Camp CAMP: A good sign

The Children’s Association for Maximum Potential hosted Camp Sign in partnership with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services this week on its campgrounds in Center Point.

Camp Sign is a weeklong overnight camping experience specially tailored for youth between the ages of 8-17 who are deaf or hard of hearing.

This is the first time Camp Sign has taken place since 2019, as the program was finally approved for state oversight. Twenty-six boys and girls attended Camp Sign this week, and 14 staff members and counselors fluent in American Sign Language were on hand to assist them.

“The good news is that the state has approved a contract with us for several years, so we can grow our enrollment numbers for next year,” said Camp Coordinator Tar Burt.

CAMP has adapted recreational programming that ensures everyone can enjoy the fun and excitement involved in a summer camp experience.

“We get to interact with both deaf and hearing people. Everyone signs, and there’s a lot of fun activities, but we have time to relax and chill, too,” said camper Maisie Morgan.

Located on the 55-acre campus is an aquatic center, dining hall, health care center, arts and crafts center, nature center and cabins. The Guadalupe River runs through the property, which provides opportunities for a variety of outdoor recreational activities for the campers.

“I’d like to clarify that deafness is noted as a medical disability, but their behavior is as normal humans. They have a lot of energy,” said Program Coordinator Roy Jones. “They love team building exercises and playing games like blind volleyball, where the net has blankets covering it.”

The campers had a chance to participate in a color run during the week, and excitement was building on Wednesday in anticipation of a scheduled four square tournament.

Deaf and hard-of-hearing campers come from all over Texas, including cities such as Houston, Austin and San Antonio. They spend the week working on team-building skills while being immersed in deaf culture.

“Some children come from mainstream schools who have never actually seen sign language before,” said Burt. “They learn to sign from the students who attend the Texas School for the Deaf. It’s a time of personal growth, networking and friendship for them.”

The counselors and staff at Camp Sign are tasked with setting examples to help foster leadership in the deaf community, and they must be fluent in ASL.

“It’s our responsibility to maintain the tradition of the deaf community, deaf culture and the richness of understanding to help teach the children. We want to see them take leadership in the future of our community,” Burt said.

Established in 1979, Camp CAMP has been dedicated to providing enriching recreational experiences year-round for individuals aged 5 to 55 with a range of disabilities, including but not limited to autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, traumatic brain injury, spina bifida, visual impairment and hearing impairment.

To learn more about enrollment or volunteer opportunities for Camp CAMP or Camp Sign, visit campcamp.org or call 210-671-5411.

This article was originally published in the July 27, 2024 edition of The Kerrville Daily Times.