B’Yachad is an inclusion program for campers with mild to moderate learning, social or emotional challenges. At EKC, we believe that all kids can belong and participate. We provide a modified program designed to foster inclusion and cooperation, personal achievement and social relationships. This program is designed for campers ages 7-16. Campers live in bunks with typical campers and are integrated into all activities, guided by dedicated, trained staff.
• Up to 1:1 staff to camper ratio
• Dedicated sensory room
• Full-time inclusion coordinator on site
• Coordinated visits or virtual meetings with
behavioral support specialists as needed
• Flexible session offerings based on the individual
camper

Your child has much to gain in an overnight camp environment:
• Learn to live and work with others
• Gain independence and self confidence
• Interact with peers, make new friends and build
social skills
• Try new activities and overcome fears

Here are a few things to consider when determining whether EKC is appropriate for your child. Please keep in mind these are not requirements for your child’s attendance at camp.
• Fairly independent? Can they dress, eat and bathe with minimal assistance?
• Physically mobile? Camp has moderately challenging terrain, i.e. hills, gravel, roads, etc. In addition, a typical day consists of quite a bit of walking.
• Can your child transition independently from activity to activity? Our camp day is structured to allow our campers to participate in many different activities, and allows for meals and rest time.
• Can your child follow directions? Setting boundaries with established rules helps everyone get the most out of their time with us. Many times throughout the day, campers are given directions; having the capability to follow those directions is important.

Enrollment
Enrollment in the B’Yachad program is determined on a case-by-case basis to ensure we can successfully accommodate your child within our camp program. EKC is committed to partnering with each parent or guardian to create an individualized plan that will best set up our B’Yachad campers to be successful at camp

Our staff is specially trained for the B’Yachad program. We have a full-time inclusion coordinator on site, as well as specially trained inclusion counselors, and a camper care team of mental health professionals. Our inclusion counselors receive a one-week intensive training program led by the JCC’s inclusion consultant, a licensed clinical social worker and our inclusion coordinator. This time is spent designing a camp experience that caters to your child. We strongly take into consideration the goals and interests of your child when planning for their camp experience.

Communication
At least once a week, you will receive a phone call from our inclusion coordinator regarding your child’s progress. We also post pictures through our photo app, Waldo, every evening. We feel it is important for you to hear about your child’s successes as they are happening.

Our inclusion coordinator will work with each family prior to camp to create a customized plan to ensureyour child has a successful experience. One we get to camp, we have an open call policy to help answer questions about how your child is doing. Families will always be able to reach our inclusion coordinator and should expect a call back within 12 hours (and 24 hours during Shabbat).

EKC also has access to the JCC’s inclusion consultant and can arrange for your child to communicate with their outside therapists and behavioral specialists
during their time at camp.

For more information, contact Aaron Cantor,
EKC Director, at 412-339-5412 or
acantor@jccpgh.org

A TYPICAL DAY AT EKC: 

7:40 am Boker tov (Good morning)
8:00 am Aruchat boker (Breakfast)
8:35 am Haramat ha-degel (Flag-raising)
8:50 am Morning nikayon (Cleanup)
9:30 am Instructional swim
10:30 am Ceramics
11:30 am Zipline
12:30 pm Aruchat Tzohoraim (Lunch)
1:20 pm Minucha (Rest hour)
2:30 pm Free swim
3:25 pm Nosh
3:50 pm Basketball
4:50 pm Blob and Rave
6:00 pm Aruchat Erev (Dinner)
7:00 pm Chugim (special programs)
8:20 pm Snack
8:45 pm Evening nikayon
9:15 pm Sikum (End of day activity)
9:30-11 pm Lila Tov (Good night)

Financial assistance is available. EKC will create customized session offerings for children in the B’Yachad program only and will pro rate accordingly based on the fees.