Dear J-Camp Families,
I am incredibly excited for the start of my third summer as the J-Camp Director! Last summer was amazing; some highlights included a fantastic magic show on a Fun Friday, our field trip to the Oakland Zoo and great shabbat performances. This summer I cannot wait for our campers to enjoy some new water day activities, some brand-new field trips and more!
Camp has always been a place where young people can make friends in a safe, positive and supportive community. I cannot wait to share the joy of camp with all campers joining us for the summer. Whether it's playing a game of Gaga, swimming in the pool or making an amazing Arts & Crafts project, this summer will be a blast for everyone. Guided by our camp values—confidence (בטחון), compassion (רחמים), curiosity (סקרנות), social responsibility (אחריות), mindfulness (זהירות) and gratitude (הכרת הטוב)— we are creating opportunities for our campers to connect, grow, learn and have tons of fun each summer!
As we approach summer, please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. We would love to hear from you about how we can make this summer the best summer for your child. The entire camp team looks forward to providing your family with an exciting summer filled with lots of memorable moments!
Campingly Yours,
Phil Bassett
J-Camp Director
Dave Rosenfeld—Senior Director of Youth and Teens
Dave has been a member of the OFJCC family for over twelve years and has been lucky enough to support and experience the thrill of J-Camp ever since the summer of 2011. He has more than 25 years of experience working with children, knowing from an early age that is what he wanted to do with his professional life.
Dave and his wife live in a popular small town in the South Bay with a house full of kids, pets and snacks to keep them young. He loves to be active, and then, after being active, really loves being inactive. Dave is enthusiastic for the kids to see what we have in store for them this year.
Phil Bassett—Camp Director
Phil joined the OFJCC in the fall of 2022. He brings with him years of experience working with children in both camp and educational settings. While spending some time in the classroom as a teacher after college, he found his passion in camps after spending summers working at an overnight camp in the woods of Northern Minnesota. Phil is excited to bring his passion for providing amazing and fun experiences to campers this summer.
Phil grew up in a small town outside of Boston, Massachusetts. He moved to California a few years ago, spending most of that time in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Some of Phil's favorite activities include exploring nature, watching sports and traveling. In his off time, he enjoys spending much of his time either going on long walks or hanging out with his two cats, Olive and Salem.
Monica Valdez—Assistant Camp Director
Monica joined the Youth and Teens team at the OFJCC in 2013. During the years that followed, she took on the role as the Department Coordinator and supported all of the programs in the Youth and Teens Department, including J-Camp. More recently, Monica has been focusing solely on camp and stepped into the role of Assistant Camp Director. This will be Monica's fourth summer in this role and she is looking forward to witnessing the countless friendships that develop over the summer at J-Camp.
As a Bay Area native, Monica loves the San Francisco Giants and Golden State Warriors. During her downtime, Monica enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching Project Runway and getting a workout in at the OFJCC Fitness Center.