The mission of The J is to build a strong, vibrant, and inclusive community that enhances wellness, meaning, and joy, based on Jewish values, heritage, and culture. J Campers learn new skills, increase knowledge and gain life skills through teamwork, group decision-making, and leadership. Trained staff lead activities that establish positive youth and adult relationships, cooperation, and socialization skills.
Everything you and your camper need to know!
J Camp Parent Resources
Medical Authorizations
All information in the health records is kept confidential and health details are shared with staff only when necessary for proper care and safety.
Health History for Children & Youth
Self-Administration Authorization
Vaccination Waivers
School-Age Services DOES NOT accept vaccination waivers for religious or philosophical reasons. In the rare instance of a medical exemption, due to allergy or otherwise, parents must contact Barry Birkmeyer at 913-327-8098 and School-Age Services will review the merit of the medical waiver on a case-by-case basis.
Camp Store
You can order store items when you enroll your camper through CampDoc. Or download the J Camp Store order form and return to The J’s Front Reception Desk or scan and email it to us. Campers will receive their store items during Camper Orientation or the first week they attend Camp.
J Camp Lunch
Campers have the option to bring a sack lunch or to purchase catered lunches. When bringing lunch, please refrain from shellfish, pork, and nuts. Juice and water are provided daily. Campers can choose to bring their own lunch or pre-order purchase through CampDoc or use the form. Due to the nature of the programs, lunch is not available for Ma’asim Tovim and Challenge Camp campers.
We have two options for ordering lunch:
- Hy-Vee will provide a kosher-style meal that will not contain nuts.
View the Hy-Vee Kosher-style menu - The J Heritage Center Kitchen will provide a Vaad-supervised Kosher lunch that will not contain nuts
View the Sample Kosher Menu
Lunches are available by the day during special sessions (Blast-Off, July Jamboree, and Last Blast). J Campers who have ordered lunch will be provided a sack lunch on field trip days if campers are eating off-site.
Lunch fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Orders must be placed the Wednesday before the camp week starts. If you have questions, please contact us via email or at 913-327-8004.
Permission to Leave
Permission to leave Camp Independently: J Campers who are entering 5th Grade or older may get parental permission to leave J Camp independently when dismissed between 3:45 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Parents may sign the parental permission form in the CampDoc Authorizations section. When parents give permission, once dismissed after Camp, independent Campers 5th Grade and older will not be supervised and parents must arrange a time and place to pick them up.
The independent youth must be able to be trusted and agree to be in approved areas of the Jewish Community Campus. Approved areas include the Main Lobby, and if they are a J member, they must show their J membership card to go to open areas of the pool, gym or racquetball courts. Independent youth must behave themselves, and act appropriately. The J Camp Director reserves the right to remove the option of a youth continuing to leave independently if they are not able to follow the rules.
J Camp Early and Late Care
Entering Grades 1–5
May 26-July 31
Pre-Registration required | Limited Enrollment
Early and Late Care offers extended hours for Campers. We have two choices for Early and Late Care.
- Early Care, Full Time (Monday through Friday) or Part-Time (Mon/Wed/Fri)
- Late Care, Full Time (Monday through Friday), or Part-Time (Mon/Wed/Fri).
Early and Late Care programs are located in the After-School rooms on the 3rd floor, above The J Main Lobby. Campers will participate in a variety of activities. Enrollment is limited, and spaces will fill up.
Early Care is available 7-9 a.m., Monday through Friday. Enrolled Campers are offered a breakfast snack if they arrive by 8:30 a.m. Staff will walk enrolled Campers to the J Camp drop-off location to join their group at the HBHA basketball courts at 8:45 a.m.
Late Care is available from 4:15–6 p.m. Staff will pick up enrolled Campers at the HBHA basketball courts and walk them to the After-School (ASK/AKK) rooms. Campers are offered an afternoon snack.
Early Care/Late Care Fees:
- Full-Time: $160 Community/$80 Member
- Part-Time: $96 Community/$48 Member
Campers with Disabilities
The Jewish Community Center is able to support a limited number of children with disabilities for J Camp, primarily through funding by Sasone and the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City. Sasone, a department of the Jewish Federation, provides critically needed support for children identified with developmental or physical disabilities to participate in a group in J Camp programs. With the help of Sasone, and other funders, we work with Staff to modify and adapt program experiences and provide Para support as available.
If your child has disabilities or requires assistance to successfully function in a group setting and wants to attend J Camp, before enrolling, contact the appropriate J Camp Director to request an application for Para assistance. In addition to the J Camp enrollment fee, families are asked to pay a portion of the Para cost. Space is limited. Financial assistance is available for Para support.
- Barry Birkmeyer, Director of J Camps & Youth Programs | 913-327-8098 or Email
- Machaela Whelan, Child Development Center (CDC) Camp | 913-327-8051 or Email
J Camp Financial Assistance Available
Applications due by Tuesday, March 31
The Jewish Community Center welcomes all families to consider participation in our summer camp for kids. Families may choose to apply for Financial Assistance. Enrollment in J Camp is required for financial assistance requests to be processed. For questions regarding financial assistance, send an send an email to [email protected] or call 913-327-8220.
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