Beit Hagalgalim - Provision of Weekend Breaks

In the last two months we celebrated Passover with a “Passover Camp” in all six homes – 5 day camps with many fabulous experiences and challenges.  We also celebrated Lag B’Omer with group campfires, which the participants greatly enjoyed.

May was the House of Wheels annual fundraising gala. The main goal is to secure the resources to continue our activities.  Many children, youth, and alumni participated and enjoyed the concert.  For most of them, it was the first time they went to a musical event at the Opera House (in Tel Aviv.)

The primary emphasis at all the houses in the last month was the preparation for Summer Camps that will take place in July and August.  Every group decides where to go for the five days, where to sleep, and what to eat.

Each camp is a full, non-stop week, during which we travel also to places that at first glance seem to be inaccessible to the disabled. We sail with kayaks, surf, go on jeep rides and meet with artists. This is accomplished through mutual assistance, friendship and maximizing the potential to enjoy experiences shared by their peers who are not disabled. The summarizing discussion at each camp becomes an exciting event in itself, which illustrates how the participants can mature and grow closer to each other during this week.
 

It is the highlight of the year!

Links:

• http://www.beitgalgalim.org.il/English/Default.aspx

Summer Camp Program for Disabled Youth:

In August , House of Wheels took its participants, ages 10-21, for five fun-filled days away from home, dedicated to outdoor sports, water activities, and more.

For the children and teens who participate in House of Wheels daily and weekly programs, summer camp is without a doubt the highlight of the year. Groups of 15 participants and 15 volunteer counselors come together for five-day periods during which they enjoy traditional Israeli summer activities in all parts of the country, including: sailing, kayaking, rappelling, jeep tours, horseback riding, diving and more.

The camps not only allow the kids and teens to participate in activities from which they would normally be precluded because of their disabilities, but they also help teach important social and physical skills. The week away gives the participants much needed time out of the house, an opportunity to connect deeply with their peers, and programming that helps them learn to deal with and overcome their physical pain and impediments. Most importantly, campers learn to dream big and fulfill those dreams. Summer camps play a critical role in improving the participants' quality of life and in strengthening them physically and emotionally. The week away from home also allow the parents to take a break from the intensive care they provide on a daily basis and spend time with the other family members. 

Summer Camps - in numbers

• 450 children and youth from across the country and all sectors of society regardless of religion, race or nationality participated in the summer camps
• 450 volunteers took vacations from their jobs and their families, and join the summer camps
• Total of 120 days of Summer
• 24 days of volunteerism all groups in different places in the community such as a shelter for animals, coloring institutions and packing food for the needy
• 35 days of Accessible Transportation
• 630 Entertainment and Attractions
• The summer camps were held throughout the country, the Golan Heights to Eilat

Links:

• http://www.beitgalgalim.org.il/English/Default.aspx