Disability Inclusion At Camp
Camp is community. Camp is friendship. Camp is childhood. As camps advance their diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, practices, and programming, it is imperative that children with disabilities are at the forefront of these efforts. Because all kids should camp!
Making Valuable Connections
Cultivating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at camp is an investment that pays great dividends in meeting campers’ and staff members’ challenges, helping everyone earn a sense of accomplishment and building a community where everyone feels valued.
LGBTQIA+ Inclusion
Although the camp world has always been a little ahead of the curve on diversity and inclusion efforts, recently there have been more bold, brave, and vigorous efforts to create camps that meet the needs of all kinds of kids, families, and staff members.
Intentionally Inclusive
The dream was always that the physical property of the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan’s Camp Settoga in New York would be a manifestation of core values—a chance to really “walk the talk.” And now, it is.
Camp Administration 101: Managing Camper Conflict
Regardless of how much time is spent acclimating kids to life at camp, there will almost always be incidents of kids not getting along. Examples can range from minor name-calling to severe bullying, fighting, or inappropriate language.
Find A Way To “YES!”
Twenty years ago, as a new challenge-course facilitator, I was asked to take a group with special needs through some initiatives and low-course elements. I remember being stumped on choosing the activity line-up since there was limited information about the participants and an understanding of what they could do.
Welcome To Morgan’s Wonderland
“Where everyone can play.” These four words aptly describe Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio, the world’s first theme park designed with special-needs individuals in mind and built for everyone’s enjoyment.
The Ideal Workplace
Camps have an opportunity to create the “ideal workplace,” a place where every employee is a valued member of the team. While I always felt this to be true, spending a week at the Clifton Strengths Summit last June caused me to see just how ideal it really can be.