The following activities (and so much more) are arranged and supervised by our professional staff.
Camp Activities
- Arts and crafts
- Campfire with s’mores
- Family friendly evening programs
- Fishing
- Sports and group games
Shabbat
Friday night we will celebrate with a musical and sensory-friendly Shabbat experience. At Keshet and Camp Chi, Shabbat is about community and being inclusive. We make Shabbat fun for families whether they are familiar with the rituals or this is a completely new experience.
Evenings
After the children go to sleep and are under the care of our babysitters, adults get together for socializing. One night will feature an adult cocktail reception.
A room with a view…
Each room is individually climate controlled, with a private bath, and includes linens and towels. A pack-n-play, cot or bunk bed can be added to most rooms at no charge. Housekeeping is provided throughout your stay.
…plenty to do…
- Daily meals and snacks served in our lakefront dining room
- Exciting camp activities and programs
- Walking trails
- Air-conditioned/heated gymnasium
- Outdoor basketball, volleyball and tennis courts
- Campfire rings
…and accessible too!
All event buildings and housing being used at Special Needs Family Camp are accessible by wheelchair. The Perlstein Retreat Center’s roads and paths are paved with minimal hills while paths at Camp Chi are hard-packed dirt. Most guest rooms can easily accommodate a wheelchair or someone with a mobility impairment.
Keshet has held programs at the Perlstein Retreat Center for over 20 years, and is experienced in accommodating a wide-variety of needs. If you have concerns whether you or your family member can navigate the site, please contact Joelle Kelenson.
Keshet and Camp Chi are leaders in the field of inclusion summer camp. The leadership team for this weekend has over 100 years of combined experience working with children with disabilities, their siblings and families.
Jennifer Phillips | CEO/Executive Director, Keshet
Jen is an accomplished special education professional with over 25 years in the field. She has extensive experience as an administrator, trainer, consultant and direct service provider. Jen spent 11 years teaching in Keshet’s high school classroom at Ida Crown Jewish Academy. Today, she oversees Keshet’s robust recreation programs as well as inclusion programs at 17 day and overnight camps each summer.
Joelle Kelenson, Director of Recreation
Joelle has spent years overseeing how campers of all abilities can fully participate in camping. She brings a passion for inclusion and a deep knowledge of the Camp Chi environment.
Danielle Goldman | Social Worker
Danielle has worked with children, adolescents and families in counseling and recreational capacity for over 20 years. She began her career as a therapist at the Response Center and Jewish Children’s Bureau. She has written and implemented disability awareness curriculum for students of all ages. During the summer, Danielle is a vital part of the camp team as Keshet’s behavior specialist.
Jon Levin | Director, Camp Chi
There are kids that never want to leave camp, and Jon is one of them. In fact, Jon has spent over 40 years in the camping field. After many summers as a camper, counselor, supervisor, program director, assistant director and now Director, Jon has seen first hand the impact of inclusion and is deeply committed ensuring that everyone regardless of ability has a place in the camp community.
Sample Weekend Schedule
Friday
- 3:00 – Arrival to Perlstein
- 4:00 – Welcome and Overview of the Weekend
- 4:30 – Scavenger Hunt
- 5:30 – Shabbat
- 6:30 – Dinner
- 7:30 – Family Evening Program
- 8:15 – Bonfire
- 9:30 – Adults only: Oneg Shabbat
Saturday
- 7:45 – Early Morning Activities (optional)
- 8:30 – Breakfast
- 9:45 – Family Activity
- 10:45 – Separate Kids/Adult Activity
- 12:00 – Lunch
- 1:15 – Family Activity
- 2:15 – Separate Kids/Adult Activity
- 4:15 – Family Regroup
- 5:15 – Dinner
- 6:30 – Family Evening Program
- 8:15 – Havdalah and Snack
- 9:30 – Adult Program
Sunday
- 7:45 – Optional Morning Activity
- 8:30 – Breakfast
- 9:15 – Family Activity
- 10:30 – Closing Program
- 11:30 – Packing Time & Lunch
- 1:00 – Departure
*nightly babysitting is available until 11pm
Sample Menu
Friday
Friday Arrival Snack
Cookies and Fruit
Traditional Friday Night Dinner
Matzah Ball Soup, Salad, BBQ Chicken/Chicken Fingers, Vegetables, Potatoes, Challah
Saturday
Breakfast
Bagels, Cream Cheese, Lox
Lunch
Cold Cut Buffet, BBQ Beef, assorted bread, salad bar
Dinner
Pasta and Sauce, Lasagna, Salad Bar
Snack
Ice Cream Sundae Bar
Sunday
Breakfast
Scrambled Eggs – Cheesey and Plain, Hash Browns, Toast
Lunch
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup, Salad Bar
Note about Special Dietary Needs
Meals and snacks are prepared on-site and served in our spacious dining room overlooking the beauty of Blass Lake. We happily accommodate for any special diets. Lunch and dinner meals include a full salad bar and breakfast has an assortment of baked goods, fruit and yogurt. Dessert after lunch and dinner are also included. If you have questions about whether a dietary requirement can be met, please contact Jon Levin, Director, Camp Chi
Our dining room is kosher, under the supervision of the Chicago Rabbinical Council.
