Summer Camp at Rockville JCC for ADHD kid with no inclusion

[Anonymous]

Dear Families,
Has anyone experienced the JCC summer camp in Rockville without inclusion services? The inclusion spots are already filled up for the summer, but I went ahead and signed my ADHD (hyperactive type) son up anyways cuz I wanted him to have a jewish camp experience. He goes to Auburn now, and is in a class of around 10 kids. I'm worried that it may be too overwhelming for him, but also willing to take a go at it and see what happens. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Did you register him as an NT child? Seems like you will do him and the other kids a disservice if you are expecting them to provide the same services but are "sneaking him in" under the rope.

[Anonymous]

I have no firsthand experience with their camp but I'm confident they have ADHD kids there. ADHD is very common and most kids with ADHD don't need extraordinary supports outside a classroom. It's probably enough to just share his diagnosis. My teen DD has ADHD and always attended mainstream camps without issue, as do my 3rd grader's friends with ADHD. ADHD is a huge category and can look different in different kids so I think we'd need more info on how it affects your son. I do have a friend with a son with ADHD who acts out and can be overly aggressive and he would require a more specialized camp setting.

[Anonymous]

It is hard. I cannot stress that enough. My ADHD kid did 2 years of inclusion followed by 1 yr of 60/50 inclusion and last year moved to no inclusion but with unofficial support by the people who helped him the previous 3 years and the support of the inclusion director that she would assist as needed. I only got called into camp about 3 times over the 7 weeks.

Why is it hard you ask? It is a big camp--about 800 kids are in the building. That number does not include the preschool or the adults also using the facility. It is very structured with little time to adjust to transitions. Everyone has to be in place at a certain time. It is loud. There is lots of ruach in the halls, which is wonderful but loud.

The inclusion model gives the camper a way to say I am overloaded and need a break. They can walk away with their counselor and still be safe. They can take longer to transition. There is a sensory room for them.

I want to say bunks are 16 kids with 2 college counselors. The general counselors really aren't given any special training. The 2 inclusion counselors will be busy helping their own children.

I would think long and hard about enrolling your child there. It's wonderful but very chaotic. My NT child was happy to leave.

[Anonymous]

If your kid needs the extra help to enjoy camp, then you shouldn't send him without being an inclusion kid. It's not fair to him or the other kids. One kid can really ruin the group's dynamic. The fifth graders go on day trips a lot. Can he follow the rules? You should consider it based on your kid's behavior and ability to self-navigate.

[Anonymous]

I would not do it if he needs ANY extra support. They will not provide it. Their stance is that they have an amazing inclusion program but do not have the hands or support to provide extra services to any of the NT kids. If your child will not need extr5a support and can handle a huge camp with a lot of transitions, he should be fine.

[Anonymous]

What age is your child and what supports does he need?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not do it if he needs ANY extra support. They will not provide it. Their stance is that they have an amazing inclusion program but do not have the hands or support to provide extra services to any of the NT kids. If your child will not need extr5a support and can handle a huge camp with a lot of transitions, he should be fine.

DS with ADHD went for a couple of years. We never did the inclusion program as he did not need it. I do agree that it's loud and there are a lot of transitions. However, the camp as a whole (inclusion and the regular camp) are both great.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses. A little more info - my son has ADHD hyperactive/impulsive and mood disorder. He'll be 7 in June. He needs a highly routine schedule with lots of turn over in activities. He also needs redirection when triggered, and can get physical (even though he's a little guy). So sounding like not a great fit. Doesn't seem to be much around for jewish special needs kids, except for sleep away camp.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like he would do best with a special needs camp that would provide the structure and support. The general camps are going to have college counselor a that are not going to have the skill set to help your child. In addition, most camps are pretty loose.

You said your son is already at Auburn. I know it is not a Jewish camp experience, but it would probably be a great fit. If you want to try for Jcc inclusion next year (which I think would be a great fit), you should consider joining for the year so that you get priority registration.

[Anonymous]

There are other Jewish day camps, OP. You can call Heather Strauss, the Inclusion Director, and she will tell you about them. I would do that rather than sneak your child into a situation that he will fail at and be miserable in.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for replying! I noticed someone mentioned registering as a member to get priority for next year. Do I also have to be a returning camper as well to get the inclusion services? I read a post from last fall that someone recommended signing up for camp (and paying) even if your kid doesn't attend, just so you get priority when registration does open up again this fall. I will also reach out to Heather Strauss again about other options. We've done Camp Aristotle for the past 2 summers, but trying to branch out somewhat. Looking also at HeadFirst, and ESF (minecraft). Suzanne

[Anonymous]

Yes priority registration goes to those who are currrent members AND returning to camp.

[Anonymous]

Order goes first is returning member families, then returning non-member families, then member new families. So if you were a member, that would put you in the 3rd round- not great.

You are right that if you really want in, your best bet is trying him out at the camp- the first session is only 9 days to become a returning family and becoming a Jcc member.

For us, we had an older child that went so we became a returning family without him having to go. We lucked into it- I had no idea how hard it was to get a space, but it is a wonderful program.

[Anonymous]

NP here. I have no experience with MoEd (www.moedcommunity.org) myself, but I heard from someone involved in the program awhile ago that they try to support a wide variety of needs during their after-school program. It might be worth asking about camp.

A friend who sends her child to Camp Gan Israel in Silver Spring (www.cgisilverspring.com) pays for a teenage aide in addition to camp tuition. Camp tuition there is significantly lower than it is at the JCC or MoEd, so it might not cost much more to pay to have a teenage aide than to send to MoEd or the JCC.

Both Camp Ramah (www.ramahdcdaycamp.org) and Camp Shoresh (www.shoresh.com) have "traditional" camp facilities, but I don't know what they offer, if anything, for inclusion. It might be worth contacting these camps what they can offer if you're considering sending your child to Jewish overnight camp at some point. These camps try to have an overnight feel by having all the "traditional" camp activities and grounds, but they're day camps. They also both provide transportation from various points around Montgomery County.