Youth & Teen Programs Overview
The JCC's Youth Department has a variety of year-round offerings for youth and teens in grades K-12. For more information about any of the programs described below, please click on the links or contact Deborah Huerta at deborahhuerta@jccfed.org or (734) 971-0990.
Programs for Elementary School Students
Camp Raanana
Camp Raanana is the JCC's popular outdoor summer day camp for children entering grades K-8. Located on a beautiful private beachfront at Independence Lake Park, the camp offers nine weeks of fun and excitement each summer. Offerings include activity sessions (such as arts and crafts, nature, sports, music, and Jewish culture), instructional swim lessons, weekly special events or field trips, Shabbat celebrations, specialty options for campers entering grades 3-5, and camp memories to last a lifetime!
Afterschool Programs
The JCC's stimulating afterschool programs serve students from Bryant, Pattengill, Burns Park, Hebrew Day School, and other local elementary schools. Kids' Konnection (KK) caters to students in grades K-2, while Kids' Club (KC) is designed to meet the interests of students in grades 3-5. A variety of convenient scheduling and drop-in options are available. JCC membership is required to register for KK/KC or use the unlimited drop-in service; non-members are limited to three drop-ins per school year.
Youth Enrichment Classes
The JCC offers six-week long sessions of enriching classes in art, sports, music and more from 4:20 to 5:20 pm on weekday afternoons for students in grades K-5. Snack and afterschool supervision until 4:20 are included for all class participants. Evening swim classes are also offered through the JCC at High Point School. Classes are open to JCC members and non-members.
School's Out / JCC's In Days
Whenever Hebrew Day School and/or Ann Arbor Public Schools are closed for a day, the JCC offers a full day program from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm featuring a field trip or special activity. School's Out Days are for students in grades K-5; middle school students may participate as helpers for a reduced fee. JCC membership is required to participate.
Vacation Fun Days
The JCC offers full day programs featuring field trips or special activities from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm throughout the December, February, April, and Passover school breaks. Vacation Fun Days are for students in grades K-5; middle school students may participate as helpers for a reduced fee. JCC membership is required to participate.
Snow Days
When schools are closed due to winter weather conditions but the JCC is able to safely open, the JCC offers a Snow Day program from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Snow Day programs are for students in grades K-5; middle school students may participate as helpers for a reduced fee. JCC membership is required to participate.
Kids' Night Out
Held several times each school year, Kids' Night Out is a Saturday evening event that gives parents a chance to go out and kids a chance to have an exciting evening of games, crafts, dinner, and a movie or special activity. Kids' Night Out programs are open to JCC members and non-members.
Birthday Parties
The JCC offers afterschool or Sunday afternoon birthday parties featuring themes such as sports, arts and crafts, and more. Birthday parties for students in kindergarten and up last for two hours.
Programs for Middle & High School Students
Camp Raanana
Camp Raanana is the JCC's popular outdoor summer day camp for students entering grades K-8. Located on a beautiful private beachfront at Independence Lake Park, the camp offers nine weeks of fun and excitement each summer. For campers entering 6th-8th grades, Camp Raanana offers a Pioneer Adventure Program featuring unique daily field trips, fun mitzvah projects, optional overnight trips, and much more. Students who have completed 8th or 9th grade are eligible to be CITs, while students who have completed 10th, 11th, or 12th grade may apply to be Junior Counselors.
JCC Maccabi Games
Each summer the JCC takes a team of Ann Arbor athletes ages 13 to 16 to the JCC Maccabi Games, a week-long Olympics-style sporting competition that incorporates social events and community service opportunities to combine for an incredible experience for Jewish teens. The Games are held at a different cities across North America each summer and typically take place in early August. Sports offered may include basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, volleyball, track, swimming, golf, dance, tennis, table tennis, bowling, and more. Teens of all athletic abilities are welcome to participate. JCC membership is required.
Babysitting Classes
The JCC hosts occasional American Red Cross babysitting classes which offer babysitting training and certification for students ages 11-17. The classes are usually offered in May each year and are open to JCC members and non-members.
Echad BBYO
The JCC provides support to Echad BBYO, the Ann Arbor chapter of the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization. BBYO is open to teens in 9th through 12th grade and organizes social events, community service activities, and leadership training experiences throughout the school year. BBYO is open to JCC members and non-members.
Teen Connection
Teen Connection is a JCC program, cosponsored by BBYO, for Jewish teens in 6th-8th grades. The program organizes occasional social activities, cultural events, and field trips throughout the school year. Teen Connection participants have the opportunity to meet and interact with other Jewish youth while taking part in exciting programming and events. Teen Connection is open to JCC members and non-members.
Middle School Game Night
A Saturday evening program offered several times throughout the year, featuring movies, dinner and arcade games such as DDR, Guitar Hero, Wii Sports, and more. For students in 6th grade and up. Middle School Game Nights are open to JCC members and non-members.
Middle School Helpers Program
Middle school students are welcome to participate for a reduced fee as "helpers" in the JCC's Afterschool Programs, School's Out Days, Vacation Fun Days, and Snow Days programs. JCC membership is required.
Questions? Contact Deborah Huerta at deborahhuerta@jccfed.org or (734) 971-0990.
