Summer Camp -- What's It All About

ISVI Summer Camp
June 17-23, 2012

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Summer Camp 2011

Young Explorers Camp Report

June 12, 2011 Arrival Day

Twelve young people aged 7 - 11 from around the state attended ISVI Young Explorers Camp this year. On June 12, 2011 families and friends dropped off their campers at ISVI between 2:30 and 5:00. At 5:00 the campers enjoyed a cookout for supper then went to their dorm where they reviewed camp rules then had a chance to relax, unwind, and meet other campers and staff.

Day Sessions 

This year the Young Explorers enjoyed “Making Waves!” which centered around a water theme.  The campers enjoyed learning about oceans, the water cycle, surface tension on water, what floats and sinks in water, fresh water and the beach.  Each morning the campers would “dive in” for the day by reviewing the daily schedule and Lifeguard rules.  They participated in choosing Aqua-cises and the number of repetitions for Gator Claps, Freestyle, Backstroke, Turtle Pose, Umbrella, Catch a Wave, Frog Jumps, Crab Lifts, Fishing Pole and Beach Bucket. Each day the “Lifeguards of the Day” were selected based on SWIM – Safety, Willingness, Independence and Making Good Decisions.

During the morning, the campers went on 4 Laps: cooking class or Seaside Cafe; science activities or Water Wise; crafts or “Aquatic Treasures”; and music/dance time, or “Beach Tunes”.

• During “Seaside Café” the campers made Beach Mix which we took on our fishing trip.  They also made edible aquariums with Jello,  candy sharks, and fish cookies.  The campers enjoyed these snacks each afternoon after visiting the “Splash Zone” (swimming).
• In Arts and Crafts or “Aquatic Treasures” the campers created water cycle bracelets and decorated water lilies which then “bloomed” in our little swimming pool. 
• During “Beach Tunes” the campers helped write the lyrics and put movements to “Surfin’ USA”.
• In Water Wise, campers made hypothesis and experimented surface tension, sinking and floating, and the effects of soap in water. 

In the afternoons, the campers relaxed after lunch by going to the “Lazy River” and watching the movies “Free Willy – Escape from Pirate’s Cove” and “Flipper”.  After the “Splash Zone” and an afternoon snack, the campers participated in a variety of outdoor activities including Beach Concentration, Soap Relay, Chill out Relay, Cutting the Water Worms Relay, Floating Frisbee Toss, and Beach Ball Parachute Toss.

On Thursday, the campers visited the Nichols Park for a fishing expedition.  Each camper caught at least one fish. On Friday, we practiced for the Saturday production in the auditorium. The campers also played the ABC’s of Water and Water Wisdom Trivia. We had a great week with your children and we look forward to working with them again next summer.

Evening Session

The Young Explorers splashed into summer camp on Sunday, June 12.  After completing registration and settling into their dorm rooms, campers enjoyed a cook out of hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans, brownies and Rice Krispie treats.  After dinner, the group met to review camp rules and introductions.  The campers completed craft projects, making summer foam visors and unique door identifiers for their dorm rooms.  The evening ended with moving to music; The Electric Slide, Macarena, and the always popular YMCA song.

The Young Explorers returned from day camp every afternoon at 3:30.  From 3:30 to 4:30, they could choose between playing outdoors on the playground, and playing indoors with crafts, blocks, and games.  Just before dinner, they gathered to hear “How to Train Your Dragon” during a read aloud session.  After dinner, a different recreation activity was planned each night.    On Monday, due to inclement weather, the campers played BINGO indoors.  Many of them were surprised that our BINGO cards had both Braille and reverse polarity large print!  They munched on popcorn and had a great time picking out prizes.  Of course, everyone won at least once!  Tuesday was Wet n Wild Day.  The campers played in wading pools and sprinklers, experimented with a variety of bubble blowers, and slid on the Slip and Slide.  Everyone’s favorite part of the evening was throwing water balloons at the staff.  Wednesday night found the campers boarding the school bus to travel to a bowling alley in Jacksonville.  The adapted equipment, a ramp and gutter guards, insured that every bowler had a successful experience.  The playground at Nichols Park in Jacksonville provided lots of outdoor fun and gross motor play on Thursday.  The evening ended with a trip to the Dairy Queen; who doesn’t like ice cream on a warm summer night? 

