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Dean Cohen has
fond memories of growing up in the Jewish youth movement of Melbourne , Australia . While Cohen and his peers participated in B ’ nai Akiva or Habonim youth groups and camps , he remembers that “ people with disabilities were excluded . They didn ’ t have the same social and camp experiences that we had !” In 2014 , Cohen started Flying Fox , a camp program for people with disabilities , ages 8-16 .
The Melbourne-based Flying Fox organization has grown tremendously in six short years . Flying Fox offers “ fun , positive social experiences ” to young adults with disabilities . The first camp hosted 19 participants . To date , Fly Fox has provided weekend camp experiences to 250 participants . While the program has “ strong Jewish roots ,” it is open to participants of all backgrounds .
Cohen , who currently serves as CEO , notes that there are many camping organizations in Australia , and several which serve youth and young adults with disabilities including two Jewish organizations--Camp Sababa ( a sister organization in Sydney ) and Friendship Circle , affiliated with Chabad . “ What makes Flying Fox unique is that it is mainly youth led ,” reports Cohen . He is proud of the responsible young people who undergo extensive training and volunteer regularly with Flying Fox . “ These are young people who can offer complex support needs for our participants .”
Ricki Sher , Head of Programs , feels the “ youthful energy ” they offer is “ unique and contagious .” The young , enthusiastic volunteers serve as peer mentors for the participants and therefore create an inclusive experience . Sher envisions a day when “ 500 or 1000 or 10,000 alumni go out to the world and use their experience to shape a more inclusive world !” Sher , who at 26 years old , playfully considers herself to be “ the grandmother of the group ,” imagines a day when a former volunteer , positively impacted by the experience of working with Flying Fox , goes on to open a coffee shop — and makes it physically accessible , and employs people with disabilities .”
Sher describes Flying Fox weekend camp programs as “ fun , with laughs , smiles , lots of energy , music , roller blading , sports , an epic talent show , silent disco and a slip and slide — it is a bubble of fun and happiness !” Camp Wings and camp Sababa provide 4 to 5-night sleepaway camping programs to 30 participants — supported by 80 volunteers-- in a rural setting outside of Melbourne . Junior and senior camps both take place during winter and summer school holidays .
The SHOTZ program offers weekend getaways for 6 or 7 campers and their buddies . They take place at Tova House , a home recently purchased by Flying Fox in Lancefield , an hour from Melbourne in Lancefield .
Flying Fox also offers SOCS ( Siblings of Camp Sababa ), a sibling support program for siblings of people with disabilities . They host camps and weekends where participants connect and share life experiences with other siblings of people with disabilities . A recent camp included 50 siblings of people with disabilities .
Additional programs accommodate participants with more complex support needs . They typically include 25 campers , 50 buddies , medical personnel , a psychologist and additional adult support .
Cohen and Sher are pleased with their program , participants , their families and their amazing volunteers . And they continue to dream . Sher smiles , “ My dream is to go national around Australia , and to create Flying Fox hubs around the world !”