Family Handbook
2015
The Jewish Community Center is an agency
of the Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation
and a member of the JCC Association.
Charlotte & Dick Levin
Jewish Community Center
1937 W Cornwallis Rd
Durham, NC 27705
Telephone 919-354-4936
Fax 919-354-4960
www.levinjcc.org/camp
Welcome!
Welcome to the Levin JCC Camp Shelanu 2015! We are so excited to be offering many
new features at the Levin JCC this summer - Look for this symbol for new changes:
You have entrusted us with the care of your most precious valuables — your children! We take
this responsibility seriously, and our qualified, dedicated staff members are looking forward to
10 great weeks of positive camp experiences.
As the summer progresses, we welcome your thoughts and suggestions at any time. We are
always looking to improve our camp programs and find your feedback extremely valuable.
Please feel free to contact us with any comments, suggestions or concerns.
Please check your email regularly, as this is one primary way we communicate about activities,
field trips, news, and other critical information.
Camp Director
Madeline Seltman, MSW is returning for her 6th summer. Originally from
Pittsburgh, PA, Madeline spent five summers of her childhood at JCC day
camp, and has worked with campers at Girl Scout camp, French language
camp, and yoga camp. She is also a certified yoga teacher. She started getting
to know the Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Community as a social work intern at
Jewish Family Services in 2009. Her family are also friendly faces at the JCC –
her husband John does Maintenance and bakes the challah on Fridays, and her two-year-old,
Azalea, is next door at Lerner Preschool Camp.
Contact: madeline.seltman@levinjcc.org, 919-354-4938
Assistant Camp Director
Madison Rootenberg is returning for her second summer at Camp Shelanu.
She was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA and has 12 years of Jewish Camp
experience. She graduated from Emerson College with a BA in Writing and
Publishing, and is proud to now call Durham her new home. She is an animal
advocate, has one rescued dog, and is hoping to have her own farm one day
soon.
Contact: mrootenberg@shalomdch.org 919-354-4948
Registration changes and general questions/issues: camp@shalomdch.org
Manager on Duty phone (urgent issues only, please): 919-354-4975
Programming
Judaism
The JCC believes that sharing Jewish culture with our campers is a central part of the summer
camp experience. Using song, dance, drama, and art, the cultural heritage of the Jewish people
can be brought to life. This is a great opportunity for Jewish campers to learn more about their
heritage and for campers of other backgrounds to learn about another culture.
There is no religious instruction or discussion of theology at camp, and we make every effort to
make all campers feel welcome and included. All JCC programs are open to anyone who wishes
to participate, regardless of religious affiliation.
Activities
JCC Camp Shelanu offers a variety of camp activities including arts & crafts, sports, exciting field
trips, instructional (traditional camp only) and free swim, cooking, Israeli culture, nature, music,
and more.
Swimming
Campers enrolled in traditional full day camp will have free swim daily and three 30-minute
lessons per-week with campers of similar swimming ability (weather permitting). Lessons are
taught by swim instructors, with counselor support when needed. Campers enrolled in specialty
camps will have free swim daily (weather permitting). Each camper will be required to take a
swim test to assess their swimming ability. Non-swimmers will stay in the Family Fun pool
(depth up to 2 feet). You can see full pool policies, including swim test procedures, at
http://levinjcc.org/aquatics
Shabbat
Every Friday campers celebrate Kabbalat Shabbat — welcoming the Sabbath. This celebration
consists of making and braiding challah (traditional bread), creating a Shabbat-themed craft,
singing Jewish songs, telling stories, and giving out camper awards. The JCC recognizes that our
campers come from a wide range of Jewish and non–Jewish backgrounds. All Jewish/Shabbat
related activities are explained so that all campers will feel welcome, included, and able to
participate. We will have a Shabbat song session at 3:00 p.m. on Fridays. Families are welcome
to join us!
