Summer is the time of year most people look forward to no matter your age. A break from school, warm weather, long days and opportunities to become exposed to new people, places and activities you normally wouldn’t be during the school year. Many people choose to work or attend camps for these reasons. At Moshava Ba’ir New Jersey these opportunities turn into a reality. From the amazing activities offered in camp in all areas, sports, art, swim, baking and more, there’s something for everyone—campers and staff alike. But what is camp without the campers and staff? With campers ranging in age from entering kindergarten (Aleph) to sixth and seventh graders (Bogrim/Bogrot) and staff members from teens to adults a sense of community is built. Moshava Ba’ir staffing is unique, they find a place for everyone which is why Moshava Ba’ir partnered with Yachad.
Yachad members working at camp play such an intricate part to how camp runs on the daily. From helping run different peulot, activities, to preparing snack and lunch, they are integrated into working in every part of camp with both staff and campers.
New to camp this year, Yachad members run a cafe where staff members can come and take their break throughout the day. The cafe is called the B’Yachad Cafe and is located on the balcony, not only is a great place to relax on breaks, but also allows this undertaking and partnership with Yachad to be seen as a display of inclusivity for both campers and staff as it is a central location in camp.
When walking around camp, there’s a feeling of excitement surrounding the B’Yachad Cafe and all it has to offer. Ben Fried, the director of Moshava Ba’ir New Jersey shared some positive thoughts on this new addition to camp saying, “With the new B’Yachad Cafe in place we wanted to accomplish a number of goals—showing appreciation towards our teen and adult staff who we know work very hard, creating a space where staff feel they can relax and recharge, opening up lines of connection and communication between Yachad and non-Yachad staff members and, most importantly, infusing every possible aspect of camp with involvement and inclusion.”
The B’Yachad Cafe not only adds to each staff member’s experience while working at camp but also allows Yachad members to attain real world work skills as they are taking the role of business owner or cashier by selling snacks for real currency to staff members on their breaks.
The oldest campers are even being trained by the Yachad members to learn about the responsibilities of working in a cafe, while expressing hakarat hatov to their counselors. Staff members who take their breaks at the cafe also have this opportunity to interact and create bonds with Yachad members. Ben Apsan, director of Yachad at Moshava Ba’ir said, “Typically when you think of people with disabilities you might think you have to serve them, but here they are helping serve you. Each staff member also has an incentive to come and enjoy the cafe as they can receive cafe kessef.”
Felicia Stendig is an incoming sophomore at Stern College and staff member at Moshava Ba’ir from 2019-2023.
