in which they experience the business side of sports, including marketing and branding.

With so many options, how do parents decide where to enroll their children?

“Talk to your child and see what makes them tick,” Rickelman said. “If they’re the kid who is always playing with LEGOs, look for those camps. If they’re always looking at bugs and digging in dirt, look for that.”

Gina Cu ari, owner of Snapology in Beachwood, saw an unmet need 12 years ago when her children were young, so she launched the LEGO-based learning lab. With a background in higher education administration and having worked as a K-12 counselor, she believes strongly in lifelong learning.

“I saw an opportunity to o er unique and inclusive after-school and summer educational experiences for kids who might not gravitate towards traditional o erings,” she

said. “I did a lot of research and discovered that there wasn’t anything quite like Snapology on the east side of Cleveland.” Snapology camps merge LEGOs with learning and fun. Morning camps focus on STEM learning and integrate robotics, coding, engineering concepts and science using LEGO bricks and motorized parts.

emed Snapology camps, held in the afternoons, explore Minecraft, Pokemon, Harry Potter and other themes, coupled with an opportunity to tackle design challenges where children can collaborate, build unique structures and foster teamwork, problem-solving and communication skills, Cu ari said.

With so many options available in Northeast Ohio, it is important to understand the child’s interests, Rickelman said. Parents should ask children if there is something they would like to get better at, if they prefer morning or afternoon activities, if they would like to meet kids with similar interests and if they like to be challenged, she said.

Cu ari agrees, noting that nontraditional camps enable children to make new friends.

“ e LEGO connection makes the learning relevant and meaningful, and kids usually don’t even realize they are learning,” she said. “When kids nd the thing that excites them, they build friendships, retain information better and gain con dence, resilience and independence.”

“It’s important to know your child,” Rickelman said. “Don’t just put them in something that you’re interested in.” Shannon Mortland is a freelance journalist.

Cuffari Rickelman

Ohio’s Premier Summer Camp

Great Lake Science Center restarts off-site camps

Traditional Resident Summer Camp (ages 6–16)

•Only 90 miles south of Cleveland – Carrollton OH.

•For boys and girls - separate activities with planned coed events.

•2,- 4-, 6- or 8-week sessions

• Horseback riding, sailing, swimming, arts, drama, archery, riflery,nature, sports, fishing & so much more!

• Campers choose own activities within broad framework.

•American Camp Association Accredited Camp since 1959.

•1:4 staff/camper ratio allows excellent supervision and instruction.

Young Adventurers Summer Camp (ages 6–10)

• Special one week intro sessions designed to give first time younger campers an outstanding ‘first adventure’

CASEY COUCH ccouch@cjn.org

In its 30th anniversary year, Great Lakes Science Center announced on Jan. 20 the relaunch of its o -site summer camps series, providing “closer to home” options with two Camp Curiosity programs set to run at Case Western Reserve University’s Siegal Lifelong Learning in the Landmark Centre Building at 25700 Science Park Drive in Beachwood.

Brett Nicholas, the vice president of education at Great Lakes Science Center, told the Cleveland Jewish News that its goal behind relaunching its o site camps – a return to pre-pandemic programming – is to be able to reach more kids and make summer learning more accessible for those who live outside the city.

“We regularly ll up all of the available slots that we have at summer camp, so we’ve been thinking about creative ways that we could provide more opportunities for kids to participate,” Nicholas said.

With a history of a strong working relationship with CWRU’s Siegal Lifelong Learning, Nicholas said that the partnership has been “a really nice t” and is something he looks forward to expanding upon pending the success of this summer’s pilot programming for the o -site camps.

“We recognize that while we have an amazing facility

Three campers experiment with LEGOs during Camp Curiosity at the Great Lakes Science Center. | Submitted photo

CAMP GUIDE

here downtown, a big part of what museums and science centers should do to serve the community is meet the needs of our audience and reduce barriers to participation,” Nicholas said. “By o ering an o -site camp in a suburban location, we’re making it easier for folks that live in that area. Our hope is that next year, we can have a wider geographical range of o site camps.”

Both o -site camps, which are designed for campers going into the fourth, fth and sixth grades, will provide di erent activities and themes related to STEM.

