For two weeks in August, Camp Kulam at JCC in Manhattan invigorates and entertains the needs of children ages 6-9 years old that live with autism or varied learning and communication disabilities. The program began last year with eight kids and was met with such great enthusiasm that registration has already doubled for this summer! Kulam campers in the program participate in a variety of athletic activities including swimming, soccer and yoga.
“We cater the program to the individual needs of each child.” explained program director Melissa Lader, “We are eager to work with families to make something, that’s perhaps not traditional, work.
We want it to be successful for each and every child.”Instructors of Camp Kulam are carefully chosen from special education and social work backgrounds. Teens from the JCC volunteer to help with the camp’s programs to assure that a favorable ratio of instructors to campers is maintained.
In addition to Camp Kulam, the JCC in Manhattan offers children an array of sports activities for adaptive athletes. Super Soccer Stars hosts a special needs program during the school year, and the JCC’s swimming pool is fully adaptive.
“Kulam” in Hebrew means “everybody.” And so does Camp Kulam.
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For more information visit: www.jccmanhattan.org
