Our history
About Us
Horizon Day Camp-Metro DC is a project between the Pozez JCC and Sunrise Association.
The Pozez Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia (the J) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a strong and vibrant community through meaningful opportunities to engage in Jewish life. The J welcomes individuals of all ages, abilities, ethnicities, faiths, and backgrounds. Our activities touch individuals each year through quality cultural, educational, and wellness programs, as well as Israel celebrations.
Click here to learn more about the Pozez JCC: theJ.org
Horizon Day Camp-Metro DC|VA|MD opened in the summer of 2022, sharing the mission to bring back the joys of childhood to children with cancer and their siblings world-wide, through the creation of Day Camps, Year-Round Programs and In-Hospital Recreational Activities, all offered free of charge.
The Sunrise Dream Becomes Reality
The Sunrise Association Day Camps began as a “dream” of Arnie Preminger, President & CEO of the Sunrise Association. After attending a benefit concert for Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang Camp (a sleep-away camp for children with life-threatening illness), the dreaming began. Having built and operated summer day camps for more than 30 years at the Friedberg JCC, Arnie researched the existence of summer-long day camps for children with cancer, but to his surprise, found none.
Horizon Day Camp-Metro DC
Daily activities include music, arts and crafts, sports, swimming, nature activities and more. Goals include helping children develop friendships, confidence, and interpersonal skills, while enjoying the simple pleasures of childhood. We also aspire to open-up the community to the children during the summer camp and throughout the year, creating opportunities for them to learn, have fun, and enjoy new experiences, without barriers to entry and amid a safe and inclusive setting.
Children with cancer and their siblings often live in a world of no, but at Horizon Day Camp-Metro DC, it is a world of YES!
Our Camps
Aurora Day Camp • Atlanta, GA
Horizon Day Camp • Baltimore, MD
Horizon Day Camp • Metro DC
Sunrise Day Camp • Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Sunrise Day Camp • Chicago, IL
Sunrise Day Camp • Greater Philadelphia
Sunrise Day Camp • Long Island, NY
Sunrise Day Camp • Pearl River, NY
Sunrise Day Camp • Staten Island, NY
Sunrise Israel • Be’er Sheva, Israel
Sunrise Israel • Beit Yehoshuah, Israel
Sunrise Israel • Ramat Yochanan, Israel
SunriseVX • Virtual Experience
OUR VISION
We work towards a world where cancer will not be the defining factor in a child’s life; where children and families navigating the difficult world of pediatric cancer can find hope, love, and an extra ray of sunshine; where cultural diversity is embraced and every child is celebrated for who they are and for the unique gifts they bring into the world.
OUR VALUES
Fun Is Mandatory: Sunrise is children just being children – having fun playing and laughing together. We want every child, even if they can attend for only a day, to have the best day ever!
Inclusivity and Diversity: Sunrise is a world-wide organization made up of people from every walk of life who recognize and embrace the unique journey of each child. Sunrise actively seeks to create inclusive communities – whether at camp or in the hospitals – that celebrate diversity and equity among all children and staff while respecting both the differences and the commonalities that bind us together as a human family.
Hope & Healing: While we may not be able to cure cancer, Sunrise can provide the healing of the heart as well as the hope that each child can experience the true meaning of childhood.