“Racing Robots” will run from June 29 to July 3, in which campers will explore the world of robotics and learn using hands-on programing with a wide variety of robots. Each day of the week will feature a di erent type of robot, culminating in a large-scale racing competition using the robot of their choice.

“Build It, Break It” will run from Aug. 3 to Aug. 7, where campers will use LEGOs to explore how to build a structure that is meant to break in explosive ways and see who can create the most dynamic demolitions. By building, destroying and rebuilding, the campers will get a taste of engineering and design cycles.

“With our o -site camps, we’re going to be using the same curriculum that we are using on-site, so our hope is that the actual activities, the hands-on engagement, and the things that students are doing in Beachwood will be the same as what happens on-site,” Nicholas said.

Each of the two Beachwood camps will also allow campers the ability to experience the center downtown, as each week will conclude with a eld trip to the science center and feature a movie in the DOME eater, Big Science Show and provide time for campers to explore the entire museum.

ese opportunities for summer learning are invaluable for students as it allows them the opportunity to dive

deeper into topics of interest without the barriers found in a classroom, such as testing or time constraints, according to Nicholas. Many children thrive in that environment because it allows them to form a positive emotional connection to learning, he said.

“Classroom learning is incredibly important, but at a science center in the summer, kids get to do things that they probably aren’t getting the chance to do during the school year. ey’re building and launching rockets and they’re playing with robots,” Nicholas said. “We have the precious time that’s available for kids to learn slowly, which is to say, ‘Yeah, we’re going to build a big structure out of LEGO and then we’re going to knock it down, but we’re going to learn while we’re knocking it down, and then we’re going to rebuild it.’ You don’t get that many opportunities to do that in a formal learning environment.”

Also new this year, Nicholas said, is an onsite robotics camp for middle school students, grades six to eight, in which participants can sign up for four weeks of programming dedicated to building and operating robots –such as ying drones or terrestrial robots – as part of a growing initiative to inspire students to pursue robotics when they reach high school.

Camp will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and costs $350 for the week or $325 for science center members. Discounts are also available for campers attending more than one week of camp, for families with more than one child attending camp, Camp Curiosity alumni and for early-bird registration through Jan. 31. Parents can also apply for need-based scholarships online.

CAMP 2026 | JUNE 8 - JULY 31

Come experience a summer of fun, adventure and learning for kids 24 months-Grade 12. Registration opens January 23! We hope to see you this Summer at Laurel!

CAMP 2026 | JUNE 8 - JULY 31

Come experience a summer of fun, adventure and learning for kids 24 months-Grade 12. Registration opens January 23! We hope to see you this Summer at Laurel!

CAMP 2026 | JUNE 8 - JULY 31

Come experience a summer of fun, adventure and learning for kids 24 months-Grade 12. Registration opens January 23! We hope to see you this Summer at Laurel! DAY CAMP 2026 | JUNE 8 - JULY 31

CAMP 2026 | JUNE 8 - JULY 31

Come experience a summer of fun, adventure and learning for kids 24 months-Grade 12. Registration opens January 23! We hope to see you this Summer at Laurel!

Nicholas

June 29 - July 26, 2026

Experience Israel through of a Student! the Eyes

Special needs camps provide essential summer support

ADRIANA GASIEWSKI agasiewski@cjn.org

At Students Together for Accept and Respect Summer Camp, co-owner Lori Wotowiec nds moments where children with special needs can jump o of diving boards or the high dive at camp to be the most meaningful.

Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Pre-College Summer Program

$12,500 $6,500 (thanks to generous donors)

60 academic hours, 4 university credits

Open to 11th and 12th graders

Application deadline March 1, 2026 overseas.huji.ac.il/precollege

“Chasing each other, on the swings, climbing on the jungle gym,” Wotowiec said. “It’s in the sandbox just having fun playing with each other. Doesn’t matter if there’s a disability there. If a kid has autism, if a kid’s in a wheelchair –doesn’t matter, they just play with each other.”

from o ering accommodations.

Peak Potential erapy in North eld has a similar goal, looking to provide therapeutic services to support not only children with special needs, but also their families, according to Holly Reimann, owner of Peak Potential erapy.

