Camp Information for Youth and Adults

Camp Information for Youth and Adults

Who have Vision and Hearing Loss (by state)

CONTACT: hkncinfo@hknc.org with any changes/updates to this list

Note: Camps/Retreats or services listed do not imply endorsement by HKNC. This partial listing is provided for informational purposes only. This list is intended to aid families/individuals as they begin their search for a camp or retreat.

American Association of the Deaf-Blind (AADB)

Contact Information: American Association of the Deaf-Blind

8630 Fenton Street, Suite 121

Silver Spring, MD 20910

301-495-4402 TTY/VP; 301-495-4403 Voice

301-495-4404 Fax

Email: aadb-info@aadb.org

Website: www.aadb.org

AADB offers a National Conference for people who have hearing and vision loss every few years. Conference locations change. Deaf-Blind individuals (delegates) must pay a registration fee. There is a discount for early registration. Support Service Providers (SSPs) can attend at no cost (except for travel) in exchange for their volunteer interpreting, guiding and assisting delegates in experiencing and enjoying the conference. Delegates will be paired with SSPs based upon communication and mobility needs, but are encouraged to attend with their own SSPs. This helps to insure satisfaction among all participants. There is no limit as to the number of attendees. Previous conferences have had as many as 500 delegates and 500 SSPs, family members and local volunteers. Activities include workshops, attending AADB Board Meetings, special interest group meetings, tours of the local community, exhibit booths, and other recreational activities.

ALASKA

Camp Abilities: A Developmental Sports Camp for Children who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or have Multiple Disabilities

Contact Information: SUNY Brockport

Dept of Physical Education

350 New Campus Drive

Brockport, NY 14420

Dr. Lauren Lieberman, Director

585-395-5361 voice

www.brockport.edu/camp-abilities

llieberm@brockport.edu

Camp Abilities is a week-long summer camp held in several locations: Brockport, NY, Wasilla, Alaska and Columbia, South America. Other sites are in the works including Arizona, Florida and Iowa. The camp is for youth age 6-19. Activities include swimming, tandem cycling, gymnastics, archery, canoeing, beep baseball, dancing, horseback-riding, and many other fun events. One-on-one counselors are provided for deaf-blind children. These counselors are undergraduate students in fields such as adapted physical education and special education from across the US. Camp Abilities has been in existence for at least six years and has become recognized as a quality, international camp.

Camp Helen Keller

Contact Information: Helen Keller Services for the Blind

One Helen Keller Way

Hempstead, NY 11550

Bill Dale, Camp Director

516-485-1235, ext. 607 or

email: info@helenkeller.org

www.helenkeller.org

Created in 1953, Camp Helen Keller is a free, six-week day camp for blind or visually impaired children ages 4 to 15. Located on the grounds of Farmingdale State College in Long Island, the camp is staffed by professionals in rehabilitation & education. There are nurses and/or campus health center care in place for campers and the counselor to camper ratio is 3:1. Activities include indoor swimming, water & field games, arts & crafts, music & dance, adaptive computer instruction and a variety of age-appropriate field trips. The camp is open to eligible children from Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The camp provides door-to-door transportation for campers in Nassau and West and Central Suffolk countries.

NORTH CAROLINA

Camp Dogwood

Contact Information: (points of contact change each year)

Helen Keller National Center

Monika Werner, Regional Representative

404-766-9625 Voice 2820 TTY

monika.werner@hknc.org

www.nclf.org (for information on the facilities only)

Camp Dogwood is a camp for deaf-blind adults who reside in North Carolina. It is sponsored by the North Carolina Lions’ Foundation. Typically held on two different long weekends in September, the camp is for North Carolina residents. It is located on Lake Norman in Catawba County, near Hickory, NC. Activities include horseback riding, swimming, arts and crafts, boating, nature trail hiking, hay rides, talent nights, and socialization. All facilities are accessible. Persons responsible for organizing this event change each year, so consult website for general information or the HKNC regional representative for dates and current contact information.

