Tamarack
has provided
support for
campers with
special needs
since the early
1990s.

More Than A Camp,
Building Community

At Tamarack Camps, inclusion
is second nature.

Vivian Henoch | Special to the Jewish News

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32 February 4 • 2016

ong established as the “summer
selors and colleagues, as part of a village,
home” and family extension to
as participants on a trip, as friends shar-
nearly 1,200 children and teens
ing a transformative experience.”
each year, Tamarack Camps continues to
Tamarack Camps offers two programs
redefine the meaning of inclusion — for
for campers who have learning, social or
the benefit of all.
communication differences.
What does inclusion look like and
• Yachad (meaning together) Inclusion
what does it feel like at Tamarack?
Program — also known as Nachman
“We ask ourselves these
Horizons — offers a safe and
questions in everything we
secure environment for children
do,” says Franki Bagdade,
entering the second through sev-
director of support ser-
enth grades. With the support of
vices and special needs at
a skilled staff trained in special
Tamarack Camps. Bagdade
needs, campers in the program are
was hired last year, thanks
fully integrated into villages and
to an endowment of
activities with their peers.
the Dresner Foundation to
• Avodah (meaning work) is
Franki Bagdade
enhance programs serving
a job coaching and life skills pro-
campers with special needs
gram together with a recreational
at Camp Maas.
program for teens entering 10th grade
A seasoned professional in special edu- and extending into their 20s.
cation, Bagdade brings to Tamarack her
Support for campers with special
15 years of experience, including work
needs has been integrated into these
at Eton Academy and Hillel Day School.
two programs at Tamarack Camps since
In her year-round position at Tamarack
the early 1990s. The level of support has
Camps, she also continues her work as
changed dramatically over the past year
a consultant with Federation’s Opening
to the benefit of the entire camp com-
the Doors Program for special needs in
munity.
the community’s Jewish day schools and
Thanks to the endowment of the
synagogues.
Dresner Foundation, this year, for the
“In a camp setting, we believe that
first time, Tamarack Camps will provide
inclusion should be second nature, where specialized support and staffing for
our diversity is celebrated,” she says.
campers in its Yachad Inclusion Program
“A typical bunk comprises campers
at no additional cost to their families.
from a wide range of backgrounds, each
“The benefit represents a real game-
with different needs; they may be best
changer for many families in the com-
friends at camp together for years or new munity,” Bagdade says. “Until now, the
campers; they could be Israelis here in
fee to provide a shadow for campers with
the U.S. for the first time; they could be
special needs was an additional $1,250
great athletes and not-so-great athletes;
per session. Now all of our campers are
everyone has a talent to be discovered or
included at the regular Tamarack rate
nurtured and, of course, there are those
and are eligible for financial aid as well.”
with special needs — learning differ-
Also new to the program, Tamarack
ences, as well as special dietary or medi-
Camps is now recruiting and training
cal needs.
college students working on degrees or
“Inclusion is about all of us learning to with previous experience in special edu-
live together — as bunk mates, as coun-
cation, social work or other related fields

John Hardwick

Camp Guide ❉

