JCAMPS FAQS

All non-swimmers fifteen (15) years of age or younger must wear a USCG-approved Lifejacket Type III, provided by Shalom Austin. Lifejackets are not required during JCamps Swim Skillz. 

Campers fifteen (15) years of age and younger who would like to swim without a lifejacket during Free Swim must complete the DJCC Swim check under DJCC lifeguard supervision.

To complete the swim check, swimmers will enter the pool feet first and make forward progress using freestyle or breaststroke for 25 yards with their face in the water using rhythmic breathing. Before exiting, the swimmer must tread water in the deep end for 15 seconds using their arms and legs. The swimmer must be able to climb out of the water independently. If a swimmer becomes vertical in the water, stops, or cannot continue, then the swimmer does not pass the test. After successfully passing the test, the swimmer will receive a wristband that must be worn all the time while in the pool or on the deck. If a swimmer is unsuccessful in the swim check or does not want to take the swim check, they can still swim! The swimmer must wear a lifejacket during their free swim time. 

Campers entering 1st grade or above will be prompted to take the Swim Check, but are not required to do so. Campers entering Kindergarten can take the Swim Check if requested by their parent/guardian. Requests can be made by emailing jcamps@shalomaustin.org. 

No! Once a child passes the Swim Check, either at JCamps or outside of camp with their family, they are good for the entire season (March 2024 – September 2024). 

While your camper will be limited to one attempt per day, there is no limit to the number of times your camper can take the Swim Check throughout the summer. 

The lifeguard-to-swimmer ratio during camp programs will be 1:25. A head lifeguard will always be on deck during camp free swim. In accordance with State of Texas licensing codes, the minimum caregiver (adult/teacher/counselor/instructor) to child ratios will be as follows: 

Swim Skillz at JCamps will have specific instructors designated to each group of children. Groups are based on swim level, and the instructors will teach skills from the designated level. At all camp Swim Skillz periods, the group’s counselors will be stationed to watch the swimmers IN ADDITION TO the lifeguards on duty AND the lesson instructors. Counselors, instructors, and lifeguards will also remain on duty and watch during camp free-swim times. JCamps counselors are in the water with campers during Swim Skillz and free swim. 

Campers in Chamudim, Noar, Kochavim, Giborim, Sports Rookies, Sports Junior Varsity, Sports Varsity, Sports All-Stars, ZACH Theatre, Martial Arts, Kim’s Gym Core Day, and Soccer Shots Premier participate in free-swim every day. 

Campers are encouraged to get into the water, especially due to the Texas heat during the summer. There is a small shaded area available should your camper need to stay out of the water. Campers not swimming are supervised by JCamps staff. 

Swim Skillz is an instructional swim period at the pool. Campers are given group swim lessons under the instruction of a swim instructor. Campers are supervised during lessons by the swim instructor, their counselors, and the lifeguards on deck. Swim Skillz groups are based on campers’ individual swim levels. 

Campers in Chamudim, Noar, Kochavim, Sports Rookies, Sports Junior Varsity, or Sports Varsity will participate in Swim Skillz twice a week. 

While the JCamps team is always happy to help, the Aquatics team can help answer specific pool and swimming-related questions. For answers to additional pool/swimming questions, please contact Marcus Litz, Aquatics Director, at marcus.litz@shalomaustin.org or 512–735-8216. 

We believe everyone should have access to participate in our community, regardless of financial need. Awards of financial assistance are made possible for community members by generous contributions to the Shalom Austin Annual Campaign. Financial aid is distributed based on the availability of funds and the eligibility of your household. If you would like to learn more about financial aid, please reach out to us at financialaid@shalomaustin.org.

The following camp programs are eligible to receive financial aid:

• • Chamudim
  • Noar
  • Kochavim
  • Giborim
  • Soccer (Session A)
  • Basketball
  • Maccabi
  • Madatzim
  • Tennis
  • Keep Austin Weird
  • Austin Adventurers

Camp Fees Include: 
$50  JCamps Registration Fee: per family, non-refundable/non-transferable 

Partial  JCamps Tuition: $200 initial payment per camper if registering before February 15 OR equivalent to the previous monthly installment (more information outlined in camper application) 
Any added donations 

**If paying by credit card, a 3% credit card processing fee (non-refundable/non-transferable) will be added to your total and processed per transaction. 

All fees will be charged in full when the camper application is reviewed and processed by the JCamps Office (including a 3% credit card processing fee (non-refundable/non-transferable) per transaction, if applicable).  

Remainder tuition payments  (including 3% credit card processing fee (non-refundable/non-transferable) per transaction, if applicable) will be collected on the following dates:  February 15, March 15, April 15, and May 15. 

Payment dates are February 15, March 15, April 15, and May 15. All camp fees must be paid in full by May 15, 2024. 

JCamps registration is fully online! Visit shalomaustin.org/camp and click the registration button at the top of the page.

A Change is when a camper’s number of weeks remains the same, but their schedule changes.

• Changes/additions are not guaranteed and are subject to availability in the program. 
• Changes/cancellations made by May 14 are subject to a $30 Administrative Fee per camper per session request 
• Changes/cancellations made May 15 or later are subject to a $50 Administrative Fee per camper per session request. 

A Cancellation is when a camper’s number of weeks or sessions decreases.