Summer is considered a high-risk period for regression for children with special needs because of the loss of a school routine, leading to increased anxiety, behavioral challenges and skills loss, she explained.

“Many schools either stop or severely reduce services during the summer, and families have this gap in support,” Reimann said. “So, we ll in that gap, we provide those needed supports to help the child continue to progress or at least maintain their skills.”

Camps like S.T.A.R. in Independence aim to o er children with special needs a summer camp experience, while also ensuring they improve on things like socialization to prevent them from regressing, she explained.

“ ere is a reading and math lesson at the school-age camp every day along with a social skill lesson,” Wotowiec said. “So, kids are learning to cooperate and work together, and then they have the opportunity to swim. Now, that doesn’t happen during school.”

Peak Potential’s camps, which include Camp Always Be Communicating, Camp Wonder and SMILE Summer Camp, creates programs for children of di erent ages and need levels. Camp A.B.C. is for preschool to kindergarten-age children and is a partial day camp. Camp Wonder helps children age 8 to 16, providing support and structures for kids to be successful, Reimann said.

While SMILE Summer Camp gives children 8 to 16, who are higher functioning and able to generalize, the opportunity to have a presence in the community and explore places like the aquarium, museums and parks.

“Some of those children don’t get to necessarily get to go out in the community, get to be included with peers and in a typical camp experience,” Reimann said.

Camp A.B.C. and Wonder allow six campers per week, while SMILE Summer Camp takes eight campers per week to have a low ratio, so certi ed specialists can create individualized care.

June 15 – July 10, 2026 / 7:45 – 11:45 a.m. (No school on June 19 or July 3)

You

Founded in 2008, S.T.A.R. and it’s three camps, which include a day care camp for ages 3 to 5, a school-age camp for 6 to 12 year olds and an alumni one for 13 year olds and older, enrolls about 265 campers, composed of those with special needs and those with none.

“I think summertime is a perfect time for all kids to grow, and I think it’s important that playgrounds and camps continue to allow kids to be kids,” Wotowiec said. “Allow them to grow. Allow them to learn how to be with other kids.”

Its camps are sta ed with certi ed special education teachers and o er activities that can be modi ed to meet campers, she said.

To provide meaningful experiences, they also read each campers’ paperwork in advance. is includes having picture schedules for those who are non-verbal and ensuring children with wheelchairs can participate in activities

Leafbridge Extended School Year Services in Brooklyn Heights also o er a similar low ratio, one to one for children and specialists, ensuring children can participate in activities, according to Rebecca Guenther, Leafbridge’s educational services manager. Leafbridge ESY also strives to ensure children continue to work on their individualized education program, working with children’s school teams.

“We work on those goals, in addition to making sure that they have a fun and engaging summer,” Guenther said. “So, in addition to those very speci c therapeutic needs, we also have music therapy come in-house. We have our physical therapists who works on movement and engaging.”

“All of our sta is trained and experienced in supporting signi cant disabilities whether it’s physical, medical, communication needs,” she said. “Everybody is trained to really support those students, so they can have that fun meaningful engaging activities just like their peers.”

Lawrence School

Guenther

Reimann

Wotowiec

CAMP GUIDE Camp staff hard at work preparing for summer fun

A.KEVIN CORVO

The thought of summer camps is likely not in the front of mind of most people until it’s time to start up a lawn mower.

But those who own and operate summer camps are focused

a theater production camp, where children will perform a youth adaptation of “101 Dalmatians.”

For students who may be seeking adapted arts experiences, the center o ers half-day creative arts therapies camps at its campus in Chardon.

Camps are o ered weekly from June to mid-August and most are one week in duration, at its locations in Russell Township, Chardon, and collaborative spaces at University School in Shaker Heights and Kenston Community Education’s Gardiner Center in Bainbridge Township.

“We have more than 70 team members across our teaching artist and administrative sta ,” Bolander said. “Our teaching artists are all artists and arts educators, with backgrounds spanning a range of professional and discipline-speci c accomplishments.”

Sta work to ensure the best possible experience for campers, according to Bolander.

“Our team works diligently to create welcoming experiences for all students who enter our doors,” she said. “Camps are beginnerfriendly and encourage new discoveries. Fairmount camps are a great way to bring creativity to your summer fun.”

