A Place to Grow: Summer Camp for Bat Yam’s Children in Need

While many children count down the days until summer vacation, for families in Bat Yam who are living with financial hardship, the long break can be a source of stress rather than joy. Parents who need to work are left scrambling for affordable, safe options for their kids. Summer camps and childcare often cost more than they can possibly pay, so children end up staying home with little to do – and in some cases without supervision.

To meet this very real need, JOIN Day Camp in Bat Yam offers an enriching program for children from low-income and immigrant families. Parents pay just a small fee, making the camp accessible to all. Knowing their children are safe, busy, and cared for allows parents to focus on earning a living instead of worrying about what’s happening at home.

The camp welcomes children from first through sixth grade. Each day blends academics with creativity: campers review what they’ve learned during the school year, then move on to hands-on projects such as arts and crafts, sewing, baking, drawing, and painting. Teachers with years of classroom experience guide the learning, while teenage volunteers jump in to assist and serve as mentors and role models for the younger kids.

Bat Yam is a city with many different backgrounds and cultures, and the camp reflects this diversity. Children from both religious and secular homes participate alongside immigrants from Russia, Ethiopia, and other countries. Special cultural exchange days give campers the chance to share foods, stories, and traditions with one another, creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and curiosity. For immigrant children who are still working on their Hebrew, the camp provides extra language support so they can join in more fully and start the next school year with greater confidence.

The benefits extend far beyond the summer itself. Families are invited back at the end of the program for a lively celebration, where children proudly share their projects, performances, and new skills. Throughout the year, staff stay in touch, offering help with uniforms, school supplies, and books. In many cases, they organize donation drives and exchanges to reduce costs for struggling families. As the camp’s director describes it, the camp is “one big family,” a place where kids learn not just academics and creativity but also how to build friendships with people across different backgrounds.

Thanks to JOIN Israel’s donors, this camp has become a vital resource for families in Bat Yam who might otherwise be left without options. It gives children the chance to grow, learn, and build friendships during the summer, while giving their parents the support and reassurance they need most.