Youth Summer Rec
Our recreation team is dedicated to building confidence through exploration, creativity, teamwork, and positive reinforcement while introducing our youth to a variety of summer activities. We aim to build a lifelong appreciation for the fun of staying active and connected with community.
For Summer 2021, our youth recreation programs are a combination of once a week classes and full week clinics that offer kids in 3rd-8th grade a couple of hours of structure to those long summer days. Ride your bike to the J with your friends, or ask a parent to drop you off for a few hours of fun. Explore art, science, cooking, sports, swim, or chess. All classes and clinics will have a capacity of 10-12 participants to allow for appropriate physical distancing and health protocols.
Youth Sports programming is made possible through a generous grant from the JCC Sherwood Temkin Youth Sports Endowment Fund.
Youth Summer Rec & Youth Summer Swim Lessons
JCC Member Priority Registration opens Monday, April 12
Community Registration opens Monday, April 19
Scroll down to preview Youth Summer Rec class/clinic offerings. Summer Swim Lesson options coming soon.
MEM = JCC Member • COMM = Community participant
Field Games
Thursdays 5:00-6:00 PM
For 6-8 year olds
Instructor: Dave Wage
Location: Hy & Richard Smith JCC Water Park in Mequon
Bringing back the old time favorites that all started in your backyard. Play Backyard Kickball, Tag, Capture the Flag & more.
Session 1: 5 Thursdays, Jun 17-Jul 15
MEM $55 / COMM $75
Session 2: 5 Thursdays, Jul 22-Aug 19
MEM $55 / COMM $75
Chess Class
Tuesdays & Thursdays 1:00-3:00 PM
For 8-13 year olds
Instructor: Jack Piaskoski
Location: Ritz Theater/Courtyard at the JCC in Whitefish Bay
Our instructors will lead participate in developing chess strategy. They will introduce new chess skills each week on Tuesdays and allowing participants to test out their skills in active gameplay on Thursdays.
4 weeks, 2 days per week, Jun 15-July 8
MEM $240 / COMM $280
Art Classes
Mondays 1:00-3:00 PM
For 8-13 year olds of all abilities (*S.T.A.R.S. Friendly)
Instructor: Andres Hernandez
Location: 2J01/Courtyard at the JCC in Whitefish Bay
Participants are introduced to modern and contemporary artists using a wide variety of media and techniques including: paint, specialty pencils, pastels, charcoal, blending tools, clay, wood, plaster, wire, fabric, photography, and more.
Session 1: 3 Mondays, Jun 14 – 28
MEM $108 / COMM $120
Session 2: 4 Mondays, July 19 – Aug 9
MEM $144 / COMM $160
Wednesdays 1:00 3:00 PM
For 6th -8th graders of all abilities (*S.T.A.R.S. Friendly)
Instructor: Sarah McCutcheon
Location: Room 2J01/Courtyard at the JCC in Whitefish Bay
Participants are introduced to modern and contemporary artists using a wide variety of media and techniques including: paint, specialty pencils, pastels, charcoal, blending tools, clay, wood, plaster, wire, fabric, photography, and more.
Session 1: 4 Wednesdays, Jun 16-July 7
MEM $144 / COMM $160
Session 2: 4 Wednesdays, July 21-Aug 11
MEM $144 / COMM $160
Cooking Class
For 8-13 year olds of all abilities (*S.T.A.R.S. Friendly)
Fridays 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Instructor: Shea Beilke
Location: Room 2J01/Courtyard at the JCC in Whitefish Bay
Channel your inner foodie and learn how to make real food from scratch. From making lunches to baking fun treats, we cover it all.
4 Fridays, July 22-Aug 13
MEM $144 / COMM $160
Science Clinic
For 8-13 year olds
Monday, June 28 – Friday, July 2
9:00-11:00 AM
Instructor: Ronna Ruffin
Location: Room 2J01/Courtyard at the JCC in Whitefish Bay
Roll up your sleeves and learn how things work. From creating messes with big reactions to learning about dirt we will discover our inner Bill Nye the science guy.
5 weekdays, Jun 28-July 2
MEM $160 / COMM $200
TEMKIN SPORTS CLINICS
Pickleball Clinic
For 8-13 year olds
Monday, June 21 – Friday, June 25
9:00-11:00 AM
Instructor: Jess Lanke
Location: Marcus Gym at the JCC in Whitefish Bay
This clinic will introduce the growing popular sport of pickleball. Participants will learn the basic rules and strategy and use those to play both individually and in pairs.
5 weekdays, Jun 21-25
MEM $160 / COMM $200
Baseball Clinic
For 8-13 year olds
Monday, July 12 – Friday, July 16
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Instructor: Ben Schenck
Location: Karl Campus Back Field at the JCC in Whitefish Bay
Our staff will guide participants in developing and improving their skills in hitting, pitching and fielding. The clinic will focus on skill work and game strategy and how to use those in gameplay.
5 weekdays, July 12-16
MEM $192 / COMM $250
Triggerfish Swim Clinic
For ages 6-13 yrs
Monday, July 12 – Friday, July 16
9:00 AM -12:00 PM
Instructor: Dave Wage & guest coaches
Location: Peck Aquatic Center at the JCC in Whitefish Bay
This clinic will focus on all four competitive swim strokes as well as key areas of racing such as starts, flips/turns, and finishes. Participants will also have the opportunity to work with a variety of experienced coaches and swimmers.
5 weekdays, July 12-16
MEM $192 / COMM $250
Volleyball Clinic
For 8-13 year olds
Monday, August 9 – Friday, August 13
9:00-11:00 AM
Instructor: TBD
Location: Marcus Gym at the JCC in Whitefish Bay
Throughout this clinic, participants will work on the fundamental skills and strategy of volleyball including bumping, setting, and spiking. They will learn team strategy and practice their skills through game play.
5 weekdays, Aug 9-13
MEM $160 / COMM $200
UPSTREAM ARTS
Virtual Upstream Arts – The Art of Social Skills
For ages 13+ who identify as having special needs
Tuesdays 10:00-10:50 AM
Instructor: Sarah McCutcheon
Location: Zoom
The Art of Social Skills is about developing social/emotional and communication skills vital to success in school, work, and community while exploring the foundational elements of visual art, theater, poetry, music, and dance. Through the artistic practice we focus on practicing the fundamentals of social interaction; turn taking, attending to others, sharing, asking for help, making choices, personal boundaries, conflict resolution, emotional regulation, and working with others. For our youngest participants, we can involve parents, guardians, and caregivers, emphasizing creative play and bonding.
8 Tuesdays, June 22-Aug 10
MEM $200 / COMM $225
Questions about youth rec programs?
Contact Jess Lanke, Director of Recreation & Aquatics, at 414-967-8194.
In another league
There is so much at the J to keep your family active and engaged.

After School
When school is out, JCC Kids Center is active! Transportation provided from local schools.
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Family Fun
Spend time together and with other families with fun events throughout the year.
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