• Cancellations per camper for any reason will be processed as follows:
  • BEFORE March 15 
    • Any money paid less initial payment is refundable.
  • AFTER March 15, but before the following dates:
    • 50% tuition per session and FULL lunch/pizza/snack fees refund
      • Pre-Camp & Session A: April 29
      • Session B: May 20
      • Session C: June 3
      • Session D: June 17
      • Last Blast 1 & 2: July 1
    • AFTER above dates (by session) and before the first day of the session:
      • 15% tuition refund
    • AFTER the session has begun
      • No refunds will be distributed

    Please click here for the Summer 2024 Change Request Form.

Please check the camp programs or the dates & rates page for information on which camps are on a waitlist. The JCamps Team regularly evaluates our registrations and program capacities to see where we can enroll additional campers. If you register for a camp on a waitlist you will receive a follow-up email from the JCamps team regarding your waitlisted camp/session. In the event your camper remains on the waitlist and there is capacity in the session, we will be able to enroll you in an alternate program while keeping your spot on the waitlist.

Changes made by May 14 are subject to a $30 administrative fee per camper per session. Changes made May 15 or later are subject to a $50 administrative fee per camper per session. Changes/additions are not guaranteed and are subject to program availability.

At JCamps, we talk about the grade your camper is entering for the upcoming school year. If a program is listed for 2nd & 3rd graders, it means that camp is available to campers who will be going into a 2nd or 3rd grade class in the next school year.

While JCamps does not provide daily food for campers, parents have the option to purchase: 

• Snack package (two snacks daily) 
• Friday pizza package (includes pizza, fruit cup, and juice box) 
• Lunch package (Daily catered lunch plus Friday pizza package) 

In accordance with Shalom Austin’s Kosher policy, lunches and snacks may NOT contain meat. We recommend placing an ice pack in your child’s lunch box as they will not have access to a refrigerator. Lunches will be kept inside in an air-conditioned space. Campers will not have access to a microwave.

Lunch Suggestions:

• PB&J sandwich
• Bagels and cheese
• Baked Tofu/Tofu salad
• Tortillas with cheese
• Vegetarian nuggets
• Rice cakes with spread
• Grilled cheese
• Tuna Fish
• Fish sticks
• Cheese w/ vegetables
• Yogurt and granola
• Rice
• Couscous
• Pastas
• Veggie quiche
• Egg salad/hard-boiled eggs

Options for Sides:

• Carrot sticks
• Celery sticks
• Red pepper strips
• Broccoli
• Fruit
• Dried fruit
• Apple sauce
• Cole slaw
• Pickles
• Potatoes
• Pasta
• Chips
• Granola bars
• Trail mix
• Pudding
• Jell-O snacks
• Popcorn
• Granola

If your child will be age 3 by September 1, 2024, please select “Threes: 3 by Sept 1” when prompted to select a grade in CampInTouch. Camps for this age group are labeled as “3s”

If your child will be age 4 by September 1, 2024, please select “Pre-K: 4 by Sept 1” when prompted to select a grade in CampInTouch. Camps for this age group are labeled as “Pre-K”

Early Childhood Camp
Half Day: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Core Day: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

School-Aged Camp
Core Day: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
PM Care Pick-Up: 4:30 p.m, 5 p.m. or 5:30 p.m.

PM Care is the place to be after a day at JCamps! Campers in PM care get to extend their day with a nutritious snack and a variety of free-play activities to engage and relax. PM Care is split up by age group, and campers from different bunks and camp programs can come together for a fun end to their camp day!

PM Care offers pick-up times at 4:30, 5:00, and 5:30PM.

Yes! There are opportunities for parents and family members to join us throughout the summer for special moments, like Song Session and Shabbat! Families will receive information specific to their camper’s registration closer to the summer. 

Campers should come dressed in clothes that enable them to participate in all camp activities, such as a cotton shirt with shorts and close-toed shoes with socks and a hat. Campers should also bring a filled water bottle. Please label all items with your child’s full name. Closed-toed shoes are REQUIRED at camp (no flip-flops, crocs, or open-toed shoes). All campers will need to have at least 1 full change of clean clothes on hand at all times. 

JCamps will be closed on Thursday, July 4.

JCamps will be open for Shavuot on June 12 and 13 with enhanced programming.

All campers must have an up-to-date Health and Immunization Form signed and stamped by their pediatrician. A copy of the physician’s most recent immunization record for this child must accompany this statement.

PER LICENSING REQUIREMENTS: ALL IMMUNIZATION RECORDS MUST HAVE A DOCTOR’S STAMP (INCLUDING ADDRESS) AND AUTHORIZING SIGNATURE. Note: “My Chart” records without the aforementioned are not acceptable.

A list of vaccine requirements can be found HERE. Shalom Austin does not accept immunization waivers.

Other forms are included in your CampInTouch account and must be returned prior to your camper’s first day of camp. These forms are important, and some are required by Texas Health and Human Services, our licensing organization.

Prior to the start of your first camp session, JCamps requires:

• Signed and stamped physician examination forms
• Signed and stamped vaccination/immunization shot records
• Parent handbook acknowledgment
• Signed Code of Honor (for school-aged campers)

Additional forms for campers attending any Kim’s Gym program:

• Kim’s Gym liability waiver
• Kim’s Gym photo wavier

If your camper has medication that needs to be administered during JCamps hours, it should be sent with a Medical Authorization Form to the JCamps office. This form can be found HERE.

Medications must be sent in the original bottles with the prescribed dosage and the child’s name indicated on the label. All medications are administered by the JCamps Team. Medications will not be administered unless a form has been completed. A log is kept recording the time and dosage of medication administered. Medication and special needs must be indicated on the child’s profile and medical forms.