My kids are still talking about this year’s week at Camp Lions. Every year, they look forward to that one, magical week with all their friends. The conversations last all year–via sleepovers, Facebook sharing, texts that fly back and forth and videophone calls.
My kids spend all day in the mainstream going to classes with students who can hear so they cherish their time with deaf and hard of hearing friends. Those friendships are deeply important, because communication isn’t an issue and being different isn’t an issue.
At a deaf picnic this summer, a young mother came up to me and signed, “Do you remember me?” I looked at her–she looked vaguely familiar but I couldn’t place the moment in time where we knew each other.
“You were my camp counselor at Camp Lions!” she said.
Back in the mid-80s, I did one summer as a camp counselor for the Lions Camp. I also did one summer as a waterski instructor at Camp Endeavor in Florida. It’s easy for the kids to remember the counselors, much harder for counselors to remember the many kids! But I did remember the young girl at camp and it was amazing to see her as a mother to her own kiddos years later.
I have several friends who attended the Lions Camps as young kids and thirty-plus years later, they can recall the fun they had and the connections that were made. It’s no surprise that Camp Lions continues to fill up year after year. They are now in their 51st year of providing camps to deaf and hard of hearing kids in Illinois.
So I’m writing this to publicly thank the Camp Lions of Illinois and the Lions of Illinois Foundation because if not for the tireless efforts of every Lion group in Illinois who fundraise each year– the deaf and hard of hearing kids in Illinois would have no magical week to remember.
Thank you.
Camp is Over, It’s Back to the Real World
Comments
5 responses to “Lions Camp for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Kids”
Yeah, camp is always so much fun! It’s the best part of my summer, always.
AMEN! I attended Camp Lions (south 🙂 ) for three summers, and they were among the best summers of my life. I learned so much and had so much fun, especially at Touch of Nature in Carbondale. I even learned how to make a specific dinner that I continue to make for MY kids today! (Hamburger, sliced potatoes, green beans and/or corn wrapped up in foil and cooked over a grill…)
Nice article. I understand how they feel. I guess maybe I feel the same way about the conventions I go to for the hh/deaf/Deaf every year. Friends who can’t hear are treasured. It’s not that I don’t like hearing people, it’s just that there’s this deep bonding with others who share the same issues. They get it. When you spend all your time with a sea of people who are different, you can’t help celebrating those times you’re with others exactly like you. This made me smile. I’m glad your kids have that camp. :-).
I attended Wisconsin Lions Camp for 8 years, and I still love it! I went there last weekend for the first time in 12 years! Wow that place has changed!
I still meet up with my olde camp friends every two years when we can swing it, just for a nice weekend hanging out in each others company!
I’ve always love kids especially those that have incapacities. They are just special and I always volunteer in my city’s program.