O-la-mi 2013
O-la-mi Summer Fun | Preschool | What’s New | Morning Specialties | Afternoon Electives | Grades 9 & up
Work at O-la-mi | What-A-Production! | Hand in Hand | Specialty Camp | Important Dates
Important Links
O-la-mi Brochure / Registration Form / O-la-mi Theme Calendar / O-la-mi Chaverim Calendar / O-la-mi K'Tanim Calendar
Form Packages
K'Tanim / Chaverim / Bonim / Tzofim / Naarim
Welcome to O-la-mi
“My world” of summer fun at the Stamford JCC. For information or to register, contact O-la-mi Director Virginia Clark
at 203.487.0973 or vclark@stamfordjcc.org.
A program built for kids, so they can make the most of their summers. At O-la-mi you’ll find a super world of programming for kids as young as 20 months, all the way through 10th grade. It’s a place where your child will build self-esteem, lasting friendships, and treasured memories. In addition to the awesome 8-week O-la-mi program, we are excited to announce the return of Hand in Hand (Yad B’Yad), our newest division of O-la-mi. Hand in Hand offers a unique 3-week experience for rising 3 - 6 graders with communication-spectrum disorders, including: high-functioning autism, Asperger’s syndrome, ADD/ADHD, and individuals with sensory motor integration challenges. So join us for the summer of your life, filled with fun, friends, and family. O-la-mi is a summer experience like no other!
The Staff @ O-la-mi
The JCC’s summer program is led by a super trio: Director Virginia Clark and assistant Directors Louis Lasko and Diana Lipman. Together they have handpicked and specially trained a fantastic group of counselors and staff members. Virginia, the JCC’s Director of Youth Services, creates engaging activities for kids of all ages, and brings her energy and classroom experience to O-la-mi. Louis is looking forward to continuing to bring his knowledge from years of day camp experience to our program. And O-la-mi is thrilled to welcome Diana back this summer after completing her undergraduate degree in elementary education. Between the director, assistant directors, our specialists, our team of dedicated JCC professionals, and the O-la-mi counselors and CIT’s, you can rest assured that your children are in the very best hands. Each and every member of our O-la-mi staff is dedicated to making sure your kids have lots of fun and creating lasting memories for each and every child.
Summer Shlichim Housing Needed for 2013
Each year, the Jewish Agency for Israel sends more than 1,000 young shlichim (Israeli emissaries) to Jewish summer camps and programs around the world. We’re lucky to be one of those programs! Over the course of the summer, our shlichim will get to know each and every child and help bring to life our connection to Israel. These young adults can do the same in your home! Families who have hosted shlichim in the past can tell you what a unique, fulfilling, and wonderful experience it is.
If you would like the opportunity to host one of these amazing Israelis, please contact Virginia Clark at vclark@stamfordjcc.org or 203.487.0943.
Gesher – “Bridge”
A 2-week Pre-Camp Celebration for children ages 3 - 5 years (entering Kindergarten) (children must be toilet trained)
Monday - Friday, June 10 – June 21, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Looking for something to bridge the gap between the end of nursery school and the beginning of summer? Gesher is your answer. Each day will include great summer activities such as swimming, water play, crafts, music, games, sports, playground fun, and lots of special surprises. Led by our outstanding teachers from the JCC Sara Walker Nursery School and other early childhood professionals, Gesher is sure to be a hit with the little ones, and a great way to transition your child from school to summer.
K’Tanim – “Little Ones”
This program takes place at the JCC Sara Walker Nursery School at Temple Sinai.
(Children do not need to be toilet trained)
Ages 20 months – 3 years, June 24 - August 16
Give your tot a taste of O-la-mi on the with our enriching summer program. Each day, your little one will be delighted to participate in all that the program has to offer: Water play, music and singing, dance, circle time, weekly Shabbat celebrations, arts and crafts and so much more! All programs are led by Galit Roloff of the JCC’s Aleph, Bet … Go! program, as well as experienced early childhood specialists, including teachers from the acclaimed JCC Sara Walker Nursery School.
