Ohel (Children's Home and Family Services) Link to Homepage
Ohel’s Recreational Respite program allow families of children with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities the opportunity to take a break and focus on themselves. As a strategic addition to traditional in-home respite, our program offers a series of overnight trips throughout the year, including visits to camp, amusement parks, and zoos. Children in the program make memories and new friends, while parents can take a breath, get organized, take care of their many other responsibilities, or maybe just take a moment for themselves.
Benefits of Recreational Respite for Children and Families
Recreational respite care provides parents essential rest and flexibility, while children are engaged and entertained. Studies have shown that respite care has a positive effect on caregivers of children with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities, leading to lower stress levels. Parents and caregivers get time to rest and recharge, tend to their own lives, and bring their best back to their families. Sometimes the best way to care for others is to care for yourself.
End of Summer Respite Program
The End of Summer program usually occurs in late August, after the end of most camp programs and before school starts. We take children and young adults with autism and developmental disabilities to one of two campground locations for 10 to 14 days of traditional summer fun, including games, arts and crafts, and bonding with friends. Families take this chance to prepare for the coming school year and to give siblings the attention they need.
Boys’ and girls’ programs are available and information on our at-home respite program can be found here.