Programs Collaborate For Deaf Youth Leadership Retreat
Deafness Specialist Counselors from DARS Division for Rehabilitative Services (DRS) recently joined with deaf campers to participate in a Youth Leadership and Transition Camp that was implemented by the DARS Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) at Peaceable Kingdom, a youth camp facility at Youngsport, Texas.
The five-day camp brought together a group of deaf trainers, 45 DRS counselors, and 20 deaf and hard of hearing youth from across the state to participate in exercises designed to build leadership skills and confidence. One of the exercises given to students was building a 24-inch bridge using only spaghetti and glue that would hold a weight for at least 10 seconds. The deaf instructors also served as role models for the campers. The DRS counselors attended for one day and helped to train the campers in team building and in locating and developing resources.
Ann Horn, DHHS Direct Services Program Specialist, said, “It was our first time to sponsor the camp and our goal is to make it an annual event. Since the DRS counselors were assembled for three days of training nearby at Killeen, arrangements were made for them to participate in the one-day event with the campers. It was very successful.”
Three deaf instructors joined the deaf campers with their inspirational stories about overcoming their hearing difficulties and conquering their dreams. One such presenter was Heidi Zimmer, a deaf mountaineer whose goal is to climb the world’s seven tallest peaks, including Mount Everest and she has already climber three of them. After her experience with the Leadership Retreat, Heidi wrote a letter to DARS that read, “What most impressed me about the camp was the meeting of VR counselors and campers to develop a cohesive relationship and to improve team-building skills. This is a brilliant idea, because this way, both counselors and students are able to learn about each other, grow comfortable in working together, and communicate. Kudos must be given to you and your staff, because I saw firsthand the impact it had upon all participants.”
“Ann Horn noted that the camp instructors, including John Evans and Dan Brubaker, both from the state of Washington had tremendous impact on the campers by constantly emphasizing what they can do in life by setting goals and constantly pursuing those goals.
Randi Turner, also with the DARS-DHHS program, assisted in coordinating the camp project.
Submitted by
Doug Dittfurth
Email: [email protected]
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