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Camp Sunshine
& Camp Snowflake
Ridgewood, NJ - 201-652-1755 |
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Camp Sunshine
& Camp Snowflake
Ridgewood, NJ - 201-652-1755 |
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Camp Sunshine is a summer recreational program for children and young adults with multiple disabilities. The Camp is located in Bergen County's Saddle River County Park, Wild Duck Pond Area, and since it founding in 1960, has thrived in this picturesque and barrier-free environment, opening for its 63rd season this next summer.
The Camp Sunshine opens each summer for 8 weeks (Mon. - Fri., 9:00 A.M.-3:30 P.M.) beginning in June (June 26 this year) and running through August (August 18 this year). It is unique among its peers because of its corps of volunteers who provide one-on-one care to its campers. Each volunteer has the opportunity to assist one camper in various camp activities throughout the day
Campers participate in daily Arts & Crafts and sports activities, go swimming twice during each day in our adapted, onsite heated swimming pool, and take field trips to places such as Liberty Science Center. While still maintaining its rustic charm, our newly-renovated, state-of-the-art facility is fully equipped for the needs of our campers, with a playroom/video center, Windows computer network, and over 2000 sq. ft. of air conditioned activity space. Our professional staff and volunteers ensure that our campers get the fullest enjoyment from the opportunities afforded at Camp Sunshine.
Campers are divided into small groups of approximately 8 to 12 campers, with the groupings based upon the campers' ages and abilities, ensuring that each camper can thrive among his or her peers throughout the summer. Each group has a Group Leader and an Assistant Group Leader supervising and assisting the campers and Volunteer Camp Counselors, who work individually with our Campers. Camp Sunshine has been successful for over 50 years because of its continuous supply of dedicated volunteers from local schools, churches, and community organizations, who provide one-to-one care to each camper at the program.
Camp Sunshine has been located in Ridgewood, NJ, since 1960, when a group of parents banded together to create a "Place in the Sun" where their campers could enjoy each summer to the fullest. Summertime should be a fun time, the season when youngsters get out of the house to go fishing, swimming, camping, or hiking. To the developmentally disabled, all too often, it's an impossible dream.
Camp Sunshine provides its campers this opportunity and affords them the necessary supervision. Even though they may have braces or wheelchairs, Camp Sunshine eliminates the barriers of the everyday world. Bridging these gaps has great rewards in building self-esteem, emotional growth, and social relationships. The permanent facility serves disabled children and young adults from Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, Morris, and Sussex Counties. At Camp Sunshine, you will find no obstacles to overcome. Everything is adapted to suit the needs of our campers.
Special equipment and good intentions alone are not enough to accomplish all the goals set at Camp Sunshine & Camp Snowflake. Campers need a buddy all to themselves. And Camp Sunshine & Camp Snowflake provides each camper with a volunteer counselor for a helping hand and a friendly smile. The volunteer provides one-to-one supervision for each camper, supplying assistance, encouragement, and patience to ensure that each camper has a summer to remember. Our professional staff supervises and implements the many activities that take place each day. Group Leaders, Lifeguards, Activities Specialists, Nurses all provide the necessary input, experience, and enthusiasm for a successful summer.
Located in the heart of Bergen County, Camp Sunshine resides in the Saddle River County Park, Wild Duck Pond Area, in Ridgewood, New Jersey. The adapted facility provides an ideal recreational setting for a summer of fun. The most important facility at Camp Sunshine is the heated pool, complete with its own built-in ramp for easy access by all campers.
Interested New Campers are always encouraged to apply as early as January of the year in which they would first like to attend Camp Sunshine. New Campers or their parents/guardians should schedule a brief interview at the Camp for all new campers. Applications are given out at this interview.
To inquire about enrolling a camper at Camp Sunshine for the Summer of 2023, please contact the Camp today.
Contact us at campsunsnow@gmail.com or at 201-652-1755
Camp Sunshine will again be open weekly from Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. beginning this year on June 26, 2023 and ending August 18, 2023. Sunshine's activities include morning swimming lessons for the campers, adapted sports in the park, special theme days such as Hawaiian Day, Super Hero Day and Carnival Day!!! The orientation for volunteers will be held on June 10, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM . The orientation is not mandatory, but you are always welcome to attend to acquaint yourself with the program and learn about our new activities.
As a volunteer, you can set your own schedule for the summer. *****THERE IS NO NEED TO PRE- REGISTER*****. You are welcome to volunteer for as many days as you choose, just bring a bathing suit, a towel, and a lunch each day you want to volunteer. The only requirement is if you come for a day, you need to stay for the entire day. The Camp has a barbeque every Friday so you will not need a lunch on those days. Also, please bring your bathing suit and towel even if it looks like rain because often times the weather can change quickly, and if you leave your towel and suit at home, you will not be able to swim with your camper. Don't forget, also, that Camp meets rain or shine. On rainy days, we take special trips to the mall, arcades, or movies, so we need just as many volunteers for rainy days as well.
All volunteers must complete a volunteer application. Please fill out both sides and bring it with you on your first day. The applications are renewed each year, so even if you filled one out for a past summer, you will still need to fill out one for the coming summer. All of your service hours are logged to help you meet any community service obligations you may have.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us by phone at 201-652-1755 or by email at campsunsnow@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you at 'Sunshine' this summer.
It takes a band of truly special people to create the magic that happens each summer at Camp Sunshine. Supervisors, nurses, lifeguards, and group leaders all are essential elements of the paid staff that designs and implements a fully adapted recreational program. All staff members receive extensive training to help them fulfill their goals for the summer. Each staff member is also certified in Standard First Aid, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, and Child AED. An adult and pediatric AED is also onsite for the safety of all Camp patrons.
There are currently a few paid staff positions available at Camp Sunshine. The vast majority of our paid staff positions are filled by past volunteers. However, if you are interested in working in an incredibly rewarding and dynamic environment with a wonderful group of children and young adults, contact us today for more information.
We can be reached by Email at campsunsnow@gmail.com or by phone at 201-652-1755. We look forward to hearing from you.
Camp Sunshine & Camp Snowflake, Inc., does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its policies on the basis of race, religion, sex, color, creed, national origin, or handicap.