For the third year in a row, the Joseph Maley Family Support Program is once again offering Sibs Summer Camp, a week-long day camp that serves children who have a sibling with a disability. This unique camp has grown rapidly over the years, and we are so excited for another year of connecting, learning, and having fun with our Sibs campers!
Sibs Summer Camp will take place at the Joseph Maley Enrichment Center from June 15-19, and will be a fun week of exploration and personal growth for our campers as they participate in Joseph Maley Foundation programming geared to developing leadership, service, anti-bullying, and inclusion skills. Campers will have the opportunity to not only enjoy the traditional fun of a summer camp, but will also explore their emotional and social needs through roundtable discussions with other campers, and their camp counselor.
For this week’s blog, Joseph Maley Family Support Associate, Gracie Poynter, will share with our followers an inside look at what this year’s camp will look like, and why she thinks that Sibs Summer Camp is an experience that families won’t want to miss!
Sibs Summer Camp will be better than ever this year. We plan on having a lot of hands-on activities that are fun for all age groups. I want the sibs to be able to live out the best versions of themselves, and have a week that is all about them having fun and learning! I mean, what’s better than summer camp?!
What can parents/guardians of Sibs campers expect from this camp?
Sibs camp parents should expect a week of stories! I want all our Sibs campers to leave camp feeling acknowledged, heard, and filled with great memories of the fun they had. With the activities we have planned, our Sibs campers will be in fantastic hands, and will come home with the best stories.
Can you share just ONE of the fun activities that sibs campers can expect to participate in if they attend Sibs Camp?
I won’t spoil too much, but we are planning on every day being a different theme. This would be a great opportunity for the sibs to be able to express themselves fully. Some of the possible themes could be a jersey day, your favorite character day, superhero day, etc. Stay tuned!
What’s unique about this summer camp, compared to others?
At Sibs Camp, we want our campers to leave with a sense of community and friendship. This camp is a week long, rather than a day camp, for a reason. When you spend a significant amount of time with the same group of people, you begin to develop a relationship, and a community with one another. Spending time with people who have experiences that are similar to yours creates a bond of friendship that is hard to find. My goal for Sibs Summer Camp is to have every camper leave with that sense of friendship and understanding with one another.
What are YOU most excited about for this year’s camp?
The campers, duh! Our Sibs Camp Winter Preview Day was my first time leading a camp with JMF, and it wasn’t the activities that made the camp so fun, it was the campers. Our campers are so spirited and excited, and they sparked joy all around them. I saw instant friendships and laughs within the first hour. I want Sibs Summer Camp to have that same environment.
If you could describe Sibs Camp in one sentence, what would it be?
Sibs Summer Camp is a week of friends, laughs, fun, and unforgettable memories!
If you’d like to register your child for the 2020 Sibs Summer Camp, please fill out this form.
Questions? Contact Joseph Maley Family Support Associate, Gracie Poynter at gracie@josephmaley.org