Laurel School, with campuses in Shaker Heights and Russell Township, similarly strives to o er programming and hire the sta to meet the school’s goal of inspiring girls to better the world.

“When I create our camp lineup each year, I am intentional about o ering a wide variety of experiences,” Andrea DiSalvo, director of summer at the Laurel School, said.

“Our camps range from academic enrichment, theater, sports clinics, art, strength training, nature exploration and robotics,” she said. “My goal is to expose campers to both new and familiar activities, encourage exploration of di erent spaces, and provide opportunities to play, create and sharpen both physical and mental skills.”

e Butler Campus in Russell Township is situated on 150 acres of woodlands and waterways, while the Lyman Campus in Shaker Heights o ers programming to the youngest campers in the school’s o erings.

Sta

Bolander

DiSalvo

SOLON CAMPGANIZZY

Summer camps can help build independence

CASEY COUCH ccouch@cjn.org

What happens when a cabin full of excited children is trusted to navigate its own routines for a week? According to local camp directors, the bene ts are plenty, and they last well beyond the nal camp re.

As summer camp registration begins to open throughout the region, directors want parents to know that overnight programs o er children the rare opportunity to build independence, con dence and resilience in an environment designed for growth.

Courtney Nicolai, executive director of Hiram House Camp in Moreland Hills, said that throughout the course of a summer, whether it’s a camper’s rst time at overnight camp or they have been coming for years, everybody always has “a little bit of trepidation” before arriving. at’s to be expected, but the bene ts far outweigh those initial nerves, she said.

“It gives them a taste of independence,” Nicolai pointed out. “When they’re away with us for that week, I think it helps them build con dence. ey can say to themselves, ‘I can do this on my own. I can try this on my own. I don’t need my parents or my guardian to help me accomplish this. I have to try and do it by myself.’”

According to Nicolai, one of her most favorite things to see is watching a quiet camper break out of their shell by the end of camp with their new friends, in what she called a “growth spurt” of newfound con dence.

“When they come to camp, they don’t typically come with a group of friends, so they’re completely alone and they have to gure out how to meet people and get to know their counselor,” she said. “ at rst night, usually, it can be a little quiet, but then by the end of the time that they’re with us, the kids are loud, having fun and running around, and it’s very hard to say goodbye to their counselor.”

New this year at Hiram House is the relaunch of a two-week camp session, which she hopes will allow campers the opportunity to grow decision-making skills and independence even further, especially when it comes to routine building, Nicolai said.

“One of the things that I love to see, and hopefully they do take away, is managing their own routine every day,” she said. “A lot of these kids may have their parents wake them up in the morning and remind them to get dressed, brush their teeth and come down

for breakfast. At camp, they have to wake themselves up, get dressed, get themselves together and move along through their activities throughout the day.”

Jamie Ridgeway, assistant camp director at Emma Kaufmann Camp in Morgantown, W.Va, said that by allowing campers to choose which activities they’d like to participate in each day, they are not only practicing decision making skills, but also experiencing a sense of independence, many for the rst time.

“At camp, the sta really encourages them to take ownership of their spaces, clean their area and make sure that they’re staying clean themselves,” Ridgeway said. “Of course, there are reminders from sta , but it’s a really great way for kids to see what they can do on their own and make those decisions for themselves.”

For parents looking to send their child to an overnight camp for the rst time, Nicolai recommended doing heavy research into di erent programs to nd the right t. Talking to campers about what types of experiences they are looking for can also be helpful.

“When they call us and have questions, I always tell parents to do their homework about what is the best placement for their camper and look at all of the programs that a camp o ers,” she said. “ e conversation with the camper is important, too, about where they want to go and where they feel comfortable.”

Ridgeway said that for some campers, an overnight option isn’t always the best choice, despite its clear bene ts.

“Overnight camp is not for everyone, and that’s OK,” she said. “We want to make sure that when a kid is coming to camp, it’s the right choice for that camper.”

