Elaine Frank Apachi

Friendship requests

Campers submit friendship requests when they are completing their camp forms. We will do our best to accommodate at least one mutual request. Campers must be entering the same grade.

Our incredible specialized programming encourages campers to explore and try a wide range of activities. Additionally, each week campers participate in workshops led by performers we call Artists-in-residence. These artists expose campers to an array of talents like magic, juggling, percussion, dance, and other activities. Everyone comes together for Shabbat celebrations, Wacky Wednesday theme days, Maccabi Games Color competition, and other special activities that make Apachi the place to be all summer long.

American Red Cross Swim Program

Campers are taught to swim at Elaine Frank Apachi using the American Red Cross’ Learn-to-Swim program, which focuses on building campers’ confidence and comfortability in the water.

Skills one step at a time.
By giving campers the opportunity to master one element before moving on to the next, it makes it easy to build confidence in the water. Safety is our priority and all members of our Aquatics staff are American Red Cross certified lifeguards with CPR training for the professional rescuer. Elaine Frank Apachi Juniors and Explorer K campers, 3, 4, and 5 year olds attending a full day swim one time for 45 minutes each day. All campers entering 1st grade and beyond swim twice daily, with swim instruction in the morning and free swim in the afternoon.

Testing, Placement and Progress Reports

Campers are tested at the beginning of summer and placed in an appropriate swim level based on their skills. They pass through levels based on both formal and informal testing. They’re also tested for endurance and water safety and will wear colored wrist bands noting their level. This way they can swim safely and comfortably in an appropriate swim area during free swim times. Progress reports are shared through an online platform during the summer giving a summary of skills your child is working on and those already mastered.

Optional bus transportation for campers living within our designated boundaries is available for a fee. Bus pick-up and drop-off locations are a combination of door-to-door and cluster stops. Locations are determined based on registration and routes are designed to be as efficient as possible. Routes may change from summer to summer depending on enrollment. Buses are driven by licensed, professional drivers, and staffed by Apachi bus counselors who make sure campers stay buckled in their seats at all times.

Campers can also be driven to and from camp. All campers that are driven to camp, are escorted to and from their cars by our staff.

Food

A pizza lunch is provided on Wednesday and there is a hotdog cookout every Friday. The remainder of the week, please send along a sack lunch that we’ll refrigerate.

Food allergies

Safety and inclusion are top priorities at Apachi Day Camps. Our camps are committed to being allergy-safe. While our camps are not allergen-free, we strive to make our camp environments as safe as possible for children with food allergies using a customized approach and working closely with each family to develop an action plan for the child. More information can be found here.

Immunizations & Health Forms

For each child enrolled in JCC Chicago Day Camp programming, the parent (or legal guardian) must provide a current immunization record appropriate for the child’s age and a health form signed by the child’s physician or health department representative prior to the first day of the program.

If a child’s physical condition prevents them from receiving one or more required immunizations, the examining physician (DO, MD), advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant responsible for the performance of the health examination shall endorse that fact upon the health examination form. JCC Chicago reserves the right to follow-up with the medical provider for further clarification and to determine whether an exemption will be granted.

The nurse, is in

Our full-time registered nurse is on-site all summer to treat minor injuries and prescribe campers a little “tlc” when needed. If your child visits the nurse, you will be notified about the treatment. In the rare event of a serious injury, you will be notified immediately and, if you are unavailable, we will contact those on your emergency calling list.

Camper Care

Our Community Care team, made up of mental health professionals and special education teachers, ensure the ever-evolving social emotional needs of our campers are met so they can be successful at camp.

For families who need to extend their days beyond the traditional hours of 9:00am to 3:00pm, we offer both before and after camp care. Before camp care opens at 7:00am and after camp care runs until 5:30pm. Each program is an additional add on to registration.

For campers needing extra support, there are a couple support options available to ensure a successful summer. You can choose from support through JCC Chicago or Keshet, depending on which option works best for your camper and family. For more information, please connect with Laura Brown, Inclusion Manager.