North Carolina Deaf-Blind Associates (NCDBA) Mini-Conference

Contact Information: North Carolina Deaf-Blind Associates (NCDBA)

(points of contact change each year)

Helen Keller National Center

Monika Werner, Regional Representative

404-766-9625 Voice 2820 TTY

monika.werner@hknc.org

www.ncdba.org

NCDBA sponsors this annual event for deaf-blind residents of North Carolina. The format is similar to a “mini” AADB conference. The location of the event changes each year but is usually held in the springtime. Persons responsible for organizing this event change each year, so consult website for general information or the HKNC regional representative for dates and current contact information.

OHIO

Cleveland Sight Center’s Highbrook Lodge

Contact Information: Cleveland Sight Center

c/o Cleveland Society for the Blind

1909 East 101^st Street

Cleveland, OH 44106-8696

Greg McGrath, Camp Coordinator

216-791-8118 ext 227 voice

GmcGrath@ClevelandSightCenter.org

www.clevelandsightcenter.org

Highbrook Lodge has been holding summer camp experiences for over 75 years. The facility is located in Chardon, Ohio, 45 minutes east of Cleveland. They offer camping sessions for youth and adults who have vision loss, and persons with multiple disabilities. Summer camp sessions last from 3 - 10 days. A wide variety of outdoor and indoor activities include swimming, bowling, beeper baseball, outdoor camping, and nature walks are available for campers and their families. Specific sessions are offered for golfers as well. There is one session for adults who have both vision and hearing loss, where interpreters are on staff. Children attend during the session for their age group. Staff have been oriented with basic sign language. New campers are oriented to the facility and grounds upon arrival as well. The children’s sessions are a traditional camp experience with added emphasis for vision loss. The adult sessions take on the resort approach, with a variety of activity choices throughout the week. The camp’s director states that Helen Keller once visited their camp many years ago, and her words and presence shaped the mission of the camp to what it is today.

Ohio Association of the Deaf-Blind Retreat

Contact Information: OADB Retreat

P.O. Box 204

Elyria, OH 44036-0204

Judy A. Groner, Chairperson

440-322-7160 TTY

440-322-1567 FAX

In August, 2004, OADB hosted the First Annual Retreat during the last weekend of the month. It was held on the campsite of Hiram House in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. It is located southeast of Cleveland. Activities included workshops about leadership development, SSPs, and support groups as well as a variety of recreational activities including hiking, arts & crafts, table games, and a bonfire.

TENNESSEE

Tennessee Organization of the Deaf-Blind (TODB) Camp

Contact Information: TN Organization of the Deaf-Blind (TODB)

c/o John Forbes

4040 Woodlawn Drive, Unit #34

Nashville, TN 37205

John Forbes, TODB Vice-President

615-269-8864 voice

jcforbes@bwsc.net

Cathy Steger, Deaf-Blind Coordinator

615-313-4917 voice or 6601 TTY

Cathy.Steger@state.tn.us

TODB supports a summer camp for anyone between the ages of 10 - 95, who has vision and hearing loss. Campers are encouraged to attend with an SSP. If campers are under age 16, they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The camp is for persons with all abilities levels. Campers served by agencies must be accompanied by staff from the agency. The camp is held at Camp Lindahl in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, just east of Nashville. Activities include swimming boating/sailing, canoeing, crafts, woodworking, hiking, horseback riding, shopping at Opry Mills, games, dancing, hay rides, and camp fires. Educational workshops are also a part of the agenda. Information about the camp can be found in the TODB News, a free publication available from John Forbes. Camp is not held annually. Campers are encouraged to attend other regional/national events in the off-years.