Chugim (Choices/Electives)
Traditional camp 2nd -5th graders and Middle Schoolers have chugim (choices/electives) each
week. Options will vary week to week and will include activities like soccer, Ultimate Frisbee,
aerial silks, languages, beading, journalism, and more, taught by counselors, specialists, and
community members. You will get an email the week before with a form where you can discuss
the options with your child, and rank first, second, and third choices by Thursday night. Staff will
make every effort to accommodate preferences submitted on time. Your camper will find out
their chug on Monday and they will be in that chug for an hour Tuesday, Wednesday, and
Thursday.
Aftercare Enrichment
Campers in aftercare in rising 1st-5th grades have the option to register for a JCC enrichment
class Mon-Thurs, 4-5pm. Camp staff will walk campers to their class and bring them back to
aftercare at the end of class. The discounted rate for campers enrolled in aftercare is $36 ($24
for JCC members). Space is limited, register ahead of time online at www.levinjcc.org/register
or by calling the Welcome Desk at 919-354-4936.
Week 1 (6/15) Tumbling
Week 2 (6/22) Jujitsu
Week 3 (6/29) Weaving
Week 4 (7/6) Tumbling
Week 5 (7/13) Jujitsu
Week 6 (7/20) Aerial
Week 7 (7/27) Jujitsu
Week 8 (8/3) Sports Sampler
Week 9 (8/10) Jujitsu
There are also group swim lessons in the afternoons during aftercare (schedule is by band
color). There is no discounted rate for aftercare campers, but camp staff can walk campers to
their lesson and return them to aftercare afterwards. Sign up online or by phone, as above.
Field Trips
A permission slip for all field trips will be sent out the week prior to the trip with details and
instructions. All costs are included. Trip timing may impact swim lessons, free swim, or both.
The permission slip will indicate whether or not campers will swim. Campers will be transported
by a reputable transportation company for all trips.
 Camp Sabra – July 2 – SkyZone trampoline park
 Camp Sabra – July 9 – Falls Lake
 Camp Sabra – July 16 – Village Lanes bowling
 Traditional 2nd-5th grades – August 6 – Wet ‘n’ Wild
On field trip days, we ask that your camper:
 Wear the 2015 JCC camp t-shirt. Each camper will be provided one camp t-shirt. If
we have to give campers a new camp shirt, we will charge $10.00.
 Bring a lunch (following guidelines below), 2 snacks, and a large bottle of water
(campers will not be able to purchase food at the destination).
 Arrives at camp on time! We leave promptly – often at 9:00 a.m., so if you are late
you may miss the trip. We may schedule a late pickup for further destinations.
Coming to Camp Prepared
Health and Information Form and Behavior Agreement
You must fill out the online Health and Information form before the start of camp. You can find
it at http://levinjcc.org/camp-shelanu/camp-forms/ You must fill out a new form each summer,
and you may use that form for any School’s Out Camps the following school year. It does not
need a doctor’s signature. On that link and at the end of the health form, you will find our new
Behavior Agreement. Please read it carefully to understand what behaviors are not accepted
at Camp Shelanu and the progressive consequences for inappropriate behavior.
What to Wear/ Bring
Send your camper with the following, all marked with camper’s name:
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Wear comfortable, loose clothing.
Wear closed-toed shoes you can run in (sneakers or Keenes) daily to fully participate in
camp programming.
Flip-flops and “crocs” are only for the pool area. To help maintain the safety of all
campers if inappropriate footwear is being worn they may not be able to participate in
some activities.
A backpack
A bathing suit and towel for swim every day.
A large plastic bag for wet items
Water bottle
Sunscreen – come with sunscreen on, and we will reapply before afternoon swim.
Consider a hat and swim shirt if your child burns easily. Campers who do not bring
sunscreen may not be able to participate in outdoor activities.
