• Subscribe
  • E-Newsletter
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Login
Community Rec
  • Topics
    • Community
    • Facility Development
    • Programming
    • Operations
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • E-Newsletter
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
  • On-Demand
  • Continuing Education
    • Community Rec Leadership Summit
    • Webinars
    • Pickleball Innovators
  • Supplier Insights
    • Brand Voice
    • Supplier News
    • Supplier Voice
    • Case Studies
  • Podcast
  • Buyer’s Guide
No Result
View All Result
  • Topics
    • Community
    • Facility Development
    • Programming
    • Operations
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • E-Newsletter
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
  • On-Demand
  • Continuing Education
    • Community Rec Leadership Summit
    • Webinars
    • Pickleball Innovators
  • Supplier Insights
    • Brand Voice
    • Supplier News
    • Supplier Voice
    • Case Studies
  • Podcast
  • Buyer’s Guide
No Result
View All Result
Community Rec
No Result
View All Result
Home In Print Features

Camp Yachad: It Means Together

Brittany Howard by Brittany Howard
September 8, 2022
in Features, In Print, Programming
0
Camp Yachad
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Learn how Camp Yachad at the JCC of Central New Jersey makes inclusion an agency-wide priority.

For over 20 years, Camp Yachad at the JCC of Central New Jersey has offered support and accommodations to campers with disabilities. One of the many programs offered is the Shadow Program. 

“Our Shadow Program allows campers with special needs to be fully integrated in an immersive camp experience right alongside their same age, neurotypical peers through a one-on-one support aide, or a ‘shadow,’” said Beth Mitchell, the director of inclusion and diversity at the JCC. “While the concept of a Shadow counselor may not be unique in the recreational camp setting, the trajectory of our campers’ journey is one of a kind.” 

Mitchell explained campers eventually age out of the camper model. Some apply to work in the Leaders in Training program or apply to become counselors in later years. To honor this rite of passage and make it accessible to all, the JCC also created the Skills Training Program.  

“This distinctive program provides paid supported vocational training to campers with disabilities who are aging out so they can hone the skills needed for gainful employment in our camp in the future,” said Mitchell.

The Skills Training Program started roughly seven years ago when a staff recruitment email was sent out in the fall to former teen campers, inviting them to work at Camp Yachad for a great summer job. Mallory Zipkin, the camp director at the JCC, shared a long-time camp parent responded by asking if her son could actually work at the camp. “This is a child who grew up in our Shadow Program, and a child who had autism,” said Zipkin. “They were really successful in our shadow program, but absolutely needed support. At the time, I had a co-director and we looked at each other and said, ‘why not?’” 

Zipkin wrote back to the parent inviting them to come in for a meeting to discuss what it would look like for her son to work in camp, be successful and for everyone to feel comfortable. They thought a lot about his specific interests and skills, and knew he loved art, so they decided he should be an assistant in the art program.

“Summer came, he worked and did a fantastic job,” said Zipkin. “The parent came to us at the end of the summer and said it’s not enough to just do this for him; we should be doing this for everybody. She helped us build this program that has now become an inclusive staff program existing for about seven years now.”

The JCC is up to 10 participants per summer, providing the social benefits of being part of a camp and the ability to earn a paycheck. “This is an experience for them to have a summer job like their peers, outdoors, having fun working with kids, making an impact and in a place where, — maybe not all of them but many of them — had their own positive memories of their childhood as campers,” said Zipkin. “They get to give back to the place they had such a wonderful experience in and I think that is the best part for us, too.”  

A lot of work goes into being able to offer these programs, such as detailed trainings and a full summer inclusion team with a director of the Shadow and Skills Training programs. For training, during camp Shadow counselors meet weekly — or daily as needed — to review strategies they can use to support campers. Skills Training staff are met with every morning to go over hard and soft vocational skills around socialization and job expectations. They also have weekly feedback meetings from their supervisor.

Additionally, the JCC runs an extensive weekend of staff training yearly, alongside continuing education and working with insurance partner The Redwoods Group for pre-camp online training modules. 

Zipkin explained Shadow counselors who work in the one-on-one inclusion program have a dedicated training where they learn strategies and goal setting expectations. This includes reviewing intake work Mitchell does for the children who will be in the Shadow Program, meeting the child’s parents they will be paired with and learning what they’re going to focus on for the child’s success. From there, they set up a play date to meet and then they’re ready for camp. 

“I think the tool we could impart onto others would be the really thoughtful intake process,” said Zipkin. “Beth has done a tremendous job in professionalizing that by bringing in new HIPAA-compliant software called SimplePractice we use to store all information. Beth has created an index for each participant — or option of participants — to get a better picture of who they are beyond what their parent thinks of them, including teacher references.” 

Running Camp Yachad is not easy but it’s an important program that is near to the JCC’s heart. Mike Goldstein, the executive director, shared the J is very proud of the work they do and have a great reputation in the community as being a place where inclusion is an attitude, not an activity — inclusion is belonging. 

“It’s about building relationships and seeing personal, positive developmental growth,” he said. “What keeps me motivated is knowing we are shining a light in in the darkness, making a difference and building a better society.”

Stay up to date on industry trends, best practices, news and more.

Tags: Camp Yachadcommunitycommunity recreationDEIinclusionJCCJCC of Central New JerseyoperationsprogrammingSeptember/October 2022summer camp
Previous Post

Increase Membership Retention with Digital Solutions

Next Post

Creating Welcoming Environments for All Children

Brittany Howard

Brittany Howard

Brittany is the editor of Community Rec Magazine. Reach her at brittany@peakemedia.com.

Related Posts

Missoula Family YMCA
Cover Story

Missoula Family YMCA: Immeasurable Spirit

May 21, 2025
YMCA of Greater Boston
Ask The Expert

Q&A on the Healthy Habits Program at the YMCA of Greater Boston

May 21, 2025
Upace
Brand Voice

Empowering Connections: The Story of Upace and its Mission-Driven Platform

May 21, 2025
Risk Management
Features

Building a Culture of Safety with Risk Management

May 21, 2025
AI
Features

How AI is Revolutionizing Community Rec Centers

May 21, 2025
Story of Impact
In Print

Telling Your Story of Impact

May 21, 2025
Next Post
Creating Welcoming Environments

Creating Welcoming Environments for All Children

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Exposure Guide + Media Kit

May/June 2025 Issue

Get Updates in your inbox

Stay up to date on industry trends, best practices, news and more.

Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn

Contact us at info@communityrecmag.com

  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • E-Newsletter
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us

The Current Issue

The Latest from CO

  • Jason Kunzman on Navigating Societal Divides
  • YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago Names Adam Alonso as Next President and CEO
  • Daxko Announces Integration With GoFundMe Pro to Empower Smarter Fundraising for Nonprofits
  • Food Education Program Promotes Healthy Lifestyles at Central Lincoln County YMCA

© 2025 Community Rec Magazine. Published by Peake Media.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Topics
    • Community
    • Facility Development
    • Programming
    • Operations
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • E-Newsletter
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
  • On-Demand
  • Continuing Education
    • Community Rec Leadership Summit
    • Webinars
    • Pickleball Innovators
  • Supplier Insights
    • Brand Voice
    • Supplier News
    • Supplier Voice
    • Case Studies
  • Podcast
  • Buyer’s Guide

© 2025 Community Rec Magazine. Published by Peake Media.