We have compiled a comprehensive list of summer opportunities in Michigan for students who are Blind or Visually Impaired. Some events are free, while others have registration fees. We hope your students are able to participate in one or more of these programs!
If you would like to request adding an event to this list, please contact Kaitlin Shope at [email protected].
Products, services, and programs noted below are included for information only, and their inclusion should not be interpreted as a recommendation of MDE-LIO.
June Events
Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL) Summer Reading Program
Dates: June 24 - August 2, 2024
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual
BTBL will once again offer its free Summer Reading Program. This program is open to students of all ages, with activities that can be done together as a family or as a group. Each student registered for the program will receive an initial packet of information in the mail with summer activity ideas, book lists, a schedule of virtual events and experiences, and more! Experiences may include:
- Virtual Isle Royale National Park Ranger program
- Birding by Ear with Donna Posont
- Turtle Dance Music Party
- Author Talk with Angeline Boulley
- Virtual escape room and choose-your-own-reading-adventure experiences
Teen Orientation and Mobility Program
Dates: June 9-15, 2024
Cost: Free
Location: Rochester Hills, MI
This Leader Dogs for the Blind program is for 16- and 17-year-olds, along with a supporter (e.g., family member). Participants will learn more about blindness, the skills their loved one uses, and how to help with orientation and mobility (O&M) goals. Participants will stay in a local hotel and participate in Leader Dog’s traditional training environments. All travel, meals, and hotel expenses are covered by Leader Dog.
Workplace Readiness Training
Session 1: June 9–28, 2024
Session 2: July 7–26, 2024 (with an integrated one-week financial literacy component)
Session 3: July 28 – August 11, 2024 (with an integrated one-week culinary component)
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
This Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) program is for high-school students, ages 14–26, who would like ongoing training. During this program, students will stay at the BSBP Training Center and complete programming onsite and within the local community. The program will include self-advocacy instruction, career exploration, adaptive living techniques, orientation and mobility experiences, finance education, assistive technology, leisure activities, and other areas as determined. This program is designed to develop necessary independent living skills and social skills for a student to be successful in employment.
Adaptive Sports and Accessibility Open House
Date: June 10, 2024
Time: 1-7 p.m.
Location: Muskegon, MI
The Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park invites families to attend an open house that will showcase adaptive activities such as the wheeled luge, ziplining, rock wall climbing, hiking, archery, and more. Space is limited, so sign up early if you plan to attend.
Postsecondary Readiness Program
Session 1: June 16–30, 2024
Session 2: July 7–19, 2024
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
This BSBP program is for students ages 16 and older who are considering postsecondary education. The program will be held at the BSBP Training Center and is designed to prepare students for success in a postsecondary education environment. Students will demonstrate and build skills in areas such as independent living, assistive technology, and orientation and mobility. Students will also participate in other activities related to navigating a college campus, accessing campus resources, using accessible textbook resources, gaining employment while taking classes, and managing Social Security benefits.
Cooking and Serving Camp
Dates: June 16–21, 2024
Cost: $25 per camper
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
This Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind (OUB) event is for campers ages 10–17. Campers will gain experience with cooking regional American foods and completing a service project to give back to the community.
STEM2U Program
Date: June 22, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Flint, MI
This National Federation of the Blind of Michigan program will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn in Downtown Flint. Participants will become astronomers through the study of astrophysics and engineering. Build models of the James Webb Space Telescope, learn about the Earth’s atmosphere, discover why the telescope was sent to space, and explore how it studies space.
Outdoor Adventure Camp
Dates: June 23–26, 2024
Cost: $5 per camper
Location: Greenville, MI
Camp Tuhsmeheta (Camp T) is offering a camp for students in grades 4–12 who are BVI. Campers will enjoy classic camp activities such as swimming, fishing, canoeing, archery, climbing tower, hiking, sports, teamwork challenges, and nature investigations. Campers will also be given the option of tent camping overnight in the woods.
Discovery Camp
Dates: June 23–28, 2024
Cost: $25 per camper
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
This OUB program is for campers ages 7–14. The theme for this camp is Science Week! This camp may include a trip to Calvin College Observatory, nature programs, science-related cooking projects, and more. This program is also available as a day camp.
Family Day
Date: June 28, 2024
Cost: Free
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
This OUB event is for family members of all ages, and tandem cycling! This will be a fun day of exploring fun activities that don’t require vision to fully participate.
Lions Bear Lake Camp Open House
Date: June 30, 2024
Cost: Free
Location: Lapeer, MI
Lions Bear Lake Camp is more than just a summer camp; it's a community dedicated to fostering personal growth and creating lifelong memories. Attend the camp’s open house to learn about the positive impact this camp can have on your child's life.
