Camp Arye

For campers with special needs ages 3-25

June 16-August 8
8:45am-3:30pm

Camp Arye is currently full. If you would like to be placed on the waitlist, please complete the enrollment and payment forms and return to us thru the website or by mail to the JCC, 1125 College Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43209. If a spot becomes available, we will contact you.

Click here to download your Parent Pack

Camp Arye Contact Information

At JCC College Avenue
1125 College Avenue, Columbus
John Weaver, Director
(614) 559-6266
jweaver@columbusjcc.org

Camp Arye provides

• a summer camp experience for children, teens, and young adults between the ages of 3 and 25 with special needs, including physical, cognitive, emotional, developmental and learning disabilities
• a staff that embraces each participant's individuality, and supports campers in an effort to focus on their abilities and to challenge themselves to achieve both new and existing goals. New campers are assessed through the cooperative efforts of the Camp Arye Director and parents or guardians, along with input from school or private service providers.
• a staff to camper ratio of 1:2 or 1:3, depending on need. Our low ratios give our campers the opportunity for adventure and accomplishment with the safest supervision standards. Families may also provide their own aides if they feel their children will benefit from a one to one ratio. Click here for the one-on-one rules and regulations.
• days filled with traditional summer camp activities like adaptive physical education, adaptive movement, music, Judaics, adaptive art, swim lessons, socialization and free swim. Theme days like Israel Day and Carnival Day are also scheduled throughout the summer.

Ohavim
For campers 3-11

Our youngest campers travel in small groups to each activity, and groups are formed based on developmental and social skill levels.

Lomdim
For campers 12-21

Lomdim campers travel to daily activities in small groups and experience community involvement by participating in weekly community field trips. Lomdim campers also experience a variety of community and social outings on various field trips.

Shutafim
For campers 13-21. Based at Camp Hoover.

Shutafim campers enjoy a rustic and intensive camping experience at Camp Hoover, which includes exploring the Hoover Reservoir, biking, hiking, canoeing, paddle boating and participating in a high ropes obstacle course.

Campers also have the option of staying at Camp Hoover for overnights and of going on the white-water rafting and/or All-American trip to Cleveland with their counselors.

Career and Peer Adult Experience
For campers 17-25

Campers focus on job training and participation in the community, while also experiencing a camp-like recreational atmosphere. Four mornings each week are spent on career training, and they also participate in camp activities like swimming, gym time, recreational excursions and our traditional Shabbat experience.

Campers also gain skills through “hands-on” food preparation and clean-up by taking regular trips to a local grocery store and cooking lunch daily.

This unit has a minimum requirement of 6 campers, and campers must attend all 8 weeks of camp.

Mainstream Campers
Available for campers in Pre-K through 8th grade

Arye campers can be mainstreamed into a group from one of our typical day camps. Mainstreamed campers have the flexibility of being included with their typically developing peers and receiving optional pull out services (only at JCC College Avenue).

We give special consideration to matching personality types of other campers, as well as the primary counselor, to ensure the most successful experience while continuing to ensure our 1:2 or 1:3 ratio.

Back to Top

What's New this Year?

New for 08 at Camp Arye

• Zusman Center
  Summer 2008 will be Camp Arye's inaugural summer in the Zusman Center! This air-conditioned building features a beautiful multi-purpose great room, accessible changing rooms, designated activity areas and a nurse's office. The Zusman Center will add stability to the campers' days as a central "base" area. In addition, the Zusman Center will streamline the daily schedule and reduce transition times, allowing for more unit time, small group activities and special events.

Back to Top