Best Practices for Inclusive Camps
Best Practices for Inclusive Camps is written by practitioners for practitioners. It provides a distinctively practical take on the inclusion of youth with and without disabilities at camp, based on the newly developed “Standards for Inclusive Recreation.” Part I of the book (Creating an Inclusive Camp) addresses best practices in various aspects of camp, while Part II (Exemplary Inclusive Camps) is a series of case studies about inclusive camps that represent both day and overnight programs across a range of organizational affiliations and geographical locations. Appendices include a self-reflection questionnaire for your camp, based on the standards, and a collection of staff training activities specifically designed for promoting inclusion. Wherever you are on your inclusion journey, this book will help you take the next step in your program so that children with and without disabilities can experience the joys of camp—together.
Foreword by Clay Aiken vii
About the Editors xi
Introduction vii
Part I: Creating an Inclusive Camp
1 Administration and Leadership by Phil Liebson and Jenni Zeftel
2 Staff Roles and Training by Jessie Bari and Jennifer Phillips
3 Facilities, Equipment, and Accessibility by Michael L. Perry
4 Programming by Martin E. Block, Mark Spolidoro, and Jessie Bari
5 Evaluation and Camper Outcomes by Laurie Browne and Ann Gillard
Part II: Exemplary Inclusive Camps
6 Moving Along the Continuum Toward Inclusive Camp by Kimberly D. Miller, Ginger Walton, and Stuart J. Schleien
7 Camp Chi by Joelle Kelenson and Jennifer Phillips
8 Community Parks and Recreation Day Camps by Corey Smith and Cat Trovato
9 Camp Shriver by Mark Spolidoro, Barbara Gildea, Danna Bille, and Samantha Agnew
10 B'nai B'rith Camp by Michelle Koplan and Amanda Kloo
11 YMCA Camp Widjiwagan by Jeff Merhige, Marc Wilson, Reuben Smith, and Cory Clemmons
12 Camp Howe by Terrie Campbell and Rose Harvey
Concluding Remarks
Appendix A: Standards for Inclusive Recreation Programs
Appendix B: A Self-Reflection of Your Inclusive Camp
Index of Standards
Appendix C: Inclusion Staff Training Activities by Jessie Bari and Jennifer Phillips
About Our Supporting Organizations: ACA, JCCA, and NIP
Look Inside: Best Practices for Inclusive Camps