Bicycle Camp
Dates: June 30 – July 3, 2024
Cost: $25 per camper
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
This OUB program is for campers ages 7–17. Campers will learn to ride a bike from people who know how to teach this skill to children with disabilities. Transportation may be available in the Grand Rapids area.
July Events
Visually Impaired and Blind Youth Session
Dates: July 7–13, 2024
Cost: $40 per camper
Location: Lapeer, MI
This Lions Bear Lake Camp event is open to children and teens, ages 6–16. Camp activities include trail hikes, low ropes, climbing tower, zipline, team-building games, group bonding, bonfires, swimming, camp food, songs, crafts, and more.
Adulting Program
Dates: July 7–13, 2024
Registration Deadline: June 14, 2024
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
This BSBP event is designed to help teenagers transition into adulthood. The program will use real-world situations to create a safe environment in which teens can practice the financial aspects of being an adult.
Camp T 50th Anniversary Open House: Sweet Summertime
Date: July 13, 2024
Time: 6–8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Greenville, MI
Come tour the camp’s grounds, visit with staff, explore the many trails, and learn how campers experience the outdoors using different senses. Light refreshments will be provided. This is a free community event, so everyone is welcome to stop by camp to visit. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to experience what Camp T is about!
Teen O&M Program
Dates: July 14–20, 2024
Cost: Free
Location: Rochester, MI
This Leader Dogs for the Blind program is for 16- and 17-year-olds, along with a supporter (e.g., family member). Participants will learn more about blindness, the skills their loved one uses, and how to help with orientation and mobility (O&M) goals. Participants will stay in a local hotel and participate in Leader Dog’s traditional training environments. All travel, meals, and hotel expenses are covered by Leader Dog.
Intro to Workplace Readiness Training
Dates: July 21–25, 2024
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
This BSBP program is for high school students, ages 14–26, who have not previously participated in an overnight BSBP Training Center Program or are unsure about whether they are ready to participate in residential training. During this program, students will stay at the BSBP Training Center and complete activities onsite and within the local community. This program will include self-advocacy instruction, career exploration, adaptive living techniques, orientation and mobility experiences, finance education, assistive technology, and leisure activities. The program is intended as the first step in preparation for future transition services to help students meet their goals. Students who are interested may be approved to stay for an extended training following this trial week.
Cooking and Jamming Camp
Dates: July 7–12, 2024
Cost: $25 per camper
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
This OUB camp is for students ages 7–14. Campers will experience cooking a variety of cuisines and listening to music from several genres.
Adventure Trip
Dates: July 15–24, 2024
Cost: $150 per camper
Location: Grand Rapids to Northern Illinois
This OUB program is for students ages 12–17. Younger campers may be accepted under special circumstances. This trip will include kayaking and canoeing to camp out on a small island in the middle of the Mississippi River in northern Illinois.
Fine Arts Camp
Dates: July 17–20, 2024
Cost: $5 per camper
Location: Greenville, MI
This Camp T event is for students who are BVI and will be entering grades 4-12. Campers will have an opportunity to explore their creative talents among friendsall of the above, this camp is where they can practice and showcase their creativity in an accessible format. Campers will work together as a cast and crew to perform a fun show for families at the end of the camp. Prior experience is not necessary.
STEM Camp
Dates: July 21–26, 2024
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
This BSBP program is for high-school students, ages 14 and older, who are interested in exploring science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers.
August Events
Teen O&M Program
Dates: August 4–10, 2024
Cost: Free
Location: Rochester, MI
This Leader Dogs for the Blind program is for 16- and 17-year-olds, along with a supporter (e.g., family member). Participants will learn more about blindness, the skills their loved one uses, and how to help with orientation and mobility (O&M) goals. Participants will stay in a local hotel and participate in Leader Dog’s traditional training environments. All travel, meals, and hotel expenses are covered by Leader Dog.
Introduction to Culinary Careers
Dates: August 9–11, 2024
Registration Deadline: July 12, 2024
Location: Kalamazoo
This BSBP program will explore postsecondary opportunities within Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s (KVCC) Healthy Living Campus and culinary program while attending Workplace Readiness Training at the BSBP Training Center! Participants will hear from current and former KVCC students and instructors and learn about culinary program requirements. KVCC instructors will lead participants in a culinary lesson as they create their lunch for the day.
Camp T 50th Anniversary Alumni Celebration
Date: August 17, 2024
Cost: $5 per person
Location: Greenville, MI
This Camp T picnic celebration is for former Camp T campers who are BVI, along with former staff members. Participants will engage in waterfront activities such as swimming, canoeing, and fishing (a Michigan fishing license is required) as well as other camp activities.