Words and photos by JCC Chicago.
Summer is a special time for kids—a season of freedom, fun, and discovery. It’s when they can relax, spend more time with family and friends, and dive into experiences that help them grow. Camp plays a huge part in that growth. It’s a place where children can be fully themselves while gaining confidence, trying new activities, building independence, and forming friendships that last well beyond August. The social-emotional skills they develop over the summer become tools they rely on throughout the school year and even for years to come.
Apachi Day Camp offers an experience designed to help campers thrive—both at camp and long after summer ends. While kids are busy having fun, there is a thoughtful layer of support happening behind the scenes. At Elaine Frank Apachi and Apachi Village Lake Zurich, their dedicated Community Care specialists work together to ensure every camper feels safe, seen, included, and encouraged just as they are.
Apachi Day Camp’s approach to social-emotional development includes:
- Individualized camper support
- Mindfulness activities that build focus and self-awareness
- Yoga sessions with calming stretches and breathing techniques
- “Peace spaces” around camp for reflection and self-regulation
- Group sessions that help with problem-solving and conflict resolution
- Access to therapeutic tools, fidgets, books, and coping resources
This kind of support fosters confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of belonging. It gives campers the freedom to be themselves and the foundation to grow. And these skills don’t end when camp does—they continue benefiting campers throughout the year.
One Apachi parent shared:
“My child felt safe, encouraged, and himself. I firmly believe this has been a transformative summer for him. Thank you all so much. He can’t wait to go back next summer. Please let his counselors know how much I appreciate their willingness to share their experiences with ADHD. It really destigmatized it for him.”
Apachi’s programming such as The Nora Project reinforces building strong camp communities where everyone feels they belong just the way. Campers learn about empathy, inclusion and disability awareness, friendship skills and how to identify, communicate and manage the emotions they feel through engaging, social-emotional focused activities and games. These social emotional skills developed at camp, truly set campers up for success during the school year and beyond.
Apachi Day Camp focuses on supporting each camper’s whole self. This is why so many say they’re the “Secret to An Amazing Summer. And Life”. Apachi’s caring camp community coupled with a huge variety of fun activities and camp traditions including sports, arts & crafts, science, performing arts, Shabbat Celebrations, Maccabi Games, Theme Days and spirited song sessions, make for one unforgettable summer. Elaine Frank Apachi serves children 3 years – 7th grade + Counselors in Training (8th-10th grade) and shares the beautiful Lake County JCC campus with Apachi Village Lake Zurich, a half day program solely for 3-and 4-year-olds. For more information, visit www.apachi.org.
*This is is sponsored content by our trusted partner.