SUMMER CAMP
‑ 2009
TECHNOLOGY FOR TODAY CAMP REPORT
June 21 – Arrival Day
The Technology for Today campers' evening activities on Sunday began after
registration with an informal cookout at ISVI that was held inside due to
the extreme heat. The campers then met briefly in the dormitory to discuss
camp rules, meet staff, share information about one another and outline the
week’s activities. They then had an opportunity to unpack and get their
belongings put away for the week.
At 8:00
p.m. that evening, a "mixer" dance was held for campers in the lower level
of the Unit 2 dormitory where campers resided during the week. The dance
provided an opportunity for the Technology campers to meet each other and
have a chance to get to know one another. The disc jockey for the dance was
one of ISVI's educators.
Meals & Breaks
Breakfast each day was from 7:15 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. served in ISVI's
Dining Hall. Educators met the campers at breakfast each morning to escort
campers to the classroom areas for the daily sessions that ran Monday
through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. A mid‑morning and afternoon
break was provided in ISVI's Snack Bar where healthy snacks were provided.
Each day campers were escorted to the Dining Hall for each meal with lunch
being served between 11:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Dinner each evening was
scheduled from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Staff for Daily Sessions &
Organized Evening Recreational Activities
ISVI Educational Staff–Technology for Today Camp
The ISVI educators who worked with campers in Technology for Today Camp
during the Day Sessions were: Shirley Hainds, Steve Radliff, Brenda
Christian and Dan Thompson. The educators who directed the evening
activities for Technology Camp were: Stephanie Kenny, Denise Kerhlikar,
Julie Valentine and Pat Wright.
Daily Sessions
Computerized Information Processing
 Students covered lots of terminology often heard when using computers along
with functions of “hot keys”. Quizzes were given each day to review this
information. Games were also provided to help the students remember all the
terms.
Students went over the
“hot keys” of WordPerfect and Microsoft Word and then used those commands in
completing different activities while in the WordPerfect and Microsoft Word
programs. Again, quizzes were given each day to work on the various “hot
keys.”
Students went over the
“hot key” commands for the Group Wise Program (the e-mail program used at
ISVI) and then would actually e-mailed the instructor and other students in
the Technology Camp. This was really a popular activity of each camper.
They would eagerly check their e-mails each day to see if they had any
messages. The instructor would have an e-mail waiting for them with an
“assignment” so they would have an opportunity to write an e-mail back to
the instructor with an attachment.
Students worked on
activity sheets while using the computer to see how much they knew about
spacing rules, grammar rules in keyboarding, special characters on the
keyboard and number functions of the computer.
Small booklets (or
folders) that contained all the material that was covered during the week of
camp were created by the instructor and given to the students at the end of
the day on Saturday. The folder contained “hot key” commands for
WordPerfect, computer terminology, “hot key” commands for GroupWise, several
worksheets which would help with using the correct usage of number keys,
special character keys and the function keys. Certificates were also given
to each camper who completed the summer camp experience in technology.
Campers
shared their experiences, ideas, and opinions about many topics and put
those thoughts into paragraph form. Campers used WordPerfect and Microsoft
Word to create documents, that they had to format the selections by using
“hot keys” that had been covered throughout the week. The paragraphs were
not meant to be right or wrong responses but campers had to format their
responses in written form and to justify their answers; giving reasons for
their beliefs. Examples of these type of assignments were: Year Round
School–Good or Bad; Cell Phones Allowed in Class–Yes or No.
At the end of Camp,
campers received prizes for the number of correct responses they received on
their quizzes and projects. The campers got into this activity and worked
hard to make sure they earned all the points possible. These points were
represented by stickers and were placed on poster board for all three
sessions of the Technology Camp. The groups of campers were very
competitive on these activities.
Computerized
Engraving
Campers
were exposed to a computer-controlled industrial engraver which is a small
machining center. The computer program downloads into a module that directs
the machine to automatically cut Braille, various symbols using different
fonts and cut-out shapes.
The campers made two
projects as they learned how academics are applied in the real world.
Campers selected a wooden salad spoon and fork. They had a choice of solid
wood or making it out of a veneered process.
