JCC Camps at Medford

The JCC Camps, located in scenic Medford, New Jersey, is one of the most popular day camps throughout Southern New Jersey and is the largest Jewish day camp in North America. There are many camps within the camp itself, separating by age group. Camp Hilltop is for pre-school to first grade, Camp Shalom is for second to fourth grade, & Camp Aaron is for fifth to eighth grade. The camp is part of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey and is accredited by the American Camp Association.
Camps
There are three camps within the camp itself. The camps are based on age group. Each camp is also divided into divisions, with two divisions per age group (except for the oldest and youngest campers).
Camp Hilltop
Camp Hilltop is the youngest full-day camp at the JCC Camps at Medford. The age range is four to six year olds. The four-year-old division is Shoresh (boys and girls are together in bunks). The five-year-old divisions are Elon and Geza. The six-year-old divisions are Anaf and Bayit.
Camp Shalom
Camp Shalom is the middle-aged camp. The age range is seven to nine year olds. The seven-year-old divisions are Masada and Dimona. The eight-year-old divisions are Haifa and Eilat. The nine-year-old divisions are Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Camp Aaron
Camp Aaron is for the oldest kids at the camp. The age range is ten to twelve year olds. The ten-year-old division is Gilad. The eleven-year-old division is Arad, however, before 2007, the eleven-year-old division was Sinai. The twelve-year-old division is Tavor.
Chaverim
Chaverim is the travel camp for twelve- and thirteen-year-olds. Campers go on field trips daily, as well as a couple extended trips. Trips include theme parks, baseball games, bowling, etc.
Gesher
Gesher is the CIT (Counselor-in-Training) program. Fourteen-year-olds can train to become counselors, lifeguards, or specialists. In addition, there is a weekly field trip for the CITs, usually on Wednesdays.
Activities
The JCC Camps at Medford offers many activities that are fun for children of all ages. Some of these activities include:
*Boating
*Swimming
*Fishing
*Soccer
*Baseball
*Basketball
*Hockey
*Tennis
*Mini golf
*Ropes course
*Gaga
*Karate
*Gymnastics
*Music
*Cooking
*Arts and crafts
*Shabbat
If bad weather occurs, indoor activities are planned, including board games, arts and crafts, watching movies, toys, and reading.
Lunch program
The JCC Camps provide kosher food for lunch. Some entrees include fish sticks, pizza bagels, macaroni and cheese, cold cuts, chicken nuggets, and hot dogs. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are served everyday. Juice is served with meat meals and milk is served with dairy meals. Water is served daily. Carrot and celery sticks are available each day. Ice cream and popsicles are served as a snack everyday.
Facilities
The camp is surrounded by the many lakes of Medford, located within the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Lake Atsion, near U.S. Route 206, is one of the few lakes closest to the camp. The campsite has a lake for boating and fishing, as well as four in-ground pools for swimming. There are a number of pavilions where campers and counselors meet each morning. The campers put their belongings in cubbies. Most pavilions have changing areas and bathrooms. In the middle of the campsite is the air-conditioned Conference Center. This is where campers and counselors have lunch. There are four playgrounds and several athletic fields. Towards the front of the camp is the nature hut and petting zoo. Tennis and hockey courts can be found behind the Conference Center. The ropes course is located in the rear of the campsite.
Transportation
Most campers take a bus to camp. School buses are used to transfer kids to and from camp. Most of the campers live in the tri-county area (Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester counties). There are about 42 buses that operate during the camp season. Each bus drops off and picks up campers at the bus yard, located in the middle of the campsite near the Conference Center. When the camp day ends at 3:35 PM, campers are dismissed to their buses. The buses usually depart camp around 4:00 PM. Staff members are responsible for the campers to make sure they get on their assigned bus. Each bus has a counselor to supervise the campers and other staff members for safety.

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