The Staenberg Omaha JCC encourages diversity. Campers of all backgrounds are welcome regardless of race, faith, or national origin. We believe in teaching responsibility, cooperation, community, and service in a way that goes hand-in-hand with splashing in the pool and shouting a camp cheer. Jewish values and culture are integrated in a manner that appeals to parents and children of all faiths and backgrounds. Interested in becoming a J Member? Contact Member Services at (402) 334-6426.
We’re the only day camp in Omaha to carry ACA accreditation!
The Jewish Community Center of Omaha’s summer camp is proud to be the only day camp in Omaha that is accredited by the American Camp Association. Developed exclusively for the camp industry, this nationally recognized accreditation focuses on program quality, health, safety, and risk management aspects of a camp’s operation. This certification means we adhere to their strict standards for a safe, enjoyable and enriching camp experience for every participant.
2024 Camp Brochure
Download a digital version of the 2024 Camp Brochure here.
Camp at a Glance
Camp Hours
Summer Fun Days………………………….9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Camp Shemesh……………………………..9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
J Camp, L.I.T. & Full Day Premiere.….9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Morning Premiere Camps………………..9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Afternoon Premiere Camps……………..1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Before Care…………………………………..7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
After Care……………………………………..4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Half Day Add-On, Afternoon.…………..12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Undernight…………………………………….4:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m
Overnight………………………………………4:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
*Lunch hour is available for those attending a morning and afternoon premier camp on the same day.
**Kids attening Summer Fun Days or Camp who remain at the J after 4:15 p.m. will be auto enrolled into After Care at the daily drop-in rate.
2024 Camp Dates
To download our Camp at a Glance schedule, click HERE
May 28 – July 12…..SWIM & DIVE TEAM SEASON
May 23-31.….SUMMER FUN DAYS
Registration per day. (K-7th)
The Youth Department will be CLOSED on Monday, May 27th
JUNE 3-7…..WEEK 1
Camp Shemesh (Age 3-5)
J Camp: Prehistoric Future (K-7th)
L.I.T: What is Leadership (8th-10th)
Premiere Youth: Magic of Storytelling (K-2nd)
Premiere Sport: All Star Basketball (K-8th)
Premiere Dance: NEW! Stepped Up, Firebird (3rd-7th)
JUNE 10-14.….WEEK 2
Camp Shemesh (Age 3-5)
J Camp: Sea Safari (K-7th) + J Camp Undernight / Overnight (optional)
L.I.T: Plan Ahead & Time Management (8th-10th)
Premiere Youth: Sci Fi vs. Fantasy (2nd-3rd)
Premiere Multi-Media: Advanced Cooking (4th-8th)
Premiere Sport: Active Sports (2nd-8th)
Premiere Dance: Rodeo (K-3rd)
JUNE 17-21…..WEEK 3
Camp Shemesh (Age 3-5)
J Camp: Wild Water West (K-7th) + Family Night (optional)
L.I.T: Communication & Active Listening (8th-10th)
Premiere Youth: Camp Creation (K-3rd)
Premiere Multi-Media: Code Camp (6th-8th)
Premiere Sport: Cheer Camp (K-6th), Sports Performance (6th-9th)
Premiere Musical Theater: Wizard of Oz (3rd-8th)
Premiere Aquatic: American Red Cross Babysitting (6th-8th)
JUNE 24-28…..WEEK 4
Camp Shemesh (Age 3-5)
J Camp: Triple Threat Talent (K-7th) + Camp Talent Show on 6/28
L.I.T: Teamwork & Support (8th-10th)
Premiere Youth: Camp Creation (4th-7th)
Premiere Sport: All Star Soccer (K-8th)
JULY 1-5…..SUMMER FUN DAYS
Registration per day. (K-7th)
The Youth Department will be CLOSED on Thursday, July 4th.
Save the date for the JCC’s annual 4th of July pool party open to all JCC Members. Details TBA.
JULY 8-12…..WEEK 5
Camp Shemesh (Age 3-5)
J Camp: Superhero Color Wars (K-7th) + Family Night (optional)
L.I.T: Setting Goals & Self Accountability (8th-10th)
Premiere Youth: Healthy Choices (1st-3rd)
Premiere Multi-Media: Stop Motion (5th-8th)
Premiere Sport: NEW! Sporting Adventure (2nd-8th)
Premiere Dance: Dance Skills Camp (3rd-6th) – Final performance 7/12 at 11:45 a.m.
