Program Specifics: High School Enrichment
Discovery Courses
Discovery courses cover an incredibly
wide range of interesting subjects. This is your chance to explore
new ideas, skills and experiences in a friendly atmosphere of
discovery and growth. Why not try
something for the first time? We have several groups for each
class and will make sure you’re in the right one for your
level of experience.
When combining Discovery and Extended Discovery courses, please be sure to select them on alternate days. Students choose their Discovery courses for the full session while completing their application.
Each week, students will also choose two afternoon workshops from a list that changes weekly. Take your morning program a little further, or try something completely different. Click here for a course list: Afternoon Workshops.
Art: Inner Artist
No experience needed — just open eyes and an open mind! Have you ever wondered how an artist sees the world and then gets it down on paper or canvas? Let’s find out together.
This is a crash course in artistic vision and skills. First, we’ll develop our awareness of shape and form, using sketching pencils and charcoal to do gesture and contour drawings. We’ll experiment with all kinds of media — from ink and pastels to anything we find in the studio. You’ll learn a variety of watercolor techniques, including wet-in-wet, blooms, and how salt and plastic wrap can be used to create texture. Next up: working with acrylics, as we produce a large masterpiece with a contemporary twist. Come and begin to express yourself through art.
Art: Sculpting Modern Mummies
Push your creativity to the limit! Use unconventional materials to create sculptures that, through hard work and planning, come alive as your very own modern mummy. As you craft these masterpieces, you will learn about figure proportion, form and balance. We welcome all skill levels in the revival of this ancient art.
Art: Silk Screening
Ever wanted to design your own T-shirt? Here’s your chance to try out your design skills. You’ll begin at the drawing board, where you’ll have to create your own design, phrase or logo, which will then be screened onto a T-shirt. Will it be something only you treasure, or will your friends all want one too?
Chess: Tactics & Strategy
Come play the world’s most popular board game, while learning winning tactics, precise terminology and the finer points of strategy. Best of all, you’ll get to play the game against a variety of opponents on a colossal-size chess board. So come and challenge your new friends for the chance to have the final word: “Checkmate!”
Computers: Web Page Design & Beyond
If you intend to become a credentialed webmaster or online publisher or just want to post your own homepage or blog, this is the course for you.
Through a series of hands-on lessons, you’ll acquire the essential tools and skills needed to build Web pages. The pages you create will include graphics, animation, sound, video, forms, mouseovers, scrolling banners and more. Coursework includes an introduction to Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), scanning, creating graphics, game design, and audio and video compression for the Web. Work with Google websites and Apple and Facebook applications.
Cooking: Fast, Fresh & Fun!
Chanterelle or shiitake? Couscous or coulis? Thyme or tarragon? Which is it? Or try this one: What type of restaurant are you in if you’re ordering Coconut Panna Cotta? Here’s where you’ll find out. If you like food, you’ll love this cooking class. We’ll turn you on to new and unusual foods, and teach you about their availability, freshness and preparation. You’ll watch our expert chefs at work and, best of all, sample the tasty results. Plus, for students wanting a little hands-on experience, there will be opportunities to assist in the demonstrations.
Cooking: Food Prep & Presentation
3-hour MWF class
For the beginner to intermediate cook, Cooking is the perfect opportunity to work on kitchen basics and fundamental culinary knowledge while learning to prepare a variety of fresh, fun modern dishes.
You’ll work hands-on to develop your food prep and presentation abilities. Classes will cover kitchen safety and hygiene, knife techniques, use of herbs, oils and seasonings, the history and tradition of many of the ingredients used in our dishes, and — of course — the recipes themselves.
Cooking: Seasonal Sensations
Locally-grown bounty will take center stage as we create dishes with the season’s freshest ingredients. You’ll learn how to create the perfect menus for hot summer days. Come, eat and enjoy American summer favorites in our “edible education”!
Dance: Hip-Hop
Let loose with this free-flowing, high-energy dance class. Move to the rhythms of pop music while learning how to control your body according to the beat.
Creating original routines from basic dance techniques and your natural ability, we’ll work out our own original choreography based on class makeup and interest.
Debate: In the Courtroom
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, and Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
Was it his fault, or was someone else to blame? This course will give you the chance to decide, as you become the prosecutor, defense lawyer, judge and jury in the case of this popular nursery rhyme.
You’ll develop your argumentation skills while learning and using the basic principles of debate to determine who made Humpty fall and whether or not he could have been put together again.
