Kevin's Watch

OMG, we're getting there!

Our local Lubavitch Center suggested I contact some more of our local Jewish organizations, even though I'm not affiliated in any way with them. I was hesitant to do so, but figured what the heck, Paul's still a student at UF, and we've known the Executive Director at UF's Hillel since Beorn was four years old. So I put in a call directly to him this morning, and left a voice mail. He got back in touch with me, and said he was pretty sure he could get us $100! All I had to do was have Beorn write a thank you note explaining why he is looking forward to going to camp (easier said than done, but it wil be done) and he would contact the donor family to make sure they would be agreeable to helping send Beorn to camp.

I just received an email from him, and the donor family has agreed to a $700 scholarship!! Only $1000 more to go!!

Glad to hear it!

That is good news Menolly.

--A

Wow, I am in awe of our wonderful Watchers.

The bookkeeper at the Camp office was on vacation last week, but I was told today that a check arrived from someone on the Watch for $200! I don't know if that person made a single donation, or if several people sent that person donations and it was submitted all on one check, but I am extremely grateful for the help.

We're now down to $500 outstanding. That sure looks a lot better than $1000 to me.

We sat down and discussed this situation with Beorn, telling about how most of his camp tuition is coming from generous friends and others who don't even know him personally. We also explained until any outstanding balance is paid off, that we will be unable to register him for camp next year and he may again be wait listed.

Due to Religious School classmates already having their b'nai mitzvot over the year, he knows most likely any gifts he receives for his Bar Mitzvah will be cash gifts, and he has volunteered to use whatever he receives to pay off the balance as much as he can so he can be registered for next year if we manage to get it all paid off on time.

So again, thank you all! You all have helped/are helping tremendously.

Great news. I'm glad we were able to help.

Beorn flew from Jacksonville to Atlanta airport, and arrived safely at camp yesterday. I was allowed to escort him through security to his gate, even though he was not a paid for unescorted minor. I told him I was going to hold back, and see if he could deal with security on his own, and find his gate without my help. Except for not being happy about removing his sneakers, he did fine.

So next year, if we can again get the money together for him to go, we'll allow him to get to the gate and on the plane totally on his own. But, I will watch him go through security, as I am unsure how he would react if he becomes one of the randomly selected passengers to go through additional screening.

Now, I will have access to camp pictures, and if I can save them (as they are password protected), I'll be happy to share any I see of Beorn. I can also add 'family and friends' to the website access list, if anyone is interested. Viewing camp photos on the site is free, the company charges for one way email priveledges.

I don't expect to hear anything from Beorn while he's away this month. the camp requires the campers to 'write home' once a week, but I know beorn will choose to write others before us, and he'll meet the bare minimum of one short letter each week. So, we might get a letter written to us the weekend before he comes home, and he comes home on a Monday. We'll probably see him before any letter arrives. :::sigh:::

Again, thank you all who helped make this happen!

Finally!!

Beorn has been away at camp over two weeks now. I visit the camp website every day, and at this point have gone through close to 1500 pictures on the website.

I found one picture that might have been him from the rear, but Paul disagrees.

I found one that's definitely him, but it's a profile view from his elbow down. No point in sharing or keeping that one.

Today, there's one with just him in it, with a decent view of his face. Hooray!!



He's not the best looking or most stylish kid around, but I'll keep him.

OK, this morning officially missing Beorn has kicked in...

Hang in there...he'll be home soon. I'm sure he's having a great time but misses you heaps too.

Thanks Seareach.

Nine more days to go!

OMG!! This can't be true...

...but I'm sitting here in tears, hoping it is.

I just got back from getting the mail from our mailbox. The only thing in today's mail is a letter from one of Beorn's counselor's at camp. We've never gotten one before.

He didn't attend last year, so IDK if this is a new thing they're doing, started last year, or written to us because Beorn is 'diiferent.' I'm thinking they sent letters to everyone, as the first paragraph is a Xeroxed general introduction. However, the rest of the letter focuses in on Beorn.

Here it is in it's entirety, except for the counselors' names.

(Xeroxed section)
Shalom, from us here at Camp Ramah Darom. My name is XXX XXXX and I am one of your son's counselors. I am 18 years old and will be entering my second year at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. I am joined by XXX XXXX and XXX XXXX. XXX (the first of the other two counselors) will be a freshman at the University of Florida and XXX XXXX (the second) comes from Israel and is in his second year teaching soccer here at beautiful Ramah. We have built an awesome community in Tzrif Hamesh Esray (Bunk 15), and the boys have been enjoying each others' company along with bunk activities. It is my belief that the hanichim (campers) from Tzrif 15 are looking forward to the rest of their time here.
(end of Xeroxed section)

Beorn is an avid reader (I didn't pack any books, so who knows what he's reading?) who brings light humor and enthusiasm to Tzrif 15. He is extremely accountable, especially when given specific directions. Beorn is in the Machanut (Camping) class here at Ramah. He participates in their daily activities, from learning how to assemble and disassemble a tent to cooking dinner in the outdoors. Beorn recently departed on a 2-day camping trip in local Tahullah Gorge with his class. I had the pleasure of attending the trip and seeing Beorn's teamwork and courage first hand. There was a very rough uphill climb which tested Beorn both mentally and physically, yet he persevered. I was extremely proud and impressed with this feat, but also the energy that Beorn showed at the Sliding Rock Waterhole/Waterfall. He played for hours with other friends from the bunk and truly enjoyed himself. Today, during Yom Sport (Sport Day/Color Wars) Beorn, who was on the Red team with myself played a major role in gaining points. He casually suggested an idea, a clever one that is, as to how our team could steal the Blue's team's mascot. We heeded his advice, dressing up one of our own in blue and going in undercover to steal the mascot. We were successful and Beorn was proud and excited to have played such a role, benefiting our entire team.