Premiere Aquatic: American Red Cross Babysitting (6th-8th)
JULY 15-19…..WEEK 6
Camp Shemesh (Age 3-5)
J Camp: Space Pirates (K-7th) + J Camp Undernight / Overnight (optional)
L.I.T: Creative Problem Solving (8th-10th)
Premiere Youth: Outdoor Adventure (4th-7th)
Premiere Sport: Triathlon Camp (3rd-8th) – Triathlon 7/19 at 9:30 a.m.
Premiere Theater: NEW! Alice in Wonderland (3rd-8th) – Final performance 7/19 at 3:30 p.m.
Premiere Aquatic: American Red Cross Lifeguarding (6th-8th)
JULY 22-26…..WEEK 7
Camp Shemesh (Age 3-5)
J Camp: Holidays Around the World (K-7th)
L.I.T: Growth Through Performance (8th-10th)
Premiere Youth: Time to Tune In (2nd-3rd)
Premiere Multi Media: Making a Music Video (5th-8th)
Premiere Sport: Wide World of Sports (2nd-8th)
Premiere Dance: The 12 Princesses (K-3rd) – Final performance 7/26 at 11:45 a.m.
Premiere Aquatic: NEW! Aqua-lympics (6th-8th)
JULY 29 – AUGUST 2…..WEEK 8
Camp Shemesh (Age 3-5)
J Camp: Barnyard Carnival (K-7th)
L.I.T: Accepting Feedback & Celebrating Growth (8th-10th)
Premiere Youth: Mysteries Unsolved (K-1st)
Premiere Sport: JCC Clions Basketball (2nd-8th)
Premiere Dance: Jr. Dance Boot Camp (Age 9+), Dance Boot Camp (Age 13+)
Premiere Aquatic: Swim Team Camp (4th-8th)
AUGUST 5-9…..SUMMER FUN DAYS
Registration is per day. (K-7th)
Important Dates
Thursday, February 1…..Member Registration Opens
10:00 a.m. Registration opens for JCC Members only. All registration will be online only.
Thursday, February 15…..Non Member Registration Opens
10:00 a.m. Registration Opens for Non Members. All registration will be online only.
Monday, February 19…..Registration for Camp Extras & Add-ons Opens
10:00 a.m. Registration Opens for Extras & Add-Ons: Before & After Care, Overnights, Undernights, and Camp Family Night. All registration will be online only.
Thursday, February 29…..Early Bird Registation Deadline
9:00 p.m. All early bird pricing will expire at 9:00 p.m.
Monday, March 4…..Scholarship Applications Due
Summer Camp Scholarship Applications Due. Recipients MUST be Jewish. More information can be found under the scholarship tab on this page.
NEW DATE! Thursday, May 2…..J Camp Parent Orientation
6:00 p.m. – All camp parents are invited to this informational meeting in the Alan J. Levine Theater
Wednesday, May 15…..Swim & Dive Team Parent Meeting I / Tryouts
6:00 p.m. – Parents of swim & dive team participants will receive information for the 2024 season. Meeting will be held at the Staenberg Omaha JCC in the Shirley & Leonard Goldstein Community Engagement Venue. The meeting will be followed by mandatory swim testing for all participants new to the program. 7:00 p.m. – Swim testing will be held in the indoor pool. Additional information on Swim & Dive Team can be found here.
Sunday, May 19.….Swim & Dive Team Parent Meeting II / Tryouts
2:00 p.m. – Parents of swim & dive team participants will receive information for the 2024 season. Meeting will be held at the Staenberg Omaha JCC in the Shirley & Leonard Goldstein Community Engagement Venue. The meeting will be followed by mandatory swim testing for all participants new to the program. 3:00 p.m. – Swim testing will be held in the indoor pool. Additional information on Swim & Dive Team can be found here.
Sunday, May 19…..Kindergarten Mini J Camp
1:30 – 4:00 p.m. – Incoming Kindergarteners can “try-out’ camp. Kids will learn about pool safety, riding the bus, make a craft and meet the staff. This event will be held in the JCC Pavilion.
Thursday, May 23…..Meet the Staff Ice Cream Social
6:30 p.m. – Campers and their parents are invited to meet camp staff, pick up their shirt, drop off forms and get a tasty ice cream treat. Event will be held in the JCC Pavilion.
Monday, May 27…..No Camp / Youth Department Closed
* The Youth Department will be CLOSED on May 27th. There will be no camp or Fit & Sit
programs. The fitness center / pool will be open holiday hours.
