Good morning, Capital Camps!
During our staff development week prior to camper arrival, I presented our Atzma’im Inclusion Program to all of our new staff members. I shared that we support campers with a range of disabilities and needs, and I explained the structure by which we do this. As I was creating this program and detailing how different members of our community support our campers receiving Atzma’im support, I was able to remember and see how Atzma’im is truly a collective effort here at Capital Camps. Here are the some of the ways people in various roles support with the Atzma’im Program:
Atzma’im Counselors: These are the dedicated “go-to” counselors for our campers with Atzma’im support. They are extra informed about the campers’ needs and trained to support them day to day. This is the campers’ primary support person.
Cabin Counselors: They work to build an inclusive cabin culture so that all campers feel at home.Cabin counselors in bunks with an Atzma’im counselor seamlessly handle the role of the Atzma’im counselor on their hours off and days off.
Specialists: Sports, ropes, aquatics, and art specialists will get to know campers when they come to their specialty areas. They work side-by-side with the Atzma’im counselors to make sure that the camper can participate appropriately and is provided all necessary accommodations.
Other counselors in the village: Other staff in the village can step in to hang out with the campers, provide a break for Atzma’im counselors, help to uphold inclusive behavior among peers, and keep campers’ needs in mind when planning programs.
The Leadership Team: I personally work routinely with different members of the Leadership Team to help support our campers. Whether it’s collaborating with a yoetzet to discuss social-emotional dynamics, asking our Ropes Coordinator to accommodate a camper on the zipline, working with our CIT village leader to coordinate CITs shadowing Atzma’im support counselors, there’s helpful work to be done by everyone.
The campers: We have developmentally different expectations for different aged campers regarding supporting their peers with disabilities. In the younger villages, campers may actively find ways to include their peers in programming and down time. In the older villages, campers may also help their peers with some daily tasks or advocate for them when necessary.
Making the Atzmaim Program a reality is truly a team effort involving every member of our camp ecosystem. I am endlessly thankful to be part of a community where everyone is so committed to this culture of inclusion.
Best,
Hannah Stoller