Cincinnati and the surrounding areas have many options for those who are seeking a summer camp for their child. To help our readers choose the camp that best suits their child’s needs, The American Israelite offers the following listings highlighting the finest summer camps the area has to offer. As of this date, all camps listed below are open for summer 2025 and are taking precautions for the health of the campers.
Camp 4R
Why Camp 4R Exists
AI isn’t a trend. It’s the biggest shift in how humans work, create and solve problems since the internet. Every industry, every career, every field of study is being reshaped right now. The students who understand how to harness this power will have an extraordinary advantage. The ones who don’t will spend their lives working around tools they never learned to use. Camp 4R exists because your child deserves to be in the first group.
What We Actually Teach
Camp 4R isn’t a coding camp. We don’t spend the week teaching kids to build apps they’ll never touch again. Instead, we focus on the skills that will matter in 2030, 2040 and beyond. How to communicate effectively with AI systems. How to spot when AI gets things wrong. How to use these tools to build real projects. And how to think critically about the ethical implications of the technology reshaping their world. Your child will leave with practical abilities they can apply immediately to schoolwork, creative projects and eventually their careers.
Who’s Behind This
I’m Eric, and I’ve spent the last decade in technology growth operations, building and scaling programs at high-growth companies. I was recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for my work in this space. I’ve been using AI tools daily since ChatGPT launched. Not as a novelty, but as core infrastructure for my work. I’ve seen what separates people who wield AI effectively from those who get left behind. That gap is growing fast, and I’m not willing to let a generation of kids fall on the wrong side of it.
A Safe Environment
Every staff member at Camp 4R passes a comprehensive background check through certified screening providers. Our mentors are University of Cincinnati students and recent graduates. They’re young enough to relate to your kids and trained enough to teach them well. We aim to maintain a 10:1 camper-to-mentor ratio, ensuring individualized attention and proper supervision throughout the program. Our current potential locations include Seven Hills School and Indian Hill Schools, pending final approvals. All facilities meet safety and insurance requirements, and we maintain clear protocols for everything from digital safety to physical wellbeing.
The Parents We Serve
Camp 4R is for families who see what’s coming. You know AI literacy isn’t optional anymore. You’ve watched the headlines. You’ve seen your child already experimenting with these tools. And you want them equipped to use this power responsibly and effectively. We’re here to make sure they’re ready for the world they’re actually going to live in.
Camp Chabad
Experience the Magic of Camp Chabad – Cincinnati’s Premier ACA-Accredited Jewish Day Camp!
Give your child the summer of a lifetime at Camp Chabad, where fun and Jewish pride come together! From June 22nd to July 31st, children ages 5-13 will enjoy a vibrant blend of exciting activities, engaging Jewish identity experiences and unforgettable memories in a nurturing and safe environment.
Our exceptional staff is dedicated to ensuring every camper feels welcome, supported and inspired. Camp highlights include:
– Exciting Field Trips: Explore the best attractions Cincinnati has to offer.
– Creative Arts and Sports: Unleash creativity and stay active with a wide range of activities.
– Character Refinement Program: New this summer! Build self-confidence, kindness and strong values through engaging workshops and group activities.
– Convenient Location: We’re located at the beautiful Koenig Park in Reading, offering easy access for families across the area.
– Flexible Scheduling Options: Choose from weekly camp sessions to fit your summer plans.
– Extended Care: Before and after-care options make it easier than ever for busy parents.
– Special Offer: You can save over $450 when you sign up with the early bird rate.
Give your child or grandchild the gift of an unforgettable summer — filled with joy, friendship, meaningful experiences and growth. Through personal attention and engaging Jewish learning, your child will develop a strong sense of Jewish pride and awareness that will last a lifetime.
Visit campchabad.org or call 513-731-5111 for more information and to register now!
Cincy Journeys
Cincy Journeys is a grant program that enables hundreds of Jewish Cincinnati children, teens, and young adults to attend overnight Jewish camp or travel to Israel each year. These grants are not based on financial need.
Overnight Jewish Camp and Israel travel give our young community members the skills, experience, and desire to become tomorrow’s Jewish leaders.
Since 2000, more than two thousand Jewish young people from Cincinnati have traveled to Israel to develop stronger more personal connections with Israel and their Jewish heritage. Cincinnati holds the distinction of sending more Jewish youth per capita on these Israel travel programs than any other Jewish community in North America. Cincy Journeys is the most generous grants program in the country.
The program is a collaborative effort between the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, which provides one hundred percent of the funding, and the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, which is responsible for marketing the program, vetting applications, and administering the grants.
Mayerson Camp JCC
At Camp at the J, kids can experience the best of summer. From swimming and archery to arts & crafts, camp values and color wars, and much more, kids will create memories and form friendships to last a lifetime.
Campers from kindergarten through tenth grade are divided into age-appropriate co-ed groups. Each group is then divided into bunks of fifteen campers to encourage small-group bonding.
In addition to activities including archery, arts and crafts, sports, drama, Camp at the J incorporates values-based learning where children learn about core values of respect, kindness and community. Campers learn about Israel and international Jewish life through Jewish culture.
This summer Camp at the J runs June 8 – August 7 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Camp registration is by week, which offers families flexibility. Before and after care are available, and kosher lunch is available at an additional cost. More information and registration can be found at MayersonJCC.org/Camp. Give your child a summer to remember at Camp at the J!
Your School Counselor
Leslie Hattemer, Owner & Founder of Your School Counselor
Leslie Hattemer has been an educator for 30 years. Prior to becoming a school counselor, she worked as a homeless liaison and a middle school English teacher. Leslie is passionate about equity with regard to college access and ensuring affordability for all students and has years of experience helping students find affordable ways to attend college.
Leslie is a member of ASCA (American School Counselor Association and NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling). For the aspiring athlete, she (is well versed in) has knowledge of the NCAA, NAiA, NJCAA and NIL. Whether your child plans on playing basketball at a junior college or attending in Ivy League school she can help find the right path.
What sets her apart…
While many college counselors have no formal training or have taken only a few classes in college counseling, Leslie has a master’s degree and has completed 600 hours of working directly with students prior to graduating and working in the field. Leslie is highly trained and comes to you with years of service, operating within three domains: academic, social/emotional and college and career. This means she is uniquely qualified to work with the whole child.
Gaining admittance to and being prepared for the right college doesn’t happen without considering all of these complex factors. Those who have worked with Leslie have benefited from expert, individually tailored, proactive guidance, helping each client create and navigate a path to meet collegiate goals and the readiness to succeed. Her supportive and comforting style make navigating this complicated process manageable and confidence building.
In 2022 Leslie’s family created The Leslie M. Hattemer Scholarship Fund to support University of Cincinnati’s 1MPACT House. Through this foundation, Cincinnati Public School students will be awarded need based scholarships to help offset the cost of living on campus. This fund will also provide support and services to ensure a consistent college experience throughout the duration of their undergraduate years. 10% of all revenue generated from Your School Counselor will go to the scholarship fund.