Lunch and 2 snacks (see food guidelines below)
Campers may bring a toy from home, but camp takes no responsibility for loss or
damage, and camper must follow instructions from staff as to appropriate times to have
them out. Electronics may only be brought with advance permission in special
circumstances. Cell phones must be kept in backpacks and should only be used for
emergencies. We reserve the right to hold any of these items in the office until the end
of the day if they are causing a distraction.
Food
Please pack a lunch and 2 snacks each day (aftercare campers, consider a third snack for
aftercare!) Camp lunches must follow the kashrut guidelines below. If you have questions
about these guidelines please do not hesitate to contact us!
Food from Home
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Lunches will not be heated or refrigerated, but will be kept in air conditioning. Feel free
to include an ice pack in your child’s lunch box. Mark lunch bags with your child’s name.
Sharing food with other campers is not permitted (except siblings).
Send your child with two separate snacks, one for morning and one for afternoon.
Please remember to send a water bottle with your child.
Campers are encouraged to eat as much as they can, but are never forced to eat.
Food Allergies: As a camp, we are NOT peanut-free. However, in the event there are
campers with food allergies campers in certain groups may be asked not to bring
peanuts in order to help keep campers safe.
The 2 Big Rules of Lunch at Camp Shelanu:
1. Do not send pork or shellfish.
2. Do not mix meat and dairy in the same dish. For example, you may send a cheese
sandwich or a turkey sandwich, but not a turkey and cheese sandwich. You may send a
turkey sandwich and a yogurt in the same lunchbox.
Meat:
Chicken
Roast Beef
Turkey
Beef Hotdog
Beef Salami
Pastrami
Chicken soup
“Parve”:
Dairy___________"Treif” (do not bring)___
(OK with either meat or dairy)
Bacon
Fruit
Milk
Non all-beef hotdogs
Vegetables
Cheese
Ham
Peanut Butter
Yogurt
Non-beef Salami
Tuna/Fish
Macaroni & Cheese
Pepperoni
Eggs
Pudding Cups
Sausage
Pasta
Cottage cheese
Shrimp, scallops, clams, shellfish
Crackers
Cream cheese
Bread/Bagels
Cheese pizza
Veggie burger/soy products
Anything labeled “Parve”
More about Kashrut
Kosher is a term originally used to mean “fit” and “proper.” Most often, it is used to describe
foods that are permitted to be eaten by people who observe the Jewish dietary laws.
Kashrut is the word used to describe the concept of dietary laws about types of food allowed
and how to prepare them. The basics of kosher dietary laws include:
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Do not mix meat and milk. This means no meat (beef or chicken) can be served with
any dairy (milk, cheese, etc.). It is traditional to wait a few hours between eating meat
and milk, but we do not require this in the Levin JCC.
Only certain meat is allowed. Mammals allowed include: cattle, deer, goat and sheep.
Those not allowed include pig and pig products (like lard) as well as rabbit, camel, and
others.
Permitted poultry include chicken, duck, goose, turkey, and pigeon. Those forbidden
include wild birds or birds of prey, like eagle, ostrich, and vulture.
Fish must have both fins and scales that are removable without damaging the fish’s
skin. Those forbidden include: catfish, eel, shark, and swordfish; all shellfish and
mollusks including clam, lobster, octopus, oyster, scallop, shrimp, snail and squid. Fish,
however, can be served with dairy.
Also forbidden are all reptiles, invertebrates and amphibians (snake, frog, etc).
Kosher foods are divided into three categories:
A.
Dairy: milk and all products (cheese, yogurt, butter, etc)
B.
Meat, including poultry: from permitted animals which have been slaughtered under
the supervision of a rabbi.
C.
Neutral (pareve): foods that are neither dairy nor meat. Everything that grows in the
ground is pareve - all plants, herbs, grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, roots, seeds and
nuts, as well as products made from them, such as sugar, tea, flour, coffee, spices, salt,
oils and most condiments. Eggs from kosher birds and fish with fins and scales are
considered pareve.
