Camp Fatima Company
All people need a place.
Activities
1:1 Interaction
Throughout the day, campers and volunteers have tons of opportunities to engage one-on-one with each other. Whether campers and counselors are practicing their lines, trying on their costumes, or enjoying mealtimes, one-on-one conversations are happening all the time!
Music Rehearsals
Campers will get to participate in group musical rehearsals where they get to learn the words to the songs they will sing throughout the show. Dance, drum playing, and laughs are encouraged throughout this special time.
Staging the Show
Throughout the weekend, campers rehearse choreography and blocking in order to put on the final performance. Campers also learn backstage etiquette involving costume and prop changes. Whether on stage or off, there are sure to be fun memories being made!
The Performance
Camp Fatima Company culminates with a performance of a fully staged musical. Campers, clad in costume, are the stars of the show! All of the hard work from the weekend pays off when the final performance is seen by campers’ families and volunteers. Look out for standing ovations!
Facility
Camp Fatima’s picturesque setting is a sprawling and open 110-acre campus with a combination of grassy playing fields, shaded outdoor areas, rolling hills and indoor space. Each activity area, including an outdoor pool, boating and fishing lake, arts and crafts barn and multi-purpose recreation building are adapted for campers and staff with access and functional needs. Cabins are situated in village settings, each with a bathhouse for male and female campers. Dining options include indoor or outdoor seating.
Camp Fatima Company Gallery
Camp Fatima Company Application
Application for the 2024 Camp Fatima Company is closed.
Camp Fatima Company Weekend: June 1-2
Applications are due by March 31st. Applications must be at 100% to be considered complete.
Prospective campers and volunteers: a link will be available below when application are active. When active, click the link below to register for CampDoc and complete the application. You do not have to complete the application in one sitting.
If you have any questions, please email: applications@campfatimanj.org
Camp Fatima Company Participant FAQ
What is the Camp Fatima Company?
Camp Fatima Company is Camp Fatima’s first live theater overnight camp for individuals with developmental disabilities, culminating in a performance the following day. Campers age 18-26 may apply. Volunteers age 16+ may apply. This program features many aspects of our Adult Weekend Programs with a complete focus on staging a condensed musical. The weekend will bring campers and volunteers of many talents together to put on a spectacular production.
What is the application process?
You must first register with our online application platform, CampDoc. Then select the program(s) you are interested in attending and fill out all required information. Only completed applications will be reviewed after the deadline. Applications are complete when they show a progress status of 100%. You may be contacted by the directing team for an interview. Please monitor the email you registered with for an update on your camper’s application status. A link to our applications is available above, when active.
How long is the Weekend program?
Campers arrive Saturday morning and stay through Sunday mid-morning.
My camper has a particular diagnosis or disability. Will there be other campers like them at the Weekend?
Camp is unique as we accept adults with a range of disabilities. We encourage all adults with disabilities to apply to Camp Fatima. If you have questions that are specific to your diagnoses, classifications, or disabilities, please reach out to the Directors for more information. You can find the emails for the directors on the application portal.
My camper needs assistance with toileting. Can they come to Camp Fatima Company?
Yes. Please be sure to indicate their care needs clearly on their application so we can best prepare.
My camper is non-speaking. Can they come to Camp Fatima Company?
Yes. Please be sure to share any type of communication strategies or abilities they may have in their application that can assist our staff.
My camper isn’t ambulatory. Can they come to Camp Fatima Company?
Yes. We will assess your camper’s needs to ensure we have the proper accommodations available for them.
My camper has dietary restrictions/allergies. How are meals managed to Camp Fatima Company?
Please document all dietary restrictions or allergies on your camper’s application. We have an assigned Special Diets liaison who is responsible for managing all camper dietary restrictions & allergies. Staff will be briefed before the camper arrives if there are any allergies or restrictions. If a camper eats specific foods, we ask you to note that in the application and bring those foods on the first day of the Weekend.
Who is eligible to apply as a camper?
Campers must be aged 18-26. We are looking for campers who enjoy singing, dancing, and bringing a story to life! This year, we are looking to accept 15-20 campers. All campers will submit an audition video singing a song from the production.
Where is the Camp Fatima Company Weekend?
Baptist Camp Lebanon, in Lebanon New Jersey, where we currently host our summer camp and adult weekends. It is a large campsite with plenty of grass and many hills, but everything is accessible. See the attached map of the campgrounds and check out their website for more specific information at http://www.camplebanon.com/.
Is transportation to Camp Fatima Company provided?
Transportation to Camp Fatima Company is not available.
When do volunteers arrive?
Friday, May 31st, 2024 between 6-7 pm. Volunteers will stay overnight on both Friday and Saturday.
When do performers arrive?
Saturday, June 1st , 2024 at 9 am. Campers will stay overnight in the village with volunteer support.