Friday was field trip day, the highlight of the recreation activities for the week.  The Young Explorers traveled to Bloomington/Normal to experience the Children’s Discovery Museum.  The museum offered three floors of hands-on exhibits that included an indoor climber, a Fresh Food Market and Pizza Place, water play, and an agriculture exhibit that let them drive a combine or a tractor, milk cows and harvest a corn field.  The most popular exhibit was a theater area with lights and costumes that encouraged lots of dramatic, imaginative performances!  The evening meal at Carl’s Ice Cream Factory met everyone’s taste preferences, serving up hamburgers, cheese burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, grilled peanut butter sandwiches, chicken strips, fries, and a drink and, of course ice cream was enjoyed by all!

Summer Camp 2011

Technology for Today Camp Report

June 12, 2011 Arrival Day

Twenty-two young people aged 11-19 from around the state attended ISVI Technology Camp this year. On June 12, 2011 families and friends dropped off their campers at ISVI between 2:30 and 5:00. At 5:00 the campers enjoyed a cookout for supper then went to their dorms where they reviewed camp rules then had a chance to relax, unwind, and meet other campers and staff at a dance.

Monday through Friday Daily Sessions:

Campers rotated through four sessions daily; each with an emphasis on a different type of technology. ISVI staff provided summarized reports at the end of the week and presented the information to families and friends at the closing program on Saturday morning.

Day Sessions

Session 1: Word Processing

All campers in the Technology Camp had experience using 'hot keys' to open and operate the Internet, Word 2007, and Outlook Express.  We reviewed and played trivia games to reinforce the hot keys used.  During the games, campers enjoyed being competitive and winning prizes.  One of the days, we traveled uptown to the "Three Legged Dog".  This is a coffee shop that has wireless internet.  We used various types of technology which had wireless capability while there.  The campers utilized audible GPS while traveling to and from the coffee shop.

Session 2: Electronic Devices

During camp this year, we had hands-on experience with screen readers (WindowEyes and JAWS) and enlargement software (ZoomText).  On day two, we used a talking checkbook program, a money identifier, and a bar code scanner.  On day three, Mr. Thompson came and introduced the Plextalk, Bookport Plus, Victor Reader Classic, Victor Stream, the iPhone, portable hard drives, portable CD burners, and speakers.  We had an opportunity to try out these devices. On Thursday, we used GPS, money identifiers, and other devices on the trip to the Three Legged Dog.  Friday morning we investigated the ipod and cell phones.  Saturday before the program, campers and day staff were in Unit 2 basement and rotated through stations related to all four daily sessions.  Campers finished last minute packing.  Campers also saw several animals (roosters, doves, dog, cat, doves, and rabbits).

Session 3: Everyday Technology

During the Everyday Technology session of Technology Camp, the campers focused on both high tech and low tech devices and techniques to enhance their lives around the house doing activities of daily living. 

On Monday we concentrated on getting material read and seeing at a distance.  We used several electronic/video magnifying devices including the Ruby, Quicklook Zoom, SmartView Pocket, and Sense View Duo.  We also used some handheld magnifying glasses and a monocular to view distances.

Tuesday we focused on the kitchen.  We used gripping, waffled shelf liner to stabilize cutting boards and plates when cutting food at the table.  Campers used the Hot Shot, a device that boils and dispenses water.  We also used the ID Mate which is a bar code reader which will announce the name of a product as well as the cooking directions and label information for some products. 

Wednesday was spent exploring the world of eBooks.  There was a demonstration of the Sony Reader and the applications a device of this kind can have to a person with low vision.  We also spent time on money identification.  We used the Note Teller 2 which reads currency that has been inserted into the device.  The campers used the Colorino color identification device.  This device will announce the color of clothing, hair, skin, shoes, and anything else it can be placed vertically against.  The campers used a large print talking calculator and the Talk to the Wilson which is a digital recording device.

Thursday was spent exploring a variety of web sites that are beneficial to the visually impaired.  Some of the sites we visited include: www.drugstore.com, www.blindbargains.com, www.blindmicemart.com, www.dictionary.com, http://braille.wunderground.com, www.directionsforme.com, www.learningally.org, and www.mamma.com just to name a few.  The campers shared some of their favorites and were excited to learn some new sites that will be helpful for school and in the future to promote independence.

Friday was spent using the Flip-n-Fold for folding clothing vs. folding without the device.  The campers thought this was cool because all the clothes folded with this device were uniform in size.  We also spent a little time discussing cell phones, iphones, and ipods.

