Kids and Teens

Families at the Institute

At the Summer Institute, families with children are not only welcome, they are a priority. The Summer Institute “village” is supportive of all kinds of families, and prayer services celebrate the inclusion of children. While parents participate in Institute offerings, children ages six months to twelve years attend Kids Camp, joining their older family members at mealtimes. Parents may also participate in a special “buddy” system in which other folks share the joys and responsibilities of child care with parents during meals and other times when Kids' Camp is not meeting. Evening babysitting (for a small fee payable on the registration form) allows parents to participate in all evening and late-night activities of the Summer Institute.

Kids' Camp

Forming its own tight-knit community within the broader Institute, Kids' Camp offers exciting and enriching Jewish programming for children. With morning and afternoon sessions running concurrent to Institute classes, parents can learn and explore while knowing their kids are also experiencing a vibrant, age-appropriate learning opportunity. The camp is lead by a talented staff of educators, artists, musicians, and athletes, many of whom are long-time Institute participants. The NHC’s adult teaching faculty, Artists-in-Residence, parents, and other members of the Institute community are encouraged to participate in Kids Camp, sharing their expertise and talents with the children.

In true havurah style, the Kids' Camp program is highly participatory; emphasizing relationship building through shared experiences of art, music, sports, and a wide array of Jewish programming. For many families with young children, the Kids' Camp has become a primary incentive to return year after year.

Kids' Camp features:

• Daily gatherings with song, prayer, and stories
• Creative activities in art, music, and theater
• Supervised outdoor recreation
• Water play or swimming each day (weather permitting)
• Creative, developmentally appropriate Jewish learning for preschool children
• Jewish-oriented playtime for babies and toddlers
• A unique experience in Jewish community building which celebrates diversity

Please note that Kids' Camp operates during scheduled class times. The camp is designed for kids from six months to twelve years old who can participate in an all-day program with a break for lunch. Children are grouped according to age and grade levels. We do our best to accommodate all children. 
 

Teen Program

Every year, teenagers at the Institute build a community that radiates into the teens’ lives through the rest of the year. This community provides a home base and an inclusive group of friends for teen participants, most of whom attend with their families. Designated adult advisors are available to teenagers at all times for checking in and trouble-shooting, and to help organize group projects, such as the traditional community-wide free clothing swap led by teens, and constructing the community’s eruv for Shabbat. Teens may take classes with adults, or work in the Kids' Camp or the Institute office for a reduction in registration fees. Please inquire for details.