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Transforming Jewish Camps with the Yashar Initiative

The Yashar Initiative generously funded by The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation aims to increase accessibility for campers and staff with disabilities at Jewish summer day and overnight camps.

This initiative provides day and overnight camps with funding for capital improvements, while also providing funding for professional development, staff training, research, and evaluation with a goal to significantly increase the number of campers and staff with disabilities who can participate in Jewish camp.

Inclusion in Action: Evaluating the Impact of the Yashar Initiative on Jewish Camps

This report synthesizes quantitative and qualitative data collected by FJC and EMC Consulting. Data sources include:

  • Fall Grant Reports – In October 2022 and 2023, each camp participating in the Yashar Initiative completed a survey with open-ended questions from FJC.
  • CSI and SSI Yashar questions – All Yashar camps participated in FJC’s CSI (Camper satisfaction Insights) and SSI (Staff Satisfaction Insights) surveys after Summer 2022 and 2023. These instruments have specific questions relating to the Yashar Initiative specifically and disabilities
    and inclusion generally and include responses from:
    • 4,468 parents of children in day camps
    • 9,026 parents of children in overnight camps
    • 1,661 day camp staff
    • 4,213 overnight camp staff
  • FJC Annual Census data – In the fall of 2022 and 2023, FJC collected data from all camps across its network, with specific questions about disabilities and inclusion.
  • Interviews with Directors and senior-level Inclusion staff at 12 Yashar camps in early 2023.
  • Focus groups (two) of parents of campers with disabilities at Yashar camps in early 2024.
  • Site visits (four) to Yashar camps (two day camps and two overnight camps), including observations and interviews with camp administrators and staff, by EMC conducted in Summer 2023.

TAGS: inclusion, disabilities, disability, yashar.