It has been great! Thank you so much for such a well-prepared and constantly engaging experience.
— Camp Keff Parent
It has been great! Thank you so much for such a well-prepared and constantly engaging experience.
— Camp Keff Parent
We are dedicated play enthusiasts because we know the importance of purposeful play can’t be underestimated in healthy human development. That is why PLAY takes center stage at Camp Keff. Play allows children of all ages and at all developmental stages to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Play is critically important to healthy brain development.1
Play within structured boundaries and under responsible supervision provides children and teens the freedom to safely experience personal agency and creativity. The learning and social development that takes place in the midst of play is equally important to time spent in the classroom.
Additionally, there is plenty of research that proves play is not just for the young. Adults benefit mightily from daily play. That is one of the reasons that Camp Keff gathers the whole family for several fun events and activities throughout the summer. We all need more play — come get yours this summer at Camp Keff!
1 – Shonkoff JP, Phillips DA, eds. From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 2000
We provide an environment where campers, families, and staff members develop and maintain friendships, grow through creative and developmentally appropriate activities, increase self-confidence, and have a positive association with Jewish culture.
Though our most-treasured awards come in the form of high-fives from campers and heartwarming thank-you notes from parents, we’re also proud to have been recognized as a top local day camp by readers of Bay Area Parent, J.Weekly, and more.
As part of the PJCC staff since 2008, Nicole has devoted her career to working with youth. She has supported the social, emotional, and intellectual development of children of all ages: first as a counselor at Camp Keff; then, as the founding manager of the Treehouse @ the J afterschool program. Prior to becoming ECE Director, she served as the PJCC’s Director of Youth, Family, and Recreation, where she supervised the administration of the PJCC’s many youth programs, including Camp Keff, sports leagues, and enrichment classes.
Nicole herself is an alumnus of both PJCC Preschool and Wornick Jewish Day School, and her family is carrying on the PJCC tradition—her daughter, Aliyah, is a proud camper as well as a student at our preschool. Nicole looks forward to developing and overseeing Camp Keff programs for our youngest campers.
Lauren has quite a heritage in her work with preschoolers. Inspired by her grandmother’s own work and dedication, she readily decided upon work in the field of early childhood education.
A born-and-raised San Franciscan, Lauren’s educational roots run deep in the Bay Area soil. After attending City College of San Francisco, taking every child development course she could, Lauren transferred to San Francisco State University, where her courses cultivated her reflective work and guided her in becoming a more equitable educator. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development, with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education and a minor in Special Education.
Since graduating, Lauren has worked with children of varying needs and family dynamics, ensuring that every child’s voice is heard and receives advocacy. She considers her life work to be a continuous journey of growth and development with the children and families she encounters.
Char is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. After attending New York University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, she started work at the hardest job there is: stay-at-home mom. Upon enrolling her son in the PJCC Preschool, Char found such a warm, welcoming community, she embraced the opportunity to work at the PJCC.
Char is proud to be both a Camp Keff employee and parent and she believes that all children need to learn through play so they can develop into their best selves.
When not supporting families at PJCC, Char and her family find Keff in their lives by attending musicals, plays, and baseball games (Go Giants!).
Renee was born and raised in the Bay Area and started working with young children in high school, coaching at local summer basketball camps. Renee earned her Associates Degree from the College of San Mateo, then transferred to the California State University of Hayward to study Kinesiology. She loves to see the wonder and joy in children as they learn new things about the world around them, and enjoys working with families to ensure everyone’s camp experience is memorable.
Originally joining the PJCC in 2017 as part of the Camp Keff team, Carly now leads our Youth department with ruach (spirit)! She brings an extensive background in youth development, experiential education, and outdoor recreation to her role as PJCC’s Youth Director. Her commitment and connection to camp and youth activities are both deeply personal. Growing up in Michigan, she spent every summer at Jewish overnight camp, where she developed her passion for working with children and being in nature. These roots inspired her to earn a Masters Degree in Environmental Education from San Jose State University, where she focused her research on youth empowerment and community building—a perfect background for Camp Keff & PJCC’s Youth programs
When she’s not developing, managing, and delivering our youth programs, you can find her rock climbing, working in her garden, and going on outdoor adventures with her partner.
Bryna was born and raised in the Bay Area. She attended San Francisco State University, where she earned her bachelors degree in Business. Since graduating, Bryna has worked with various non-profit organizations including the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto, as well as three years as part of our PJCC Member Services department. Bryna is excited to be a part of our Youth and Family team, supporting camp and ensuring every child has an amazing experience!
A familiar face at the PJCC, Cole Cretcher knows his way around our youth and sports programs! Even before joining our staff in 2016, he was very familiar with the PJCC’s “sporty side,” having held a fitness Center Membership since childhood.
Cole’s passion for sports and recreation runs deep; in addition to playing soccer at the collegiate level, he’s coached a variety of sports teams. Additionally, he’s represented the PJCC during the JCC Maccabi Games®, where he coached and led the delegation to their first medal in PJCC history.
Fresh off managing the PJCC’s Youth, Family, and Recreation Department, Cole’s proud to now don the Treehouse and Camp Keff team’s (metaphorical) jersey. He looks forward to working with your family and ensuring that you have an amazing experience with us.