Safety and work
behaviors were our priority as power equipment and hand tools were used or
demonstrated during manufacturing. Several manufacturing skills and
production processes were introduced as campers worked with the material
science of plastics, woods and metals. Campers were allowed to independently
engrave their design on the projects.
Campers also explored
the industrial language of math and science as they applied vocabulary
meanings to numbers by using spatial and linear meanings to understand
3-dimensional shapes. Graphs were explained as the computer interprets the
three planes of X, Y, Z.
Campers
and the instructor had fun as they learned from and about each other in this
camps' relaxed educational atmosphere.
Assistive Devices-Hardware & Software
 Monday Campers visited a local coffee shop
to access Global Positioning Systems), GPS, to check out live and virtual
locations.
Campers' hometowns were
entered as they searched for points of interest (POI) were completed.
The surrounding area by the
coffee shop was also explored via the GPS units.
Tuesday campers took part in
using a wide variety of assistive devices including: ID Mate (bar code
scanner), Note Teller II (money identifier), Colorino (color identifier),
Franklin Language Master speller, Milestone (mp3 player and voice recorder),
Victor Stream (book storage, voice recorder and mp3 player device), Victor
Classic (compact disc player for reading books), handheld CCTVs, PlexTalk (voice
recorder, book storage and mp3 playing device), Icon Mobile Manager (hand held
note taker), Icon Braille Plus (hand held note taker with Braille keyboard),
talking calculator, Small Talk (very portable computer with assistive software
from G. W. Micro) and several portable media storage devices.
On Wednesday a
representative from HumanWare took campers on a tour of the M-power Braille and QUERTY Note taker’s features.
A representative from
Freedom Scientific gave campers a tour of the PacMate Braille and QUERTY note
taker’s features. She also provided the Ruby and Sapphire low-vision magnifiers
for campers to try out.
On Friday campers learned
how to use a new screen reader/magnification software (System Access To Go).
Additionally, campers used a Voice Sense note taker, Braille Connect and
SoundForge audio editing software.
Toward the end of each daily
session, campers were allowed time for additional questions and a summary of
material covered by the presenter or teacher.
Digital Cameras/Power Point
All
campers in the Technology Camp experienced taking pictures with a digital
camera. After taking the pictures, campers collectively made a PowerPoint
presentation. The presentation was shown during the closing program on
Saturday. Copies of the presentation will be sent home to the campers to share
with their family and friends.
Evening Recreational Activities
Each evening, dinner was
served in the dining hall from 5:00 until 6:00 p.m. The evening recreation
activities began at 6:00 and ended at 8:30. From 8:30 until 9:30, campers were
taken to ISVI's Snack Bar where they could play air hockey, pool, various arcade
games, purchase soft drinks, snacks and socialize with one another. At 9:30,
campers were escorted to the dormitory to begin showers and preparations for bed
with all campers having to be in their rooms by 10:15 and lights out by 10:30
each night.
Campers in
the Technology for Today Camp were divided into four groups. Each night of the
week–Monday through Thursday, campers rotated each night between four different
recreational activities; bowling, horseback riding, an outdoor fun night and
swimming in ISVI's swimming pool.
Bowling
Each
evening after dinner, a group of campers and ISVI Summer Camp staff loaded into
vans or a bus for the trip to either the Bowl Inn in Jacksonville or the
Winchester Bowl in Winchester, Illinois. The ride there was filled with
talking, joking, and music. Campers renewed old friendships and made new ones.
Upon arrival, campers obtained bowling shoes and selected a bowling ball.
Camper’s names were then entered into the electronic score board and the games
began! Gutter guards were used while campers also helped each other with the
equipment and offered bowling tips. Each time someone bowled there was
anticipated excitement as campers listened to the ball rolling down the lane.
When the pins were struck, the cheers rose as the campers jumped and gave each
other high fives! There was lots of cheering because there was lots of strikes
and spares! Campers demonstrated great sportsmanship as everyone had fun!
