Shemesh Camp
The mission of Shemesh Camp is to build a community for children through fun, social and cultural experiences that inspire excitement for on-going adventure.
Registration Open Now!
Save $20/week until May 14
MAY 28-AUGUST 2, 2024
We are here for our entire community! Serving campers entering Grades K-10, Shemesh summer camp offers a taste of all things fun. From swim lessons to archery, to Maker’s Space programming and tween adventures, Shemesh Camp offers campers memories that will last a lifetime! With low staff-to-camper ratios, Shemesh provides a safe summer home where campers are encouraged to try new activities, gain new skills, build self-confidence, have limitless laughs and build forever friendships.
Grades K-1
Chaverim (Friends)
Our youngest campers get to experience all that summer camp has to offer. Campers will have swim lessons, free swim, sports, art, science, Jewish Israel culture, performing arts and much more. With a ratio of 1 staff to 7 campers, they will receive individualized attention, support and comfort.
Grades 2-5
Shalom (Peace)
As campers get older, Shemesh staff work on building self-confidence, independence and relationships. We offer consistent and ongoing programming that allows campers to build skills over summer. This enables campers to feel ownership of their day with ratios of 1:8.
Grades 6-8
Ruach (Spirit)
Our oldest campers get to focus on a more mature summer camp experience. Our tweens and young teens want a day that allows for socialization and flexibility. We fill Ruach’s day with innovative and exciting activities – from fitness, cooking, electives, science, sports, tween lounge and more. Plus, they will have weekly field trips filled with adventure and mitzvah (volunteer) projects.
Grades 9-10
Bogrim (Graduate)
Are you a leader or want to be a leader at school, youth group, clubs or on teams? Do you need something to do this summer? Spend one to ten weeks with us at Shemesh for our summer leadership program. Learn about yourself and who you are. Build bonds with friends and community through activities, helping with younger campers and mitzvah (volunteer) projects.
Contact the Shemesh Camp Office
Summer Day Camp Activities
Swim
All of our campers will swim up to four days a week in our state-of-the-art swimming pool. Our campers get the chance to cool off and have fun in free swim. Swim includes two free swim and one swim lesson for our grades K-4. Our weekly group swim lessons will be level appropriate for our beginners to our strong swimmers.
There is also the opportunity to sign up for small group and private lessons through our aquatics department by contacting 480.481.7035 or aquatics@vosjcc.org.
Sports
Shemesh campers love all different types of sports including typical sports like basketball and soccer to silly sports activities brought to us by The J’s amazing Sports Department. Campers will have the chance to run around, learn new team sports, practice their sports skills and have fun with their friends. Some of our campers’ favorite sports activities are tag, gaga, sprout ball, hand ball, capture the flag, kickball and much more.
Art
Campers will get a chance to experience art weekly with age and grade appropriate projects. Campers will get a chance to learn, experience and even get messy with our art specialist.
Maker’s Space
Maker’s space is such a creative way to see our campers shine at Shemesh. Through science, technology, engineering and math, campers will get use their creativity in building, making and dreaming up all different types of projects. Our maker’s space specialists teach our campers to make plant people, robots out of toothbrushes, ways to use pool noodles in creative methods and build marble runs that take over the whole room.
Jewish Values and Education
Jewish values and education are part of our Shemesh Camp in teaching campers about the Jewish community. Campers will have a weekly Jewish Education class (Jew U) they will learn about the Jewish culture, taste Jewish foods and experience Jewish tradition. We teach the Jewish values throughout everything we do at Shemesh from teaching respect to taking care of our camp.
Everyone is welcome.
Cooking
Shemesh likes to spice up camp in the kitchen with weekly cooking classes. Campers will learn how to measure, mix and make different foods throughout the summer. Fried oreos, cake pops, ice cream and chocolate bark makes our summer sweeter. While, home-made mac and cheese, pita and empanadas will savor every moment of the summer.
Field Trips
Wednesday, June 5th:
Campers K-2: i.d.e.a. Museum
Campers 3-8:Rush Extreme Chandler
Tuesday, June 18th:
All Camp : Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka
Herberger Theater – presented by Valley Youth Theatre
Wednesday, July 10th
All Camp -Mercury Basketball Game
Footprint Center
Wednesday, July 24th
All Camp – Movie Day
Harkins Theatres Scottsdale 101
Hulafrog’s Most Loved All Around Camp for 2022!
Jewish News’ Best of Day Camp for 2023!
Financial Assistance: Making the J accessible to everyone
Programs, camp and membership are not just available to everyone because we can do so, they are available because it is part of who we are.
