Bethany’s Kids ENVISION * INCLUDE * INSPIRE
Inclusion summer camp for typical kids & kids with physical and/or intellectual disabilities at Camp McDowell’s Bethany Village. THE MISSION OF BETHANY’S KIDS INCLUSION CAMP IS TO to establish understanding, acceptance, and caring between young people of varying abilities.
t 2017 Overview & Guidelines OVERVIEW, DATES, GOALS, OBJECTIVES Bethany’s Kids is a 3-night summer camp session at Camp McDowell for typical children and children with physical challenges and/or intellectual differences that fall within Camp McDowell’s scope of care. Two sessions are offered: Bethany’s Kids I
Rising 4th/5th/6th
July 19-22
Bethany’s Kids II
Rising 6th/7th/8th
July 27-30
Our goals are to: - Envision the way the world could be and apply the vision to the camp experience - Include all eligible campers in the most integrated setting possible - Inspire campers and staff to discover more of who God is calling them to be Our objectives are to: - Facilitate an inclusive camp experience by providing adaptations and accommodations as needed - Nurture a camp community that fosters a strong sense of acceptance, joy, caring, and support - Establish or strengthen camper awareness of Christian community, the Church, and God’s presence ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS & LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE A child must meet the criteria below to be eligible to attend Bethany’s Kids. Any exceptions must be approved by the Coordinator and the Bethany’s Kids Medical Team. All acceptances of applications are conditional. For the safety of the applicant, Camp McDowell reserves the right to accept or deny applications or defer admission on site or prior to attendance should it become aware that the initial application was flawed or the camper’s health has severely declined or upon demonstration that a camper does not meet the applicable eligibility criteria. To attend Bethany’s Kids, a camper must: 1. Be of appropriate age or appropriate mental/functional age; 2. Be reasonably mobile and generally healthy. Wheelchair users are considered mobile; 3. Have the ability to effectively communicate needs to camp staff; 4. Have the ability to adapt to the group living routine/schedule of Camp within 24 hours from time of check-in without undue disruption to the group living environment. Disruption includes, but is not limited to the following: not following directions of Camp counselors and program leaders and the inability to have meals in the dining hall without disrupting others; 5. Not be abusive toward him/herself or others (physically, verbally, emotionally, or sexually); 6. Not have a medical condition or impairment that requires specialized medical treatment (i.e. intravenous infusions, tube feedings); 7. Not have a medical condition or impairment that has a substantial risk or likelihood for complication or injury; 8. Be in acceptable health as determined by Camp McDowell medical staff; 9. Have ability to eat or drink amounts adequate for nutritional support; 10. Be compliant in taking prescribed medication. The staff for Bethany’s Kids will provide the following levels of assistance for activities of daily living to campers:
Dressing: Partial Example: Pulling clothes on/off, buttons, zippers, shoelaces. Grooming: Partial Example: Will provide verbal cues, brush hair, cleaning face and hands. Campers should be able to brush their own teeth. Bathing: Moderate Example: Hands-on assistance in and out of shower. Wash hair. Will stand-by while camper showers. Camp staff will not wash camper’s bodies. Showers are equipped with hand-held shower heads with cords. Toileting: Moderate Example: Will change soiled linens, discard soiled diapers. Personal care (wiping, cleaning after toileting). Transferring: Hands-on Eating: Moderate Example: Will cut up/season food, pour drinks, hand food to camper, assist with cleanup. Bethany’s Kids may limit the number of campers accepted to maintain a high camper/staff ratio. If you have questions about whether or not your child’s needs fall within the scope of Camp’s care, please feel free to contact the coordinator. CAMP FEE The fee for Bethany’s Kids is $285 per campers. A non-refundable deposit of $50 is required with the application to hold your spot. The $235 balance is due 10 days prior to the session. Payments may be made online, by check, or over the phone. Cancellation policy: Deposits are non-refundable. No one will be denied the opportunity to attend Bethany’s Kids due to lack of financial resources. If financial assistance is needed, please send an email to Susanna Whitsett (Coordinator)
[email protected] or 205.281.1903 to discuss options. Options may include installment payments, delayed payment, assistance from a parish or from Camp McDowell. STAFF Coordinator: Susanna Whitsett, Faith-based Program Developer for Bethany @ Camp McDowell
[email protected] 205.281.1903 Skilled Support Staff & Medical Team: 6-8 medical professionals such as an MD, RNs, PTs, and Special Education teachers. Cabin Counselors: The majority of our cabin counselors are a college students or 2016 high school graduates serving Camp McDowell through The Vine Initiative internship program. Through a selective interview process, young adults (18-24) are chosen to serve during the summer season. References and background checks are conducted. Camper Buddies: Camper Buddies are youth in rising 10th -12th grades who participate in the camp alongside our campers, providing companionship, assistance, and encouragement. Each camper with a disability will be paired with his/her own Camper Buddy. All staff receive training in areas including communication and safety protocols, prevention of sexual misconduct and abuse (“Safeguarding God’s Children”), CPR and 1st aid. All staff receive training in disability sensitivity and job-specific direction in hands-on assistance from NCPHAD (National Center for Physical Health, Activity, and Disability). t
SHW 2/17
