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 | Winter 2026
For more information or to register, contact Jamie Cohen at jcohen@mandelljcc.org
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
Grades K-3 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 | Jan 7-Mar 25 (12 sessions)
$315/$240 JCC Member
Intermediate Pottery
Grades 2-5 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 | Jan 5-Mar 23 (10 sessions)
No class Jan 19, Feb 16
$270/$200 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 | Jan 6-Mar 24 (11 sessions)
No class Feb 17
$290/$220 JCC Member
New! Creative Clayworks
Ages 13-18
Join the ultimate clay-maker space for teens! Learn to throw on the wheel, sculpt bold forms, and bring your ideas to life in a relaxed, creative studio environment. For artists of all skill levels.
Instructor: Kate Wasko
Thu | 4:30-5:30pm | Jan 8 – Feb 26 (6 Sessions)
No Class Jan 22 and Feb 19
$159/$120 JCC Member
Live Action Role Playing
Grades 1-5
Blake Seers from Torch Tales LLC offers a course in 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.
Session 1
Wed | 4:00-5:00pm | Jan 7-Feb 11 (6 weeks)
$150/$120 JCC Member
Session 2
Wed | 4:00-5:00pm | Feb 18-Mar 25 (6 weeks)
$150/$120 JCC Member
School Vacation Programs
Grades K-5 | 9:00am-4:00pm
Winter Vacation: Wed. Dec. 24-Fri. Jan 2
MLK Jr. Day: Jan 19
February Break: Feb 16 & 17
*Vacation programs on 12/24 and 12/31 end at 1:00pm, No program 12/25 and 1/1
$110/$84 JCC Member per day
Before care is from 8:00-9:00am - $10/day
After care 4:00-5:30pm - $13/day
For more information or to register, contact Jamie Cohen at jcohen@mandelljcc.org
Kids Korner
Grades K-5
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
> Theater Programs > Martial Arts > Dance > Swim Lessons
