4.10.08  

Innovative program enhancements aimed to encourage
"active lifestyle" of campers called "Movin' It."

(Skokie, IL)-JCC's Camp Chi, the overnight camp owned and operated by the Jewish Community Centers of Chicago (JCC), has been named a recipient of the Foundation for Jewish Camp's Camper-Centric Challenge Grant. This matching grant will allow Camp Chi to implement facility and program enhancements that reinforce a message of healthy living and encourage campers to embrace an active lifestyle. Camp Chi is calling their program "Movin' It." Specifically the grant will fund outdoor lights for Chi's athletic fields and outdoor sports courts, a new state-of-the-art, free-form climbing tower, a series of fitness programs and a staff training initiative. 

The addition of outdoor lighting will allow Chi to expand its sports league and tournament play, as well as provide opportunities for evening programming and staff recreation. The new climbing tower will be a challenging, free form, hand sculpted system. A conditioning program will also be developed to help campers improve body strength and endurance. Different than traditional team sports, climbing offers an individual challenge that heightens self-esteem and develops trust and respect for self and others. In addition, Chi will add a series of fitness/wellness classes, including yoga, Pilates, walking/jogging clubs and strength conditioning to its more than 40 current activity choices. Chi's staff training will include preparation on health and wellness topics, and all staff members are expected to be role models for campers.

Quotes

"Camp has always been an inherently active place. But, now, more than ever, we feel it's our responsibility to instill in our campers and staff an appreciation for and life-long commitment to active living through athletics, physical fitness and wellness. The grant gives us the means to drive this concept home in a fun and meaningful way."
Ron Levin
Director of Camp Chi

About Camp Chi

JCC's CampChi is located on 600 acres in LakeDelton, Wisc. near the Wisconsin Dells. The campsite features two outdoor pools, an air-conditioned gym, equestrian center, water-ski and sailing site, ropes course and more. Boys and girls in 4th through 11th grade can choose from 2-, 4-, or 8-week sessions. For more information, call 847.763.3551 or visit www.campchi.com
 
The Foundation for Jewish Camp is the central address for the field of Jewish summer camps in North America. Through its programs and consultation, the FJC encourages and assists with the expansion of existing Jewish camps and the development of new ones. FJC provides leadership, financial and programming resources to over 130 non-profit overnight Jewish summer camps, their campers and families across North America. For more information, go to jewishcamping.org

About Jewish Community Centers of Chicago

JCC of Chicago has served Chicago and its suburbs for 104 years offering a wide array of contemporary life-enriching programs and services. JCC brings Jewish values to life every day so that members and program participants can deepen their connection to the joys and responsibilities of Jewish heritage to create a better and more meaningful future. JCC offers cultural, educational, social and recreational programs in full service community centers and other locations including 12 early childhood sites, 8 day camp sites, CampChi, an overnight camp, and Perlstein Resort and Conference Center, both in Wisconsin. The newest site, the JCC Elaine Frank Apachi Day Camp on the Lake County Jewish Community Campus, located in LakeZurich, will open in the summer of 2008. Starting in September, 2008, early childhood programs will be offered at the Campus as well as programs for children and families.
 
JCC also helps individuals in need at the Dina and Eli Field Multi-Service Center, the Edward and Honora Singer Residence in Uptown, and through JCC's Project Chesed, a program that helps match families in need with community resources.
 
For more information about Jewish Community Centers of Chicago, visit www.gojcc.org