Summer camp offers themed activities for area children
Swimming, field trips highlighted

Staff photo / Bob Coupland Elissa Toto-Taylor of Hubbard leads a yoga class for children at the summer camp taking place at the Jewish Community Center in Youngstown. The camp is taking place through Aug. 9 and features outdoor activities, swimming, crafts and field trips. It is open to children entering kindergarten to eighth grade in the fall
YOUNGSTOWN — Whether relaxing doing yoga, cooling off with time in the swimming pool or taking a field trip to a nearby park or attraction, the summer camp for children at the Jewish Community Center offers something for all ages,
Amber Shrawder, director of youth and camping services at JCC, said each week’s camp has a different theme from a Jewish value, such as kindness.
“This week’s value is “ometz lev,” which is strength of heart or courage. We found different Jewish values,” Shrawder said.
She said one week’s theme was kindness to animals and children could dress in animal print or wear a shirt that had a kindness message.
She said each Wednesday is an offsite day for a field trip to such places as the Olympic Fun Center or Kennywood Park.
The camp takes place weekdays through Aug. 9 for children entering kindergarten to eighth grade. Shrawder said some weeks have more than 250 children.
For those entering ninth or 10th grade, they can be part of a training program that prepares them to be camp counselors..
“We hope that after they complete the training and turn 16, they want to be junior counselors,” Shrawder said
She said the camps are designed to focus on social and emotional development.
“While schools focus on academics, we at camp focus on social development and making new friends they have never met before,”Shrawder said.
She said she notices that a child will sign up for one week of camp, but enjoy it so much their parents sign them up for more.
Alyssa DiLullo, unit head for the camp, said there has been a pajama party, jersey day, color wars, and a red, white and blue day. She said remaining themes are to repair the world, peace week, sportsmanship and a Hawaiian day.
DiLullo said all children get to swim, with swim lessons two to three times per week.
Elissa Toto-Taylor of Hubbard said she teaches children basic yoga.
“They are also so active at the camp. I show them how to have a sense of calmness and an appreciation for quietness and stillness,” she said.
Romero Corley, 8, of Liberty, said his mother signed him up for the camp.
“I like when we get to go swimming and take part in activities on the playground,” he said.
Gionna Floyd, 8, of Youngstown, said what she has liked besides swimming is getting to meet other children and make friends.
Ivy Lloyd, 8, of Liberty, said she did not know what to expect from yoga but said it let her cool off and calm down.
For information on the camp, visit 330-942-6568.
Have an interesting story? Contact Bob Coupland at bcoupland@tribtoday.com.