Bender Jcc Of Greater Washington

Early childhood - the center's preschool engages, challenges, and enriches children's exploration and learning in a safe, supportive setting using a caring, nurturing and highly trained staff. A play-based curriculum-founded on emergent curriculum and inspired by the reggio emilia approach-enables children to become active learners and engaged classroom participants. Interest-based topic studies invite students to explore the world around them. Children are encouraged to express themselves through art and music, and jewish values, customs, and traditions are integrated throughout curriculum. In fy24, approximately 100 students and their families were served through the preschool. Holiday-based family celebrations such as pizza in the hut for sukkot and hanukkah sing, fun social opportunities for children and their families, such as family play dates, and unique learning opportunities, such as our gallery exhibits and curriculum night are all part of the yearly calendar

Camp, youth and teens - camp jcc offers programs that bring out the best in every camper. From swimming and day trips to creative arts, camp jcc allows campers to grow, explore their strengths, and build jewish identity. In fy24, approximately 450 campers attended one or more of our three summer sessions. Camp jcc's nationally recognized inclusive program allows children of all backgrounds and abilities to participate in a summer of fun, socialization and growth. This included over 632 children and young adults with disabilities, allowing them the chance to have a full camp experience alongside their siblings and friends. Participating in our after-school program allowed students in grades k-6 to socialize with friends, complete homework with staff assistance and stay active through a variety of supervised activities. We also ran our afterschool dance and sports programming with 380 youth enrolled throughout the year.

Adult services - with lively, comprehensive programming, the bender jcc is a great place for adults of all ages and walks of life. The bender jcc engages adults through arts & culture offerings, weekly senior lunches which include an exercise session, excursions around the greater dc area as well as to new york city. The senior lunch program attracts over 100 people each week, providing them with an opportunity to socialize with others. Over the course of the year, hundreds of adults participate in our concerts, book festival, excursions, culture activities. They also engage with our goldman art gallery.

Special needs - the bender jcc was founded on the belief that communities benefit when all people of all ability levels learn, grow, and celebrate together. Inclusion of those with disabilities has always been at the forefront of our mission and has made us an area leader in comprehensive disability inclusion, from our programming to our facilities.