K’Tanim - choose your schedule:
Monday & Wednesday or Tuesday & Thursday plus: Add a Friday to either schedule
Ages 20 mos. – 2 1/2 years, 9:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Ages 2 1/2 - 3 years, 9:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Chaverim – “Friends”
Ages 3 & 4 years (children must be toilet trained)
Monday - Friday, June 24 - August 16 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
This program is perfect for the young child with a big imagination! Introduce your preschooler to the engaging and energetic environment of O-la-mi. All of the JCC’s facilities become a summer playground as children enjoy activities such as instructional swim, water slides, water games, wiffle ball, soccer, basketball, art, nature exploration, music, dance, and weekly Shabbat celebrations. They will also enjoy their very own themed activities each week! Your children will enjoy two exciting trips to local venues, and laugh along with a different unique entertainer each week. Chaverim is led by experienced early childhood staff, trained to know how to bring out the very best in each child.
Chaverim Extended Day!
1 – 4 p.m.
Enjoy even more O-la-mi fun! Join us for tons of themed activities like smoothie making, nature hunts, story time, and much, much more. Afternoons also include free swim, snack, playground fun, and rest time.
Grades K – 8
Are your school-age children ready for a super-amazing summer? Ready for swim, sports, specialties, trips and awesome entertainers? Are they ready to build new friendships that will last a lifetime? Then O-la-mi is the place to be!
Bonim – “Builders” Kindergarten - Grade 2
Tzofim – “Scouts” Grades 3 - 5
Monday - Friday, June 24 - August 16 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Bonim and Tzofim divisions of O-la-mi provide an incredible summer experience! Kids get the best of both worlds: a fun-filled morning program complete with exciting specialties including art, sports, swim, dance, and more. And in the afternoon, they choose from weekly elective options to create a schedule they will love.
Na’arim – “Youth”
Grades 6 - 8
O-la-mi’s fantastic middle school program turns 6th-8th graders into super heroes for the community. As the oldest in the program, Na’arim participants enjoy special privileges, like the use of our J•Gaming studio and the JCC fitness center, amped-up color war challenges and mitzvah projects, among the signature morning specials. As emerging
O-la-mi leaders kids will choose from more intense electives, help lead and judge parts of color war, and will go on bigger, better trips each week specially geared toward those who are looking for more of a thrill. Na’arim has all of the things your ‘tween’ loves about O-la-mi, with all the perks that come with being the oldest.
Breakfast Club & Late Stay @ O-la-mi
Available to all children enrolled in Bonim, Tzofim, and Na’arim.
Breakfast Club • 7:30 - 9 a.m.
Have to get to work early and need something fun for your child to do? Then O-la-mi’s Breakfast Club is the answer! Your child will participate in various activities, like making theme day accessories, and will be served breakfast to start the day off right.
Late Stay • 4 - 6 p.m.
Just when you thought a whole day at O-la-mi was fun enough, think again! At O-la-mi’s Late Stay program, the excitement and fun continues with playground time, free play options, and more games and activities!
What’s New This Year @ O-la-mi
for grades 3 – 8 …
Archery – Greenwich Archery comes to O-la-mi as part of our afternoon elective offerings. Gain precision and skill through a sport that kids of all skill levels can enjoy.
Robotics – Get ready to build and take home your own robot during a special two-week elective from Sciensational Workshops. August 5 – 16. For children enrolled at O-la-mi only. There is an additional fee of $75 to cover the cost of supplies for the robot you will make and take home.
and for the younger kids in grades K – 2 …
Kid Cuisine – We are joined by Kids EduKitchen for this hands-on cooking elective where you’ll make delicious snacks, then take home the recipes to share with your family!
Puppet Making – Jim Henson’s got nothing on you! Make the coolest, craziest, creation you can think of, then put on a show! The puppets you make are yours to take home.
NEW 1-Week Specialty Programs
Fashionlab Summer Camp: The Little Dress
presented by the New England Fashion + Design Association
Girls and boys, ages 9 & up
Learn how to design and sew that very necessary little dress required for every fashionista. This one-week specialty camp will teach you the essential design skills of pattern drafting, and sewing using a sewing machine. And, because detailing is everything, you’ll even learn embellishment and beading. This fabulous week, brought to us by the New England Fashion + Design Association, is MAJOR for aspiring fashion designers!
July 22 – 26, 1 – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Fee: $275 (JCC members and community), plus the cost of materials.
Morning and extended day options are available.
