Program areas at SAAJCC
Early childhood education - the jcc operates an early childhood Center serving children and their families from infants to pre-kindergarteners. This is a year-round program; during the summer, the rising kindergarteners can choose to remain in the ece program, or join the elementary-school age camp. The Center has 15 classrooms designated for early childhood use. All classrooms are in use with approximately 150 children in our care. Outdoor space includes 2 toddler and 3 pre-kindergarten age playgrounds. The jcc's approach to early childhood education is through play activity that supports the whole child's social and emotional development. Parents are engaged by the Center through involvement in their child's classrooms, and there are volunteer committees led by jcc board members that include an overall early childhood committee and a pto committee.
Camp shalom, summer day camp - we continue to expand our camp operations on the grounds of the jcc. The camp makes use of office of children and family services licensed spaces. The outdoor swimming pool is used heavily by the camp todevelop campers swimming ability. The jcc averaged approximately 100 campers per week throughout the 2023 summer. In addition, the jcc offers specialty camps at the end of the summer, and in total, provides 10 weeks of of a varied and exciting camp season.
Fitness, aquatics and membership - the jcc devotes considerable space and staffing in the operation of a health and wellness Center that includes a 6,000 sf. Fitness Center, year-round indoor pool, summer-use outdoor pool, gymnasium, group exercise and personal training studio, and mens and womens locker room. Addditionally, the jcc makes use of uts auditorium, stage, outdoor patio, outdoor pavilion and overall grounds to facilitate a person's healthy lifestyle. It is open year-round. The jcc makes regular investments in professional development of its staff, and in upgrading equipment. We have approximately 2,000 units of membership.
Youth - the Center administers two off-site universal prekindergarten and aftercare classes located in elementary schools of the Albany school district.
Senior adults - provides a comprehensive program of activities for adults including lifelong learning, enrichment classes and lectures, exercise classes, current events and book discussion groups, entertainment, holiday concert/dinners, day and overnight trips and a twice weekly subsidized kosher congregate dinner program.