1st-2nd Grade Camp

KALEIDOSCOPE

LOCATION: MERFISH TEEN CENTER

Camp Kaleidoscope is the place to be this summer! Our energetic and experienced staff help make Kaleidoscope a beloved choice for day camp families across Houston. It’s an environment where campers learn, grow, make friends and shine in a traditional day camp setting. Campers enjoy exclusive use of the Merfish facility, which includes a covered sports court, swimming pool, expansive sports field and shaded gaga pits.
Kaleidoscope campers participate in a vibrant rotation of programs, including sports, culinary, Israel engagement, arts and crafts, Judaics, music and more. Campers enjoy daily instructional swim Monday – Thursday and free swim on Fridays. Throughout the session, campers also participate in chuggim (elective activities), allowing them to explore their interests and express themselves. A chuggim menu will be provided prior to the start of camp.
Camp Kaleidoscope celebrates Shabbat together every Friday afternoon with a lively Shabbat Show, featuring highlights from various chuggim and showcasing what campers have been learning. Parents are invited to join their campers for one Shabbat during Sessions 1, 2 and Week 8.

Session 1 | Weeks 1 – 3 | June 8 – 26
Session 2 | Weeks 5 – 7| July 6 – 24
Week 8 | July 27 – August 31
Week 9 | August 3 – 7

Sports Camps

LOCATION: BONIUK FAMILY INDOOR TENNIS CENTER
CAMP DIRECTOR: ERIK KISER
Experience the junior version of our tried-and-true tennis camps. Campers will learn new skills and practice backhands, forehands, serves and more! Obstacle courses, games and special events are just part of the fun. Campers are welcome to bring their rackets, or one can be provided.

Pre-Camp | June 1 – 5
Week 1 | June 8 – 12
Week 2 | June 15 – 19
Week 3 | June 22 – 26
Week 4 | June 29 – July 2 (4-day week)
Week 5 | July 6 – 10
Week 6 | July 13 – 17
Week 7 | July 20 – 24
Week 8 | July 27 – 31
Week 9 | August 3 – 7

LOCATION: MAIN J CAMPUS
CAMP DIRECTOR: Tanya Haverly
Our Junior Gymnastics Camp will electrify campers. There will be active games, superior state-of-the-art equipment and fun! Gross motor skills, strength, flexibility and agility are just some of what your campers will learn. Daily recreational swim is part of the junior gymnastics camp experience.
Attire: Shorts/leggings and a t-shirt your child can comfortably move around in. Girls can wear a leotard if they prefer. Hair past shoulder length should be in a ponytail each day.

Week 1 | June 8 – 12
Week 2 | June 15 – 19
Week 3 | June 22 – 26
Week 4 | June 29 – July 2 (4-day week)
Week 5 | July 6 – 10
Week 6 | July 13 – 17
Week 7 | July 20 – 24
Week 8 | July 27 – 31
Week 9 | August 3 – 7

LOCATION: EliteTraining Facility
INSTRUCTOR: Coaches from Elite Training Facility
Take Your Game to the Next Level!
This camp, held at EliteTraining Facility, gives campers the chance to sharpen their skills with seasoned coaches. Campers will focus on hitting, fielding, throwing, pitching and base running, with plenty of live gameplay with friends to put those skills into action.
Campers should bring a glove, bat, cap and helmet. In the afternoons, campers will return to the J for recreational swimming and other fun activities, and the week will wrap up with a special sports-related field trip on Friday.
Campers will travel by bus to get to the camp each day.

Week 1 | June 8 – 12
Week 4 | June 29 – July 2 (4-day week)
Week 9 | August 3 – 7

LOCATION: MAIN J CAMPUS
INSTRUCTOR: All American Basketball
Dribble, pass, shoot—let’s play!
Campers will develop their basketball skills through a focus on the fundamentals: dribbling, shooting, offensive and defensive techniques, and overall conditioning. In partnership with All American Basketball, our basketball camp emphasizes building confidence, teamwork and sportsmanship—all while having fun! Between drills and games, campers will gain valuable life skills without even realizing they’re learning. All equipment is provided.

This camp is located at the J.

