Summer Program Guide
2020
Camp registration begins January 30th!

Summer Day Camp

Summer Inclusion Camp Division

Teen Skills

Overnight Camp

Soul Studio Summer Session
If you are in need of a scholarship, please contact Erin Berry ([email protected]) and she will try to work with you.
As part of our initiative surrounding Friendship Circle’s 25th Anniversary, our goal is to create a significant scholarship fund to bring down the cost of programs for as many families as possible. If you or someone you know may be interested in setting up a scholarship fund, please contact Rabbi Levi Shemtov, [email protected]
Currently, our first endowment specifically benefits our camp program, in honor of Shay Ziff, of blessed memory Friendship which we know will impact many children for years to come.
Click on a program above to learn more…
Volunteer RegistrationSummer 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 22 – July 2**No camp on July 3
Session 2: July 6 – July 17
Session 3: July 20 – July 31
Session 4: August 3 – August 14
Times: Mon – Wed & Fri, 10am – 3pm
NEW! Travel Thursday: 9:30am – 3:30pm
We’re extending our Thursday hours and will enjoy an extended trip!
Ages: 5 – 13
Fees
$1,800 Fundraiser = Tier 3 Fee
$3,600 Fundraiser = Tier 2 Fee
$5,400 Fundraiser = Tier 1 Fee
If you did not fundraise for Walk4Friendship 2019, the standard fee will apply.
Early Bird Special (Through March 31)
Standard Fee Per Session: $765Tier 3 Fee Per Session: $650
Tier 2 Fee Per Session: $573
Tier 1 Fee Per Session: $497
April 1st
Standard Fee Per Session: $850Tier 3 Fee Per Session: $722
Tier 2 Fee Per Session: $637
Tier 1 Fee Per Session: $552
Activities
*Please note: all activities are subject to change.
Transportation
You will find an option on the registration form to receive more information about transportation to and from day camp from Beth Shalom in Oak Park. Please select if you are potentially interested in receiving more information about transportation.Before/After Care
You will find an option on the registration form to receive more information about child care before and after day camp. Please select if you are potentially interested in receiving more information about child care before and after day camp.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
Session 1: June 22 – July 2**No camp on July 3
Session 2: July 6 – July 17
Session 3: July 20 – July 31
Session 4: August 3 – August 14
Times: Mon – Wed & Fri, 10am – 3pm
NEW! Travel Thursday: 9:30am – 3:30pm
We’re extending our Thursday hours and will enjoy an extended trip!
Ages: 5 – 11
Fees
$1,800 Fundraiser = Tier 3 Fee
$3,600 Fundraiser = Tier 2 Fee
$5,400 Fundraiser = Tier 1 Fee
If you did not fundraise for Walk4Friendship 2019, the standard fee will apply.
Early Bird Special (Through March 31)
Standard Fee Per Session: $765Tier 3 Fee Per Session: $650
Tier 2 Fee Per Session: $573
Tier 1 Fee Per Session: $497
April 1st
Standard Fee Per Session: $850Tier 3 Fee Per Session: $722
Tier 2 Fee Per Session: $637
Tier 1 Fee Per Session: $552
Activities
*Please note: all activities are subject to change.
Transportation
You will find an option on the registration form to receive more information about transportation to and from day camp from Beth Shalom in Oak Park. Please select if you are potentially interested in receiving more information about transportation.Before/After Care
You will find an option on the registration form to receive more information about child care before and after day camp. Please select if you are potentially interested in receiving more information about child care before and after day camp.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. Located on 105 beautiful wooded acres in Pinckney, Michigan, and bordered by two lakes, North Star Reach is Michigan’s only barrier-free, fully-accessible camp. 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.
The Location
North Star Reach Camp
- Dates: August 18th-21st
- Participants, please note the age limits:
- Girls ages 6 – 16
- Boys ages 6 – 12
$1,800 Fundraiser = Tier 3 Fee
$3,600 Fundraiser = Tier 2 Fee
$5,400 Fundraiser = Tier 1 Fee
If you did not fundraise for Walk4Friendship 2019, the standard fee will apply.
Early Bird Special (Thru March 31)
Standard Fee Per Session: $612
Tier 3 Fee Per Session: $520
Tier 2 Fee Per Session: $459
Tier 1 Fee Per Session: $397
- April 1st Standard Price: $680
- Volunteers: Girl volunteers will be provided. Volunteer/participant ratio will be 1:1.
Tier 3 Price: $578
Tier 2 Price: $510
Tier 1 Price: $442
Registration Volunteer Registration
Teen Skills
Friendship Circle is excited to offer a vocational education experience just for teens! This summer we will be going to Blake’s Farm & Cider Mill in Armada to learn skills like fruit picking, animal care, cooking, and much more. Here teens will be provided a valuable skill-building experience in the community along with a fun and engaging summer experience.-
Dates
To be determined Session 1: July 20 – July 31
Session 2: August 3 – August 14
- Times: Mon – Fri 9am – 3:30pm
- Participants: Ages 14 – 17
- Fees: Fundraise to save money on programs!
- April 1st Standard Price: $850
$1,800 Fundraiser = Tier 3 Fee
$3,600 Fundraiser = Tier 2 Fee
$5,400 Fundraiser = Tier 1 Fee
If you did not fundraise for Walk4Friendship 2019, the standard fee will apply.
Early Bird Special (Thru March 31)
Standard Fee Per Session: $765Tier 3 Fee Per Session: $650
Tier 2 Fee Per Session: $573
Tier 1 Fee Per Session: $497
Tier 3 Price: $722
Tier 2 Price: $637
Tier 1 Price: $552
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 Session
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 or otherwise need a program only for 8 weeks in the summer. Participants who attend the summer session will be introduced to the basic art skills of a contemporary artist, such as drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics and fibers.Eligibility
Any participant over the age of 18 is eligible to attend. Please note all potential participants will need to attend a 1 hour trial day in the Soul Studio on or before Friday June 12. A successful trial day will qualify a participant for the Soul Studio program. Trial days can take place for 1 hour Monday – Friday between 1 and 3 pm.For more information or to schedule a trial day, click here.
- Dates: June 22 – August 11
- Times: Mon – Fri 10am-3pm
- Participants: Ages 18+
- Rates and Schedule:
- For the 8 week session participants may choose to come from 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 days a week. Participants must keep a consistent schedule week to week: for example every Monday, every Tuesday/Thursday and so on. Participants must pay for the entirety of the session. No credits for missed days will be applied.
1 day a week for 8 weeks – $440 (@ $55 a day)
2 days a week for 8 weeks – $748 (@ $46.67 a day)
3 days a week for 8 weeks – $1,050 (@ $43.75 a day)
4 days a week for 8 weeks – $1,320 (@ $41.25 a day)
5 days a week for 8 weeks – $1,550 (@ $38.75 a day)
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. Additional support is provided by trained volunteers. Our goals in the program are to encourage independent work, confidence building, and help each participant to realize their creative goals.Entrance Criteria
Participants must be an adult, 18 or older, with a special need, developmental disability, physical or cognitive impairment, or otherwise think that this program will be beneficial to them. It is desired that they express and / or demonstrate an interest in art and design, and creative expression. Behavioral challenges 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).Sign up for a Soul Studio Intake