What will the weekend look like?
The weekend will be dedicated to rehearsing lines, songs, and choreography. It will be a long, but totally fun day of rehearsals. We have a stage director, choreographer, and music directors to help us learn our show. We will eat lunch and dinner together on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday. Following breakfast, we will host the performance!
Who is it performed for ?
Campers’ families, friends and new volunteers in the orientation program.
What type of training do the volunteers have?
Our volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds including high schoolers fulfilling service requirements to artists, executives, attorneys and special educators. Some of our staff is bilingual, certified in ABA, American Sign Language, and more. Volunteers are utilized where their strengths and abilities best serve the needs of our campers and programming. All volunteers receive general training prior to the start of the program. Training includes rules, safety procedures, volunteer expectations, and a review of all camper needs.
What kind of medical support/care is provided at Camp Fatima Company?
Camp Fatima Company will have an Infirmary Director who is responsible for medication distribution & medical care throughout our program.
My camper has been to a Weekend or Summer Camp in the past, why weren’t they accepted this time?
Our selection process each season is directly dependent on the strengths, experience & quantity of our volunteer population for each respective weekend. We actively assess our campers’ strengths, abilities & assistance needs to ensure we have the proper resources to provide them a memorable and safe experience.
What should I pack for my camper?
Comfortable clothing for two days as well as bedding (e.g, sheets, pillow, blanket/sleeping bag) and toiletries. All campers receive a detailed packing list with their acceptance notification.
Costumes will be provided for all campers. Please send an ALL BLACK outfit for the day of the performance.
Camp Fatima Company Volunteer FAQ
What is the Camp Fatima Company?
Camp Fatima Company is Camp Fatima’s first live theater overnight camp for individuals with developmental disabilities, culminating in a performance the following day. Campers age 18-26 may apply. Volunteers age 16+ may apply. This program features many aspects of our Adult Weekend Programs with a complete focus on staging a condensed musical. The weekend will bring campers and volunteers of many talents together to put on a spectacular production.
Why should I volunteer Camp Fatima Company?
There are so many reasons why you should volunteer! Here are just a few benefits to volunteers:
- You get to be a part of a community of compassionate, enthusiastic, hard-working, service-minded people. You can make life-long friends and connections!
- You obtain practical experience working and interacting with people who have disabilities. If you have never done so before, even the act of being exposed to this often-underrepresented population of people will expand your worldview, teach you about yourself, and help you become a more compassionate, thoughtful person.
- You’re providing valuable respite for the full-time caregivers of our campers.
What type of volunteers do you need at Company Fatima Company?
We are looking for volunteers that enjoy singing and dancing to be Performance Partners!! Additional volunteer positions include: set/prop design, stage management, dressing room, stage crew, and front/back of the house staff. We accept volunteers of all backgrounds! If you have an interest in public service or want to engage with individuals who have disabilities, you should think about applying! We are always in need of volunteers with medical or special education backgrounds.
Tell me more about the “Performance Partners.”
Performance partners are volunteers dedicated to assisting our campers whilst on stage. This may include: assisting campers with their scripts, props, lines, and cues. Performance Partners must audition. Once you finish the application, you will receive an email from the director. You will indicate what role you would like to play and submit 16-32 bars singing a song that character sings in the musical. All performance partners will receive their role before the weekend and will participate in a zoom read-through with the directing staff.
How old do you have to be to volunteer at Camp Fatima Company?
You must be at least 16 years old to volunteer at Camp Fatima, with parental consent. There is no age limit for our volunteers!
Where is Camp Fatima Company held?
Currently weekend programs are held at the Baptist Camp and Conference Center in Lebanon, NJ. Check out their website here. http://www.camplebanon.com/.
What is the application process?
All volunteers must register with our application platform, CampDoc. Then select the program(s) you are interested in attending and fill out all required information. Applications are complete when they show a status of 100%. Acceptances are not on a rolling basis. All applications are reviewed by staff after the deadline. After a review of all applications, you will be notified via email of your acceptance status.
Do I have to sleep at Camp Fatima Company?
Yes, volunteers are expected to stay on the campsite for the duration of the program, which includes sleeping there overnight.
Can I volunteer for only part of Camp?
All volunteers are expected to stay for the entire duration of Camp Fatima Company to best support our campers and general Camp operations. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Director if notice is given far in advance. However, preference will be given to volunteer applicants who intend to stay for the entire program.
Can I get service hours for volunteering at Camp Fatima Company?
Yes, by volunteering at Camp Fatima Company, you can earn approximately 40 hours of community service that can be officially documented upon request.
Is Camp religious?
Camp Fatima of New Jersey is a non-denominational Camp. While it was modeled after a Camp that shares the same name and is associated with a group of Catholic Brothers, we are not affiliated with any religious entity.