Counselor and camper enjoy a walk at Ramapo for Children’s summer camp in Rhinebeck, New York. Photo courtesy of Ramapo for Children
Like for others, overnight summer camps for children facing physical disabilities, behavior challenges, or other special needs are about friends and activities. But these campers also need different programming to improve their relationship skills and independence, and that’s the work of two overnight camps funded by UJA-Federation of New York.
“Sleepaway camp is a wonderful experience for all children. For disabled children …. it’s more of an essential part of development,” says Marvin Raps, executive director of Camp Oakhurst in Oakhurst, New Jersey, a beneficiary agency of UJA-Federation.
“UJA-Federation and many of its network agencies are committed to fostering supporting environments that allow children with special needs to thrive and develop their full potential,” notes Allan Glick, chair of UJA-Federation’s Jewish Communal Network Commission. “Summer camps designed for children with special needs ideally fulfill that role.”
Situated on 240 acres in Rhinebeck, New York, with woods, fields, and a private lake, Ramapo for Children, also a beneficiary agency of UJA-Federation, offers summer camp with a mission: to serve children with a wide range of emotional and learning issues through experiential and adventure-based learning programs.
Founded in 1922, the camp accommodates 600 campers ages 4 to 17. The staff ratio is one to one.
“We work with children with a wide range of issues, but all …. are struggling socially with making friends and relating to siblings and parents,” says Mike Kunin, director of the summer camp.
That’s why almost every activity, from living in bunks to canoeing to tackling a ropes course, is based on creating friendships and building relationships and cooperation, explains Bernie Kosberg, executive director of Ramapo.
“We were looking for a camp where our son could develop social skills,” says Robin Green, who said her 15-year-old son has autism. “Our son has attended Ramapo since he was 8 …. The interaction with other campers has been the biggest benefit to him.”
A highlight of the Ramapo camp experience is a rope-climbing course.
“It builds tremendous confidence and becomes a touchstone” for children to learn who they are under stress and apply it to their lives, notes Kunin.
The camp also brings in post-army Israeli staff through the Shlichim program of the Jewish Agency for Israel, a UJA-Federation beneficiary agency. They are joined by other young adults, including Ethiopian Jews.
For children with physical disabilities, the summer camp at Camp Oakhurst, operated by New York Service for the Handicapped, often provides “the first opportunity to experience independence,” says Marvin Raps.
The overnight camp serves 100 children ages 8 to 19 with severe physical disabilities. The staff ratio is one counselor for every two children. A two-week session for adults ages 20 and older is also available, and the camp has operated since 1905.
“For disabled children who rely on a family caregiver, the struggle for independence is more complicated, especially if they have to rely on other caregivers,” says Raps. ♦
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