Camp Ohr Lanu

Wednesday, June 5th - Sunday, June 9th, 2013

Special kids and their families deserve a special week.

Camp Ohr Lanu is designed to bring families together for a retreat of study, prayer, respite, support and fun in the beautiful hills of the Ojai Valley. Children with special needs ages 4 to 14, along with their parents and siblings, will enjoy specialized, therapeutic programming in a supportive environment. Ohr Lanu's warm, caring staff will include trained special educators, behavior and family education specialist, and individual counselors paired with each family. Each special needs child will choose a focus - dance, music, art or drama-facilitated by a trained therapist in that area. Siblings will participate in their own group activities, helping create bonds in a supportive environment. Parents will engage in texts, networking and relaxation. Together families will enjoy everything Camp Ramah offers: an Olympic size swimming pool, ropes course, hiking trails and more.

For Parents:

• Shabbat services and study
• Support and discussions base on Torah study and spiritual issues
• Opportunities to meet other families with similar challanges and to exchange ideas and resources
• Opportunities to network at a resource fair

For the Entire Family:

• Shabbat services, activities and Havdalah
• Get-to-know-you games and stories
• Daily family time to enjoy camp activities such as swimming, hiking, and ropes course

For Special Needs Children and Siblings:

• Scavenger hunts and games
• Drama games and singing
• Discussion/Storytelling
• Sibling workshops
• Daily focus activities (art, drama, dance, music) lead by trained professionals

Accommodations

Family accommodations include hotel-style rooms with individual climate control and private baths.

About the Program Leader

Elana Naftalin-Kelman, Director of the Tikvah Program, has worked at Camp Ramah and in the Tikvah Program for many summers. She has a Masters in Social Work from Columbia University and a Masters in Special Education from Bank Street College of Education. Elana and her husband have two sons. 

About Camp Ramah

• Camp Ramah is located in Ojai, California
• Sports facilities include playing fields for baseball and soccer, courts for basketball, volleyball and tennis and an Olympic swimming pool.
• Modern kosher kitchens (separate meat and dairy kitchens), a large dining facility, a beautiful synagogue, and arts and craft studio, and outdoor amphhitheaters provide some of the settings for activities at camp.

Camp Ohr Lanu - A Thankful Family, written by the Gruen Family