A Summer Dream for the children at Shalva and their Families

During the summer vacation, there is a considerable shortage of adequate programming for children with special needs.

The immediate effect is a heavy burden on family members and serious disruptions of work hours, domestic functioning and the care of the other children in the family. Life becomes one long hunt for solutions, and the summer vacation turns into a nightmare. Additionally, in the absence of a professional framework, there is the danger of regression in the special needs child's hard-earned progress.

Shalva's summer program provides a perfect solution and brings balance back to the entire family. The special summer program operates at Shalva for eight entire weeks. Under the guidance of the experienced staff, the kids enjoy a rich daily program that includes swimming, art workshops, sports and daily strolls. Without a doubt, however, the highlight of the summer program is the eight-day sleep away camp that takes place in a beautiful setting each year. The Shalva kids look forward to it all year long. The camp includes activities such as camel riding, jeep trips, cable car rides, an airplane tour in the country, kayaking and performances by famous entertainers. Thus, at the same time they are acquiring important social skills, the children enjoy a memorable experience.

Conforming to the highest level of disability standards, the parents are secure in the knowledge that their children are well taken care of and they are able to get what they need most of all - a real summer vacation in which to enjoy each other's company without being restricted by mobility issues and the need to provide constant supervision. This is the longest period of time during the year that the special needs kids spend away from home and with their friends.