Youth Programs & Activities
Welcome Jamie Cohen, Youth Director and Assistant Camp Shalom Director
We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Jamie Cohen to the Mandell JCC team as our new Youth Director and Assistant Camp Shalom Director! You may know Jamie and her energy from Camp Shalom or the ECC! With a deep commitment to creating meaningful, fun, and inclusive experiences for children and teens, Jamie brings a wealth of experience to this role. She will lead our year-round youth programming, Youth classes and Kids Korner, and help bring the magic of Camp Shalom to life each summer. “We’re always looking for ways to take something great and make it even more awesome! I can’t wait to hear what kids and parents have to say about how we can grow, improve, and bring in cool experts to inspire and teach our amazing kids.” We look forward to the creativity, care, and leadership she will bring to our community. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome!
The Mandell JCC offers a wide variety of outstanding programs for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Special attention is paid to after-school activities and the needs of children whose parents work.
We offer programs during the vacation days of the West Hartford Public Schools and Jewish Day Schools (subject to attendance minimums). All of our programs provide opportunities to learn, socialize and grow together as a community.
For more information contact Jaime Cohen, jcohen@mandelljcc.org, 860-231-6334.
Classes and Programs | Fall 2026
For more information on youth programming, contact Jaime Cohen at jcohen@mandelljcc.org.
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PLEASE NOTE: Fall Registration Opens on Tuesday, August 12 at 9:00am for JCC Members. Tuesday, August, 19 at 9:00am Opens for All. |
Emerging Artists
In each of our art classes, children are encouraged to create works of art of their own design from influences in the world around them. With just your hands and a few simple tools, you can transform a chunk of clay or a piece of paper into a beautiful work of art.
For questions regarding pottery class placement, please contact Jaime Cohen at jcohen@mandelljcc.org.
Beginner Pottery
K-3rd or by request
Introduction to clay. Learn the basic fundamentals of pottery by creating, shaping and forming your work. All children will begin to learn the technique of glazing.
Instructor: Geralynn Kay
Wed | 3:00-3:45pm | Sept 16-Dec 16 (14 wks)
$369/$294 JCC Member
Intermediate Pottery
2nd-5th grade or by request
Children will explore the basics of shaping, attaching, carving and glazing the pieces they have designed.
Instructor: Geralynn Kay
Mon | 4:00-4:45pm | Sept 14-Dec 14 (12 wks)
No class Sept 21,Oct 12
$317/$250 JCC Member
Advanced Pottery
Expand on skills with an introduction to wheel throwing, sculpture and glazing techniques.
Instructor: Geralynn Kay
Tue | 4:00-4:45pm | Sept 15-Dec 15 (13 wks)
No class Nov 3
$338/$273 JCC Member
Playhouse
Instructor: Kate Wasko
Pottery for Older students: Explore the properties of clay, and how to use the pottery wheel combined with hand building techniques. Learn how ceramic art can be functional and/or sculptural by applying textures, glaze applications, and 3-D elements. Utilize more complex building strategies, scaffolding from beginner and intermediate to advanced understanding and skill.
More info to come!
Printmaking
Learn various printmaking techniques such as Gyotaku, linocut, monotype, and alcohol gel transfer. Students will create abstract, surrealistic, and realistic images through removal and addition of inks and images. Discover and utilize finishing applications such as collage, piercing, or manipulation of the final prints.
More info to come!
Acting Classes
Live Action Role Playing
Blake Seers from Torch Tales LLC offers an introductory course to live action role-playing (LARPing). Live-Action Role Play (LARP) has been around since the late 1970s, blending role-playing games, genre fiction, and immersive storytelling. Growing up in England with a love for theater and outdoor adventure, Blake found LARP to be the perfect collision of everything he loved—performance, creativity, teamwork, and imagination.
Learn the game mechanics of the unique Torch Tales LARP system, explore the safe equipment, and experience a variety of ways to engage in this interactive storytelling experience with character development and immersive play.
Wed | 4:00-5:00pm | Sept 16-Dec 19 (14 weeks)
$369/$294 JCC Member
School Vacation Programs
Grades K-5 | 9:00am-4:00pm
Indigenous People’s Day: Mon. Oct 12
Election Day: Tue. Nov 3
Winter Vacation: Dec. 28-31 No program 1/1
Martin Luther King Day: Mon. Jan 18
Good Friday: Fri. Mar 28
Spring Break: Apr 12-16
$110/$84 JCC Member per day
Early morning care beginning at 8:00am: $10/day
Evening care until 5:30pm: $13/day
For more information or to register, contact Jaime Cohen at jcohen@mandelljcc.org
Kids Korner
Grades K-5 After School Care
After School Care Mon-Fri until 5:30pm
(Unless otherwise noted on the Kids Korner Calendar)
We offer a safe, fun, and engaging program designed for every child’s needs. Enjoy our Kids Korner space including games, arts & crafts, building blocks & Legos, dramatic play, and more!
· Door-to-door transportation from school
· Outdoor play, gym, swim
· Escorts to after-school enrichment programs within the JCC
· Homework room and help available
Vacation Programs and Snow Day Programs available for an additional fee
Information: Jaime Cohen, jcohen@mandelljcc.org
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