| |
|
|
Summer Volunteer Program
|
Summer is a dangerous time for the children in our care. As the school year ends, most children look forward to a long break filled with fun, games and relaxation. However, as their parents continue to work long hours many of the students at BSEC find themselves unattended for most of the day.
|
 In addition, many of these children come from abusive and neglectful households, where they are targets for emotional and physical violence or simply left to fend for themselves, without any opportunity for meaningful or enjoyable summer activities.
|
The Bet Shemesh Summer Program is a residential summer activity program that creates a unique summer experience. It combines Jewish, Zionist and secular studies with community volunteering and work experience, in addition to sports and other recreational activities. The program runs for 5 weeks. 20% of camp participants are of Ethiopian descent.
In the mornings, students are assigned to "volunteering internships", spanning a broad spectrum of community assistance projects (i.e. soup kitchens, senior centers, hospitals, etc).
The idea behind this volunteering program is to instill the values of volunteerism, helping others, charity, and tikkun olam ("repairing the world").
|
After a hot, nutritious lunch, there are educational enrichment classes in Math and English, and an elective. In addition, the boys can choose to study first-aid, electronics, computers and/or photography. Recreational activities include hiking, swimming, and field trips. The boys are taken on three full-day field trips over the course of the program.
|
|
|
|