TEXAS

Camp SIGN

Contact Information: Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

4800 North Lamar

Austin, TX 78756

Ann Horn, camp coordinator

512-407-3254 TTY 800-717-2459 voice

Ann.Horn@dars.state.tx.us

www.dars.state.tx.us

www.gssjc.org/residentcamp/misty.asp (info about campsite)

Camp SIGN is a communications and barrier free environment for students who are deaf and hard of hearing between the ages of 8 and 17. It is open to youth who are deaf-blind as well. The goal for Camp SIGN is to have all Texas campers participate regardless of their communication mode. Camp SIGN is held at a wonderful campsite in the woodlands of Conroe, Texas just 35 miles north of Houston. It is located at Camp Misty Meadows which is owned and operated by the San Jacinto Girl Scout Council. Activities include swimming, horseback riding, arts and crafts, archery, and drama. The camp is completely dependent on donations.

Camp Summit

Contact Information: Camp Summit

2915 LBJ Freeway, Suite 185

Dallas, TX 75234

Lisa Braziel, Camp Director

972-484-8900 voice

L.braziel@campsummittx.org

www.campsummittx.org

Camp Summit is located north of Dallas and has an annual, weeklong session for adults who are deaf-blind. Two Deafblind Consultants are hired to assist counselors during the special deaf-blind week. Activities include horseback riding, ropes challenge course, swimming, arts and crafts, and parties. Camp Summit is a non-profit organization that receives funding through the Dallas United Way. Campers range in age from 6 - 50 years old.

UTAH

Adventure Learning Program & other Year-Round Recreational Activities

Contact Information: National Ability Center

P.O. Box 682799

Park, City, UT 84068

Jenn Carpenter, Adventure Learning Manager

435-649-3991 ext. 609 voice/TTY

nac@nac1985.org

www.nac1985.org

The National Abilities Center is Located just outside the beautiful mountain resort of Park City, Utah, the 26-acre ranch has a bunkhouse that sleeps 52 in a state-of-the-art facility. Opportunities include horseback riding, canoeing, swimming, camping, leadership development courses, challenge course activities, and an adaptive ski program that promised to teach anyone to ski. The Abilities Center is open to persons with all types of disabilities and their families. People with vision and hearing loss have participated in their events. Registration costs remain low so that everyone can attend; no one is turned away if they cannot pay.

WASHINGTON

Seabeck Deaf-Blind Retreat Camp

Contact Information: The Deaf-Blind Retreat

c/o The Lighthouse f/t Blind

P.O. Box 14959

Seattle, WA 98114

Shane Dickson, Camp Director

206-436-2231 TTY 206-436-2133 voice

dbretreat@seattlelh.org

www.deafblindlh.org

In its 29^th year, Seabeck Deaf-Blind Retreat Camp is sponsored by the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind. This week-long event held in August balances indoor and outdoor activities with relaxation. Located in Seabeck, Washington, two hours from Seattle, the camp is for deaf-blind adults from across the country. SSPs (qualified volunteer interpreter/guides) are always needed. There is no cost for SSPs and it is a good opportunity to complete an independent study or CEUs. Approximately 60 campers and 100 SSPs participate in this annual camp. Seabeck is well-known across the country as an excellent camp opportunity with unique recreational activities.

RESOURCES

National Consortium on Deafblindness (NCDB)

DB-LINK - National Information Clearinghouse for Children and Youth Who are Deaf-Blind

Teaching Research

345 N. Monmouth Avenue

Monmouth, OR 97361

800-438-9376 Voice

800-854-7013 TTY

www.nationaldb.org

dblink@tr.wou.edu

Check website or call and request a current listing of summer camps for children who are deaf-blind

Find A Camp!

American Camping Association

5000 State Road 67 North

Martinsville, IN 46151-7902

765-342-8456 voice

www.aca-camps.org

This website is rich with information including: how to choose a camp, accreditation, questions to ask, getting ready to go, and search options for the 2300 camps listed including “deaf & hard of hearing” and “blind and visually impaired”

KidsCamps.com

500 NE Spanish River Blvd., Suite 30

Boca Raton, FL 33431

877-242-9330 voice toll free

www.kidscamps.com

info@kidscamps.com

over 21,000 camps and their contact information including a large listing of camps for kids who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Blind/Visually Impaired.

