Our camp is built on the hallmarks of safety and fun. Each of our summer programs is tailored to be age-appropriate and flexible, and your child will receive individualized attention and care in a loving, Jewish environment. No matter which enrollment option you choose, your child will encounter new adventures and excitement every day.

Expanding Horizons
This is the classic Junior Gan Israel experience for children ages 2 ½ to 6 years old. This complete summer package includes crafts and games, professional sports instruction and special events. Field trips are carefully selected for age and safety. Private swim-time is held at Oakton Water Playground. Each week we highlight a different Jewish theme, which is conveyed through the songs, crafts and other activities of the week. Children who are ages 2½ to 3 may be enrolled in either  Bright Beginnings or Expanding Horizons.

Bright Beginnings
This option is JGI designed specifically for your toddler, ages 2-3. From water and outdoor play to art and music, these campers are introduced to a broad range of enriching activities in a setting created just for them. In Bright Beginnings, the staff-child ratio is lower and warm & loving early childhood professional focus on developing your child's motor skills and social interactions at an appropriate level.

Mindful of their tender age, we do not take our Bright Beginners on field trips or to swim at Oakton Water Playground, and we offer flexible days and hours so you can customize your little one's camp attendance to best suit his needs. Children may attend 2, 3, or 5 days per week and can be picked up at 12:00, 1:00, or 3:30 if enrolled in Afternoon Enrichment.

Afternoon Enrichment
Our optional afternoon enrichment program enhances the fun your children have had all morning, and extends until 3:30 p.m. Afternoon Enrichment campers enjoy an array of enrichment activities, music appreciation with Morah Ruth, and snacks. Expanding Horizon campers also enjoy gymnastics with Coach Ilyce.

Before- and After-care
Early drop-off and late pick-up are available by prior arrangement only. Click here to contact Mrs. Posner and make arrangements.

Stretch-N-Grow
Expanding Horizons campers participate weekly in Stretch-n-Grow activities – with Sports for all campers, and Gymnastics for Afternoon Enrichment campers. Each week’s activities are fresh and exciting adventures that children look forward to. Sessions are conducted by Ilyce Zoloto, owner and director of the Stretch-n-Grow Franchise in the Northern Suburbs. Coach Ilyce is a master teacher and exercise instructor, and a Certified Youth Fitness Coach. Children are intrigued by her joyful, high-energy personality, and her well-organized, age-appropriate sessions. Throughout each session, exciting, unique and size-appropriate equipment is used. Coach Ilyce’s big bags are always full of fun, and the kids are always excited to see what Coach Ilyce is going to pull out next. 

Music Exploration with Miss Julie of Old Town School of Folk Music
Morah Julie of Old Town School of Folk Music is a classically trained musician with decades of experience introducing children to the beautiful world of music. Miss Julie is passionate about making music engaging and hands-on, by allowing our campers to express themselves using various instruments and methods. Each week, Afternoon Enrichment campers sing, dance and play percussion instruments such as rhythm sticks, hand drums, tambourines, ukuleles, triangles and more. Miss Julie leads the groups in an exploration of music concepts such as melody, dynamics, tempo and rhythm, while introducing special “big kid” instruments, and discovering the uniqueness of various musical families. As our campers enjoy Miss Julie's lively activities, they do not realize how much they are absorbing about pitch, rhythm, beat, composition, and more.

Inclusion with Keshet Inclusive Day Camp Program
Junior Gan Israel is committed to welcoming all children to camp, including children with special needs. We are pleased to partner with Keshet in providing a truly inclusive program. Campers with and without disabilities do all camp activities together, while campers with disabilities benefit from personalized support, so that they can reap the full benefits of the camp experience. We collaborate closely with our campers' parents and the professionals at Keshet to assure each camper an optimal experience of growth coupled with fun.  More information on what Keshet has to offer is available here. For more information please contact camp director Mrs. Zeesy Posner.

S.M.A.R.T. Kids Program
Junior Gan Israel Expanding Horizons Afternoon Enrichment campers enjoy weekly sessions with SMART Kids.
Smart Kids is a comprehensive prevention program that includes educating campers about personal safety, boundaries, and respecting their own bodies, through engaging, multimedia presentations. Campers look forward to these weekly events that include relatable characters and fun, participatory, multisensory exercises. For more information about SMART Kids, please click here.

Click here to read the JGI Parent Info for this summer.

For More Information
Please call Camp Director Mrs. Zeesy Posner at 847-677-1770x1, 847-452-7770, or contact your child's division head with any questions or comments.

Junior Gan Israel is for children up to age six. Visit www.GanIsraelChicago.com for children over six years old.