Fully Inclusive Summer Camp

Our special needs intake form, along with a meet and greet and tour with the Director of Kehillah, will assist in determining the right placement for each camper. We currently have two options for potential campers:

 1) Inclusion Camp (8 weeks): The Inclusion Camp is our traditional J-Camps 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.

 2) Camp Kehillah (1 week): This special needs camp week works 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 or 3:1 (depending on classroom) with additional specialists on staff for the week.

J-Camp Inclusion Camp will run from June 21, 2021 – August 20, 2021 from 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM.

Camp Kehillah dates are TBD.

Elementary through Teens:  9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Older Teens through Adults: Monday – Thursday 2:00 P – 7:00 PM and Friday 12:00  – 6:00 PM

Yes! You’re welcome to sign up for as many weeks of camp as you’d like.

Unfortunately due to space limitations, we can only accept campers for full weeks.

Yes, you may supply your own staff through your school district or personal care assistants. If you do so, your camp cost is $260/week for members, $320/week for non-members.

J-Camps – Inclusion Camp Rates:

$495/week for 2:1 (members), $570/week for 2:1 (non-members)
$655/week for 1:1 (members), $740/week for 1:1 (non-members)

LITs
$300/week (members), $365/week (non-members)*
*Additional cost is support is needed

Camp Kehillah Special Needs Camp:

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Monday – Friday, Members $260, General Public $340

Teens – Young Adults from 2:00 – 7:00 PM Members $340, General Public $405

Scholarships and 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 April when camp registration opens and go through June 21, 2021.

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, and Association for Community Living.

We keep a kosher-style lunch area. The Springfield 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 J 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 Tina Edwards at (413) 739-4715.

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. To protect all children who come to camp and to prevent you from making an unnecessary trip, we ask that you 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 which is 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 J-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, Inclusion Camp Coordinator, and Tina Edwards, Director of Kehillah, should be contacted as soon as possible so that the situation can be resolved. If they are not available, please leave your name and phone number with the front desk and they will return your call as promptly as possible. Email is the best way to reach staff during the camp day (8:30 AM – 4:30 PM). If there is an emergency, please leave your message with the front desk and they will radio the 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 as needed.

Yes, the J 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.