To help prepare campers for this, Ridgeway said that Emma Kaufmann Camp o ers pre-camp prep, such as sending materials to both the camper and parent to help them prepare for what to expect. Additionally, she said, the sta is trained on how to handle homesickness, as it’s not

Nicolai Ridgeway

Creative arts among summer camp options to explore

SHANNON MORTLAND

Mention summer camps for children and it likely conjures thoughts of playing outside, but there are many creative options, such as dance, painting or jewelry making, that take place indoors.

Regardless of what children participate in, all camps have some common goals of helping them learn problem-solving, teamwork and socializing, and build con dence, according to Tracy Ammon, director of education for Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood. In addition, art camps focus on creativity and adaptability, she said.

“Arts are a safe, non-threatening space to learn from your failures,” she said. “Kids are tapping into that creative brain and their executive functioning skills. ey are learning about attention, focus, critical thinking and making choices.”

Camps also reduce screen time, a common struggle for many parents, according to Hannah Bates, assistant director and education program manager at Valley Art Center in Chagrin Falls.

Among the programs available this summer at Valley Art Center are mixedmedia, jewelry, clay and drawing. e camps run from June 15 to Aug. 14 and most are three hours in the morning or afternoon.

Beck Center o ers 25 half-day and full-day camps that run from one to three weeks. All classes are concentrated in music, visual arts, theater or dance, Ammon said. ere is also an arts sampler camp for ages 7 to 11 for children who aren’t

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uncommon to see, especially in campers who are away for the rst time.

“We’re able to kind of mitigate and gure out what is going on with each camper, and how to best support them at camp,” Ridgeway said. “ e pre-camp prep that we do, with tours of camp for new campers and virtual meet ups to get to know other kids in their age group, are really important in making sure that they feel like they’re set up for success at EKC.”

According to Nicolai, resilience is one of her favorite things that a camper can learn, especially those that experience homesickness.

“We hope they learn how to cope with that and overcome it,” she said.

To Ridgeway, her experienceas a young camper taught her a lot of life skills, ones that she hopes to continue to pass on to campers that comethrough the door at Emma Kaufmann Camp.

“I am a product of EKC, she said. “I went there since I was in second grade, and it taught me so much about myself, about relationships and aboutwho I wanted to become as a leader and as a professional It shaped me in what I wanted to do with my career, and I’m hopeful that other campers that are at camp now will have a similar experience.”

sure what art form they like the most, she added.

“For some children, it really helps them develop skills in their chosen art form,” Ammon said. “For some, it’s about exploring a new interest to see how far they want to take it. It’s opening up the world to them about what is really possible.”

e skills children learn in art camps can help them develop career goals and aspirations down the line, she added.

Bates said the skills that children take away from any camp helps them develop and grow, builds their independence, and teaches them about teamwork and problem-solving through fun and community-building activities.

When choosing summer activities, it is important to include the child in the discussion, Ammon said.

“Ask your kids what they’re interested in. Open up the lists of camps in di erent areas. Read the descriptions to them. Listen to and look for their reactions to gauge their interest level,” she said.

Do not assume that children will have the same interests from year to year as they may gure out they do not like an activity as much as they thought they would or they may develop new interests, Ammon said.

Shannon

Mortland is a freelance journalist.

Ammon

Bates 2026 SUMMER CAMPS

CAMP CHABAD CAMP CHABAD

Sports camps score big during summer

JIMMY OSWALD joswald@cjn.org

When the weather begins to warm and schools gear up to let out for break, it provides the perfect chance for children to go out of the house and be active. Summer is an opportune time to become involved in a sport, whether it’s to ne-tune skills you’ve already developed or take a swing at a new one.

Sean McDonnell, director of athletics K-12, varsity basketball coach and admission associate at University School in Hunting Valley and Shaker Heights, and Maureen Eppich, who runs Jump Start Gymnastics in Beachwood, both discussed the bene ts of signing up your child for a summer sports camp.

“ e summer is a great time for athletes of varying ability levels to be able to take on new and di erent challenges,” McDonnell said. “It could be an elementary-age student trying a camp in a sport for the very rst time, and it’s an opportunity to learn something new and make some friends. en as kids get older, into middle and high school, camps are forums to really develop and hone skills to be able to compete against like-minded athletes in a given sport.”