Skills Addressed: physical, social, emotional, problem-solving, sportsmanship,
recreation, independence, shoe tying, getting/returning equipment, social
behaviors
Horseback Riding
Yvonne--horse owner, introduced all the horses in the barn along with having
drinks, cookies and ice cream available in the barnyard. Brian gave a lengthy
Civil War presentation and showed campers the uniforms, saddles, food and guns
from that era in history. Campers then took turns going into the barn to ride in
the arena where everyone did quite well. Afterwards campers had an opportunity
to make picture frames for the photo that was taken of them while they were
horseback riding. The frames were pieces of different colored art foam and a box
full of art foam cut outs-horses, boots, saddles, horseshoes, bales of hay,
flowers, butterflies, etc.
Campers began the evening
with horseback riding and photos. Then the campers went to the house to make
frames and have snacks. Yvonne’s sons provided Name That Tune music which the
campers enjoyed identifying. The campers then came outside for the shortened
Civil War lecture and ate their ice cream.
Outdoor
Fun
Each night, the outdoor activity group would walk back to Unit 2 to vote on
whether they would like to do the outdoor activity or stay inside since a heat
advisory was issued. The campers chose to stay indoors each night and after
playing a fun “ice breaker” game to help exercise everyone's memories, build
vocabularies, and practice taking turns, the campers voted on whether they would
watch a movie, play a board game, or do some drawing with markers and puffy
paint.
Monday night the blue group,
which was made up of the oldest campers, watched the movie “Bringing Down the
House” in the Teen Center. Tuesday night the red group played the board game
“Battle of the Sexes” and the boys won. Wednesday night the green group enjoyed
some free time outdoors for about 15 to 20 minutes; they swung on the swings,
glided on the glider, or shot some baskets with basketballs before getting hot
and coming indoors to do some drawing with markers and puffy paint or listening
to music. Thursday night the orange group played a game of “Battle of the
Sexes” with the girls winning this time, and then watched the movie “High School
Musical 2.” Even though we were inside, we had a great time with a lot of
laughs!
Around 8:00 we would meet
the other groups in the Teen Center until about 9:00 p.m. Here the campers had
an opportunity to socialize with all the other campers in the Technology Camp
while also enjoying eating snacks and playing video games, air hockey, and/or
skeeball. Afterwards, everyone would head back to Unit 2 for the night to get
showers and get ready for bed. Campers were in their rooms by 10:15 with lights
out.
Swimming
Four different groups of campers met each night, Monday – Thursday to
participate in pool activities. The groups consisted of 6-7 campers each. Each
night the campers arrived at the pool where rules were reviewed. Campers met
the lifeguard as he provided his specific rules. Because of the heat this year,
more time was given to free swimming. The pool was a very refreshing treat for
the campers. During free swim, the campers could play with the rafts, swim
rings, noodles, or play “beach ball volleyball”. After the free swim, campers
could participate in raft races and “find the diving sticks”. A few of the
campers chose not to race. They stayed in the pool and continued to play with
the equipment of their choice. Everyone seemed to enjoy the pool activities.
Dormitory & Dinner
Campers from the Technology
for Today camp resided in Unit 2 that is divided into four pods and a common or
"core" area in the middle. The girls lived in the Blue Pod while the boys lived
in the Green and Khaki pods. Besides individual bedroom areas, in each pod
there is a living room and kitchen area where televisions, couches, chairs,
stove, microwave, sink, etc. are available. Campers either had one roommate or
a room to themselves. Healthy snack foods were always available and provided in
each pod if campers wanted to have a snack.
Each of the
three daily meals was served in the Dining Hall located in the center of the
campus. For each meal, campers went through the food line cafeteria style with
assistance being provided to anyone who needed help. Campers were also provided
assistance in locating a table so each camper could sit where and with whom they
would like. Meals were planned and organized by ISVI's dietary manager.
This
year’s summer camp was another success as campers continually share how much
they enjoy their time at camp. They exchange phone numbers and addresses to
keep in contact with the friends they have made. It is such a great opportunity
for these young people to experience new people and places!
All staff
involved in the Technology for Today Camp thank you for allowing your child to
spend the week with us! All campers had a great time making new friends,
learning new skills, and experiencing summer camp. We are hopeful your child
will choose to join us again next summer! We wish you and your child a pleasant
remainder of the summer months.
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