JCHS Journeys

The JCHS Journeys combine learning with a multi-day experiential adventure designed to teach life lessons on the road.

At JCHS, our four-year Journey program is designed to guide students through their development as individuals, while it fosters a sense of community as a grade. Lastly, students reflect on their role within the Jewish People and their connection to the wider World.

9th Grade

Making Our Machaneh: Creating Our Camp
(Camp Newman in Santa Rosa)

In the 9th grade, students visit Camp Newman to spend four days reflecting on their own grade community. They explore questions such as: what is the unique identity of our grade? What does this community give to me? What can I give back to it?

10th Grade

The Magic of the Canyons : Discovering Our Authentic Self in Nature 
(Zion Canyon National Park)

In their sophomore year, the journey to Zion National Park picks up those ideas and adds the element of “sacred place,” a natural setting with which we can form connections and within which powerful bonds can develop. 

11th Grade

Toward Connection and Peoplehood 
(Israel)

As juniors, the grade journeys to Israel, experiencing the power of a national homeland as a place to explore individual identity. 

12th Grade

Journey Toward Service 
(New Orleans)

Finally, in 12th grade, with new perspective on themselves and the world, the grade travels to New Orleans to reflect on their “universe of obligation,” learning how they can best be of service to the world, and learning how to build and rebuild a community in an inclusive and ethical way. Students graduate having examined the world in wider and wider circles, and with deeper and nuanced insight about their own identities. 

Journeys artwork created by Joshua Miller ’24

Current families, please log in to the JCHS Portal and click on the “Grade Journeys” Resource Board for Journeys information, itineraries, packing lists and permission forms.