Snack bar, J Café, and Vending machines
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Only 4th and 5th grade campers and Camp Sabra have the privilege of buying items from
the poolside Concession stand. At afternoon snack time, these campers will have the
option to either bring a snack or purchase a snack (popsicles, chips, ice cream bars, etc.)
Most items are $1-$2.
Campers in k-3rd grade should not bring cash to camp and will not be able to purchase
snacks during the camp day.
No campers may use the vending machines or J Café during camp.
Communication
Information about the upcoming week
You will also receive an email the week before each session with important information about
trips, dress up days, special materials to bring from home, and other reminders. Please read
these emails carefully so your camper does not miss out on anything!
Facebook Group
Camp Shelanu maintains a private Facebook group, open only to camp families, where we post
updates and photos throughout the week. This is a great way to keep up with what’s happening
at camp! Look out for email invitation to join!
Friday Notes
You will receive a “Friday note” in your camper’s backpack with an update from the week,
including progress in swimming and other activities, accomplishments, and any concerns.
Communication During the Camp Day
If you have an issue that needs to be addressed right away (emergency, early pick up, forgotten
lunch), call our Manager on Duty phone at 919-354-4975. You will reach the Camp Director,
Assistant Camp Director, Aftercare Supervisor, or Head Counselor. In order for staff to best
focus on campers, please do not use this number for registration issues, general questions about
your camper’s experience, or anything that can wait until the end of the day. Instead, call or,
preferably, email the Camp Director.
Drop off and pick up are very busy times and you may not be able to speak with the Camp
Director at length at that time. You may need to set up a time to speak. Camp staff are
generally not available on the weekends. Typically calls and emails are answered by the end of
day when possible, by the end of the following day at the latest.
Texts
Camp is implementing text reminders through the service Remind.com. You will receive a new
text invitation each week you attend for optional reminders, which will be used 2-3 times per
week for reminders about dress up days, special events, trips, etc. We will also have a text
group that will remain active all summer for emergency notifications. All families are strongly
recommended to accept the invitation for this group, which will only be used in case of
emergency at camp, e.g., if pick up location were to change due to a fire or natural disaster.
Health & Safety
The staff takes great care to ensure campers’ health and safety. The camp day is balanced with
activity and rest to avoid fatigue. Under extreme heat conditions our outdoor activities will be
closely monitored and limited as appropriate. We will adhere to all weather advisories.
Sunscreen
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Apply sunscreen prior to arriving at camp
Supply sunscreen for re-application in the afternoon. We will not provide sunscreen.
Consider spray sunscreen – it helps us speed up the process!
Staff may assist younger campers with re-application and supervise older campers reapplying themselves.
Illness and Emergencies
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If your child exhibits any of the following, please keep your camper at home. If any
camper develops these conditions during the camp day, family will be notified. Family
must then make arrangements for their child’s prompt return home.
o Fever of 101 degrees or above in the last 24 hours
o Uncontrolled diarrhea
o Vomiting illness (two or more episodes of vomiting in the previous 24 hours)
o An acute change in behavior including lethargy, irritability, difficulty breathing,
or other signs or symptoms of illness until medical evaluation indicates return to
camp.
o Abdominal pain that continues for more than two hours or intermittent pain
associated with fever or other signs or symptoms of illness.
o Rash with fever or behavior change, until a health care provider determines that
these symptoms do not indicate a communicable disease.
o Purulent conjunctivitis (pink or red conjunctiva with white or yellow eye
discharge), until 24 hours after treatment has been initiated.
o Untreated scabies, head lice, or other infestation. Campers with a case of head
lice may not attend camp until they are nit free.
o Known contagious diseases while still in the communicable stage (chicken pox,
streptococcal pharyngitis, rubella, pertussis, mumps, measles, hepatitis A).
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If a child has been diagnosed with a communicable disease, please contact the JCC
Camp Director as soon as possible.
In case of emergency, family is notified immediately. If it is not possible to reach the
family, the child will be taken to the nearest hospital for emergency treatment.
