Page 6 - Boca Club News - August '24

Page 6, Boca Club News

Boca Happenings
Boca Happenings

Levis JCC’s Camp Kavod Making Summer a Treat

For Special Needs Children, Teens, Young Adults

The Adolph & Rose Levis JCC’s Helene & Roy
Schwedelson Special Needs Department offers more than
20 programs throughout the year for individuals with special
needs and their families, including Camp Kavod. The eight-
week summer program for campers ages 3-22+ features
typical camp activities on campus and out in community
settings, with a focus on having fun while acquiring vital life
skills. Now in its 21st summer, this year a record 110 campers
flock to campus each day, eager to see friends, favorite
counselors and enjoy field trips and activities. Campers are
divided into groups by age and readiness. As the campers get
older, middle and high school-aged campers are also divided
by gender.
session, campers participate in winter and spring camps.
Pre-K-12th grade.
The highlight of the summer for teen campers is the annual • Fit & Fun Program: Highly skilled personal trainers and
teen dance. Dressed to impress, dozens of teens who have teen volunteer buddies lead this innovative program. Athletes
special needs arrive in the evening to a beautifully decorated participate in strength training, gain flexibility and agility,
auditorium. They enjoy dancing to the sounds of a live DJ, improve coordination and endurance, enhance social skills,
snacks and a photo booth. and build self-confidence. Ages 3-22+
“It is truly one of my favorite nights of the year,” noted • After School Enrichment: Participants enjoy fun-filled
Heidi Cohen, Assistant Manager, Special Needs Programs afternoons of activities designed to engage and enrich
for the Levis JCC and a Special Education teacher with the their after-school hours while helping them build skills and
Palm Beach County School District. “Watching these kids socialize with peers. Skilled and caring staff oversee activities
arrive all dressed up and so excited, knowing they have the that include fitness, ponies, yoga, homework help, art,
opportunity to experience something that their typical peers science, fun with food, dance and so much more. Ages 3-22+
don’t think twice about–it just fills my heart with happiness.” • Paul Markhoff Otzar Sunday School: Otzar (Hebrew
A day at Camp Kavod begins with carpool drop-off The Levis JCC’s Helene & Roy Schwedelson Special for “Treasure”) offers students in grades K-12 a Judaic
where campers bustle out of their cars and are taken to their Needs Department presents a variety of programs specially educational experience, fostering enriched participation in
“bunks” (classrooms). There they share jokes, hang out with designed to enhance the lives of children, teens and adults Jewish life. Families who want their children to become
friends, do puzzles and play games before beginning their with disabilities and serves participants from many different Bar/Bat Mitzvah will have the opportunity to work in
daily schedule of activities. On campus they enjoy therapeutic cultural and religious backgrounds who benefit from its collaboration with local synagogues. K-12th grade.
yoga, specialized fitness instruction, cooking, therapy ponies, quality programming. There is also a financial assistance and • Parents’ Night Out & Kids’ Night Out: Parents can enjoy a
sensory activities, daily swimming and special entertainment. scholarship program available for those who qualify. Programs Saturday night out with four hours of respite while their children
Older campers (ages 14 and up) venture off-campus for run throughout the year at the Levis JCC in Boca Raton, and participate in the well-supervised program with a staffing ratio of
supervised field trips almost every day. These trips are a key at times in other locations in our area. Volunteer opportunities one staff person for every four children. Children will participate
factor that sets Levis JCC Camp Kavod apart from many as well as resource and referral services are also available. in crafts, games, snacks and much more.
other area camps for children with special needs. Through The department’s 20+ programs include a variety of programs • Schwedelson Young Adult Social Scene & Schwedelson
these day trips campers have the opportunity to experience (learn more online at www.levisjcc.org/special), including: Sunday Social Scene (Year-Round): Adults functioning at a
activities and events in community settings that they may not • SAVVY, which is an innovative self-defense, safety and high level of independence enjoy a variety of weekly activities,
otherwise be able to enjoy, including movies, The Broward self-awareness class for teenage girls and adult women ages make new friends, enhance social relationships and cultivate
Center for the Performing Arts, bowling, Plaster Carousel 16+ who have special needs. vital life skills. Ages 18-29 and 30-50+
and MOD Pizza. • Marleen Forkas Camp Kavod Year-Round Programs: • Move & Mingle Adult Fitness Program: Personal
After days both on and off campus (depending upon the ○ Summer Camp: an eight-week summer program that trainers teach participants about fitness equipment and
group), campers gather for a late afternoon snack and prepare features a variety of typical camp activities on campus and workouts. Ages 16+
to head home for the day. As counselors guide campers to in exciting community venues, with a focus on having fun For information about these programs, contact Ali
their cars they receive big smiles, hugs and high fives. Each while acquiring vital life skills. Pre-K-12th grade. Landman, Vice President, Special Needs Services, at (561)
day, Camp Kavod activities are documented by a dedicated ○ Winter & Spring Camp: When school is not in 852-3269 or alil@levisjcc.org.
photographer who uploads the photos to a secure parent portal.
“When a child is nonverbal, as many of our campers are,
this is often one of the few ways parents can get a good idea
of what their children are doing while at camp,” said Ali
Landman, the Levis JCC’s VP for Special Needs Services and
the Director of Camp Kavod. “I receive calls and texts every
day from parents sharing how happy they are that they saw
their child swim or enjoying karate or yoga. Having photos
every day really helps bring the camp alive for parents who
cannot hear from their campers directly.” 561-989-0611
The secret to Camp Kavod’s success, at least in part, is the
exceptional staff. The 40 counselors are a caring and tight-knit EXCEPTIONAL HOMECARE SERVICES
group, many who return each year (Camp Kavod boasts an
85% return rate for staff). “Our counselors are highly qualified Boca Home Care Services has been South Florida’s preferred home health care company for over
and skilled special education teachers and well-trained college 25 years. The caregivers we refer into our clients’ homes provide essential care to the most valued
students, many of whom choose to pursue careers related to members of our community with compassion and dignity. Trusted by physicians and geriatric care
serving the special needs community based on their experience professionals, we treat every client and family with a level of respect and professionalism that sets us
here at Camp Kavod,” said Ali Landman. “It is a point of pride apart.
for us that so many of our staff return year after year.” Accepting ALL
Counselors and campers form strong bonds. “I love Tailored Services Include:
coming to camp at the J. Everybody here is just so nice and forms of Long-
friendly and my heart feels so happy when I come here,” • Alzheimer/Dementia Care Term Care
said Jacob Farkash, age 14, of Boca Raton. Jacob has been • Transferring/Bathing/ Toileting
participating in Levis JCC Helene & Roy Schwedelson • Personal Care/Housekeeping Insurance &
Special Needs Department programs for seven years. Private Pay!
Camp Kavod offers a variety of specialized activities • Errands, Cooking and Transportation
throughout the summer, including an eagerly anticipated 4th • Live-In/Hourly Care
of July carnival that featured water slides, bounce houses, • Respite
rides, games and, of course, snacks. Other featured activities • Hospice
included a mobile teddy bear stuffing company (campers each • Post-Rehab or Hospital Care
take home a personalized stuffed animal that they helped
make themselves), Color War, drum circle and much more. • Short-Term or Long-Term
Longtime Community Partner Kona Ice visits twice in the • And much more!
summer so campers can enjoy frozen treats.
Older campers with special needs have the opportunity Mention this ad to receive a discount on our fee. www.bocahomecareservices.com
to participate in a specialized Counselor In Training (CIT) Open 24 hours per day, 7 days a week NR license # 30211009
program which is funded by Jewish Women’s Foundation.