Thursday, June 20…..All Camp Family Night
4:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Campers who registered for any week of camp are invited to bring their family and join us for dinner and games. This is event is free with camp registration, but we ask that you RSVP. Event will be held in the JCC Pavilion.
Thursday, July 4…..No Camp / Youth Department Closed
* The Youth Department will be CLOSED on July 4th. There will be no camp or Fit & Sit programs. The fitness center / pool will be open holiday hours.
Wednesday, August 14…..Camp Lost & Found Day
Come check out our Camp Lost and Found, this will be your last chance to claim any items before it all gets donated. Held 10:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m. in the Goldstein Community Engagement Venue.
Registration Information
Online Registration Only
NEW! All 2024 summer camp registrations will be online only
We strongly recommend that you set up your Daxko account in advance of camp registration opening.
For information on how to access / use your Daxko account, click HERE.
Camps fill quickly. We recommend you register as soon as possible once registration opens.
Register online via our registration software, Daxko.
Watch a quick video tutorial on how to register HERE
Registration Dates
Thursday, February 1
10:00 a.m. – Member Registration Opens, online only
Thursday, February 15
10:00 a.m. – Non Member Registration Opens, online only
Monday, February 19
10:00 a.m. – Camp “Extras & Ad-ons” Registration Opens, online only
Those who register for summer camp will be able to complete their registrations for any camp Extras & Add-ons starting February 19th at 10:00 a.m. Extras & Add-ons include: Summer Fun Day Before & After Care, J Camp Before & After Care, Family Night, Undernights / Overnights and Premiere Camp Before & After Care
Thursday, February 29
9:00 p.m. – All Early Bird Registration ends
Friday, March 1
12:00 p.m. – Registration will re-open with regular pricing
Monday, March 4
9:00 p.m. – Deadline for camp scholarship applications
Registration Information
Registration Details
Current annual JCC membership is required for member pricing (on the date of registration through the camp term attending).
• One registration per camper must be completed.
• No changes to an existing registration can be made less than 2 weeks prior to the start of the camp.
• Registrations will not be accepted after the Wednesday two weeks prior to the start of the camp.
For valid registration:
• ALL information on registration form must be completed
• Appropriate deposit or payment must be turned in with registration
• JCC account must be in good standing
If you have questions on your Daxko account, please contact us!
Jared Schroedter, Client Services Manager
(402) 334-6452 | jschroedter@jccomaha.org
Claire Holdforth, Client Services Associate
(402) 334-6419 | choldforth@jccomaha.org
Payment Policies
Payment Information
Payment Information
• For registration to be complete, a $50 non-refundable deposit per child for each week of camp is required at the time of registration. Cash, check, or credit deposits are accepted.
• All Summer Fun Day registrations need to be paid in full at the time of registration.
• Payment plans are available if necessary. Individuals who participate in the Payment Plan option are required to pay via automatic bank withdrawal or credit / debit card.
• A $50 nonrefundable deposit for each week of camp is required at time of registration. The balance remaining (your grand total minus the deposits) will be charged to your card / account on the following schedule:
• All camp weeks occurring in June will be paid April 1st
• All camp weeks occurring in July will be paid May 1st
• All camp fees must be paid in full by May 1, 2024.
• We do not offer prorated amounts for days missed.
Change Policy
• A $25 change fee may be assessed for switching camps after registration.
• A family may be subject to a $25 fee if subsequent changes are made. Change fees and any additional costs should be paid in full at the time of the change.
• Any registration changes must be made by May 1st, 2024. Changes will NOT be allowed after this deadline.
• Adding a camp is not considered a change and families will not be assessed a fee unless the change falls under the Late Fee Policy, see below.
• We will not change existing payment plans.
Late registration Fee Policy
If registrations occurs within two weeks of the camp or program start date, the following late registration fee will be applied:
– Summer Fun Days: $20 per child per day
– J Camps / Premiere Camps: $50 per child per camp
– Late registration is subject to camp director approval
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Please notify the Business Department of cancellations in writing. Written cancellations should be emailed to billing@jccomaha.org.
• No pro-rated or full refunds shall be permitted for any missed days. This includes the Half Day and Before/After Care add-ons.
• Cancellations made prior to May 1, 2024 will receive a credit on your account for your payment minus the $50 nonrefundable deposit to be used for future programs at the J.
• Any cancellation made after May 1, 2024 is not eligible for refund or credit.
• If registered participants do not show up for a program and have not notified staff, no refunds or credits will be given.
