Each year, hundreds of families entrust the JCC with their beloved children during the summer months.
It is a remarkable responsibility and one that we not only treasure, but take very seriously. Our camp teams work year-round to build the physical community that campers and staff are a part of each summer. Whether you spend your summer months at the JCC, at Graland Country Day School, in Elbert, CO, on the tennis courts, or lighting up the stage in the Elaine Wolf Theatre, we are all one amazing community.
As the health and safety of our community remains our number one priority, it has become increasingly clear over the past few weeks that we cannot guarantee the safety and well-being of our camp community running camps in the way we all know and love. After careful consideration and countless hours of planning, we have decided to make some drastic changes to our 2020 camp season. These changes, outlined below, were developed with a singular goal in mind: to continue the tradition of summers at the J while making certain that campers and staff can have a safe summer experience. All registered families for Summer 2020 have already been notified of these changes; however, we felt it was important to update the entire community.
GENERAL CAMP UPDATES – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
All JCC summer camp programs scheduled to run in-person, in June, have been cancelled.
JCC Ranch Camp is getting a completely new look, launching a summer of JCC Family Camp open to in-state families. This option is designed to keep everyone involved safe and allow those able to not miss a summer at the Ranch. At this time, we plan to start Camp Shai on Monday, June 29 and Wolf Theatre Academy on Monday, July 6. Serve, Snack, and Splash has been cancelled for the summer.
SUMMER 2020 PROGRAM OFFERINGS
Ranch Camp
Sadly, we have made the heartbreaking decision to cancel Ranch Camp as you know it for the entire 2020 season. The Ranch Camp experience is based on campers and staff being together – living in cabins, participating in activities, gathering around the campfire, and eating together in the dining hall. The CDC guidelines and the local Health Department requirements make this experience nearly impossible.
However, our Ranch Camp team has developed an exciting Family Camp offering that you may want to consider. It allows families to enjoy the beauty and solitude of Ranch Camp as a family unit.
Learn more about Family Camp
Camp Shai
With the realities of COVID-19, Camp Shai has developed two models of camps this summer: Pod Camp (in-person camp) and Virtual Specialty Camps. These programs were designed using guidelines from the CDC and the American Camping Association and the Colorado Department of Health and Human Services, as well as with input from other local day camps.
Learn more about Camp Shai’s programs
Wolf Theatre Academy
The 2020 Wolf Theatre Academy summer will be comprised of three sessions – each two weeks long – offering specialized, intensive-style performing arts classes in “class pods” of 10 students or less. We will offer four unique classes/productions each session in four separate spaces. We will be providing all currently registered students with a survey to gauge interest in specific content for the summer, and will use this information to create specific class offerings tailored to the interests of our student population. Options might include classes in musical theatre, dance and acting as well as some selected, abbreviated non-musical productions. We may also offer an introductory class in theatre for younger/beginner students as well as an improvisation class.
Learn more about WTA’s potential offerings
We are so thankful to our Camps staff who have handled these stressful changes with professionalism, courage, and positivity. This is a difficult time for all of us; however, we can’t help but be proud of our community and our staff who continue to make the best choices for our children.