Continuing attempts will be made to reach the family or emergency contact listed on
the medical authorization form.
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Medications
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Campers that require medication during the day will need to have an authorization to
dispense on file (including those with allergies).
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Medication must be brought to camp in the original container, and handed to the Camp
Director. The medication will be dispensed by a senior staff member, and handed back
to the family at the end of the day.
For children with allergies, medication such as Epipens and Benadryl can be left at camp
for the duration of the time the child is attending. Epipens may either stay with the
Camp Director or with the camper – whichever camper does at school.
Inclusion Program
For the fourth year, Camp Shelanu is implementing the Let’s ALL Play program model for
inclusion of campers with special needs. The inclusion program includes: training in special
needs inclusion for all camp counselors, and an Inclusion Facilitator to work with campers,
families, and staff, as well as additional Inclusion Counselors and volunteers.
There are countless benefits for this program. For camper with special needs and their families,
it provides a safe, appropriate, and enriching summer experience. For campers without a
special need, it provides an opportunity to learn from, about, and with campers who are
different from themselves. Staff gain valuable training and experience. Everyone in camp will
benefit from the Let’s ALL Play philosophy that ALL campers can succeed!
This year, as we have completed our 3-year grant from the National Inclusion Project, the
inclusion program is now funded entirely by individual donations and proceeds from the Jewish
Food Festival.
No Babysitting Policy and Child Sexual
Abuse Prevention
Our policy is that camp staff may not babysit for any families met through the JCC/Camp
Shelanu. Please do not ask camp staff to babysit for your campers.
If you already have a babysitting arrangement with a staff member, you are “grandfathered in,”
but you must have an Unsanctioned Childcare Waiver on file. If a staff member already babysits
for your family, please avoid having him or her babysit during the time your camper is at camp.
Industry best practices show that restricting outside contact between children and staff
discourages sexual predators from seeking jobs with that organization and ultimately helps to
protect children from sexual abuse. Additionally, babysitting arrangements carry the risk of
favoritism and disruption to group dynamics.
Our child sexual abuse prevention plan also includes a 2-hour training for all staff, background
checks and reference checks for staff, and policies and procedures that prevent staff from being
in isolated situations one-on-one with campers.
Practical Information
Groups
Campers are in groups of about 16 with 2 or more staff. We try to accommodate grouping
preferences indicated on registration forms whenever possible. Week to week, we try to keep
some consistency in campers as well as counselors, but this is not always possible.
 Traditional Camp rising k-1st grade: Arayot (Lions) and Dubim (Bears)
 Traditional Camp rising 2nd-3rd grade: Taninim (Alligators) and Zevim (Wolves)
 Traditional Camp rising 4th-5th grade: Kreshim (Sharks)
 Specialty Camps are simply referred to as their specialty, eg, Circus.
Staff
Our counselors are Juniors in High School through college age. All staff have background and
reference checks, CPR and First Aid certification, as well as training in child development, sexual
abuse prevention, programming, safety and supervision, and more. Specialists are mature
college students, graduate students, teachers, and professionals. We also bring two Israeli staff,
shlichim, each summer to teach campers about Israeli culture.
Drop-Off
Drop off is 8:30-8:45 am. Any child arriving before 8:25 am will be considered to be attending
the early–care program and will be charged accordingly.
Please drive into the turn lane for the Lerner school for car line, which is on our driveway before
the JCC. A staff member will come to your car and escort him or her to the correct camp group.
Groups will be meeting in the morning outside the Lerner school (in case of rain, groups will
meet inside but drop off location remains the same). Please stay in your car to help us get
everyone to camp on time.
If you are arriving after 9:00, please park at the JCC and go to the Welcome Desk. Staff there
can walkie for a camp staff to get your camper to his or her group.
Early care 8:00-8:30 will be at the picnic tables outside Lerner School (inside Lerner in case of
rain). Please drop off at the front entrance of Lerner.
