What’s it like being a behaviorist at Friendship Circle Camp? It involves using problem solving, disciplining techniques and compassion for each and every camper. Friendship Circle Camp is a Jewish program for children with special needs; during the week-long summer camp, the children go on different field trips every day. Volunteers are paired with each child, and staff and behaviorists work through-out the week to make sure the campers and volunteers are having a fun and safe experience.
“The behaviorists are the most critical piece of the puzzle. We need them to ensure that everyone is safe and happy and that the parents feel comfortable leaving their children in good hands,” said Zeesy Grossbaum, the director of Friendship Circle. The camp has grown since it started 10 years ago in Congregation Beth Tefillah, an orthodox synagogue in Paramus. The camp has since moved, and is now held every summer at the Chabad of Tenafly, according to Grossbaum. This summer the camp went on different field trip every day, such as Legoland in Westchester, and bowling in Montvale.
A key part of making the camp the most rewarding experience for its campers, the behaviorists’ jobs comes with many challenges and rewards along the way.
“Likely the biggest challenge for me this week was adapting to all the varying degrees of need in one location,” said Martyne Schroder, a behaviorist at camp this summer. After learning about autism in her third year of college, she went on to graduate school and entered a program where she focused on education students with mild to moderate special needs. In addition to her work at camp she is also a consultant and supervisor for children with special needs both at home and in a classroom setting. This is her first time working for Friendship Circle, and moving from a one-on-one setting to a camp with both children and teens was an adjustment, but she welcomed the new environment.
As new as the experience at camp was to her, she truly enjoyed her week with Friendship Circle, and admired the dedication of the other staff members and volunteers. “Working with the staff and volunteers of Friendship Circle was really eye opening for me. It was amazing to observe the sense of community that the Jewish population has,” Schroder said. “It was heartwarming to see kids of all ages show love and acceptance for others.”
Daniel Brophy, another behaviorist at camp this summer, also acknowledged how helpful the volunteers are at camp. “Friendship Circle has some really great volunteers that make it a lot easier for me,” he said. Brophy also works on Sundays for Friendship Circle’s Hebrew School, and at Friendship Circle’s weekly Teen Scene. “The most challenging part of the job is supervising 12 to 15 teenage campers and understanding that the needs and skills and capabilities are different according to the individual. At times, I have no history with a camper, which makes the challenge bigger,” he said.
When a challenge or conflict arises on any of the trips or activities, Brophy is prepared to handle it. “The first thing I always try to do when there is a conflict or someone is upset is to validate their feelings. In more extreme instances, I have removed a camper from an activity if their individual behavior became a distraction to the overall group,” he said.
This summer brought a lot of new experiences for campers, such as different field trips and other engaging programs. “The newer places we visited, Bowcraft and Legoland, as well as the activities, yoga and cooking, seemed to be a big hit with the teenage group. Most seemed very occupied and happy throughout,” Brophy said. “I always interact with the campers in a positive, upbeat way. I like to joke around and make them laugh.”
The most rewarding part of a behaviorist’s job is when they see the campers enjoying themselves. “When I work at the Friendship Circle camp my main goal is for the camper to have the most fun,” Brophy said.
Sometimes it’s not easy to get the campers engaged, and it’s the behaviorists’ job to supervise and keep the campers involved in what they can handle so the activity is a success. “We are doing activities designed for pleasure or recreation, and I feel my job is to put them in the best position to have fun,” said Brophy. “The job entails being on your feet, being patient and at times making split-second decisions that are both best for the overall group and the individual.”
Amidst the challenges is an environment full of inspiration for the behaviorists, who ensure the campers are enjoying themselves and are learning something new. “In general I’m inspired anytime someone steps a little out of their comfort zone and expresses happiness,” Brophy said. “This happened after a camper went on a ride they thought they couldn’t go on. A ‘high-five’ after a good day, or a simple smile after petting a sting ray at an aquarium. Those small moments that exist for seconds remain with me for a long time.”
Elizabeth Zakaim, from Paramus, is a sophomore at TheCollege of New Jersey looking to major in journalism. Shecan be reached at [email protected]
By Elizabeth Zakaim