Certain camps can even provide an outlet for older athletes to be evaluated by college coaches and give them a shot at competing at the next level, McDonnell added. But more importantly, it gives young ones an opportunity to use sports in a fun way while giving the parents a place to know their child is safe while they may be at work.

the rst time, or it can be somebody that is preparing for their last year of middle school and is preparing for high school sports.”

Summer sport camps also provide a great outlet to build camaraderie and increase a child’s teamwork skills. New friends can be made as the children are surrounded by those their age who share a common interest.

“Just as important, we emphasize positive competitive sportsmanship – learning how to work toward goals, support teammates and challenge oneself in a healthy way,” Eppich said.

McDonnell added that it gives the children a chance to fully immerse themselves into a sport, an opportunity that can be hard to come by during a busy school season.

“If kids go out and play a lot at recess, that’s 15 minutes a day vs. a four- or veday summer camp that meets for either a half-day or a full day,” he said. “Once you immerse yourself in a weeklong of lacrosse or basketball, if that’s something a boy is really passionate about and he’s spending a week with classmates or kids from other schools, it’s a way to make new friends and strengthen existing friendships.”

“At Jump Start Gymnastics, our philosophy is that gymnastics is for everyone and provides a foundation that supports success in any sport,” Eppich said. “Our camps are designed to meet the needs of multi-sport athletes, recreational campers and competitive gymnasts alike by focusing on strength, coordination, exibility and body awareness.”

Many camp o erings provide a wide array of options to ensure that families can nd their best t. McDonnell said that University Schools’ summer camps try to o er something for beginners but also have sessions that meet the needs of more experienced athletes that want to up the competition.

“In football, for example, we have ag football camps that start as young as kindergarten,” he said. “But then we have a middle school tackle football camp that’s full equipment. Our coach says it’s the only tackle football camp in all of greater Cleveland. at can be for somebody who’s trying tackle for

Eppich said camps like at Jump Start Gymnastics don’t just help an athlete better themselves in that speci c sport, but it helps provide them with all-around skills in an array of areas in life.

“Whether a child is trying gymnastics for the rst time, staying active in the o -season or preparing for competition, our camps help athletes build con dence, resilience and skills that carry into every sport and stage of development,” she pointed out.

McDonnell added that as much as anything, sport camps are an ideal method to keep kids busy and physically active.

“Our goal for every camp that we host is that every boy or young man that attended would learn something new every session,” he said. “ at they improve at something skill based and have fun. It doesn’t mean that if somebody comes to a tennis and lacrosse camp, they’re going to be high school or college athletes in those sports. But we want them to be able to learn, improve and enjoy it.”

Eppich McDonnell

ELLIE EVANS eevans@cjn.org

KKonner Lashley | Mandel JCC J-Day Camps and Youth Services Director

onner Lashley is the new director of J-Day Camps and youth services at the Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland in Beachwood, where he will oversee the J-Day Camps, J-Kids and other youth programs. Lashley, 34, recently moved to Shaker Heights with his family and has spent the last 10 years serving as program director for a number of Northeast Ohio-based camps, including at the YMCA of Greater Cleveland and Hiram House Camp.

Lashley hopes his experiences with camp programming will help him bring a “di erent perspective” into his new role at the JCC, he said in an email to the Cleveland Jewish News.

“Camp has always been a key element in my career, and I have been in this eld because I love interacting with campers and getting to know the families I help serve,” Lashley said. “ e Mandel JCC’s mission is to build, connect and strengthen our Jewish and Greater Cleveland communities, and our J-Day Camps are a key element of ful lling that mission.”

e CJN went one-on-one with Lashley to learn more about his vision as director of J-Day Camps and youth services.

e interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

CJN: What does your role look like as you are coming into it, and what do you expect will change or stay the same?

Lashley: Camp is always changing and no days are the same, but I try to keep consistency for my sta and campers as much as I can to help them thrive. I hope we can continue

to grow the program and o er a camp experience each and every day that looks and feels more valuable to families, campers and sta – taking time to listen and understand all these perspectives will help the program overall. An amazing program helps everyone feel heard. I want campers to come in and know they are valued by their counselor, I want my sta to feel supported and know who to go to when they need something and I want families to feel comfortable dropping their campers o in knowing their children will come back having grown at camp.

CJN: How do you hope to bring your vision to fruition?