Pickup
Pick up is 3:15-3:30 pm. Any camper not picked up by 3:30 pm will be taken to after-care
program and will be charged accordingly.
Please drive to the carline at the Lerner School. A staff member will ask for your camper’s name
and radio for your camper to be brought to the car. Please stay in the car. Be sure to sign out
with the designated staff person.
We discourage early pick up, but if you have an appointment or obligation, you can call the
Manager on Duty phone at 919-354-4975 about an hour before you want to pick up so we can
have your camper ready for you at the JCC Welcome Desk.
Campers in aftercare will be in the JCC building. Please park and walk to the Community Hall at
the back of the first floor. Please leave a few extra minutes, as staff may need to retrieve your
camper from the gym, playground, etc.
PLEASE NOTE: You should have listed on your camper information form anyone authorized to
pick up your camper. If someone not on that list will be picking up the child, we must have
permission in writing in advance. If we do not know the person picking up, that person must
present photo ID before JCC staff will release the child.
Extended Care
Before and after camp care is available for an additional fee. Please register and pay by the
week. If you need one-day extended care for a special circumstance, contact the Camp Director
for availability. (8-8:30 is $5 for one day, 3:30-5:30 is $15 for one day) PLEASE PICK UP ON TIME
FROM AFTERCARE! Our staff need to get home to their own families. You may be charged a
late fee, and anyone who is repeatedly picked up after 5:30 pm may lose their right to be in the
aftercare program.
Lost & Found
A lost and found area will be kept for clothing and personal items. We invite families to search
lost and found any time. Items unclaimed after August 24 will be donated.
Payment Policies and Fees
Payment Policy
Tuition for each session attended must be paid in full at least one week prior to the start of the
session the camper is enrolled. No camper will be allowed in camp with an outstanding balance
unless payment arrangements have been made in advance with the Camp Director. In case of
financial hardship, please contact the camp director at camp@shalomdch.org .
Late Registration Fees
A $15.00 late fee will be applied to any registration made less than 7 days before camp session.
Member Discount
To be eligible for member discount, your camper must be part of a current, all-inclusive
membership in good standing at the time of registration and at the time of participation.
Summer members and cultural affiliates are not eligible for member discounts. If your
membership expires before a camp session, you will be charged the regular rates.
Refund Policy
If the JCC cancels camp for any reason, full credit or a refund will be issued. If you decide to
cancel a session up to 7 days ahead, we issue refunds, minus a $50 fee per week. Fees are
nonrefundable after 7 days before a week. Refunds will not be given for missed days due to
illness.
Other Fun Stuff
End of Camp Ice Cream Social
All campers from all weeks are invited to an ice cream social on Thursday August 13 6-7:30pm.
Along with free ice cream for campers, there will be activities, the premier of the 2015 camp
movie, and our famous whip cream pie fundraiser! Who could resist throwing a whipped cream
pie in their favorite counselor’s face?
Birthdays
If your camper celebrates a summer birthday, we celebrate with special traditions and privileges
rather than treats from home.
Honoring staff
Families are not expected to give anything to staff. However, if you would like to honor a staff
member, we prefer that rather than individual tipping, you bring treats for the entire staff,
donate to the Staff Appreciation Fund (for special events and gifts for all staff), or to make a
contribution to the Camp Scholarship Fund or to the Inclusion Program in a counselor’s name.
Camp Apparel and Accessories
Show your Camp Shelanu spirit all year round! Visit the Camp Shelanu online store at
http://www.cafepress.com/campshelanu purchase Camp Shelanu t-shirts, sweatshirts, flip
flops, key chains, water bottles, and more! Proceeds will go towards Camp Scholarships.
Tax ID number
(Okay, maybe this is not exactly “fun stuff”): 58-1384316. Contact us if you need a receipt.
Thanks, and we look forward to a wonderful, safe summer!