Center works hard to entertain local children

From summer camp and climbing excursions, to ice skating and bowling, the Jewish Community Center of Southern Nevada always has something going on to entertain local children.

"We are really excited about the upcoming youth programs," JCC youth programer Matthew Horelick said. " We want to bring the community together in a fun, safe and positive environment."

Parents too are upbeat about the youth programing offered by the JCC.

Keri Mann's two boys; Wesley, 8, and Jeremy, 10; participate in JCC sporting programs, summer camps, holiday season camps and monthly activities.

"I think they're fabulous," Mann said. "It's a great way to meet other children their age. We try to do as many activities as we can. It helps them meet kids on both sides of town. They have a close knit group of friends they see at the same things, friends they've known since they were infants. It's one way to stay connected in our busy lives."

Fran Bromley-Norwood and her son, Alex, 5, love the JCC's youth programs.

"I think it's phenomenal. Matt Horelick has done a really good job with the children's programming," Bromley-Norwood said. "Alex went to all seven weeks of summer camp, and now he's in the bowling league. He also goes to the individual events they run. They're all really good programs. Matt really tries to gear programs toward the kids of all ages, to include everyone. They enjoy being there with their friends and they make new friends."

Bromley-Norwood and her husband were familiar with local JCC branches in their previous home on Long Island. The Southern Nevada JCC doesn't have its own facilities or the staff numbers common in the East Coast organizations. Camps are frequently held in rented space at local public and private schools. Though the group doesn't have its own building, Bromley-Norwood said the local JCC is doing a good job with what it has.

"They're doing phenomenal programing with the kids and holding up their end of the bargain," the mother said. "I really believe in the JCC as a whole organization, nationwide. For a small location, the JCC here finds their way around the whole valley. They don't have a facility, but they find a way to educate the kids and the kids love their programing."

Participation in JCC activities isn't limited to members. Nor is membership limited to any one religion. Horelick said everyone is welcome.

"Activities are open to everyone, regardless of religious background. At summer camp we had kids who weren't Jewish participating. We just want to expose people to some of the programs we have to offer and let them have some fun. We're running a lot of different youth programs that haven't been done in the past, so we want people to know about us now."

Upcoming youth events include:

• The Spaghetti Western goes to Hawaii -- Mann said the family dinner dance is typically Western themed, but this year's event will take on an island luau mood with limbo and line dancing for the kids and food and fun for parents. The event is set for 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday at the Rio. Tickets are $25 for children and $50 for adults. Denim and Hawaiian attire are encouraged.

"It's a wonderful night for parents and children to be together. It's like a big wedding party with lots of families there. All the money goes to the JCC children's programing fund," Mann said.

• The Kids Night Out is set for 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Nov. 1 at the Las Vegas Sports Park, 1400 N. Rampart Blvd. Kids enjoy a night of activities, while parents get a night off. Many of the parents get together for dinner.

"We are really excited about this jam-packed program," Horelick said. "Parents can drop off their children in a safe and positive environment to participate in a wide range of fun activities throughout the evening. From upbeat sports activities and ice skating to relaxing movies and a fun Havdallah service, there is going to be something for everybody."

The Kids Night Out is $15 for JCC members and nonmembers.

• Youth in grades seven through 12 are invited to a Nevada Climbing Center activity set for 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Nov. 8. Space is limited. The cost is $14 for JCC members and $20 for nonmembers.

• Children in grades kindergarten through sixth can participate in Nevada Climbing Center activities including a Havdallah service, arts and crafts, rock climbing and movies from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 8. The cost is $14 for JCC members and $20 for nonmembers. Again, space is limited.

• The Camp K'helah Club will host an activity day Nov. 9 at the Veterans Memorial Leisure Services Center. Kindergarten through second grade will meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and third through sixth grades will meet from 2:30 to 4 p.m. The cost is $5/member child.

• Children in first through sixth grade who can swim a minimum of 25 meters are invited to join the JCC for an afternoon of swimming and games from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 2 at the Desert Breeze Recreation Center.

The cost is $7 for JCC members and $10 for nonmembers.

• Children ages 5 and younger are invited to join their parents to celebrate Havdallah and Parshat Noah at 7 p.m. Saturday at Summerlin's Garden's Park, 10401 Garden Park Drive.

The cost is $5 per child for JCC members with $4 per additional child in the same family. The fee for nonmembers is $8 per child with $7 per additional child in the same family.

• The JCC youth winter bowling league plays games at the Suncoast Bowling Center. The fall league featured more than 40 participants in two separate leagues for children in kindergarten through fifth grade and sixth through 12th grade.

• The JCC is offering an eight-week Tarkanian Basketball Academy program at the Veterans Memorial Leisure Service Center starting Jan. 11.

A free Tarkanian Basketball Academy orientation is set for 2 to 3 p.m. Dec. 14 for children in grades kindergarten through sixth. Space is limited to 60 children.

• The JCC winter camp for elementary age children runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 22 through Jan. 2 with no camp on Christmas or New Year's Day. The camp will be held at Ober Elementary School, 3035 Desert Marigold Lane.

Each day's camp includes a field trip and activities.

JCC membership is $75 per household, per year. To register for any activity, call the JCC at 794-0090 or drop by the JCC offices at 8260 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 3.


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