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MBC Embracing Children

In 2004 a group of professionals teamed up with the Metropolis of Boston Camp to offer our first ever Embracing Children program. This ministry was aimed at for one week giving campers with various types of learning and developmental disabilities the opportunity to share in MBC's unique camping experience. Since that time (over 10 years ago!) our this beautiful ministry has grown to encompass all weeks of our summer seesions.

To Register - CLICK HERE! then call 603-746-4400 and connect with our office!

 

How Does it Work?

The success of this unique ministry in the Orthodox Camping world is due in large part to the individual attention and relationship that each camper receives when spending a week with us. Each camper is paired up with two staff members who have received training over the course of a calendar year from various professionals on how to work with campers and their invidualized needs. Through work done prior to the campers arrival an individualized program, catered to making the week smooth and successful, is prepared for each campers. Campers who join us step into an experience that highlights their strengths in order to help them have a successful week sharing in this unique experience, all the while being guided by their two staff. Campers participate in the camp programs as much as their abilities allow them too, and the staff are always ready to provide alternate experiences of the camp when necessary. Depending on each camper and their ability to adapt to a new routine and program, the camp may suggest that they join us for half a week, or a weekend. The goal behind an individual program such as this is to ensure that each camper who comes has the best time and can remain for the remainder of the program and not have to leave early. This is important so that campers remain in a positive and healthy relationship with the camp wanting to come back, leaving on a positive note rather than a negative one. 

What is the "Embracing Children Week"?

Originally, this one week was the week that campers with special needs were able to participate in the camping experience. Now that the program is open to campers during all six weeks, we keep this one week as a week where campers with more a higher level of needs and attention come. The reason being that in addition to our staff, during this particular week of camp our team is supported by professionals who work in the field of special education in order to help aid the camping experience of our campers who may need more individualized and special attention.  These professionals work with our staff teams and serve as a support employing the skills and talents they have learned through their field. We have found great success in the experience of our campers through the pairing of the staff and our dedicated professionals, the dynamic of the two creates the perfect mix of fun but also support and recognition for their individual needs

Where do the Campers Stay?

The program is aimed at full and complete integration into cabin life as much as possible. Thus the staff and campers, who are bathroom independant, stay in a cabin with other campers. They participate in regular cabin life living, sleeping, and engaging with their fellow cabin mates. The other campers tend to look out for and take these campers under their wing, reaching out to ensure that they have the best experience possible during their week at camp.

The Cabins that the campers stay in are built from pine wood and there is a twin size bed and mattress provided for each camper. The bathrooms, with indoor plumbing and hot water, are located at the back of each cabin building. in 2008 our "special needs" cabin was completed which is completely handicap accessible, making it possible for any camper to come and share in this unique camping experience. Want to visit our camp and see? Just contact the camp office and arrange a time to come and visit - mbcamp@boston.goarch.org or 603-746-4400.

What Kind of Needs Can My Camper Have?

Our program is all inclusive, we invite anyone and everyone to share in this camping experience. However, due safety laws, the Youth Protection Manual and particular guidelines of the American Camping Association, through which we are accredited, we are limited in providing bathroom services. Campers participating in this program must be fully bathroom independant. However, we invite families to provide an aid to come with the camper who can provide these services and work with our staff in order to give the camper a camping experience at MBC.

Who Works with My Camper?

Mainly, our incredibly talented and dedicated staff, who give of their time, talents and treasures, work with each and every camper. Our staff participate in a year long training program in order to prepare theem for their incredible imporant responsibilites a leader of our camp program. The staff are supported by a team of professionals who work in the school systems during the year. 

Elaine Otto serves as the Embracing Children's Director for the Metropolis of Boston Camp program. She works closely with each one of our families and campers in the program to develop individualized camping programs that cater to the needs of each camper. Additionally, she organizes and oversees all the training of our staff throughout the year in preparation for working in the Embracing Children's program.

What Do They Do?

As mentioned above, full integration into the life of the cabin and camp is the goal, thus campers travel with their staff to all the activities, they participate in discussions and worship to as much of their abilities will allow. There is also ample time to share in the other camp experiences and activities such as Arts & Crafts, Fun & Games, Baking, Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, Swimming, Canoeing and etc. However, sometimes the camp schedule and all the stimulation can just be overload. Thus, there is always a space available for campers and staff to go to just relax and decompress. This room is complete with a TV and DVD player as well snacks, drinks, coloring utensils, toys and books. After taking a step back, campers are usually ready to jump back into an activity with the rest of the camp or head to their cabin to see their cabin mates.

To download a sample schedule - CLICK HERE

How do I Register?

All registraton for our programs is online, just CLICK HERE to register. 

Additionally, please contact the camp office and we will make sure to start gathering information about your camper and designing an individualized camping program to aid in their success at MBC - mbcamp@boston.goarch.org or 603-746-4400

Keeping Connected

All photo's from all our camping programs are uploaded for your viewing pleasure to Flickr.com

Regular updates, photos and videos are posted through various social media networks, follow us on;

Twitter - @MetBostonYouth, Instagram - MetofBostonYouth, and Facebook - CLICK HERE


 
 

 

 



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