February is Jewish Disabilities Awareness and Inclusion Month. Join us as we share stories that highlight the impact of inclusion in our camp communities.
Aliza is a 15-year-old girl who has spent five summers at Capital Camps and Retreat Center. Aliza’s best friend, Lily, is a camper in the Atzma’im (inclusion) program at camp, who lives in a bunk with the rest of the girls in her age group. Aliza and Lily do everything together, from riding the zipline to hanging out in the bunk. The girls’ close friendship is just one example of why inclusion programming at Capital Camps is so special. This blog is the second of a three part series. Last week the girls’ counselor, Hannah, reflected on her time at camp. This week we are featuring Aliza, and next week, Lily will share her thoughts on inclusion at Capital Camps. FJC asked Aliza and Lily questions about what Inclusion means to them.
Below are Aliza’s answers:
- What is your name? My name is Aliza and I am 15-years-old from Bethesda Maryland.
- How many years have you spent at Capital Camps? I have spent five summers at Capital Camps
- What is your favorite part of camp? My favorite part of camp is all of the different activities that are available. You could do everything from sports to arts and crafts, just whatever you had fun with. With all of the activities, you can learn how to do a lot of new things.
- What does the word inclusion mean to you? Inclusion means that everyone is being treated the same way and everyone is able to participate in anything they want to try.
- What does inclusion look like at Capital Camps? Inclusion at Capital Camps looks like having everyone participate in the same activities. All campers can participate in everything and have the same amount of fun. Every camper was able to go to the lake and camping just like everyone else regardless of their abilities.
- If you had to describe inclusion at CCRC in just two words what would they be? Welcoming and Inspiring
- How long have you been friends with Lily? We have been friends for a little over 5 years.
- How did you become friends with Lily? I met her at camp and we just started spending time together in the cabin and we became friends. It happened naturally as most friendships.
- What makes someone a good friend? Someone who is a good friend is always there to talk to and they will listen even if it does not affect them. They are also nice to others and are trustworthy.
- Have you and Lily been in touch since camp? Yes – we text each other a lot and we get together whenever we can!
**This blog is the second of a three part series about an inclusion camper, her best friend and her counselor at Capital Camps. To read more about their special friendship check out Hannah their counselor’s blog here. Stay-tuned for more next week!
