Hillcrest Jewish Center Day Camp
183-02 Union Turnpike       
Flushing, NY 11366
Phone: 718-380-4145
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Group Spotlight: 6/7 Girls, 8/9 Boys, 10/11 Boys

7/29/2016

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Group Spotlight: 6/7 Girls

Written by Brianna Manginelli, Counselor

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This summer has been one of the most successful so far with the 6/7 Girls. They have been learning and gradually perfecting their skills in sharing and being kind to one another. However, it doesn't stop there as they have also learned with every specialist. The lifeguards have taught our campers how to swim and some of them have come so far that they no longer need a floatie! The Elastigirls love music with Zach and sing the songs we learn there throughout the day! BBQs are always fun; while most girls stay in the park, one week almost half of them played soccer and had a blast. To top it all off, every wonderful week ends with tumbles and jumps in gymnastics.

The 6/7 girls were fascinated by Finding Dory on their first trip of the summer and a few even dressed up as her for Pixar Day! They loved the Jewish Children's Museum and enjoyed doing things like pretend grocery shopping, learning about charity, and helping their peers--lessons which coincide with those learned in Jewish Culture. Adventureland was a success with the girls, despite them being a bit too short for some rides, they couldn't stop taking about how much fun it was. On our trip to the aquarium they couldn't get enough of the great Sea Lion Show as they jumped up and cheered throughout the entire show. 


It is clear that the 6/7 Girls are having a great summer as smiles continuously spread across their faces and we can't wait for the second session!

Group Spotlight: 8/9 Boys

Written by Carlos Rodriguez, Group Leader

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​On the first day of camp, we saw that most of our campers knew each other from previous years, which made it easier to carry out activities and more so, for the children to spend time with their friends. One of the highlights of our summer was the arcade at Laser Bounce, as well as the history of arcades at Cradle of Aviation and the more recent trip of Adventureland. Although our kids seem to love the trips more than spending time back at camp, they have just as much fun. They like swim and gym the most, but also enjoy Arts and Crafts and Jewish Culture, especially when they cook and get treats at the ed of the day. We hope the summer continues full of days like these incredible moments.

Group Spotlight: 10/11 Boys

Written by David Matatov, Counselor

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These past four weeks have been the greatest time that we've had. We go on so many trips. At Adventureland, we went on so many rides - the Frisbee and Turbulence were crazy and exciting. The rides were so fast that I felt like the Flash! Also, the Museum of Natural History was fascinating with huge skeletons of dinosaurs and the big whale that was hanging from the ceiling. We can't wait to go on more trips and have the most fun ever in this camp.

Even when we don't go on trips, we still have lots of fun in camp. Whenever we see Ilan in Jewish Culture, we make some great treats. The cookie brittle that we made was delectable and tasty. After we make the treats, we always rush down to see Greg in the gym where we play basketball and knockout. It's always so much fun when we're playing Knockout and someone gets out, but at the end of the day, although competitive, we're all friends. Once we sweat in the gym, we all want to jump into the pool where Rob, Steve, Melissa, and Brian watch over us.

We want to say thank you to Howie, Matt, Suzanne, Rob, Brian, and Bacharach for grilling the burgers and hot dogs every Wednesday. Every BBQ is a blast when we go to the park and swing on the swings. We love Fridays too, when Rabbi Kogan teaches us a new song or we sing an old favorite. But most of all, we can't wait for Color War. We went to the right place for camp and hope to come back next summer!

Each week, we will be providing a Group Spotlight for one or two different groups in camp, and will ultimately highlight all of our groups by the end of the summer!
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Group Spotlight: Nursery/Kindergarten

7/22/2016

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Group Spotlight: Nursery/Kindergarten

Written by Carrie Alterson, Group Leader

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Wow, the summer is flying by but the Good Dinosaurs are having a great summer so far. The trips have been a lot of fun. On the first day of camp, we went to the movies and saw Finding Dory. The second trip was to the Jewish Children's Museum, where we learned about Jewish culture. The next trip, and I think so far the children's favorite trip, was to the aquarium. We watch the sea lion show, saw all different kinds of fish including sharks, and let's not forget the penguins.

On Mondays, we go to gymnastics and the children get to walk on the balance beam, do tumbles, and have free play as well. The children look forward to Wednesdays when the whole camp goes to Valley Stream State Park for a barbecue. Before eating the delicious hot dogs or hamburgers, we get to play in the playground. The BBQs also give the children the chance to play with the other groups in the camp.