Drama: Life on Stage
We’ll teach you techniques to improve the quality of your auditions, develop a character, and memorize your lines. Practice will include a variety of short skits and scenes.
English as a Second Language: ESL
3-hour MWF class
With so many cultures meeting at JKCP, why not practice your English with other students from around the world?
This time, forget classrooms, chalk boards and constant repetition. Instead, our ESL program takes you on daily trips to some of Philadelphia’s most famous sites. Your English will improve while you discover all this fast-paced, historic city has to offer.
You’ll be learning on the go as your ESL teacher weaves English lessons into everything you do. And don’t worry if you’re just starting to learn the language: You can always get help in French or Spanish.
Fashion: Design & Creation
3-hour MWF class
This course may be the first step in fulfilling your dreams of becoming a fashion designer or just finding out what style is best for you.
Class lectures and demonstrations will show you the process designers follow to create a piece of apparel. The course will touch on all facets of design, including color theory, fabric selection and fashion illustration. You’ll learn how to drape fabric on yourself to visualize its potential as a garment or accessory, and how to create a pattern for it.
Fashion: Industry Icons
The history of fashion is a catalog of glittering names: Yves St. Laurent, Givenchy, Christian Dior, Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang, Kate Spade and more. How have they stood the test of time? And how have they changed history? This course will consider the work and significance of these and other important designers.
Fashion: Project Runway
Do you look at the latest fashions from the top designers and wish you could create those kinds of designs and outfits? Here’s the place to get started.
You’ll start with your own concept, then step by step turn it into a completed piece. Working individually with your instructor, you’ll learn how to illustrate your design, and choose the color and fabrics to make it work.
Whether you sew it, zip it, tape it or glue it, you’re sure to help the class create fashion items that are one of a kind.
Fencing: Saber & Blade
When you hear the word “swordplay,” what images come to mind? The swashbuckling Three Musketeers? Armor-clad knights clanging heavy broadswords along castle walls or on fields of battle? Here’s another approach.
This class will introduce you to the ancient, elegant sport of fencing, in which opponents salute, go on guard and sustain an intense, strenuous, graceful dialogue through their gestures and weapons. Classes will cover footwork, blade work, strategy, training drills and exercises.
Film Studies: Animation
From Disney to Dreamworks, we take you on a journey through the legendary animated films of all time.
Find out the history of this magical art form and how it fits into the larger cinematic landscape. We’ll watch the greatest animated films that have ever been made and figure out how their messages and audiences have changed.
Film Studies: Classics to Current
For some people watching a movie is just couch time. For others, it’s a passion.
Students intrigued by film are invited to take this insightful course that looks back in time to compare current film remakes with the original classics.
Discover how cinema has changed by examining the way characters and dialogue have been updated — all while enjoying our recommended lineup of current and classic films.
Forensics: Crime Scene Investigation
Put on your surgical gloves as your team enters our simulated crime scene. Be sure to mark every step while working your way through the evidence. Your aim is to disturb nothing while noticing everything needed to solve the crime. Bag all your clues for further analysis and discussion.
Crime Scene Investigation is an interactive experience. We create crime scenes for you to investigate, testing your knowledge as you acquire it. Learn analytical and logical skills while puzzling over scenarios designed to make you wonder, “How was that possible?”
Guitar Intro: The Real Guitar Hero
How many times have you thought about learning to play the guitar? Really mean it? Here’s your chance to get started this summer.
This is an introductory course, so everybody is going to be starting from the beginning. Come and learn how to tune the guitar, play chords and melodies and accompany a song. If you’ve got a guitar, bring it, or use one of ours.
Journalism: Investigative Reporting
Like to put your nose down and really dig into an issue? Ever get a hunch and have a need to investigate it further? If you love the idea of gathering information from many different sources and trying to figure out a pattern, then this is the journalism course for you! We will teach you how to turn your hunches into hard-hitting, real-life investigative reporting.
Kosher Cooking
3-hour MWF class
Learn simple, quick, modern cooking using seasonal ingredients and today’s diverse kosher foods from around the world. You’ll chop, slice and dice along side professional chefs in this hands-on culinary experience. Create appealing dishes with bold flavors such as California Gazpacho, Potato and Charred Poblano Tortilla, Crisped Gilboa Cheese Panini with Fig Jam, Jalapeno Monterey Jack-Chipotle Grilled Wrap, White Peach Fool and Lemon Ginger Shortcakes with Berries. All while maintaining your commitment to kashruth.
