Page 12 - Boca Exposure - August '24

Page 12, Boca Exposure
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.

Older campers with special needs have the opportunity ○ Winter & Spring Camp: When school is not in
to participate in a specialized Counselor In Training session, campers participate in winter and spring camps.
(CIT) program which is funded by Jewish Women’s Pre-K-12th grade.
Foundation. The highlight of the summer for teen campers • Fit & Fun Program: Highly skilled personal trainers
is the annual teen dance. Dressed to impress, dozens of and teen volunteer buddies lead this innovative program.
teens who have special needs arrive in the evening to a Athletes participate in strength training, gain flexibility
beautifully decorated auditorium. They enjoy dancing to and agility, improve coordination and endurance, enhance
the sounds of a live DJ, snacks and a photo booth. social skills 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 their
for the Levis JCC and a Special Education teacher with after-school hours while helping them build skills and socialize
the Palm Beach County School District. “Watching these with peers. Skilled and caring staff oversee activities that
kids arrive all dressed up and so excited, knowing they include fitness, ponies, yoga, homework help, art, science, fun
have the opportunity to experience something that their with food, dance and so much more. Ages 3-22+
A day at Camp Kavod begins with carpool drop-off typical peers don’t think twice about–it just fills my heart • Paul Markhoff Otzar Sunday School: Otzar (Hebrew
where campers bustle out of their cars and are taken with happiness.” for “Treasure”) offers students in grades K-12 a Judaic
to their “bunks” (classrooms). There they share jokes, The Levis JCC’s Helene & Roy Schwedelson Special educational experience, fostering enriched participation
hang out with friends, do puzzles and play games Needs Department presents a variety of programs in Jewish life. Families who want their children to become
before beginning their daily schedule of activities. On specially designed to enhance the lives of children, teens Bar/Bat Mitzvah will have the opportunity to work in
campus they enjoy therapeutic yoga, specialized fitness and adults with disabilities and serves participants from collaboration with local synagogues. K-12th grade.
instruction, cooking, therapy ponies, sensory activities, many different cultural and religious backgrounds who • Parents’ Night Out & Kids’ Night Out: Parents can
daily swimming and special entertainment. benefit from its quality programming. There is also a enjoy a Saturday night out with four hours of respite
Older campers (ages 14 and up) venture off-campus financial assistance and scholarship program available for while their children participate in our well-supervised
for supervised field trips almost every day. These trips are those who qualify. Programs run throughout the year at the program with a staffing ratio of one staff person for every
a key factor that sets Levis JCC Camp Kavod apart from Levis JCC in Boca Raton, and at times in other locations four children. Children will participate in crafts, games,
many other area camps for children with special needs. in our area. Volunteer opportunities as well as resource snacks and much more.
Through these day trips campers have the opportunity to and referral services are also available. The department’s • Schwedelson Young Adult Social Scene & Schwedelson
experience activities and events in community settings 20+ programs include a variety of programs (learn more Sunday Social Scene (Year-Round): Adults functioning
that they may not otherwise be able to enjoy, including online at www.levisjcc.org/special), including: at a high level of independence enjoy a variety of weekly
movies, The Broward Center for the Performing Arts, • SAVVY, which is an innovative self-defense, safety and activities, make new friends, enhance social relationships
bowling, Plaster Carousel and MOD Pizza. self-awareness class for teenage girls and adult women and cultivate vital life skills. Ages 18-29 and 30-50+
After days both on and off campus (depending upon ages 16+ who have special needs. • Move & Mingle Adult Fitness Program: Personal
the group), campers gather for a late afternoon snack • Marleen Forkas Camp Kavod Year-Round Programs: trainers teach participants about fitness equipment and
and prepare to head home for the day. As counselors ○ Summer Camp: an eight-week summer program that workouts. Ages 16+
guide campers to their cars they receive big smiles, hugs features a variety of typical camp activities on campus For information about these programs, contact Ali
and high fives. Each day, Camp Kavod activities are and in exciting community venues, with a focus on having Landman, Vice President, Special Needs Services, at
documented by a dedicated photographer who uploads fun while acquiring vital life skills. Pre-K-12th grade. (561) 852-3269 or alil@levisjcc.org.
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 ARCHIVE GALLERIES
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 PAYS HIGHER PRICES FOR FINE ART AND ANTIQUES
directly.”
The secret to Camp Kavod’s success, at least in part, is
the exceptional staff. The 40 counselors are a caring and • Oil Paintings • Sterling Silver • Collectibles
tight-knit group, many who return each year (Camp Kavod • Oriental Rugs • Objects of Art • Fine Crystal
boasts an 85 percent return rate for staff). “Our counselors • Tapestries • Sculptures • Orientalia
are highly qualified and skilled special education teachers
and well-trained college students, many of whom choose • Fine Furniture • Bronzes • Tiffany Items
to pursue careers related to serving the special needs • Service Plates • Porcelain • Clocks
community based on their experience here at Camp
Kavod,” said Ali Landman. “It is a point of pride for us
that so many of our staff return year after year.” We Also Purchase Men’s And Ladies’ Items Including:
Counselors and campers form strong bonds. “I love
coming to camp at the J. Everybody here is just so nice and • Old Watches • Cufflinks • Smoking Items • Coins • Antique Jewelry
friendly and my heart feels so happy when I come here,” • Designer Handbags • Fine Modern Jewelry • Vintage Costume Jewelry
said Jacob Farkash, age 14, of Boca Raton. Jacob has been
participating in Levis JCC Helene & Roy Schwedelson
Special Needs Department programs for seven years. One Piece Or Entire Contents Purchased
Camp Kavod offers a variety of specialized activities
throughout the summer, including an eagerly anticipated CALL NOW FOR A FREE CONSULTATION, NO OBLIGATION
4th of July carnival that featured water slides, bounce
houses, rides, games and, of course, snacks. Other
featured activities included a mobile teddy bear stuffing
company (campers each take home a personalized stuffed CASH 561-498-7536 COURTEOUS
animal that they helped make themselves), Color War, PAYMENTS IN HOME
drum circle and much more. Longtime Community Partner UPON REQUEST SERVICE
Kona Ice visits twice in the summer so campers can enjoy
frozen treats.