Week 3 | June 22 – 26
Week 8 | July 27 – 31

LOCATION: MAIN J CAMPUS
INSTRUCTOR: KAREN DEFFNER
Two, four, six, eight—let’s cheer and celebrate!
Join us for Jr. Cheer Camp at the J, where spirit, teamwork and energy take center stage! Campers will learn fun cheers, chants and dance routines while building confidence and friendships along the way. Our experienced cheer coaches create a positive and encouraging environment where everyone can shine—no experience required!
The week wraps up with a virtual Friday performance, giving our cheerleaders the chance to show off all their new skills and enthusiasm.
This camp is located at the J.
Week 3 | June 22 – 26

LOCATION: MAIN J CAMPUS
INSTRUCTOR: Coach Corner
Get ready to play, learn, and have a blast!
Our Sports of Sorts Camp (co-ed) is back this summer, designed to spark a love for all kinds of sports! Campers will work on kicking, running, jumping and throwing skills while learning the importance of teamwork and good sportsmanship.
Sports include basketball, indoor soccer, kickball, wiffle ball, and we’ll also have plenty of playground favorites like kickball, gaga, and relay races. With fun games and skill-building activities, every camper will stay active and engaged. All equipment is provided.
This camp is located at the J.
Pre-Camp | June 1 – 5
Week 5 | July 6 – 10
Week 7 | July 20 – 24

LOCATION: MAIN J CAMPUS
INSTRUCTOR: HDFC YOUTH PROGRAMS COACHES
Get ready to dribble, pass, and score! This exciting soccer camp, in partnership with Dynamo, is designed just for 1st and 2nd graders. Young campers will learn the fundamentals of soccer through fun games, skill-building drills, and team challenges. The Dynamo coaches make every session engaging and energetic, helping campers boost coordination, teamwork and confidence on and off the field. By the end of the week, campers will showcase their new moves in mini-games and scrimmages, all while having a blast with friends!
This camp is located indoors at the J.
Week 2 | June 15 – 12
Week 6 | July 13 – 17

LOCATION: Iron Sports

Unleash Your Inner Ninja!
Ninja Warrior Camp is perfect for adventurous campers ready to test their strength, agility and determination! Inspired by the hit “Ninja Warrior” competitions, this camp offers a fun, high-energy and challenging experience where participants will push both their physical and mental limits.
Who knows—your camper might just have what it takes to become the next American Ninja Warrior!
Campers will travel by bus to get to the camp each day.

Week 2 | June 15 – 19

Performing & Visual Arts Camps

LOCATION: MAIN J CAMPUS
INSTRUCTOR: HANNAH LOVITT
This two-week camp is the perfect introduction to the world of musical theatre! Campers will spend their days learning fun songs and dances from hit Broadway shows, all while learning teamwork skills, making friends and building confidence. The camp will culminate in a fun showcase on the Kaplan Theatre stage for friends and family.

Weeks 5-6 | July 6 – 17

LOCATION: MAIN J CAMPUS
CAMP DIRECTOR: HANNAH LOVITT
Calling all Swifties! Led by professional dance instructors, campers will move and groove to some of Taylor Swift’s greatest hits. This camp will culminate in a fun performance on the Kaplan Theatre stage for friends and family.

Week 7 | July 20 – 24

LOCATION: MAIN J CAMPUS
CAMP INSTRUCTOR: Debbie Guelzow and Kathryn Kraitman

This camp is an introduction to all things visual art! Explore different media, tools and art forms in this one-week camp. Our fun and thoughtful projects are grounded in the elements of art, inspired by art history, and driven by personal expression.
Week 1 | June 8 – 12 | Journey Through the Museum
Week 2 | June 15 – 19 | Color Explorers
Week 5 | July 6 – 10| Fantastic Foods
Week 6 | July 13 – 17 | Storybook Art
Week 7 | July 20 – 24 | Wild About Animals
Week 8 | July 27 – 31 | Art Around the World

LOCATION: MAIN J CAMPUS
CAMP DIRECTOR: HANNAH LOVITT
Get ready to move!  This high-energy camp will focus on hip-hop and street dance styles, building rhythm, coordination, and confidence in dancers of all levels. This camp will culminate in a fun performance on the Kaplan Theatre stage for friends and family.

Week 1 | June 8 – 12

LOCATION: MAIN J CAMPUS
CAMP DIRECTOR: HANNAH LOVITT
Join us for a magical week of Disney-themed fun! Campers will spend the week dancing to some of their favorite Disney songs, in a variety of styles and genres. This camp will culminate in a fun performance on the Kaplan Theatre stage for friends and family.

