Summer Program Guide

2020

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.

Save the date!
Camp registration begins January 30th!

Summer Day Camp

Summer Inclusion Camp Division

Teen Skills

Overnight Camp

Soul Studio Summer Session

At our current pricing, only 12% of Friendship Circle’s budget comes from fees and tuition. Nevertheless, our goal is to allow all families to participate in at least some sessions if they find paying the full tuition challenging.

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 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 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

Fundraise to save money on programs!
$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: $765
Tier 3 Fee Per Session: $650
Tier 2 Fee Per Session: $573
Tier 1 Fee Per Session: $497

April 1st

Standard Fee Per Session: $850
Tier 3 Fee Per Session: $722
Tier 2 Fee Per Session: $637
Tier 1 Fee Per Session: $552

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

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

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

Early Bird Special (Through March 31)

Standard Fee Per Session: $765
Tier 3 Fee Per Session: $650
Tier 2 Fee Per Session: $573
Tier 1 Fee Per Session: $497

April 1st

Standard Fee Per Session: $850
Tier 3 Fee Per Session: $722
Tier 2 Fee Per Session: $637
Tier 1 Fee Per Session: $552

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

Before/After Care

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

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.

The Location

To be determined.

Dates: To be determined.
Participants, please note the age limits:
- Girls ages 6 – 16
- Boys ages 6 – 12
Volunteers: Girl volunteers will be provided. Volunteer/participant ratio will be 1:1.

Teen Skills

Information coming soon!

Dates
To be determined

Request Information

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.

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).