Kaylie Day: A Dream Fulfilled

200 Campers and Staff Welcome Harvey and Gloria Kaylie to OHEL’s Camp Kaylie

Harvey and Gloria Kaylie, their family and friends joined OHEL’s Camp Kaylie campers and staff for an inspirational day of celebration and fun at the beautiful Wurtsboro campsite. 

The Kaylie family was welcomed with banners and flags celebrating their generous contributions, which have provided vital support for this groundbreaking camp.

Camp Kaylie is a pioneering summer sleep-away camp in the Catskills bringing together children of ALL abilities for outdoor adventure, fun and friendship and mastering leadership skills. At Camp Kaylie, an equal number of typical kids with no disabilities enjoy an exhilarating summer camp with peers with developmental disabilities.

After a highly successful July boys camp and August girls camp, campers and counselors unanimously express that they have never experienced such a heightened and authentic environment of camaraderie and unity.

OHEL President Mr. Moishe Hellman praised Harvey and Gloria Kalylie’s selfless dedication to our community and tenacious commitment to their family’s vision. Mr. Hellman reiterated OHEL’s gratitude on behalf of the agency’s extended family of clients who benefit from the Kaylie family’s generosity, and he described the many ways in which the Kaylie family’s dream of a truly integrated summer camp has been fulfilled. In the words of Mr. Hellman, “Ashreinu, how lucky we are to have Gloria and Harvey fulfill this dream.”

Harvey Kaylie, an accomplished businessman, world traveler, and visionary philanthropist, greeted 200 campers and staff on Kaylie Day. “Over my long and successful career, the accomplishment of which I am most proud,” he told the excited crowd, “is Camp Kaylie. I envisioned a state-of-the-art Jewish camp that would provide a marvelous experience for children of all abilities and now my dream is fulfilled. Every one of your is a part of this marvelous dream.”

The new Camp Kaylie music video, shortly to be released, was also shown,  and enthusiastically received by screaming campers!

Two young campers also spoke about their camp experiences – a typical camper and a peer with developmental disabilities – both thrilled to be Camp Kaylie campers! Campers presented the Kaylie family with a beautiful collage of the Camp’s inaugural summer depicting a variety of activities and trips, which was received by the Kaylie family with surprise and pleasure. 

Members of The Board of Directors and Trustees in attendance included Elly Kleinman, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Camp Kaylie, Mel Zachter, Shloime Dachs, Rivka Wilamowski and David Jacobson.

Campers and counselors are eager to return for the spectacular 2012 planned summer season, which promises to be even more exciting as the inaugural session!

For more information about Camp Kaylie, please visit http://www.campkaylie.org or Tel: 718-686 3261