Why Inclusion Matters at Summer Camps
By Aryn Barer, Director, Round Lake Inclusion Program
The inclusion of children with diverse needs in summer camps has a powerful and far-reaching impact on both the individuals involved and the broader camp community. Summer camps offer much more than just a place for children to have fun; they serve as spaces for personal growth, confidence-building, and the development of lasting friendships. For children who are neurodiverse, attending camp presents an opportunity to experience more than the typical camp activities like campfire songs and canoeing—it’s a chance to belong, engage, and thrive in a supportive and welcoming environment.
What is Inclusion?
Inclusion goes beyond merely accommodating children with disabilities. It involves creating a culture of belonging where every child feels valued and has the opportunity to fully engage with their peers, regardless of their abilities. This fosters a sense of community that extends well beyond the camp itself. Ensuring that every child can participate in a variety of camp activities—from arts & crafts to STEM and sports—requires thoughtful planning, additional staff support, and an openness to making accommodations. However, the key is to create an environment where children of all abilities can contribute, enjoy, and grow together. When differences are celebrated, and everyone is given the same opportunities to participate, camps reinforce the idea that all people, regardless of ability, add value to the camp community.
What are the Benefits of Inclusion Summer Camps?
One of the most significant benefits of inclusion is its impact on all campers, not just those with diverse needs. When neurotypical campers interact with peers who have different abilities, they learn valuable lessons in empathy, patience, and understanding. Rather than seeing their peers through the lens of difference or disability, they come to appreciate their peers as unique individuals with strengths, talents, and ideas to share. Working together on group projects, playing sports, and participating in other camp activities allows children to form friendships based on mutual respect and cooperation. These experiences foster important social skills like communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. Most importantly, they teach children the value of inclusion and how to embrace differences. By the end of the summer, many leave camp with a greater understanding of the importance of supporting and respecting people who are different from themselves.
Empowering
For the neurodivergent population, being included in these activities is incredibly empowering. Instead of being defined solely by their differences, they are recognized for their abilities and contributions, which boosts self-esteem and confidence. This allows children to shine and take pride in their achievements, whether it’s learning a new skill, overcoming a challenge, or forming new friendships. The sense of accomplishment not only boosts their self-confidence but also serves as a launching pad to embrace new challenges, both at camp and beyond.
Social and Emotional Development
In addition to boosting self-esteem, inclusion at camp helps children with diverse needs develop meaningful social and emotional skills. Summer camps provide a space where they can take risks, develop communication skills, and navigate group dynamics in a safe and comfortable space. Social interactions can be challenging, but in an inclusive camp environment, the focus is on providing support in a way that encourages connection. Campers have the opportunity to make decisions and gain exposure to new experiences which foster self-advocacy skills and independence. Through these interactions, children develop valuable life skills and self-confidence, which benefit them long after the summer ends.
Sense of Community
Inclusion also benefits families and communities in broader ways. For parents of children with disabilities, knowing their child will be included in a welcoming environment brings peace of mind. It assures them that their child will be treated equally, make memories, and form friendships just like any other child. As these inclusive experiences ripple out, they inspire families and others in the child’s life to recognize the value of inclusion and spread that message to wider circles.
Jewish Sleepaway Summer Camp Opportunities
At NJY Camps, we are grateful to have found a unique and magical combination. All campers have the same opportunities and choices, and we have a strong Round Lake infrastructure of 70 staff to this end. The Director, Assistant Director, Social Worker, and Camper Care Team work closely with the Inclusion Supervisors and general counselors who are specifically hired to provide support. This makes all the difference to the 150 campers who come through the program each summer who benefit from predictable schedules, visual aids, executive functioning assistance, breaks in the day, compartmentalized directions, and patience with processing time to name a few. We prioritize creating an inclusive environment by ensuring that our dedicated bunks are located amongst peers, nurturing a sense of unity and community. The additional staff we bring in support campers in building friendships with their mainstream peers, helping to bridge connections and create lasting bonds.
“Thank you for hiring the most amazing staff, for providing them with incredible opportunities that they would not have otherwise and for providing the right supports so they can thrive. It is a parents dream for their kids to be so happy and have a social network.” -Parent of Camper
Parent Communication Prior to the Start of Camp
In our work, we place a strong emphasis on communication with parents before and during camp to ensure that every camper’s individual needs are met. Beyond traditional camp activities, we offer inclusive travel programs to places like Israel, the West Coast, Alaska and Hawaii, that allow campers who need additional support to explore new experiences and build the skills gained through travel alongside their mainstream peers. To further support our campers, we’ve created specialized spaces such as our “Zen Den” for campers to regroup, recharge and ready themselves to rejoin programs. Additionally, we developed Tzevet B’Yachad (TBY), a vocational program tailored to campers with disabilities. TBY provides an opportunity to learn about work culture and responsibilities, as well as life skills, in an environment where the participants feel comfortable and accepted.
Send Your Child to NJY Camps Today
Through these thoughtful initiatives, we continue to foster a camp experience that celebrates diversity, inclusion, and personal growth for all. Importantly, our camp mirrors the greater community so campers can prepare for ‘the real world’. One camper summed up all that we aim to achieve in an email he sent his parents during the summer. He wrote, in regard to being at camp and the friends he made, “I feel blessed.” Camp is truly our ‘Home Away From Home’ and NJY is committed to making it a place where all campers and staff feel a strong sense of belonging.