Lashley: I will always be listening and trying to understand others’ perspectives. I am a parent, and a former camp counselor, who can relate to the experiences of camp sta , campers and campers’ families. e thing I think everyone wants is to be in the loop and not be caught o -guard; this requires myself and my whole team to work together to communicate and make things as easy as possible while also keeping camp fun.

CJN: What is one thing you’d like prospective campers and their families to know about you?

Lashley: I think camp is for being silly and having fun! You will see me at the pool, leading a game of kickball or joining in on an insane card game of UNO. I never leave camp without getting a little dirty or talking to a new friend.

Adjusting to cabin life requires at-home preparation

ED CARROLL

For many kids, camp means spending time with friends, exploring the outdoors and experiencing common camp activities for the very rst time. However, many campers will also experience sleeping somewhere away from their home and parents for the rst time, too.

Speaking with soon-to-be campers and talking with them about the di erences between home life and a sleepaway camp is a great rst step to making a fun summer experience, said Abby Solomon, camp director at Camp Livingston, which operates in Bennington, Ind., during the camp season and has winter o ces in Cincinnati.

“If they share a room at home, maybe it’ll be a little easier to understand, but of course (other campers are) not your family,” she said. “So, discussing what that looks like is di erent. I think just that rst open conversation and then seeing what questions the child has, that maybe camp can help with, or the parent can help with, would be the next step. Some of those topics could be generally sharing space, how to ask permission to use other people’s things, how to ask permission for others to be in their space, how to say ‘no’ if you don’t want to share or you don’t want someone to sit on your bed or touch your stu ed animal or something like that. ... I think just opening the conversation on a few of those (topics) is the rst step.”

According to Zachary Yanof, director of summer camp operations at Hiram House Camp in Moreland Hills, the best way to avoid having a child experience their rst overnight stay away from home at camp is to make sure it’s not their rst experience.

“My suggestion is don’t make camp the rst experience a child has with overnight experience,” he said. “So, even if it’s going to sleep at a relative’s house or an uncle’s house, but make sure that they have experience sleeping away from home. ... We encourage it. Sleepovers with buddies are ideal, because it’s a situation where they don’t even know the person they’re going to be with – just like camp. You’re in an unfamiliar setting with people that you’re not unfamiliar with, but you’re not totally familiar with, that is the ideal situation. Where you have a camper who’s had a variety of sleepovers with di erent people and is used to what that would be like.”

Aaron Cantor, director of Emma Kaufmann Camp in Morgantown, W.Va., which is operated by the JCC of Greater Pittsburgh, said its about mirroring skills already developed at home.

“One of the best tips is to lean into what already works at home,” he said. “If your child has a system they use successfully during the school year or for sleepovers, try to mimic that approach at camp as much as possible. Familiar routines help kids feel grounded in a new environment.”

But, ultimately, adjusting to sleepaway camp and cabin life doesn’t need to be complicated –just don’t overpack, Cantor added.

“One of the most important pieces of staying organized at camp is not overpacking,” he said. “It is very tempting to send extras ‘just in case,’ but too much stu often makes cabins harder to manage. Sticking closely to the camp provided packing list sets campers up for success and makes keeping track of belongings much more manageable. At the end of the day, organization at camp is less about having the right gear and more about creating a system that feels doable for your child. When kids feel ownership over their space, they are more likely to take pride in it, even in a busy cabin full of friends.”

Ed Carroll is a freelance journalist.

Fairs. With free admission for all families, the fairs will feature live entertainment, hands-on activities, glitter tattoos and giveaways.

e West Side Camp, School & Summer Fun Fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 28 at SouthPark Mall at 500 SouthPark Center in Strongsville. e East Side Camp, School & Summer Fun Fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 1 at Adrenaline Monkey at 26800 Renaissance Parkway in Warrensville Heights.

Cantor

Solomon

Yanof

Cavs Academy announces summer camp schedule

JIMMY OSWALD joswald@cjn.org

Cavs Academy, the youth basketball program of the Cleveland Cavaliers, announced its 2026 summer camp schedule with registration open and early-bird pricing running until the end of the NBA regular season on April 12.

e camps are held each week Monday to ursday from June through August with programming that will take campers through warmups, skill training and game play to help hone their prowess on the court, according to a news release.

