Program areas at MJCCA
Summer Camp: The MJCCA believes that summer camp has the power to transform today's campers and counselors into tomorrow's community leaders. Providing recreational and learning opportunities in a safe and stimulating environment, the MJCCA's Day Camps Program and Camp Barney Medintz collectively serve over 3,200 participants annually. Each summer, lifelong friendships are nurtured, the sense of independence and self-confidence is gained, new skills are developed, and the connection to Jewish community and identity is secured. 95% of participants in our camp programs reported feeling a strong sense of community and belonging. Campers and counselors who participate in MJCCA summer camping programs learn to be strong, compassionate, and courageous community leaders and luminaries. MJCCA Day Camps is one of the largest and most well-respected Jewish day camps in North America, offering more than 100 camping options. In addition to the traditional day camp program, MJCCA Day Camps offers specialty camps, such as sports and performing arts camps, and theme camps, such as STEAM and cooking camps. Camp Barney Medintz, the MJCCA's overnight camp, fosters a 24/7 Jewish environment where campers and counselors develop independence, resiliency, empathy, and responsibility. Camp Barney Medintz, located in the North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains on 530 acres surrounding two lakes, offers a dynamic mountain facility with exceptional staff, exhilarating programs, and meaningful and exciting culturally Jewish experiences. Both MJCCA camp locations are accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and offer inclusive programs so that children of all abilities can learn and play alongside their typically developing peers.
Health & Fitness: Fitness and recreational programs at the MJCCA engage over 15,000 people annually and increase participants' physical activity, commitment to a healthy lifestyle, and social connections within the community. 95% of MJCCA participants report that the MJCCA has improved the overall quality of their lives. Fun, energizing, and motivating sports classes and leagues enable youth and adult participants to build athletic, social, and interpersonal skills while connecting with their Jewish peers. The Debra "Debbie" Sonenshine SOAR (Special Opportunities and Recreation) program provides opportunities for people with disabilities to succeed through sports such as tennis, basketball, kickball, pickleball, yoga, and more. The Brill Family Fitness Center, open seven days a week, promotes healthy, active lifestyles by offering over 90 weekly group exercise classes; virtual fitness offerings that enable participants to enjoy classes from the comfort and convenience of their homes; state-of-the-art cardio and strength-training equipment; Stott Pilates, spin, functional fitness, and mind and body studios; and one-on-one personal training sessions. By offering SilverSneakers(R) and Renew Active(R) fitness programs, the MJCCA engages older adults in specialized, low-impact fitness classes while tending to their unique health concerns and physical fitness needs. The MJCCA also offers a vast aquatics program at its indoor pool, outdoor aquatic center, Barbara and Ed Mendel Splash Park, and Lake RB. By fostering a safe and positive environment where disability meets possibility, age is only a number, and fitness and lifestyle goals are achievable, the MJCCA creates a vibrant, healthier community for today and for future generations.
Children & Youth: MJCCA youth programs impact the lives of more than 11,000 children and families annually. The MJCCA enriches the lives of the next generation by providing a safe and caring environment that inspires healthy lifestyles, the desire to learn, and connections to the community. The MJCCA offers half-day and full-day preschool programs at three different locations in metro Atlanta: The Weinstein School in Dunwoody, The Sunshine School in Marietta, and The Schiff School in Sandy Springs. MJCCA preschools are accredited by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), a distinction awarded only to the top 7% of preschools nationwide, the GAC (Georgia Accrediting Commission) and/or SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools). Children in MJCCA preschools are encouraged to learn, grow, and develop needed skills for kindergarten readiness, and 99% of parents reported feeling that MJCCA Preschools helps their children achieve developmental milestones. The inclusion program at the MJCCA allows each preschool - and all youth-facing programs - to serve children with additional needs and developmental delays in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Once children graduate from MJCCA preschools, they can transition into Club J, the MJCCA's flexible and engaging after-school program that provides necessary childcare and activities in a supportive Jewish environment. In addition, 96% of Club J parents said that the program helped their child gain increased independence and social skills. For teen participants, the MJCCA offers BBYO, the largest Jewish youth organization in Atlanta. BBYO provides opportunities for Jewish teens to connect, share, and grow with each other, creating a lifelong social network and strengthening commitments to Jewish identity. The MJCCA is proud to serve one of the largest teen departments in the North American JCC movement. Additional youth programming including young family events, Shabbat and holiday programs, and sports leagues also take place regularly.
Arts and Culture and other programming.