Inclusion and Special Needs (Tikvah) Camp

Staff embraces each participant’s individuality, and supports campers in their efforts to improve abilities and achieve their individual goals. Our low camper to staff ratio provides our campers with an opportunity for adventure and accomplishment within the safest supervision standards. Campers are grouped in Tikvah according to their age and level of development. Campers need to be able to participate safely in activities and may bring their own one to one support if necessary.

New campers must have an intake interview with the Director of Inclusion. The Mandel JCC provides a 1:3 counselor to camper ratio.

Kehilla Inclusion Program (KIP)

Available for campers in Grades K - 5

Kehilla means "community" in Hebrew, and that's exactly what our KIP participants should feel a part of ... the Camp Shalom community.

We believe that every child can succeed, every child can participate, and every child can make friends. We believe that the Kehilla Inclusion Program is good for everyone — kids with and without disabilities, families, staff, and our community! KIP campers will participate with their typically developing peers when appropriate with a little more supervision.

The Kehilla Inclusion Program at Camp Shalom is an enhanced program designed to meet the needs of all of our campers. Participants in this program will be placed in an inclusion group based on their needs and preferences.

The Inclusion Specialist and Director of Special Needs will design a schedule that is structured to ensure each camper has the best possible camp experience. Campers will be able to participate in any camp activity with support.

This program will allow campers to build on their strengths and preferences to reach their full potential. Campers in this program will participate in alternate activities when the assigned activity does not match the camper's strengths.

A weekly home note will be sent home to show what activities the camper participated in during the week. Inclusion support will be provided during all activities throughout the day.

Campers in Grades K–5 with mild exceptionalities who benefit from an IEP, 504 plan, Functional Behavior Assessment, and/or Behavioral Intervention Plan are supported in our inclusion program. Children must be able to change clothes, eat, and use the restroom independently. Inclusion staff provide individualized support as needed, with each staff member working closely with a small group of 3–4 campers to ensure focused attention, guidance, and a positive camp experience.

New campers who wish to participate in KIP or Tikvah program, must have an intake meeting and get approval from the Director of Inclusion prior to registering for camp. Space in the program is limited. Returning campers will be given priority for admission.