Cavs Academy, presented by Adidas, is open to athletes ages 8 to 14 and sessions are tailored for any skill level. e camps are led by coaches and each camper gets an o cial Cavs Academy jersey and two tickets to a 2026-27 Cavs’ home game.

New to the lineup this year is the Mark Price Basketball Camps. Price, who played with the Cavs from 1986 through 1995, and Cavs’ Academy coaches will lead experienced players ages 10 to 14 to help build their shooting skills and guide them through pro-level details of the game. Campers will receive a reversible Mark Price and Cavs’ themed jersey along with two tickets for a home game in the upcoming season.

Cavs Academy also features all-girls camps, which are open to girls ages 8 to 14 to help them ne tune and build up their basketball skills in a girl-centered environment. Each program features four days of expert instruction from Cavs Academy’s coaching sta , a Cavs Academy jersey and two tickets to a 2026–27 Cavs home game.

In addition to its basketball camps, Cavs Academy will also hold cheer and dance camps, where co-ed athletes ages 5 to 14 will have an opportunity to learn cheers, jumps, basic stunts and choreography. Led by former and current Cavs dance team members, those attending will receive a Cavs cheer dance shirt, poms and two tickets to a 2026–27 Cavs home game.

For children younger than 8 years old, the Cavalittle programming will help introduce little ones to the basics of basketball, such as dribbling, shooting and passing. Other activities like yoga, introductory oor hockey, tug-of-war and hula hoop competitions will be featured to keep children active and engaged. Each session includes four days of instruction from Cavs Academy coaches, a Cavalittles T-shirt and two tickets to a 2026–27 Cavs home game.

Each camp is held at a di erent location throughout Northeast Ohio. For full dates, times, pricing or to register for any of the camps, visit cavsyouth.com/basketball.

that year and defeat the Portland Trailblazers for their second of three consecutive NBA crowns from 1991-93. | AP

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mark Price drives around John Paxson of the Chicago Bulls in Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals on May 26, 1992, at the Colisuem in Richfield. The Cavs won, 99-85. The Bulls would go on to advance to the NBA Finals

Photo / Lennox McLendon

There’s

Summer at University School

Shaker

in Canada

| Utterson, Ontario, Canada

Anis eld Day Camp

Adventure, friendship, and Jewish values come alive as campers swim, create, dance, play sports, and explore nature in a safe, inclusive environment.

New for Summer 2026:

• Olim Village: Includes eld trips and service projects for rising 7th graders

• STEM Equestrian Experience: Horse care and basic horseback riding skills

Choose a Jewish overnight summer camp and receive up to $1000 for a ﬁrst-time experience. Some synagogues may o er additional funds.

Ramah Camps • Camp Wise • Moshava Camps Emma Kaufmann Camp • Camp Stone

URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI) NCSY US-Based Summer Programs and many more!

Restrictions may apply. For more information visit www.onehappycamper.org, email onehappycamper@jecc.org or call 216.371.0446.

J-Day Camps at the Mandel JCC

Performing Arts Camp (PAC)

A place for campers of all experience levels to stretch their imaginations, gain con dence, nd their voices, and build lifelong friendships.

Each age group rehearses and performs their own show, with roles and solos created for each camper.

Shows are designed to give every camper a chance to build con dence and shine on stage.

Konner is our new Director of J-Day Camps and Youth Services. With his extensive experience in camping and youth programming, we’re excited for an unforgettable summer!

| Lyndhurst & Gates Mills, Ohio

“My

“My son attended two summer camps and each week he was thrilled to go! He wished they were longer.

“My son attended two summer camps and each week he was thrilled to go! He wished they were longer. www.snapology.com/ohio-cleveland

“My son attended two summer camps and each week he was thrilled to go! He wished they were longer. We look forward to next year!” - Jen www.snapology.com/ohio-cleveland

STEAM ROBOTICS FUN LEGO THEMES

“My son attended two summer camps and each week he was thrilled to go! He wished they were longer. “My son attended two summer camps and each week he was thrilled to go! He wished they were longer. We look forward to next year!” - Jen

STEAM ROBOTICS FUN LEGO THEMES