By Morris Malakoff, JTNews Correspondent
The often manic hunt for summer day camp space is a trek that’s dreaded by many. It can be daunting to at first try to find an opening at an acceptable camp, and then, secondly, to decide if it is a good value and fits the needs of the family.
Such camps are offered by groups ranging from municipal community centers to places like the “Y” or the Boys & Girls Clubs.
Now, through a joint venture between the Jewish Day School and Temple B’nai Torah, a new Jewish day camp is in place and taking applications for the rapidly approaching summer break.
Called Camp Sababa, an Arabic word meaning “cool” in the stylish context, the new day camp will be for children ages 3 to 11, and will take place on the shared campus of the school and the congregation in Bellevue.
According to JDS’ Nancy Cohen-Vardy, who is serving as program director for the camp, while JDS has had some summer programming for children in the past, in particular a one-week gym camp, the combined effort with the programs of the congregation opens up the possibilities for expanded programming.
“Currently we are planning on having each child sign up for a morning elective that would last no more than about two hours,” she said. “After lunch, there will be an activity such as a field trip or a physical activity.”
Electives would be activities centered around subjects such as art or science or sports.
“We are still seeking community members who want to share their knowledge with school-age children,” said Cohen-Vardy. Interested parties should contact her to discuss possible programs.
The afternoons will have a variety of activities, but one day each week will be dedicated to community service. Overseeing that activity is B’nai Torah’s assistant rabbi, Yohanna Kinberg, who will be supplementing her usual position leading the weekly family Shabbat experience.
“There will be a time each week that we will serve our community,” said Kinberg. “For instance, we will be hosting a Tent City at that time, and I am hoping to have the children make a meal for those living in the Tent City.”
The camp opens on June 23 with the first of three two-week sessions. Each session will have a unique theme.
The opening two weeks are Tikkun Olam: Nature, recycling and taking care of the world. The second session, which begins on July 7, is Pikuach Nefesh: Taking care of each other. The final session, beginning July 21, will celebrate Israel with an emphasis on the culture of the country, including a handful of counselors who are coming to Seattle from Israel specifically for that session.
The camp will accept children ages 3 to 11. Camp will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, with a half-day option available for pre-schoolers. Before and after care are available separately.
Lunch will be a brown bag affair. Non-Jewish campers are also welcomed, though Kinberg notes that they need to understand that while the camp will not have a heavy religious tone, it will have a discernible Jewish cultural orientation.
The camp is also currently recruiting high school and college age students to work as staff members. Interested students should contact the camp through the Web sites listed below, or call Elizabeth Fagin at B’nai Torah.
Tuition is $405 for the first session for campers ages 6 to 11 years of age. The final two sessions are $441. Pre-school tuition is $610 for the opening session, and $680 for the following sessions. The half-day option is $460 for the first two weeks and $505 for the final two sessions. (There is a 10 percent sibling discount.)
Payment in full is due by June 1, and applications are available in PDF format at both the Temple B’nai Torah (www.templebnaitorah.org) and JDS (www.jds.org) Web sites.