Jacksonville's Jewish Summer Camps Are Buzzing: Gan Izzy, Sheves Achim & JCAmp

Jacksonville's Jewish summer camps are in full swing, and the energy is impossible to miss.

At Chabad's Camp Gan Izzy, kids are diving into a summer of ruach, friendship, and Jewish pride. Over at Etz Chaim, Camp Sheves Achim is keeping campers busy with learning, laughter, and community spirit. And JCAmp is bringing its own lineup of unique activities, adding even more variety to the summer mix. Together, these three camps are showing what a vibrant, joy-filled Jewish summer in Jacksonville looks like.

Campers of JCAmp

Chabad's Camp Gan Izzy

It's been jam-packed at Camp Gan Izzy! Campers have spent their days swimming, exploring electives like baking, planting, and science, and taking on hands-on challenges like the grand egg drop competition and a Mitzvah Invention Competition. Theme days have brought plenty of camp spirit, from Crazy Hat Day to a pajama-themed afternoon complete with eye mask decorating and popcorn. The kids also got out and about with a trip to Altitude Trampoline Park, and celebrated Israel Day with Israel-themed artwork, a karate session, challah baking, and a joyful Shabbos party. Whether it's making bubbles, decorating hats, or building emoji balls, every day at Gan Izzy brings something new, capped off each week with the warmth of Shabbos.

Etz Chaim, Camp Sheves Achim

Camp Sheves Achim at Etz Chaim has had an enchanting start to the summer built around their "Once Upon A Summer" theme, weaving creativity and Jewish values into every single day. Campers brought beloved stories to life through hands-on activities like making edible books for Librarian Day, crafting oceans in a jar and jellyfish for Rainbow Fish day, and building lanterns inspired by Little Red Riding Hood. The Shabbos-themed programming added extra meaning to the week, with campers making bisamim containers to carry that Shabbos feeling all the way through to Sunday. Beyond the crafts, kids enjoyed sports, swimming, a Wild Wonders Reptile show, and an action-packed trip to Skate Station featuring roller skating, rock wall climbing, arcades, mini golf, and bounce houses for the youngest campers. It's been a summer full of imagination, joy, and a whole lot of smiles.

JCAmp

JCA Camp is living up to its reputation for unique activities this summer, offering something genuinely different for every age and interest across two campuses. At the JCA, the youngest campers in Gan Yeladim are exploring themed weeks complete with Mud Day fun, while Sababa Theatre Camp has kids singing, dancing, acting, and crafting their way toward original performances. Camp Aman takes skill-building to another level, partnering with local vendors and giving campers behind-the-scenes access to places like WJCT, Brooks Rehabilitation, and even the Jacksonville Zoo's animal hospital and new manatee exhibit. Over at the Jacksonville Jewish Center, the fun keeps growing with each age group. Shoresh campers have enjoyed waterslides, Game Truck Jax, and Kona Ice, while Anaf campers are diving into electives like archery, slime week, and watercolor. Aliyah has already hit Urban Air and the ice skating rink, and the teen travel camp Yalla is out in the community every week, combining service projects like beach cleanups and art installations with adventures across Jacksonville and beyond. With a Counselor-in-Training program rounding it all out, JCAmp truly has something for everyone.

Jacksonville's Jewish community is having one incredible summer. From the ruach and creativity at Camp Gan Izzy, to the storybook magic of Camp Sheves Achim, to the wide world of experiences at JCAmp, local kids are spending their summer days growing, exploring, and building friendships that will last long after the last day of camp. It's a beautiful reminder of just how vibrant and connected our Jacksonville Jewish community really is. Here's to a summer to remember!

Is your child attending one of these camps this summer? We'd love to hear about their favorite moments! Share your camp photos and memories with us by tagging @jacksonvillejewish on social media.