If you have questions, please contact us!
Jared Schroedter, Client Services Manager
(402) 334-6452 | jschroedter@jccomaha.org
Claire Holdforth, Client Services Associate
(402) 334-6419 | choldforth@jccomaha.org
Scholarship Information
Camp Financial Assistance May Be Available
Financial assistance for Summer Camp at the Staenberg Omaha JCC may be available through the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Financial Assistance recipients MUST be Jewish, but do not have to be members of the JCC.
Applications
Applications are required. All applicants must fill out a camp registration form and return it with the financial assistance application.
Visit the JFO website for an application.
Scholarship Letter of Intent
Those applying for financial assistance, must fill out the Letter of Intent. Once completed, please submit the letter to BOTH Amanda Welsh at awelsh@jccomaha.org AND Diane Walker at dwalker@jewishomaha.org.
Download the Scholarship Letter of Intent
Deadline
Application deadline is March 4, 2024
Questions
For questions regarding financial assistance, contact Diane Walker at (402) 334-6551 or dwalker@jewishomaha.org.
Mandatory Forms
Available March 1st
This summer, we will manage all health forms, waivers, and contact information through the PlayerSpace system. All forms will be handled online and will be accessible to parents starting March 1st. Our JCC Discipline Policy Form and DHHS Parent Brochure Form must be downloaded, signed and then uploaded to your PlayerSpace account. Immunization records must be uploaded to your PlayerSpace account. Completion of these forms are mandatory and must be completed before the first day of camp. Parents must fill out the red, Emergency contacts, tab on their PlayerSpace account and identify who is allowed to pick up your child(ern). Parents must complete the following forms for each child. These forms should be updated every year. If you have questions on these forms, contact Jacob Geltzer at (402) 334-6404 or jgeltzer@jccomaha.org.
Parent Manual
View Parent Manual HERE.
Additional information on what to bring, our Water & Swim Safety Policy, and our Lunch & Food Policy can be found in the camp Parent Manual. If you have questions please call Amanda Welsh at (402) 334-6409 or e-mail awelsh@jccomaha.org.
Covid-19 & Additional Camp Information
The health and safety of our campers is our top priority. We will continue to stay in touch with local health officials and monitor the current environment in relation to Covid-19. Health & safety protocols will implemented as needed, based on the health directives put in place by the Centers for Disease Control, our state government, and our local government. If you have questions concerning our Covid-19 policies and procedures please contact our camp directors.
Additional information, such as what to bring and camp policies, can be found in the parent manual. The manual will be available for download in early May. Completion of all camper health forms, medical authorization release, discipline policy and DHHS Parent Information Brochure for Licensed Child Care Form is mandatory. (Forms can be downloaded from the red “mandatory forms” tab on this page) If you have questions please call Amanda Welsh at (402) 334-6409 or e-mail awelsh@jccomaha.org.
Our Staff
We carefully select our camp staff, choosing individuals who will provide campers with a positive experience. We recruit camp counselors who possess leadership skills and inspire others with their enthusiasm, positivity, values and creativity. All staff undergo background checks and drug testing, in addition to completing over 25 hours of training in creative programming, group dynamics, child development, conflict resolution, first aid and CPR.
Amanda Welsh
J Camp & Youth Programs Director
(402) 334-6409
awelsh@jccomaha.org
Jacob Geltzer
Assistant Director of J Camp Administration
(402) 334-6404
jgeltzer@jccomaha.org
LIsa Cooper
Pennie Z. Davis ELC Director / Camp Shemesh
(402) 334-6414
lcooper@jccomaha.org
Amy Dworin
Pennie Z. Davis ELC Assistant Director / Camp Shemesh
(402) 334-6415
adworin@jccomaha.org
Scott Shinbara
Director of Theater, Special Events & Rentals
(402) 334-6405
sshinbara@jccomaha.org
Jebb Fish
Sports & Rec Director
(402) 590-2144
jfish@jccomaha.org
Conner Debban
Aquatics Director
(402) 334-6473
cdebban@jccomaha.org
Assistant Aquatics Director: Private Lessons & Red Cross Instructor
(402) 334-6410
swaszgis@jccomaha.org
Laura Wine
Director of Operations
(402) 334-6470
lwine@jccomaha.org
Mark Martin
JCC Executive Director
(402) 334-6417
mmartin@jccomaha.org
Learn More
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Member Services
(402) 334-6426
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Youth Department
(402) 334-6409