DEAF CHILDREN LEARN ABOUT THEMSELVES, OTHERS AT CAMP.Byline: Karen Thacker Special to the Daily News When Buffy Sproul and her husband, Terry, visited Sequoia National Park Sequoia National Park, 402,510 acres (162,960 hectares), E central Calif.; est. 1890. In the park are 35 groves of giant sequoias, spectacular granite mountains, and deep canyons. 13 years ago he remembered attending summer camp as a boy, and came home with a determination to start a deaf camp for children. Hearing-impaired himself, he felt a camp just for deaf children would help the kids share a common bond. The dream began for the Sprouls in 1992 when they organized a nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. , Sproul Ranch, and brought deaf youngsters from all over the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. to the camp for free. Terry died two years later and Buffy continued the tradition for another two years, staging the camp in the mountains near their home in Visalia. After moving to the Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley , she is restarting the camp here in the summer. ``At other kid's camps they have hearing and not hearing children, but the deaf kids feel left out,'' she said. The camp has been held at different locations in years past, but will take place at Canyon Meadows in Lake Hughes this summer. A maximum of 60 children ages 6 to 17 will stay one week. All children must be deaf, and the camp staff is closely balanced with half hearing and half deaf employees - all versed Versed® Midazolam Pharmacology A preoperative sedative in sign language. This allows the kids to pick up role models, network with friends and see many others coping with the same impairment. In 1996, Buffy remembers one camper had never seen another deaf child. Her parents had mainstreamed her with other students. ``She was so excited - she'd say, `Look, there's a deaf child and look, there's another,' pointing at them,'' Buffy said. Many children also pick up the misconception mis·con·cep·tion n. A mistaken thought, idea, or notion; a misunderstanding: had many misconceptions about the new tax program. that they'll grow out of their hearing problem. It can be very traumatic realizing they won't ever hear. Grouping them with a similar population builds their self-esteem, independence and social skills. The deaf camp program is unusual in that it is free. Business and corporate sponsorships and fund-raising drives Noun 1. fund-raising drive - a campaign to raise money for some cause fund-raising campaign, fund-raising effort crusade, campaign, cause, drive, effort, movement - a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end; "he supported , like the Benefit Balloon and Kite Festival at the Lancaster Auto Mall next weekend, provide the $500 week fee. Hugh Ehrlich, a balloon enthusiast and friend, became the fund-raising event coordinator for this year's camp, gathering fellow balloonists from all over the southwestern United States to take part in the festival. |
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