By: Lori Zlotoff, LCSW
REDI and Camper Care Manager

Among the tall trees and green fields of Kunkletown, Pennsylvania, an extraordinary summer camp makes a point of inclusivity. URJ Camp Harlam welcomes adults with developmental disabilities to work, play and learn among peers and supportive staff.  

URJ Camp Harlam has long prioritized inclusive practices. Accommodating disabilities and diagnoses — and creating opportunities for real social inclusion — help define the Harlam experience for campers ages 8-16. But after they aged out of being campers, young adults found themselves with nowhere to return. In 2023, that all changed when we welcomed four inaugural members to Avodah, Camp Harlam’s  vocational education program for adults aged 18-30. In 2024, attendance doubled, and it grew again in 2025 to 10 participants from Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, and even Texas. Participants quickly discovered that Avodah was about more than a job or a schedule — it was about community. As Arielle, an Avodah participant, shared, Avodah means “spending time with friends, having fun, and doing crafts together.” 

Abi Rappoport, parent to one of the new Avodah campers, described her daughter’s experience: 

Since 2019, Emily had gone to sleepaway camp counting the days until she could come home.  It was anxiety-filled for the whole family, but we were told that pushing her out of her comfort zone was important.  

It took us seven years, but this year, I made a wish and Harlam came true. Camp Harlam is Emily’s second home and her happy place. It’s supportive, spiritual, communal, and so much more. It has left a profound impact on our entire family.  

Thanks to you, she decided to lead the conga line at dinner and reported back that the experience was epic when more than 50 people joined in. Thanks to you, she was able to be her social, outgoing self. She was able to change her perspective from “Will it go by fast?” to “I don’t want to leave!” 

The magic of Harlam is made up of a million moments of connection, fun, and purpose. Avodah participants get the chance to live at camp and experience the joy of Shabbat, the thrill of jumping in the pool, and the challenge of the adventure program. There’s always something happening, from pool time to dancing, arts and crafts, and field trips. As Arielle assured future participants, “It’s ok. You will love it at camp. There’s so much to do… my new friends are fun and loving… Avodah means a lot to me.”

Participants sleep in shared cabins, eat in the dining hall, and interact with hundreds of kids every day. Their work experiences are built around individual interests, allowing them to work in the office sorting mail, assisting security, teaching campers a dance, or holding the hand of a child on the balance beam in gymnastics. They return day after day, building their skills and deepening relationships with supervisors, co-workers, and younger campers.  

The group also helps make magical moments for the camp community: They run the staff Coffee Cart, bringing iced coffee and a smile to tired, grateful counselors. They also distribute candy and chips at Canteen, and milk and cookies at night to eager campers during Milk Squad. They participate in Color War, field trips, and camp-wide activities like MTV Night. Along the way, participants connect with peers from a wide range of backgrounds. One Avodah camper, Anna, shared that her favorite memory from Avodah was “meeting the people that came from different continents,” highlighting just how broad and enriching the community can be. 

“I like working in the office and delivering the mail to the campers,” said Ethan, a recent Avodah participant. “I loved our trip to Lifetown, and I love our trips to Wawa and getting milkshakes. The staff is so nice!” 

Parents fill out a comprehensive goal-setting form prior to the start of the summer so that Avodah staff know which accommodations to provide and what else to focus on. Having that guidance allows staff to more confidently encourage campers to step outside their comfort zones and reach triumphant milestones.  

One participant arrived timid and unsure of himself, then left three and a half weeks later with more confidence and greater enthusiasm for trying new things. Avodah served as an uplifting transition from his home and high school into his residential program, where he has been thriving for the last two years. Another participant had the confidence to apply to and attend a college program because of the success he found at overnight camp.  

During their preparatory staff week, Avodah counselors undergo intensive training on everything from camp basics like homesickness, to the specifics of campers’ individual health, communication, and mobility needs. Though the college-aged counselors are typically new to caretaking, they receive in-depth, professional training that prepares them for their important roles. For many, it also prepares them for jobs after college. One staff member worked at Avodah prior to starting her Master’s in Speech Pathology, gaining experience with different speech-related disabilities.  

“Being in Avodah means that I am able to connect with others that are similar to me, but each person is different and unique in their own ways,” said Emily, who enjoyed her experience as an Avodah participant. “I would tell someone who is thinking about coming but feeling nervous that everyone at camp is welcoming. You also get the opportunity to have your phone when you’re in the cabin, so you can talk with your family and friends!” 

Harlam is now entering its fourth summer offering the Avodah experience, and no one can picture camp without the joy of its adult participants and the gladness they bring to the wider community. Harlam can currently house this unit for half of the summer; capital campaign fundraising is underway to construct a new building and enlarge the program with new participants who will stay all summer long. The expanded program stands as a proud testament to the URJ’s commitment to creating inclusive communities of belonging for all.  

Click here to learn more about our Avodah program. While our 2026 program is currently at capacity for participants, if you know someone who would like to staff Avodah for summer 2026 or beyond, please be in touch with Lori Zlotoff: LZlotoff@urj.org.