Summer Inclusion Spotlight
Summer is the busiest time of year for NSSRA, not just because it’s the peak season
for camps and trips in addition to regular programming (#zerotofuninsixtyseconds) but
also because it’s peak time for our partners too!
Every year we support an average of 1,000 individuals through our Inclusion services so
that kids with disabilities can participate in their home district’s programming. Nearly
50% of those individuals are supported during the summer months, giving kids the
opportunity to enjoy Camp Wilderness with Glenview Park District or Big Top/Little Top
circus camp in Highland Park or Afternoon Adventures Camp in Wilmette (just to name
a few).
Last summer NSSRA supported over 400 kids with an army of 300+ cheerful Inclusion
companions and a team of six, full-time Inclusion specialists. These specialists, otherwise
known as the Inclusion Support Team (IST), join Team NSSRA each summer just to help
us keep up with the season’s packed schedule of sunshine, pool time and play time.
Most members of IST are either former Inclusion companions or special education
teachers during the school year.
Inclusion support removes the barriers that might prevent someone with a disability
from full participation in so many of the fun and rich experiences life has to offer,
especially at summer camp!
Interested in joining our Inclusion team this summer?
Read our interview with Cole about his experiences as an Inclusion
companion on page 65, and apply at www.nssra.org/summer.
Meet Catherine, one of six incoming Inclusion Support Team members this summer!
What is your history with NSSRA
and/or special recreation. How did
you come to work with us? When I
was younger, I volunteered a few times
with NWSRA. For several years, I lost
touch with the organization, but my
interest sparked again when I moved
to Northbrook and one of my college
friends told me about the inclusion
opportunities that NSSRA offers. The last
three summers, I have worked for NSSRA
as an Inclusion companion and loved
every second of it. I enjoyed forming
relationships with my participants,
their families, campers, directors and
16
the other counselors. The whole camp
experience is so fun and every day is a
new adventure. NSSRA is great about not
only supporting participants, but staff as
well.
Why did you want to join IST? I was
looking to take on a larger role upon
graduating from college. While I loved
being a companion and will miss the
one-on-one aspect of the job, this will
be a new challenge and I am excited to
work as a team with the other ladies. I
know this will be a productive, positive
learning experience for myself and I
hope to make a
bigger impact
on NSSRA and
its participants.
What are
you looking
forward to
this summer?
This summer,
I am looking forward to starting this new
position and getting back into the camp
setting that I love so much. I am excited
to see the familiar faces of staff and
campers!
Register online at register.nssra.org.