Beorn is the tallest kid in our bunk, and his interests often differ from the majority. Yet, he is extremely inclusive and involved with the other boys. He has begun to understand the concept of bunk unity, friendship, and compassion. This can be heard through his words and seen through his actions. I am looking forward to bonding with Beorn over the next two weeks and learning more about what makes him happy and how we can make his summer memorable.

Sincerely,
XXX XXXX

We did inform the camp of Beorn's AS on the medical form, and he did go one other year post diagnosis, but all his other years at the camp were pre-diagnosis, as it is not a camp for special needs kids.

However, since he last attended, the camp did start Camp Yofi, a week long camp for ASD kids and their families held after the regular session ends. I know nothing of this counselor other than what is written in this letter. Yet, he strikes me as someone, at 18 years old, who would be a natural with special need kids.

Right now I'm too overwhelmed to compose an email to the camp thanking them for putting Beorn in the bunk with this counselor. But, I think this letter alone shows his compassion and interest, and I need to let the camp know how appreciative I am. :'-)

he's a cool kid, Menolly. that's what i like about the photo...you can see that in his face. looking at him, reading the letter, i'm absolutely certain he's a cool kid!

:'-)

Fisty and Ms. Mary has met him...

With the help of the mom's on AOL's AS board in the Parenting forum, I have the two letters to send. Here's the one for the rabbi:

Dear Rabbi Sykes,

I just wanted to take a moment of your time to commend <counselor>. I received a letter from him yesterday in which he discussed how Beorn is adjusting to camp; the activities he is participating in; and his ability to work within his group.

As you know, Beorn has Aspergers Syndrome, which is an Autism Spectrum Disorder. I opened this letter with trepidation, as I am always waiting for a shoe to drop when it comes to Beorn and activities. To have received such detailed information on Beorn's activities and behaviors at camp is more than I could have ever hoped. Beorn is unable to express to me what goes on at camp, and <counselor>'s letter is a great insight into Beorn's life.

I can tell that <counselor> is very mature for an 18 year old and may have a future in working with children who have special needs. I know that you always hear when thing are going badly at camp, and I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you when things are going great.

Sincerely,

And here's the one to the counselor:

Dear Mr. <counselor's last name>:

I'm sitting here crying, not in sadness but in joy. One cannot begin to understand how pleased I am at the moment; except perhaps other parents that struggle as my family does. For so many years I've longed for my son to feel accepted among his peers. My son has Aspergers and struggles to fit in. Thanks to your letter I just received, I know that he is having the time of his life and is in very capable hands. Your letter to me was wonderful and you are to be commended. For you to take the time to write to me about my son's adventures and successes at camp brought me to tears. Your words to me and willingness to befriend my son and provide him the encouragement to participate and be part of the group are more than any mom like myself could ever dream for.

Thank you for your efforts on behalf on Beorn.

Sincerely,

Input before I send them off please?

Absolutely lovely words, Menolly!! Don't change a thing!

And i'm sitting here crying that your son is having such a good time too!

I puddled up, too. I think the letters are perfect. If I were a camp counselor and received a letter like that, I'd frame it.

Good for you, Menolly, and for your son too!

:::sigh:::

Well, after all my raving about Beorn's camp, today I got a telephone call from the 8th grade parents liason...

The session ends on Monday, and she said things have gone well, but they wanted to 'express concerns' for next year. They are unsure he is getting everything he can out of camp, and wanted to clarify why we send him.

I explained for us that while the Jewish aspect is a bonus, that the fact that he lives with 13 other boys in a bunk for a month and is immersed in a society outside his comfort zone that he has to deal with, is the most important aspect for us. The fact that he has been to this camp successfully before is also helpful, so we don't have to deal with him being anxious about a new setting.

They then also expressed concern about Beorn doing 'parallel' activities to what his group is doing, and wondered if he would need a one on one counselor for more independent activities as his age group gets older. I told her that if you are very clear with what is expected of him, that Beorn should be perfectly responsible for his behavior and his whereabouts.

The conversation wound down by the liason telling me that the head administrator may want to have a conversation with us regarding what we expect by sending Beorn to camp when we submit our aplication next year. :::sigh:::

Ah well, we'll see what Beorn has to say over the next few months (he never tells us everything about camp as soon as he comes home), as his stories come out in dribs and drabs.

Ah, doesn't sound that bad Menolly...the fact that they're interested in discussing it could be a good thing, and although it's hard to tell, the fact that they're wondering if he needs a one-on-one counsellor suggests that they might consider it if they think it's necessary.

I think (hope) it'll turn out all right.

--A

I agree with Av, Menolly.

I can see how you might see it (if I got a letter like that I might be tempted to think "oh no, they don't want my son there") but I don't think that's right. The suggestion that he might need"one-on-one counsellor" suggests to me that they're just acknowledging his special needs and that they want to address that.

If you ever need anyone to chat to just PM me...can't say that I know much about the situation you're in, but I'm happy to chat.