Camp Ohr Lanu: My Second Home
Reflections by JoJo Kiedman
Every summer, Jewish families with a family member with special needs reunite at Camp Ramah in Ojai, California. I am almost ten years old and this was my fifth year coming to Ohr Lanu, or, as I call it, Family Camp. Family Camp is nurturing, filled with love, and packed with fun, thrilling activities. It’s like another home to me.
Some of my favorite activities in Family Camp include the waterslides and swimming pools, The Great Ohr Lanu Talent Show, the food, and just being there and meeting new friends, kind families, and counselors. I also love to run up and down the big hill with my brother, Dylan.
I love my brother, but sometimes he can be difficult. He’s really smart, loving and playful, but it is challenging for him to interact with other people. At Family Camp, everyone gets to be acknowledged and accepted for who they are and whatever they do is okay. I love Ohr Lanu because I get to be free to do whatever I want to do, and I get to spend valuable time with my family and other nice families. Family Camp is very special to me because I get to know that other families are like mine. Family Camp is a place where I feel comfortable and very, very, very happy!!!!
