Marvin’s Camp for Children with Special Needs

Marvin’s Camp for Children with Special Needs

At the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to create great summer camp memories. To us, camp is an essential part of the childhood experience, and one that everyone should feel included in, regardless of ability. Our Marvin’s Camp for Children with Special Needs is committed to providing an educational, creative, social, and safe environment for kids, teens, and young adults with special needs.

We offer three Marvin’s divisions: Marvin’s Juniors, Marvin’s Camp, and Marvin’s On the Road every day (M.O.R.E.). All Marvin’s programs are led by highly experienced staff with degrees in special education, social work, and school psychology. We maintain low staff-to-camper ratios to ensure excellent care and attention for each child.

Children in Marvin’s Juniors (grades K through 8) and Marvin’s Camp (grades 9 and up) participate in a wide array of fun and enriching activities, including swimming, sports, music, and arts and crafts. They also go on trips, such as going to the movies, bowling, and visiting the zoo! Marvin’s Juniors & Marvin’s Camp maintain a 3:1 camper to staff ratio.

​Marvin’s On the Road every day (M.O.R.E) provides campers with an opportunity to engage in and explore their community. M.O.R.E campers (ages 15-21) visit fun destinations like amusement and water parks, sporting events, arcades, and more! M.O.R.E Camp maintains a 5:1 camper to staff ratio.

We also offer an inclusion program in our traditional camp for those who would benefit from it. Interview required for enrollment.

​Special options include door-to-door transportation, a hot lunch program, an early and late extended hours program, and more.

For more information or to apply to Marvin’s Camp, contact Laura Irizarry at Lirizarry@sijcc.com or call 718.475.5268. Interview required for all new campers.