Trifecta Hoops Basketball Camp @ O-la-mi
Proudly Serving Stamford Youth Basketball Players Since 2008
Boys and girls, ages 6-10 and 11-14 (Divisions)
We are thrilled to announce that Trifecta Hoops will be offering 2 weeks of their popular basketball camp at the Stamford JCC this summer! Whether you are a beginner or have been playing for years, Trifecta Hoops’ highly qualified and experienced coaching staff will help you take your game to the next level.
Trifecta Hoops will be offered on two separate weeks: June 24 - June 28, and August 5 – 9, 9:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Fee: $225 (JCC members and community).
Extended day options are available.
And everyone will enjoy …
Gardening & Outdoor Education – Help O-la-mi get its first garden growing, and make the JCC a greener place! Enjoy getting your hands dirty while you tend vegetables, flowers and herbs.
Featured elective with Ginny – Rugby! – Hang out with Director G (a.k.a. O-la-mi Director Virginia Clark) and learn all about one of her favorite sports – rugby.
Enhanced instructional swim – Putting the FUN in the fundamentals of swimming!
O-la-mi is enhancing instructional swim to make it fun, fresh, and imaginative. Our top-notch swim instructors will help every child learn freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, with cool new activities and challenging games, including races, catch-up relays, animal impersonations, underwater competitions, swim backwards – feet first, obstacle courses in the pool and more. There will also be awesome aquatics color war challenges, so get ready for a color war like O-la-mi has never seen before!
Swimming @ O-la-mi
Teaching safety and building confidence
For many parents, there’s nothing more important in the summer than helping children develop swimming skills.
While water safety is always our first priority, making your child feel comfortable in the water comes in a close second. The O-la-mi instructional swim program, led by our experienced aquatics staff, follows the internationally recognized American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Program, which tests and places children in groups by level of skill. Children are assessed weekly so growth can progress throughout the summer. (This year we have also instituted a new lifejacket policy to reinforce safety at all times.) Afternoons in the pool are exclusively for fun. Children swim at their leisure or take part in organized daily activities. Games like Sharks and Minnows and Categories are coupled with water sports like basketball and football; mix in some music and you have yourself a certified pool party! Not to mention an opportunity to practice the skills the children learn during instructional swim.
Sports @ O-la-mi
Learning about teamwork, skill building, and fitness
You’ll be astounded by the fun your children will have playing sports at O-la-mi. Whether they are budding Michael Jordans or have never played a sport, our morning sports program will provide them with high-quality instruction.
There will be age-appropriate game play and countless fun experiences overseen my Coach Mo and led by our talented sports specialists. Sports will include basketball, baseball, floor hockey, gaga, volleyball, frisbee golf, and more!
Mini Golf, Low Ropes Challenge Course, and NEW! Archery @ O-la-mi
Gaining trust, teamwork, and patience
We are thrilled to bring you a brand new archery program for participants in 3rd grade and older! Children will test their accuracy and steadiness with this classic sport. Plus there’s the JCC’s 18-hole mini-golf course and low ropes course, which can’t be beat! Learn the basics of putting, golf terminology, and take part in cool competitions. Challenge yourself and have a blast. Our facilities are perfect for those with an adventurous spirit.
Creative Arts @ O-la-mi
Encouraging creativity and self-expression
Let your child’s inner super star emerge in the creative arts programs at O-la-mi! They will have the chance to paint landscapes, make super goo, and create paper maché masterpieces. In dance, they will learn popular dances and create their own smooth moves. At O-la-mi we give kids the skills to keep creating all year long.
Israel Connections @ O-la-mi
Embracing jewish values and education
While O-la-mi reaches out and welcomes children of all backgrounds, celebrating Jewish culture, heritage, and familiarity with Israel are important elements of our program. Our Israeli Connections specialist and visiting Israeli shlichim work closely with staff to create activities that are informative, fun, and meaningful. Spirited daily song sessions, weekly Shabbat, and Jewish creative arts are designed to develop pride and Jewish values, and bring Israel a little closer to O-la-mi. After all, it’s our world!
