Deaf Camps’ Dream to Reach More Children

We learned about the non-profit Deaf Camps, Inc. when board member, Louise Rollins nominated her colleague, and Deaf Camps president, Kathy MacMillian for our Shero Love Flash Mob last year.

 

Deaf Camps is an all-volunteer organization that runs a summer camp program for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Deaf Camps provides accommodations for campers who have additional special needs and who would not be able to attend other camps designed for deaf children. They also provide a program for hearing children who want to learn American Sign Language, so that they can learn and play alongside their deaf siblings, friends, and neighbors.

 

Many of the deaf campers attend mainstream schools and have few or no deaf friends at their schools. Deaf Camps provides a valuable social outlet for children and a rare opportunity for a fully accessible environment, free of communication barriers.  Campers hike, swim, play games, perform skits, worship, make arts and crafts, go rafting, build confidence, and make new friends. A little over 50% of the 100 campers receive scholarships to attend. Countless volunteer staff hours are required to fundraise and support this tremendous effort.

 

The Deaf Camps Board told us that their biggest dream is to reach more children and increase the number of children they serve. The Board stressed their desire to augment their capacity to advertise, give presentations, and promote Deaf Camps in general. With the money you donated during our Love Flash Mob, we were delighted to buy items like display boards, backdrops, carrying cases, and brochures folders to help get the word out about such a wonderful organization to help extend their reach. Thank you!