The Summer Camp Handbook

by Christopher Thurber & Jon Malinowski

800-330-5851 voice or 603-777-3528 voice

www.campspirit.com

jon@campspirit.com or chris@campspirit.com

summer camp advice for parents with humor, professional services for camp directors

Other Possible Resources:

There are a number of community opportunities offered every year across the country. Consider checking these local community resources for other summer camps, day camps, recreational activities, or social outlets:

- Civic Organizations

(Lions Clubs, Sertoma, Kiwanis, and others)

- Community Education Program

- Community Parks and Recreation

- Easter Seals

- Family Learning Weekends

(through your State Deaf-Blind Project, School for the Deaf, School for the Blind)

- Internet search for “Camps”

- Local Community College or University

- Local High School (ask counselor/advisor)

- National Family Association for the Deaf-Blind (NFADB)

(national office and regional directors)

- Recreation Council in larger metropolitan communities

(maintain camp/retreat listings; sponsor summer opportunities fairs)

- Special Olympics

- State Parent Training & Information Centers (PTI)

Yellow Pages

Other Summer Opportunities for Students

Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (by State)

These programs were not specifically geared to youth and adults who have hearing and vision loss, but were such unique experiences that they might be worth considering.

CALIFORNIA

Deaf West Theatre’s Professional Summer School for Actors

Contact Information: NoHo Arts District Theatre

5112 Lankershim Boulevard

North Hollywood, CA 91601

Linda Bove, Summer School Director

818-762-2998 voice

818-508-8389 TTY

deafwest@ao.com

www.deafwest.org

Deaf West Theatre began holding the Professional Summer School for Actors in 2000. Twelve deaf or hard of hearing students from across the country are selected to attend the 3-week intensive program. Classes include: acting technique, scene study, improvisation, sign language translation, mime and stage combat. Students who have previous community theatre experience and those enrolled in college theatre programs will be given primary consideration. This program has never had deaf students with vision loss. However, for students who enjoy acting, this program is very unique.

COLORADO

Aspen Camp School for the Deaf

Contact Information: Aspen Camp School for the Deaf
P.O. Box 1494
Aspen, CO 81612

B.J. Blocker, Executive Director

970-923-2511 voice 6609 TTY

camp@acsd.org

www.acsd.org

Every summer ACSD hosts over 100 Deaf and Hard of Hearing students, ages 8 - 20, from across the United States. All sessions (except the one-week Teen Arts & Innovations Session) include outdoor education, creative arts, drama, photography, horseback riding, river rafting, communication skill development, computer experience and opportunities for personal growth. Located in Old Snowmass, Colorado, twenty minutes from Aspen, this camp has been in existence for over 30 years. In addition, ACSD also offers the annual Winter Ski/Snowboard Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teens. Scholarships are available for all families. ACSD has worked with teenagers in the past who also had low vision or Usher syndrome, but have not worked with totally deaf-blind youth. The camp also has no braille signage.

TEXAS

Camp Hear Me

Contact Information: Hear Me Foundation

4814 Woodstream Village Drive

Kingswood, TX 77345

Tamala Irish, Executive Director

281-496-ORAL (6725) voice

www.hearmefoundation.org

info@hearmefoundation.org

Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children (camp location)

in Killeen, Texas

www.peaceablekingdomretreat.com

Camp Hear Me is offered by the Hear Me Foundation to produce happier, better educated and independent individuals. Founded in 1999, the camp is for deaf and hard of hearing youth who communicate orally. The camp is held and supervised by the staff of the Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children in Killeen, Texas. Activities include a challenge course, rock climbing, fishing, canoeing, team sports and archery. Participation by the whole family is encouraged. Although they have not had children attend who also had vision loss, they have had a number of children with other disabilities in addition to their hearing loss. Camp administrators are open to serving kids with dual sensory impairments. Financial support is available.

RESOURCE

Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center

Gallaudet University

800 Florida Avenue NE

Washington, DC 20002

202-651-5340 voice/TTY

www.clerccenter.gallaudet.edu (click on summer camps)

Annual listing of summer camps for deaf & hard of hearing children across the US