Choose Your Electives @ O-la-mi
Enjoying exploration and independence
At O-la-mi you don’t have to pick just one activity, as our unique “twofer” approach gives your child the benefit of a traditional multi-activity program in the morning with the excitement of a specialty program in the afternoon. Each child in the Bonim, Tzofim, and Na’arim programs will get to choose their electives on a weekly basis…whether sports or creative arts, swimming or science, archery or chess. Each elective will include intensive (but fun) learning from the very best professionals. Experts like Bobby Valentine’s Sports Academy, Blue Wave Kickers, cheerleading, Tennis with Shane, and others bring their knowledge and experience to O-la-mi. We’re also thrilled to introduce new electives including archery, water polo, yoga and more. Bam!
Trips & Entertainment @ O-la-mi
Water parks, baseball games, and magic, oh my! We only go on the coolest trips and bring in the best and funniest entertainers to add even MORE fun and excitement to O-la-mi. We tailor all of our trips and entertainment days to each age group’s interests. Check out our O-la-mi calendar for specific dates and destinations!
NEW! Aquatics Electives
O-la-mi introduces Water Polo and Water Volleyball! Children will learn the rules and game play of these exciting sports. Water polo is like soccer in the pool, and this hybrid sport of cardio, and hand-eye coordination makes for an action packed and physically challenging game. With water volleyball, children can dig and dive for balls without the risk of hitting the floor. They will work together as a team to compensate for the additional resistance in the water. This classic summer game will make for a great elective. Children must be able to stand on the bottom of the pool to participate. (Pool deep end = 4ft)
Maccabi Color War @ O-la-mi
Instilling sportsmanship and determination
Let’s hear it for the amazing Blue, Red, Yellow and for the first time ever GREEN teams! That’s right; the White team will now become the Green team! All four teams will compete in Maccabi Color War challenges throughout all eight weeks of the summer, complete with tug-of-wars, sing downs, surprise challenges, basketball games and races, culminating in an awesome Apaché relay! At the end of summer ALL kids are invited back for our End of O-la-mi Celebration when the Color War winner is announced and we end another fabulous summer. Let the games begin!
Theme Days @ O-la-mi
Bringing fun and creativity to every day
With theme days at O-la-mi, every day is different. At O-la-mi we can’t wait to show off our spirit with fun and interactive themes. We’re super jazzed about new and improved themes throughout the summer and can’t wait to see the extraordinary costumes and participation from kids and counselors! We even threw in some contests to make our theme days the best ever!
Lunch & Ruach @ O-la-mi
What do lunch and ruach (spirit) have in common? At O-la-mi, lunchtime is one of the most spirited times of the day.
All age groups eat together and show their O-la-mi spirit as they sing the songs they have written and learned, perform some funky dances, and have cheer downs that get EVERYONE moving! 
Special Family Events @ O-la-mi
Sharing and becoming part of a larger community
Join us for a Family Shabbat celebration during the final weeks of O-la-mi. You’ll experience Shabbat just as your children do throughout the summer as part of our O-la-mi family and you’ll see your children and their friends show off the skills they gained this year. Get ready to sing songs, dance, and cheer!
Friday Shabbat BBQs @ O-la-mi living tradition and Jewish Values
Our Shabbat BBQs at O-la-mi are the hottest around! Each week Grill Master John will cook up hot dogs or hamburgers, and sometimes pasta. To make our BBQs even more special, we celebrate the miracle of Shabbat with blessings, celebration, songs and tons of ruach (it’s what we do best)!
Grades 9 & up
CIT Program (Grades 9 - 10)
(JCC Family or Teen Members Only)
Spend the summer with your friends learning how to be amazing counselors. The Counselor-in-Training Program is open to teens who want the experience of working with children while learning the skills to become amazing leaders. During their time at O-la-mi, Louis, O-la-mi’s Assistant Director, will train and advise each CIT through daily team-building and leadership activities. CITs will be provided with useful tools and information on how to become the best counselors possible, such as how to form important connections with children, how to handle tricky situations, how to think outside the box, and what to do in an emergency. CITs will benefit from interactions with our experienced staff members, who will act as mentors and guide them through the learning process. The CIT program at O-la-mi is a great way for your teen to make new friends, share experiences, learn how to function effectively in a work environment, and have a blast!
Upon successful completion of the program, CITs will receive an honorarium for each four-week session. The eight weeks of camp will conclude with a celebration of a successful summer. Space is limited. All potential participants are required to be interviewed and selected for participation. CITs will meet before camp every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday for training and team-building activities. Meetings will last from 8 - 9 a.m.
