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A Recap of the Magic of Chi 2013
Winkle's Blog \| Registration Update

A World of Campers Summer 2013 represented the most geographically diverse group of campers we’ve ever had. In addition to Illinois, campers came from 20 states to join the Chi family this year. From Massachusetts to California and everywhere in between, we saw friendships bloom among campers from coast to coast. We’ve also gone global! Campers traveled from Columbia, England, France, Israel and Mexico to spend the summer at Camp Chi.

	Recognized for Innovation Avodah, our vocational program with Keshet, was recognized by Slingshot as one of the 18 most innovative Jewish programs serving people with special needs in the United States. Since 1997, Avodah participants have received vocational training at Camp Chi while also participating in the fun of camp. This program allows us to continue our commitment to inclusion of those with special needs in our camp program. Our accomplishment was recently featured in JUF News. See Avodah in action in this video.

Enhanced Music Programs A summer at Camp Chi is defined by music, and 2013 was no exception. We were fortunate to have three alumni musicians at camp this summer as guest performers and artists-in-residence. Scott Serota, Todd Kessler and Billy Jonas enhanced our Shabbat services and song sessions during their stays at camp. Campers also had the chance to further experiment with music through Jam Band, our garage-style music room, and Rock Stars, our state of the art recording studio. Listen to a sampling campers’ original songs recorded at camp here.

	Expanded the Spirit of the Game Whether it is the SIT-Staff Volleyball Game or the Noar Football Game, athletic special events have always been popular with older campers at Camp Chi. In 2013, we brought the spirit and excitement of playing in a baseball tournament to our youngest campers in the Shoradim World Series. The boys played the final game of the series under the lights on the Main Athletic Field. You can read the recaps of each game, as reported by campers, here.

We Asked... You Gave! On December 3, Camp Chi alumni, staff, friends and parents answered the question, “Why do you give to Send a Kid to Camp?” as part of the national movement of Giving Tuesday. Using social media, we launched a successful campaign to kick off our annual fundraising efforts to support scholarships for summer 2014. Thank you to everyone who donated on Giving Tuesday. We hope that you’ll join them by making a year end donation at campchi.com/donate.

Sponsored four-week Israel Trip for 30 Chi teens.
Added three sailboats and two Moomba waterski/wakeboard boats to our fleets to enhance aquatics programs.
Reduced use of disposable plates and utensils through Gendler Grapevine Grant.
Traveled to six countries to hire the best international staff as specialists and support personnel.
Received grant from Jewish Teen Funders Network to continue teen philanthropy program.
Continued community service with Habitat for Humanity Sauk-Columbia Area and Twist Out Cancer for the SITs.
WCHI, our radio station, moved to an online format allowing parents to listen to broadcasts through the Internet.

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JCC Chicago is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring a strong and vibrant Jewish life and community for generations to come. JCC is a partner in serving our community, supported by the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation.