Program Specifics: Middle School Xploration
Everything You Explore
Study Your Favorite Stuff
Xploration Workshops cover an incredibly wide range of interesting subjects. This is your chance to discover new ideas, skills and experiences in a friendly atmosphere of exploration and growth. Don’t worry if you’re trying 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.
How to Choose Your Xploration Workshops
Workshops meet for 90 minutes each day, either Monday, Wednesday and Friday (MWF) or Tuesday and Thursday (TTh), except for Kosher Cooking, which meets for 3 hours. Be sure to select workshops that meet on alternate days. Students choose their morning courses for the full session while completing their application.
Each week, all campers also choose two afternoon workshops from a list that changes weekly. Offered from 1:00 to 2:30, these workshops give you a chance to take your morning program a little further or try something completely different. Click here for a list: Afternoon Workshops.
Art: Inner Artist
Develop your awareness of shape and form, using sketching pencils and charcoal to create gesture and contour drawings. Experiment with all kinds of media – from ink and pastels to anything you 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. Come and express yourself through art.
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 chessboard. So
come and challenge your new friends for the chance
to have the final word: "Checkmate"
Creative Writing: Fiction Workshop
This course will show you how to use and improve
your talent with words.
Both aspiring artists and weekend warriors will
learn how to turn ideas into stories that people will be
eager to read. Whether your interest is in short stories
or novels, conventional story–telling, magical realism,
comedy or tragedy, this course will help you hone
your craft and move closer to achieving your goals.
We focus on teaching you the fundamental
elements of plot, structure, character, voice, dialogue,
description, and point of view through lectures, class
discussions, writing exercises, and in–depth critiques
of your writing. Whether you’re on your way to
becoming a Hawthorne, Hemingway, Austen, or
Rowling, this is the course for you!
Debate & 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 you 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 mic 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.
Digital Photography: Stop Motion
Learn how to use camera functions to take great
pictures. We’ll show you how 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, analog, and traditional
photography, as well as the use of imaging programs
like Photoshop®.
Engineering Intro: Rockets To Race Cars
Welcome to a dynamic introduction to the field of
engineering. Each day, you’ll dive into a new field of
study, applying art, science, and mathematics to
today’s technology.
You’ll learn about hardware, logic, programming,
and mechanics in this interactive course.
Design your own rocket, build engines, race model
cars, and discover sources of energy in nature, as you
work with your hands and your mind.
Fashion: Design & Creation
This workshop will show you how to start with an
inspiration and create your own fashion statement.
You’ll learn how to illustrate your designs, then
work one-on-one with an instructor to choose the
colors, fabrics, and lines that suit your own personal
style. At the end of the session, the class will select
top designs for complete creation for a final fashion
show.
Whether you sew it, zip it, tape it, or glue it, you’re
sure to create a fashion design that is uniquely you!
Film Studies: Transformers to Twilight and Other Modern Myths
From Avatar to Iron Man, The Blind Side to Sherlock Holmes, Up to Inception, this course studies the most popular movies of this past decade and examines the components of their popularity. Why is Twilight such a powerful series of blockbusters? How did Nosferatu and Interview with a Vampire pave the way for the series&apos: success? What does Twilight tell us about the audience that enjoys it? Addressing all these questions and more, the class will help transform past time to passion and, perhaps, stoke the flames of a future profession in the film industry.
Glee 101: Green Day To Gaga
If you ever sang along to Glee or thought you could be the next American Idol, this is the class for you. Work with professional musicians and focus on the production of a balanced, blended vocal signature. This workshop is perfect for either amateurs or students with prior training. Students will perform both a cappella, and with accompaniment, to broaden their musical repertoire and develop the confidence necessary to further their musical aspirations. Topics of study will include tone, harmony, diction, development of vocal range, aural identification, and the anatomical science behind the musical craft. Julian Krinsky’s voice workshop will make you the person that everyone wants in the band. Just don’t forget us when you’re famous.
Guitar Intro: The Real Guitar Hero
How many times have you thought about learning
to play the guitar? Really mean it? Here’s a chance to
get started.
This is an introductory course, so everybody will
start 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, please bring it along. If
not, use one of ours.
Hip-Hop Dance: Modern Movements
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, you’ll learn our
own original choreography.
Improv Workshop: Second City Philadelphia
What do Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Zack Galifinakis and Jeff Garlin all have in common? Yeah, they’re all great comedic actors, but–perhaps more importantly–the roots of their genius lay in comedic improvisation. In this workshop, students will learn the art of "saying yes to saying yes," study the fine points of initiating scenes, build off of partner’s suggestions, and improve their active listening skills. Students will work with one another to improve each other’s performance and develop the skills necessary to tell a "true" story in an improvisational context. The course will cover the theory surrounding successful comedic and dramatic improvisation and culminate in a final performance on the Julian Krinsky MainStage.
JKCP Songwriting Series
Whether you’re a seasoned entertainer or a wannabe apprentice, this is the course that will help you take your music out of the shower and into the studio. Focusing on melody, rhythm, point of view, "hooks" and bridges, students will study the necessary tools to produce a well–crafted song. Additionally, students will study the work of lyrical masters ranging from Woody Guthrie to Lady Gaga and uncover a signature style. The contents of your iTunes® library don’t matter; this class will cross genres to help students construct original songs.
Kosher Cooking
(3-hour MWF or TTh 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 alongside 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.
Magic: The Art Of Illusion
Mesmerize your friends with 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!
Martial Arts: Lifetime Fitness
This workshop will identify your strengths and use them to optimize your martial arts training. Students will learn the basics of footwork, stance, and striking. The course will cover basic defensive and counter techniques, focus on core conditioning, and build both strength and stamina.
Mural Arts: Monumental Masterpieces
Per square foot, Philadelphia is one of the most mural–rich cities in the world. This artistically profound location provides a perfect backdrop to pursue this unique form of artistic expression. Using a combination of modern techniques, students will learn to express themselves on a MASSIVE scale. Additionally, the course will cover both historical and modern approaches to this art form. From graffiti to revolution, we will examine the social significance of these public paintings. Regardless of artistic ability, students will leave the course with a more complete understanding and participation in the creation of this passionate expression of communal creativity.
Photography: Light Painting
This course sheds new light on antiquated darkroom techniques. Students use digital cameras and neon lights to create amazing images that will last a lifetime. Illustrating humans, animals, words, and symbols, students combine sketching, painting and sculpture in this JKCP original course. No equipment is necessary, just a keen eye and open mind.
Recycled Art: Trash To Treasure
JKCP has gone green! Now it’s your turn to recycle trash into treasures. Use found and organic objects to craft green masterpieces. You’ll be inspired by famous contemporary artists then create your own work. After seeing your original art displayed in the final exhibition, your friends will be green with envy.
Science E³ – Experiments, Explosions & Excitement
This is a hands–on course that will keep you on your toes. You’ll be riveted with a project–based curriculum designed to keep you involved. You’ll use and develop science skills as you create geysers, watch volcanoes explode, investigate nature and more. Hypothesize an outcome and analyze the results to see if your conclusion is correct. If you’re ready for fun, come research, test, and probe the wild world of E³.
Sculpture: Massive Models
We’re livin’ LARGE! In this course, you’ll take ordinary objects such as pennies, pencils, iPods®, and cell phones and re–imagine them on a colossal scale! Looking at the art of such famous artists as Claes Oldenburg, you’ll take the stuff from your pocket and make it fill a room. Take whatever you like and re–create it – BIG!
Self-Defense: With Confidence
The key to defending yourself is confidence. This workshop will identify your strengths and teach you how to use them to defend yourself. Students will learn various skills from a mix of martial arts disciplines.
Sports Experience: Get In The Game
From pickleball to kickball, badminton to
dodgeball, basketball to Aussie Rules football, the
Sports Experience offers students the opportunity to
explore some of the world’s most popular recreational
sports. Students will study the rules of each individual
sport and hone their physical skills through drills and
match play, all while building the necessary skills to
function as a valuable member of a team.
Additionally, this course will introduce non–traditional
games like JKCP Speedball that are sure to become
future favorites. Get in on the action and join us for
the Sports Experience!
Video Production: Director’s Cut
This course makes you the filmmaker with total creative control of an actual film. Whether claymation, animation, or live–action, you’ll choose the medium. Try your hand at directing, set design, costuming, production, editing, and scriptwriting. Design a television advertisement, direct a drama, choreograph a music video, or shoot a documentary. It’s your show and the choice is yours.
Web Design: Programming 101
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.
Yoga: Downward Dog To Warrior
Looking for a great workout? Both boys & girls can
join this fun class and change the way you think
about exercise. It’s no wonder that yoga has been one
of fitness’ greatest "trends" for over 3000 years. Get
energized, breath deeply, and leave feeling relaxed,
calm and centered; you may even learn how to better
perform and stay focused in school and in sports.
Become a more buddah–ful teen!
Courses are subject to change without prior notification.