NEW THIS YEAR: CITs will have the opportunity to bond and create lasting memories at one or both of the CIT retreats at Club Getaway in Kent, CT. Kosher meals and cabins will be provided. Participants will challenge themselves on the ropes course, hike through the woods, and hang out on the waterfront!
For those 16 and over … Work at O-la-mi
Be a hero to kids this summer. As a staff member of O-la-mi you will be a leader, a role model, learn from others, form lasting memories, and most importantly, make a difference in the lives of many children. A job at O-la-mi provides amazing experiences. You don’t have to sit in a stuffy office all day and wish you were enjoying the sunshine. When you work at O-la-mi, t-shirts and shorts are the attire, and you’ll enjoy plenty of that summer sun. Regardless of your major (for those in college), working at O-la-mi will provide you with skills and expertise you can apply to any field.
If you are responsible, enthusiastic, and love to have fun with children, please contact Virginia Clark, Director of O-la-mi, at 203.487.0973 or vclark@stamfordjcc.org to schedule an interview.
What-A-Production!
Grade 3 – 8
June 24 - July 19
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.: What A Production
12 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Lunch and electives
Thursday, July 18: What A Production! Performance
Join us for What-A-Production! our theatre specialty program where participants experience all aspects of theater production. Spend your mornings creating zany characters, learning dance moves and choreography, singing songs, playing crazy theater games, doing amazing set and costume projects, and most importantly, putting on an amazing show. What-A-Production! offers a supportive environment where everyone is encouraged to use their creativity and imagination. Just ask one of our many past participants and they will tell you what a blast they had! In addition to producing a musical, participants will enjoy traditional summer activities during lunch, and elective time in the afternoon at O-la-mi. It’s the very best of both worlds!
Hand in Hand
An Inclusion-based, therapeutic summer program
Hand in Hand (Yad B’Yad in Hebrew), is a division of O-la-mi, offers a unique summer program for rising 3rd-6th graders with communication-spectrum disorders, including: high-functioning autism, Asperger’s syndrome, ADD/ADHD, and individuals with sensory motor integration challenges. The mission of this (two sessions) three-week program is to improve each child’s ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with peers, and to build a solid foundation for making and keeping friends within a relaxed, fun, and creative environment.
What is a typical day?
• Morning flagpole (sing songs, receive the day’s updates and activities)
• Morning sessions of yoga and therapy (social skill building: initiation of friendships, joining conversations, self- control, feelings and empathy, taking turns and sharing with CGC clinician)
• Picnic lunch under a tent
• Afternoon electives (singing, swimming, sports, dance, robotics, gardening, acting and much more)
• Afternoon flagpole (sing songs, Best Spirited Team announcement and other news)
• Pick-up by tent
Each potential participant should call for an interview by trained staff from both CGC and the JCC. Families will be notified of acceptance into the program based on this process. Please contact Dinushka De Silva at 203.487.0946 or ddesilva@stamfordjcc.org with any questions.
Inclusion specialists and programming are partially funded by The Kuriansky Foundation, in Memory of Morton R. Shapiro. Scholarship assistance for this program is partially funded by the First County Bank Foundation, Inc.
NEW! Specialty Camp
Trifecta Hoops Basketball Camp @ O-la-mi
“Proudly Serving Stamford Youth Basketball Players Since 2008”
Boys and girls ages: 6-10 and 11-14 (Divisions)
We are thrilled to announce that Trifecta Hoops will be offering 2 weeks of their popular basketball camp at the Stamford JCC this summer! Whether you are a beginner or have been playing for years, Trifecta Hoops’ highly qualified and experienced coaching staff will help you take your game to the next level. Trifecta Hoops will be offered during week 1 (June 24 - June 28) and week 7 (August 5 - 9) of O-la-mi and will run from 9:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. Extended day options are available.
2013 Important O-la-mi Dates
Mark your calendars!
Saturday, January 5: O-la-mi Dance Party and Reunion
Monday, June 24: FIRST DAY OF O-LA-MI
Thursday, July 4: Happy 4th of July! O-la-mi closed
Thursday, July 18: What A Production! Performance
Friday, August 9: Family Shabbat celebration
Friday, August 16: Last day of O-la-mi 2013 (get the tissues ready)
Next Upcoming Event...
Memorial Day