Logic: Codes, Tricks & Puzzles
Uijt dmbtt sjmm ufbdi zpv ipx up efdpef boe sfbe tfdsfu nfttbhft! Know what I mean?
If you have an inquiring analytical mind, this is the course for you. In addition to cracking simple codes, we’ll explore puzzles, tricks and logical paradoxes that will amuse and bewilder you for hours. (For example, the first line above really says: “This class will teach you how to decode and read secret messages!”)
Practicing this kind of reasoning can make math and science easier for you in the future. It can also develop the systematic thinking you’ll need later in school work and all areas of life.
Magic: The Art of Illusion
Mesmerize your friends with close-up and street magic, card tricks, coin tricks, levitation and other cool illusions. Learn the art of magic performance from a professional magician — including how to wow even the toughest crowds with easy-to-do tricks that work every time!
Performing Arts: Stage Presence
Got talent? Want to learn how to maximize it in front of an audience?
For singers, dancers, actors, jugglers and everyone who likes to be on stage, this course examines the building blocks of stage presence and how to create an award winning performance.
Photography: Stop Motion
Learn how to use camera functions to take great pictures. We’ll show you depth of field can create an artistic background, or how changing your point of view can turn an ordinary subject into an outstanding photo.
The class will cover digital and traditional film photography, as well as the use of imaging programs like Photoshop.
Psychology: Pop Culture
Why does Bart Simpson always have detention? Why is Kartman so lazy? And why is “American Idol” so popular?
We’ll use pop culture as a springboard to explore modern psychological phenomena. Join us and discover why certain TV shows are popular as you become a Professor of Pop with our resident psychologist in this fascinating look at contemporary entertainment.
Psychology: Psyche Out
An exploration of psychological principles and theories — all explained through hands-on experiments. This class uses experiential learning to teach students to think outside the classroom and experience real-world psychology first hand. Students will learn psychological explanations of ways the mind, emotions, dreams, society, friendships and communication shape their life experiences.
Public Speaking: Charismatic Communication
It’s time to speak your mind! This course will give you the tools necessary to verbalize your opinion in an effective manner by applying useful strategies and tactics.
After we discover the various methods and styles used in public speaking and debate, you’ll choose your topic and presentation format. Then the words will roll off your tongue as you deliver intriguing short speeches. So, whether it’s open mike night at the local coffee house or your graduation address to hundreds of people, you will learn how to captivate and communicate with your audience.
Radio: Broadcasting & Production
Join our in-house DJ at the controls of Radio Krinsky to record talk shows, music, commercials — the gamut of radio programming.
You’ll learn how to write a radio script, sequence and fade songs to create a seamless flow of music, and keep the show moving in the face of technical problems. Each student will have an opportunity to broadcast their show at camp and experience the thrill of on-air stardom.
Radio: DJ Scratch & Mix
Have you ever wanted to know how to become a mix-and-scratch DJ? In this beginner class, you’ll learn about positioning the turntable, using the mixer, beat matching, drop-mixing, crowd control and crowd teasing. Get the tools you need to master the scratch and be the envy of all your friends.
Self-Defense: With Confidence
The key to defending yourself is confidence. This workshop will identify your strongest physical assets and teach you how to use them to defend yourself. Students will learn various skills from a mix of martial arts disciplines.
Speed Reading: Fast & Furious
Imagine reading faster and still having a great understanding of the material. We’ll use a variety of techniques such as identifying words without focusing on each letter, not sounding out all words, spending less time on some phrases than others, and skimming small sections. At the end of this course, you’ll breeze through magazines, books and essays like a pro.
Video: Claymation
At some point, every enthusiastic movie-goer and TV fan wants to get behind the camera. This course makes you the filmmaker. But instead of using real actors we’ll use clay figures!
Try your hand at direction, set design, costuming, production, editing and script writing. Design a television advertisement, script a drama, choreograph a music video or direct a documentary. Our Claymation track gives you the chance to explore all aspects of the art.
Video: Your MTV
Ever since The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star” hit the airwaves in 1981, people have been hooked on music videos. This is your chance to pick your favorite song and direct your very own music video. You can choreograph dance moves with your friends or create illusions with various props and video techniques. Either way, you’ll have an original music video to show off when you get home.
Yoga: Yogalaties: Get the Fusion
Change the way you think about exercise by blending the best of two of the most popular systems of health and fitness. Combine the core emphasis of Pilates with the postures and breathing of yoga and you get fusion. Can fitness get any better?