When the school year ends and summer begins, it’s time for kids to enjoy playing with friends at summer camp! Camp Tuhsmeheta (Camp T) is the perfect place for students that are blind or low vision (BLV) and/or deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) to enjoy camp fun in an environment designed especially for them. Camp T held two camps in June that focused on fun and learning.
At the end of June, Camp T hosted its annual Outdoor Adventure Camp where campers who are BLV enjoyed four days of summertime activities. The fun continued with more action-packed adventures for students who are DHH at the DHH Summer Fun Camp. For many young campers, this was their first overnight stay away from home.
Despite the summer heat, campers enjoyed field games, archery, rock wall climbing, challenge courses, swimming, canoeing, fishing, campfires, songs, arts and crafts, and, of course, campfire treats! Campers made new friends, had a lot of fun, and learned valuable lessons about independent living skills. Time was built into these camps for kids to learn to unpack, organize, keep track of their items, prepare for bed and the next day, and practice self-care such as safely applying sunblock and bug spray. They even prepared their own plates, snacks, drinks, and cleaned up after themselves.
Orientation, mobility, self-advocacy, and communication skills are vital to the growth and development of our campers. Each challenge presents a fresh opportunity for students to achieve new skills. When camp is over, not only do campers leave with new lifelong friends and cherished memories, but also with a sense of pride in discovering all the things they can now do by themselves.
Family Activities for Fall
As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change color, fall brings a new way to experience the outdoors at camp. The scent of pine mixed with the vibrant colors in the trees and birdsong in the woods create a sensory-rich season that invites us to slow down and explore.
This time of year is perfect for hands-on fun with children, including the ideas below, adapted from Run Wild, My Child. How will you experience fall?
Plant a garden for spring: Classic bulbs include daffodils, tulips, crocuses, lilies, irises, hyacinths, and trilliums. Planting bulbs is a great way to spend time outside and get your hands dirty. Plus, there’s nothing more exciting than forgetting about them until they emerge to let you know spring is coming!
Go on a bat hunt: Like bird watching, bat watching is a favorite activity in late summer and early fall. Pick a dry evening, head outside, and wait. Bats will come out around dusk, circling the houses and trees. Watch or listen as they swoop, circle, and dive. Did you know that one brown bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquito-sized insects in one hour?
Let your pumpkin rot: Pumpkins are often used to decorate homes in the fall. Instead of tossing them out when you’re done with them, try watching them decompose! Turn a rotting pumpkin into a fun science experiment: Talk about what you expect to happen and then use a nature journal to record your observations. How does the pumpkin smell? Are there bugs or mold on it? Have any squirrels or other wildlife taken a bite out of your pumpkin? What happens on the inside versus what you see on the outside? Wearing gloves and washing your hands after making observations is highly recommended.