When we are not on a trip, the children go to see the great specialists we have at camp. They show off their art skills in Arts and Crafts, as we have made great creations such as butterflies and necklaces. At the pool, they are learning how to swim. In Jewish Culture, the children have baked cookies and are learning different Hebrew words. At drama, the children are great at using their imagination. We all look forward to more fun at Hillcrest!
Each week, we will be providing a Group Spotlight for one or two different groups in camp, and will ultimately highlight all of our groups by the end of the summer!
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Group Spotlight: 10/11 Girls

7/15/2016

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Group Spotlight: 10/11 Girls

Written by Danielle "Dani" Amster, Counselor

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The first couple of weeks of camp have been great! No matter what the trips were, our campers always managed to have fun. Whether we were at the BBQ or playing vintage video games, they enjoyed spending time together and had a blast.

Even though staying back at camp isn't as exciting as going to Splish Splash, which we're looking forward to, each specialist has done an amazing job creating programs for our campers. We've made sand art, played some cool games in drama, and even finger painted and baked in Jewish Culture.

Sandy keeps us all happy and fed both at and away from camp. Whether she packs us great bagels or prepares the chicken fingers and fries, no one is left hungry.

All in all, we can't wait to see what the next six weeks will bring!
Each week, we will be providing a Group Spotlight for one or two different groups in camp, and will ultimately highlight all of our groups by the end of the summer!
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A Great First Week

7/8/2016

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What a Great First Week It Has Been!

It's hard to believe that the first week of camp has already finished, but Hillcrest 2016 is off to an incredible start.

​Here's a look at some of the highlights from Week One:
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  • In Arts and Crafts, our campers expressed their creative side, and in Jewish Culture, they explored morals and ethics, and had fun finger-painting!
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  • In Swim, we conducted our Deep Water Testing, started the instruction in our Learn to Swim program, and cooled off during the hot start to summer.
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  • In Drama, our campers got to know each other though fun icebreakers and improv games, like "A Great Wind Blows," "Say Cheese," and "2 Truths and a Lie.
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  • We went on some pretty awesome trips, with our Lower Campers seeing Finding Dory, our Upper Campers enjoying the laser tag, arcade, and bounce houses at Laser Bounce, and our Tweens and CITs giving it their all in American Ninja Warrior.
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  • Our first BBQ was lots of fun - with soccer, newcomb, softball, basketball, and fun in the playground.
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  • Our campers enjoyed time in the gym, playing basketball, jumping rope, and more.
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  • We had fun playing pool, ping pong, foosball, and air hockey in the Teen Lounge.
We can't wait to see the fun we'll have over the next seven weeks!
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Welcome to Hillcrest 2016!

7/6/2016

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            Back when I was a camper at Hillcrest, today was the day I waited all year for. I was the type of kid to start counting down to “next summer” as soon as the last day of camp began—a countdown that usually lasted 310 or so days. It was an amazing feeling, then, when the countdown entered the hours instead of the days, and I started to pack my backpack for the first day of camp!

            To be honest, 21 years since my first Hillcrest summer, not too much has changed. Sure, I don’t actively count down the days until summer anymore – that’s what the camp website is for. But I find myself waking up this morning as excited as ever about it being the first day of another Hillcrest summer!

            Over the course of the summer, the Hillcrest Jewish Center Day Camp website will share the story of Summer 2016 with all of you. You should be sure to check the “Camp News” page for two-week updates, reminders, and digital versions of forms and flyers that get sent home with campers. Don’t forget to glance at the “Photos” page to view galleries of pictures from trips, BBQs, events, and more! And of course, keep your eye on this “Blog” page for weekly updates, video blogs from Director Howie and others, and updates about everything that happens on your average day at Hillcrest! Links to all of these pages are right at the top of our homepage!

            I’m so excited to spend another amazing summer with all of the campers at Hillcrest and to share our experiences with all of you here, at www.hjcdaycamp.org.

            Happy Hillcrest 2016,
            Daniel Bacharach
            Webmaster & Director of CITs
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Hillcrest Jewish Center Day Camp
183-02 Union Turnpike
Flushing, NY 11366
Phone: (718) 380-4145
Fax: (718) 380-4665
daycamp@hillcrestjc.org
www.facebook.com/hjcdaycamp

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