Week 4 | June 29 – July 2 (4-day week)

Specialty Camps

LOCATION: MAIN J CAMPUS
INSTRUCTOR: Stephanie Fleisher-Bell
Get your learner ready for a fun, week-long summer camp focused on building fine motor and handwriting skills. Through playful, hands-on activities, campers will strengthen the foundations they need to feel confident both in and out of the classroom. Join us for a week of creativity, confidence and skill-building because success starts with a strong pencil grip!

Week 8 | July 27 – 31

LOCATION: MAIN J CAMPUS
INSTRUCTOR: Nexplore

Step right up and join the magic! Campers will transform into real magicians as they learn to amaze friends and family with mind-blowing tricks from their very own magic kits. Guided by an experienced instructor (and a sprinkle of mystery), campers will build confidence, practice performance skills and master the secrets behind incredible illusions. The week ends with a grand magic show where our young magicians take center stage and dazzle the crowd!

Week 1 | June 8 – 12

LOCATION: MAIN J CAMPUS
INSTRUCTOR:Nexplore
Get ready to mix, bubble, and blast off into a week of Wacky Science fun! Campers will turn into junior scientists as they create lava lamps, launch hovercrafts and uncover the mysteries behind the coolest experiments ever. Through hands-on projects and wild discoveries, they’ll spark curiosity, sharpen their problem-solving skills and see just how awesome science can be. It’s messy, mind-blowing and totally unforgettable!
Week 4 | June 29 – July 2 (4-day week)
Week 7 | July 20 – 24

LOCATION: MAIN J CAMPUS
INSTRUCTOR: The Knight School
Do you have the right moves? Get ready to think, plan, and play like a champion! In this fun, kid-friendly chess camp, students will learn awesome tricks, clever strategies and game-winning tactics—all while building focus, confidence, and problem-solving skills that go far beyond the board. Whether you’re a beginner or a budding grandmaster, every match is a chance to level up your game. Chessboards and pieces provided—just bring your best moves!

Week 1 | June 8 – 12
Week 5 | July 6 – 10

LOCATION: MAIN J CAMPUS
INSTRUCTOR: Nexplore

Invent, Build and Create!
Get ready to spark your imagination and dive into hands-on engineering fun! Campers will design remote-controlled hydraulic arms, power up race cars and build creative structures using Strawbees—an award-winning maker tool. Then, they’ll Build a Bot, crafting their own robots with unique movements and purposes. Campers take home their amazing creations to show off! Each day also includes teamwork, fitness and fun activities that build confidence, creativity, and a love of learning.

Week 3 | June 22 – 26
Week 6 | July 13 – 17

LOCATION: MAIN J CAMPUS
INSTRUCTOR: Hula Hoop Empire

Design and craft your own hoop to keep! What’s better than learning jaw-dropping hula hoop tricks? Making your very own hula hoop, of course! At this camp, kids will craft a personalized hoop to take home, ensuring the fun doesn’t stop when camp ends. Campers will build stamina through exciting hoop games, learn new skills and showcase their creativity. The week wraps up with a Glow Dance Party and an inspiring performance from their instructor. Get ready for a week filled with movement, laughter and newfound confidence and a hobby that will keep them moving and playing long after camp is done!

Week 4 | June 29 – July 2 (4-day camp week)

LOCATION: MAIN J CAMPUS
INSTRUCTOR: Kids Robotic Academy
Get ready for a week of creative fun at LegoMasters Camp! Campers will dive into the world of Legos, using their imagination to design and build amazing structures—from towering castles to futuristic cities. But that’s not all—campers will also get a sneak peek into the world of robotics, learning how to make their creations move, spin and come to life.
This camp is all about exploration, creativity and problem-solving. Campers will work independently and with friends, sharing ideas, experimenting, and discovering the endless possibilities of building with Legos. By the end of the week, campers will not only have incredible creations to show off but also a bigger sense of confidence, teamwork and innovation!
Week 2 | June 15 – 19
Week 9 | August 3 – 7

LOCATION: MAIN J CAMPUS
Instructor: Chef Brittany Collazo
Theme: Storybook Bites
In this exciting camp, campers will get a taste of their favorite books! Campers will read a different book each day, inspiring a dish they will prepare together. Book selections include, but are not limited to, Monsters Don’t Eat Broccoli, The Princess and the Pizza and Gingerbread Dreidel.
All recipes will be kosher, and allergies can be accommodated. Campers are required to wear closed-toe shoes and have long hair pulled back.

Pre-Camp | June 1 – 5
Week 3 | June 22 – 26
Week 7 | July 20 – 24