Summer Program Guide

2019

When summer rolls around, it’s time for fun action-packed days filled with camp, activities trips and more! Once again, Friendship Circle will be offering exciting camps and programs for children with special needs. Click on the pictures below to learn about each of the programs offered during the summer.

Miracle League

Summer Day Camp

Summer Inclusion Camp Division

Teen Skills

Overnight Camp

Soul Studio Summer Session

Click on a program above to learn more…

Volunteer Registration

Summer Day Camp

Summer Day Camp is an exciting summer program that will give children with special needs a fun and active summer. We plan our activities and structure to give your child a memorable camp experience. Summer Day Camp will provide the opportunity to experience the fun of summer while developing a friendship with a volunteer and other campers. Day Camp combines learning critical social skills with a fun and engaging camp experience.

Dates

Session 1: June 24 – July 5 **No camp on July 4th
Session 2: July 8 – July 19
Session 3: July 22 – August 2
Session 4: August 5 – August 16
Times: Mon – Fri, 10am – 3pm
Ages: 5 – 13

Fees

Fundraise to save money on programs!
$1,000 Fundraiser = Tier 3 Fee
$3,600 Fundraiser = Tier 2 Fee
$5,400 Fundraiser = Tier 1 Fee

If you did not fundraise for Walk4Friendship 2018, the standard fee will apply.

April 1st

Standard Fee Per Session: $850
Tier 3 Fee Per Session: $680
Tier 2 Fee Per Session: $637
Tier 1 Fee Per Session: $595

Activities

Each week we’ll go on field trips around the SE Michigan area, exploring farms, parks, museums and more! Our weekly swim activities will be a mix of pools and splash pads, allowing several opportunities to cool down and have fun during the hot summer days. We’ll also enjoy several professional shows from engaging entertainers so that our campers can experience the magic of song, science and performance. We will also offer bi-weekly electives around popular topics such as art, science, nature and more! The camp days are designed to give our campers enough structure and support to be successful in our activities, while simultaneously enjoying the social connections with their volunteer and other campers. Each day, campers will be provided with a customized schedule to support them in their success.
*Please note: all activities are subject to change.

Transportation

For a small fee, daily transportation is provided to and from Beth Shalom in Oak Park. Pick up is 9:00 AM. Drop off is between 3:30-4:15 PM (depending on traffic). Updates on timing will be provided via text to those that are interested. To arrange transportation services for your child, please add this option to your registration form. Transportation times may be subject to change.

Safety

At Friendship Circle’s summer camps, safety is our number one priority. Friendship Circle will ensure that there is a minimum of one staff member/group leader for every four campers. In addition, we will work to provide volunteers on a 2:1 basis. Friendship Circle has designated senior staff member Nancy Sinelli as the safety supervisor during camp sessions. Her role will be to ensure that all safety guidelines are followed meticulously during all camp trips and activities.

Staff and Volunteers

All staff members and group leaders are handpicked for their experience and dedication to working with individuals with special needs. Our group leaders are specially trained and briefed on each camper to ensure that participants have the safest and most exciting summer possible. We aim to pair our campers with a volunteer on a 2:1 basis. Please keep in mind, many volunteers go away for the summer, so we cannot guarantee that your child will always have the same volunteer.

Registration Volunteer Registration

Summer Inclusion Camp Division

Summer Inclusion Camp is an option for campers who do not have special needs to be immersed in an accepting and inclusive program. This summer camp division will give typically developing children a fun and active summer while focusing on community and friendship. Extensive research documents that children with and without special needs benefit both socially and academically from inclusive services (McGregor & Vogelsberg, 1998). Inclusion increases rates of learning for children with and without disabilities when they are together (Causton-Theoharis & Theoharis, 2008).

Dates

Fees

April 1st

Standard Fee Per Session: $850
Tier 3 Fee Per Session: $680
Tier 2 Fee Per Session: $637
Tier 1 Fee Per Session: $595

Activities

Each week we’ll go on field trips around the SE Michigan area, exploring farms, parks, museums and more! Our weekly swim activities will be a mix of pools and splash pads, allowing several opportunities to cool down and have fun during the hot summer days. We’ll also enjoy several professional shows from famous entertainers so that our campers can experience the magic of song, science and performance. We will also offer biweekly electives around popular topics such as art, science, nature and more! The camp days are designed to give our campers enough structure and support to foster social connections through play with their fellow inclusion division peers, as well as creating relationships with campers who have special needs. The concept of inclusion can help foster a deeper sense of cooperation and empathy in the next generation.
*Please note: all activities are subject to change.

Transportation

For a small fee, daily transportation is provided to and from Beth Shalom in Oak Park. Pick up is at 9:00 AM. Drop off is between 3:30-4:15 PM (depending on traffic). Updates on timing will be provided via text to those that are interested. To arrange transportation services for your child, please add this option to your registration form. Transportation times may be subject to change.

Safety

At Friendship Circle’s summer camps, safety is our number one priority. Friendship Circle will ensure that there is a minimum of one staff member/group leader for every five inclusion campers. In addition, we will work to provide volunteers on a 5:1 basis. Friendship Circle has designated senior staff member Nancy Sinelli as the safety supervisor during camp sessions. Her role will be to ensure that all safety guidelines are followed meticulously during all camp trips and activities.

