Camp Young Judaea Sprout Lake has opened its first-ever day camp, Sprout Brooklyn. Created in partnership with UJA-Federation of New York and with the support of the Israeli-American Council, Sprout Brooklyn offers a new model of day camping featuring a newly developed dual Hebrew-English language curriculum. Campers spend half of each day immersed in the Hebrew language while engaging in camp activities. Each group has at least one fluent Hebrew-speaking counselor.
Located in the PAVE Academy Charter School in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn, Sprout Brooklyn Day Camp serves children entering pre-K to 2nd grade. Its dual language curriculum was developed by Margalit Kavenstock, PhD, a Jerusalem-based specialist in teaching language to young children. Campers enjoy and gain skills in swimming, sports, performing arts, crafts, and the exploration of nature, all interwoven with dynamic experiential Jewish programming and Hebrew language immersion.
Sprout Brooklyn’s first cohort of campers is diverse and includes American, Israeli, and Russian-speaking children, as well children of Ashkenazi, Sefardi, and Mizrahi backgrounds. The camp is operating four two-week sessions, with 50 campers in each session.
According to camp director Helene Drobenare, “Sprout Brooklyn Day Camp reflects a holistic approach to Jewish and Israel education and child development. Our aim is to nurture in campers a deep connection to Israel, to the community, and to each other. Sprout Brooklyn strives to be a kehillah mekabelet, an inclusive camp community that welcomes campers from every walk of life, including those with disabilities, from different races, from non-traditional and interfaith families, and from families of all sexual orientations and gender identities.”
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