Fully Inclusive Summer Camp

Our special needs intake form, along with a meet + greet and tour with the Director of Kehillah, will assist in determining the right placement for each camper.

   Inclusion Camp (8 weeks): The Inclusion Camp is our traditional JCC Summer Camp program with extra support of 2:1 staffing or 1:1 staffing.  It provides all the fun, energy, and activities of a traditional camp to the camper who does well in an inclusion setting and wants to spend time with their peers without special needs.  This camp is for ages 4 to 16.  Some older campers do go on to camp counselor training or vocational camp experiences on an approval basis. 1:1 staffing is available.

   Camp Kehillah (1 week): The special needs camp week does well for everyone from the child in full or partial inclusion, to the child in a substantially separate classroom environment.  Our days are predictable and structured to prepare for school starting.  We have daily swimming, music therapy, arts and crafts, social skills games and structured free play.  Staffing is 2:1/3:1 (depending on classroom) with additional specialists on staff for the week.

Camp Hours:

To ensure that your child gets the most out of their camp day (and summer!), we have 3 options available. Your child can attend camp for a half day, 9-12:30pm, 12:00-3:30pm; full day, 9-3:30pm; or, Friday only.

Summer Camp 2020:

June 22 – August 14

Kehillah Special Needs Camp:  August 17 – 21

Elementary through Teens; 9am – 1pm

Older Teens through Adults; Mon. – Thurs. 2pm – 7pm & Fri 12pm – 6pm

Yes, sign up for one, two, five or all nine weeks.

No, unfortunately, because space is limited we can only accept campers for full weeks.

Yes, if you supply your own staff through your school district or personal care assistants, your camp cost is:

Members – $260 Per Week

Non-Members – $320 Per Week

Springfield JCC Summer Camps – Kehillah Inclusion Rates

1/2 Day Member 2:1 – $300

1/2 Day Non Member 2:1 – $370

1/2 Day Member 1:1 – $460

1/2 Day Non Member 1:1 – $539

1/2 Day Friday Only Non Member 2:1 – $90

1/2 Day Friday Only Member 2:1 – $80

Full Day Member 2:1 – $460

Full Day Non Member 2:1 – $530

Full Day Member 1:1 $600

Full Day Non Member 1:1 – $685

Full Day Friday Only Member 2:1 – $110

Full Day Friday Only Non Member 2:1 – $125

Camp Kehillah Special Needs Camp

9 – 1pm, Monday – Friday, Members $260, General Public $340

Teens – Young Adults from 2 – 7pm Members $340 General Public $405

Scholarships & Payment Plans: Partial scholarships are available through the generosity of the Springfield JCC InFUND, Harold Grinspoon Foundation, Korn Family and Sadye Silver Fund for Special Needs Programming. Payment plans are always available. Payment plans can start in February when camp registration opens and go through August 15th. Final payment must be received no later than September 15th if setting up a payment plan with special approval.

Support Agency Billing: If you would like, we can invoice DDS or your family support agency with pre-approval of available funds. We work with many agencies but some include Autism Connections, SC@N 360, Down Syndrome Resource Group, Multi Cultural Services, Association for Community Living and many others.

We keep kosher style lunch area. The Jewish Community Center asks that you send in a non-meat lunch (peanut butter, cheese, tuna or yogurt). We do not allow children to share any food. All camp lunches will be refrigerated. Please write your child’s name on his/her lunch bag or reusable lunch bag. The JCC can provide water at lunch time, and throughout the day. If you have any questions or concerns on what to bring for lunch please call Bethany Young.

We are equipped to handle minor illness and boo-boos. In cases where we feel the child should not stay at camp, we will ask the family or contact person to pick up the child. We wish to protect all children coming to camp and also to prevent you from making an unnecessary trip to camp so please keep your child home if they are not feeling well. If your child needs to take medication during camp hours or has complex medical needs, please contact Tina Edwards for the necessary forms and arrangements.

We are extremely proud of our safe and fun swim program run collaboratively by the staff of our pool, inclusion and traditional camp. Campers are tested and placed in their appropriate swimming group based on age, ability and previous water experience. Receiving these wonderful swim lessons and open swim time to practice is an incredible perk of coming to JCC Camps. During instructional swim, campers will develop and learn aquatic skills and endurance. Pool safety will be emphasized. Special attention will be given to campers who are having difficulty adjusting to the water. Please send your child with swim diapers if applicable.

Open communication is key to the success of our program! We ask that you communicate concerns, questions and kudos regarding our program or facility. If any challenges arise with your child’s experience at camp, Sarah Goldstein and Tina Edwards, should be contacted as soon as possible so that the situation can be resolved.  If they are not available leave your name and phone number with the front office and they will return your call as promptly as possible.  Email is the best way to reach staff during the camp day (8:30-4:30pm). If there is an emergency – leave your message with the Front Desk and they will radio staff immediately.

Please keep all toys and valuables at home! This includes cell phones, iPods and electronic games. If your child needs one of these items to help them throughout the day (i.e. reward, communication, calming) the item will stay with their Inclusion Counselor until needed.

Please make sure we know all the details of your child’s allergies, intolerances and/or autoimmune issues.  We have peanut free tables and will adjust per individual’s dietary requirements.

Yes, the JCC is air conditioned. In summer most of our activities take place outside, but we will adjust schedules based on each child’s heat tolerance and needs.