Staff and Volunteers

All staff members and group leaders are handpicked for their experience and dedication to working with children and fostering relationships in a truly inclusive way. Our counselors are specially trained and briefed on each camper to ensure that everyone have the safest and most exciting summer possible! We aim to pair our inclusion campers with a volunteer on a 5:1 basis. Please keep in mind, many volunteers go away for the summer, so we cannot guarantee that your child will always have the same volunteer.

Registration Volunteer Registration

Overnight Camp

Friendship Circle provides an incredible four day/three night overnight camp experience for children and teens with special needs. Set in a beautiful natural environment, campers will enjoy the great outdoors while receiving an unforgettable overnight camp experience.

Activities

Our time will be filled with swimming, canoeing, nature walks, sports, talent shows and much more! Campers will have the opportunity to engage in nature themed arts and crafts, roast marshmallows over a campfire and enjoy the experience of sleeping in a cabin with all of their friends. During the week we will even venture into Traverse City for an exciting day trip!

The Location

The Overnight Camp will be held on the beautiful grounds of Camp Gan Israel. Located on 600 forested acres and a sparkling lake in Kalkaska, Michigan, the campground offers a beautiful, safe outdoor environment.

Dates: August 20 – 23
Participants, please note the age limits:
- Girls ages 6 – 16
- Boys ages 6 – 12
Fundraise to save money on programs!
$1,000 Fundraiser = Tier 3 Fee
$3,600 Fundraiser = Tier 2 Fee
$5,400 Fundraiser = Tier 1 Fee

If you did not fundraise for Walk4Friendship 2018, the standard fee will apply.
April 1st

Volunteers: Girl volunteers will be provided. Volunteer/participant ratio will be 1:1.

Registration Volunteer Registration

Miracle League

Friendship Circle and Miracle League join together to give children with special needs the chance to be a part of a real baseball league. Children with special needs have the opportunity to participate in a non-competitive game where they can hit, field and throw. This program takes place on Miracle League’s state-of-the art field located in Southfield. This custom designed field accommodates wheelchairs and prevents injuries to ensure fun and exciting games throughout the summer.

*Please note that this program is outside and is weather dependent. We are not able to offer make-up dates.

Dates: June 12, 19, 26, July 10, 17, 24, 31, August 7
Time: 7:00pm – 8:15pm
Participants: All Ages
Location: Southfield Civic Center 26000 Evergreen Rd. Southfield, MI 48076

April 1st

Volunteers: Boy & Girl volunteers will be provided
Volunteer/participant ratio will be 1:1.

Registration Volunteer Registration

Teen Skills

Friendship Circle is excited to offer a vocational education experience just for teens! In partnership with Big Red Orchard and The Epicurean Group, teens will be provided a valuable volunteer experience in the community. Located in Washington Township, Big Red Orchard sits on over 30 acres of sustainable farming and has been in operation since 1878. Teens Skills Camp Pilot will combine learning practical work skills with a fun and engaging summer experience.

Dates
Session 1: June 24 – July 5
Session 2: July 8 – July 19
Times: Mon – Fri 9am – 3:30pm
Participants: Ages 14 – 17
Fees:

April 1st

Safety

At Friendship Circle’s summer camps, safety is our number one priority. Friendship Circle will ensure that there are trained staff on site. In addition, we work to provide volunteers on a 4:1 basis. Friendship Circle has designated senior staff member Nancy Sinelli as the safety supervisor during camp sessions. Her role will be to ensure that all safety guidelines are followed meticulously during all camp trips and activities.

Staff and Volunteers

All staff members are handpicked for their experience and dedication to working with individuals with special needs. They are are specially trained and briefed on each camper to ensure that participants have the safest and most exciting summer possible. We aim to pair our teens with volunteers on a 4:1 basis. Please keep in mind, many volunteers are away for the summer, so we cannot guarantee that your teen will always have the same volunteer.

Registration Volunteer Registration

Soul Studio Summer Inquiry

Soul Studio, a project of Friendship Circle, is a studio art program for adults with special needs that responds to each participant’s unique physical and cognitive conditions. This summer we are offering an introductory, 8-week studio session for adults who have summer breaks from their transition programs. Any participant over the age of 18 can apply to enter. Participants who attend this summer session will be introduced to the basic art skills of a contemporary artist, such as drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics and fibers.

Please note all potential participants will need to attend a 1 hour trial day in the Soul Studio before April 12. A successful trial day will qualify a participant for the Soul Studio program. Trial days can take place for 1 hour Monday – Thursday between 3 and 5pm.

Dates: June 24 – August 16 **The studio will be closed on July 4
Times: Mon – Thu 10am-3pm
Participants: Ages 18+
Rates and Schedule:
For the 8 week session participants may choose to come from 1, 2, 3 or 4 days a week, however their schedule must be consistent week to week: for example every Monday, every Tuesday/Thursday and so on.

Staff and Training

Soul Studio hires a staff of trained artists and designers who are experienced in working with adults with special needs. Staff will work with participants to find materials and processes specific to their interests and sensibilities. Our goals in the program are to encourage independent work, confidence building, and help each participant to craft their creative goals.

Entrance Criteria

Participants must be an adult, 18 or older, with a special need, developmental disability, or cognitive impairment. It is desired that they express and / or demonstrate an interest in art and design, and creative expression. Behavioral issues must be able to be successfully managed in environments shared with others and do not jeopardize the program’s effectiveness or the safety of other participants. Soul Studio cannot support: direct care support such as toileting, or assistance eating, Behavior Modification Support such as ABA, medical support such as administering regular medication or tests (Emergency medical intervention excepted).