 |
|
Sibling Information Form |
|
With year one behind us, and families still raving about what an INCREDIBLE experience it was, the Tikvah staff is gearing up for another wonderful 5 days of Tikvah Family Camp at Camp Ramah in the Poconos and we want you and your family to be there with us. Tikvah Family Camp provides Jewish children with developmental disorders and/or social learning disorders, their parents, and their siblings the unique opportunity to together experience the magic of Jewish summer camp. Our 5-day overnight program incorporates Jewish learning, recreation, spiritual reflection, and plain-old-fun in the beautiful natural environment of Camp Ramah in the Poconos. A typical day at camp includes family activities as well as separate programming for children with special needs, their siblings, and their parents. Activities include music, Israeli dance, swimming, athletics, and art. As part of the authentic camping experience, each family stays in a private cabin that includes a private bathroom with showers, a closet, and an outdoor porch. Our program is committed to providing necessary supports for all of our participants. Each child with special needs is paired with a chaver, or friend, who acts as his/her buddy throughout the program. Our siblings are given the opportunity, in a safe environment, to discuss the positive and negative impacts of having brothers and sisters with special needs. Parents are invited to participate in daily study sessions that explore a variety of issues surrounding raising Jewish children with special needs. Each night, after their children go to bed, parents are encouraged to participate in a social event while counselors serve as babysitters. Highlights of Tikvah Family Camp include a campfire complete with singing and smores; Friday evening Shabbat services around the lake; Shabbat morning services dancing with the Torah; and, most significantly, time for families who face similar challenges and triumphs throughout the year to get to know each other, share stories, and experience camp as they have never before had the opportunity to do. Our program will run from Wednesday, August 18, 2010 through Sunday, August 22, 2010. The subsidized cost per family is $613. This program has been generously funded by the Venture Philanthropy Group. Enclosed is the Tikvah Family Camp application packet. Please complete the forms and return them to the Camp Ramah Office at 261 Old York Road, Suite 734, Jenkintown, PA 19046. Additionally, please direct all questions to Adena Sternthal at: We look forward to meeting you this summer! |