Put Down the Xbox, It's Adventure Camp at JCA

In a day and age where video games, DVRs and smartphones seem to take precedence, Joliet Catholic Academy’s Adventure Camp combines arts, crafts, sports and songs for a trip down memory lane.

“It’s not a sit-down-in-front-of-the-TV type of thing,” said Karla Budz, the camp moderator. “It’s getting the kids out from in front of that TV and getting them to do something – getting them to be active.”

Activities have abounded in the second year of the camp, which runs from 9 to 11:30 a.m. in the first session for ages 4 to 6 and from noon to 2:30 p.m. in the second session for ages 7 to 12. The two-week camp started on July 18 and ends Friday.

“We saw nice growth from the first year, and it’s great to see the kids come back from the year before,” said Budz, who has 19 campers in the first session and 10 in the second. “It’s a camp for the kids who are too young to maybe go to some of our other camps here but still want to have that JCA experience.”

It also is a labor of love for Budz, a Queen of Peace graduate who taught day camp, play camps, dance and gymnastics for the Chicago Park District for 10 years and was a grade-school teacher before becoming a stay-at-home mom with her five children. She is married to Jeff Budz, JCA’s Principal and CEO.

“I love doing this and I really missed doing this,” said Budz, a Joliet resident who graduated from Saint Xavier University with a degree in early childhood education. “If you ask the people in my neighborhood, it’s something I’ve been doing with them for years and this is just another avenue of doing it.”

Budz is assisted by Kristen Doubek, a Lockport resident and Northern Illinois University graduate. She was an elementary teacher in the Chicago Public School system for 10 years before taking a sabbatical.

Just like Budz, Doubek enjoys helping the next generation of children — besieged by technology — to actually get involved with activities that have stood the test of time.

“That’s what we were saying,” Doubek confirmed. “They’re getting to play the same games we used to play as kids. We’re doing arts and crafts projects every day, so we’re using all the areas of their brain to engage them instead of playing video games or watching TV.

“And they’re getting to do all kinds of physical activities. Because they’re running around, they’re coming home sweaty and tired every day — so it’s great for their parents, too.”

Athletic events are part of the mix, but the indoor whiffle ball and floor hockey resemble a picnic.

“A lot of times, kids get involved in organized sports and some kids aren’t meant for organized sports,” Doubek said. “Here, they are learning about basic skills, teamwork and having fun, but it’s less competitive. It’s not about the win, but having fun.”

For the younger kids, it is the first chance to experience JCA. Budz, whose son Jeffrey and daughter Karlyn will be attending JCA in the next two years, understands the benefit of that history lesson.

“The kids get to learn more about the family aspect at JCA,” Budz said. “And what I have loved about this camp is that it’s the first time some of the younger kids realize, ‘Wow, my mom and dad went here. This is where my mom and dad went to school.’ And then they light up.”

For more information about JCA’s camps, go to the school's website or call 815-741-0500. A one-day Christmas camp is being planned for December, date to be determined.