Session 4: Tech for Rec

In Tech for Rec campers were introduced to various devices that an individual with a visual impairment may use to assist them when playing recreational games. Both low and high tech games were played.  Campers were encouraged to follow the rules, show sportsmanship and use appropriate social behaviors when playing games.  Fun and learning was the goal and we succeeded! Examples of Low tech games played were Bingo, Fish, Old Maid, Crazy Eights, Cards and Uno Attack. Some of the High tech (electronic) games played were the Wii, Bop it, 20 Questions, and Billiards. A few campers said they had never played a Wii or other gaming system before because they didn’t know it was possible. Campers played individually, as partners or in groups depending on individual skills and the game.  A handout with information regarding sources to find adaptive recreational games for the Visually Impaired was given to each camper on the last day.

Evening Sessions

Monday through Thursday evening campers rotated through four recreation activities. ISVI staff provided summaries of these activities. Generally, around half past three each day the campers would come back to the dorm and staff would help them to their respective dorm pods.  After all of the campers were present in the pod, they were allowed to spend the next hour socializing in the pod, the core, or outside; the adults would decide who would cover what areas.

At half past four, when the residential staff went to dinner, the campers were to report to their pods.  The next half hour was spent socializing in the pods and getting ready to walk to dinner.  At the conclusion of dinner, which was generally around a quarter before six, the campers and educators divided into their respective recreation activity groups. 

Evening Session 1: Swimming at the ISVI Pool

Four different groups of campers met each night, Monday – Thursday to participate in pool activities. The groups consisted of 6 campers each.   Each night the campers arrived at the pool where the rules were given.  They met the lifeguard and were told more specific rules by him if needed.  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 the campers were given a choice to participate in raft races.  Since we had at least half of the campers who could not swim, we did not feel comfortable to have everyone race.  It was a lot of fun just trying to help some of the campers onto the rafts!  We also had a Biggest Splash contest.  Again, not everyone participated because of their swimming ability.  It was exciting to see the non-swimmers get in the pool and play.  They stayed in the pool and continued to play with the equipment of their choice.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the pool activities.  There were no problems as everyone had excellent cooperation and behavior.

After the pool activities the campers were taken to the teen center where they could play games, buy a soda/candy and socialize.

Evening Session 2: Outdoor Fun Night

Each night, the campers who were involved in the outdoor activity would walk to the pavilion area out by the back parking lot to get ready for the activity. The Outdoor Activity this year was making stepping stones.  Each camper was given a bag of cement mix which they dumped into a bucket then mixed in two cups of water.  After stirring the mixture real well they poured it into the round mold with assistance.  Then they had to use the leveling tool to press it all in there and get the stone flat.  Next they were given colored glass, mirror pieces, ceramic tiles, etc to decorate their stone.

After each camper completed his or her stepping stone, they had “free time” to expend energy outside by walking around the track, swinging on the swings, or socializing on the glider.  At about half past seven we would venture into the air conditioning of the Teen Center where campers would get a drink, relax, listen to music, or play games such as video car racing, pool, foosball, air hockey, or skeeball.  The swimming group would join us shortly thereafter and then we would all head back to the dorm for the night to get showers and get ready for bed.   

This year’s Summer Camp was another success!  The campers continually say how much they enjoy their time here at ISVI Summer Camp, while experiencing new people, places, and things.  Many of them exchange phone numbers and addresses to keep in contact with the friends they have made.  The staff members also enjoy watching the campers grow from year-to-year.  Thank you to all the campers’ parents for sharing your children and young adults with us for a week each summer!

Evening Session 3: Jacksonville Lake Campsite:

This year we piloted a new Lake Jacksonville evening activity.  We made a camp fire and the campers roasted marshmallows for S’mores.  There were several outdoor games such as bean bag toss, horse shoes, beach ball games, beach volleyball, bubble mania, foam rocket tag. The campers had a great time.  All campers participated in most activities and lots of laughter rolled through the camp. There were many positive remarks from staff and campers.

Evening Session 4: Horseback Riding

This year we went to Riverside Stables in Springfield.  We were introduced to various breeds, general care and history of horses.  The facility was awesome.   Everything was indoors and the rain didn’t stop us.  The stable held approximately 30 horses connected to a large shed containing an exercise ring.  The campers rotated riding two horses while others groomed and petted another horse.  Campers also made horseshoe wall hangings as a craft activity.

The trip to Riverside was as educational as it was fun.  Campers who initially didn’t want to go ended up discovering a positive experience and rode several times.  The campers had a great time.  All campers got to ride as many times as they desired; typically 2 – 3 times each.  

Additional Information

Meals & Breaks

Breakfast lunch and dinner were served each day by the ISVI Dining Hall staff. They also provided healthy and kid-friendly snacks for a mid-morning break, and cool drinks for afternoon breaks. They prepared drinks for the groups attending the campsite and stables and for the field trips on Friday.

Dorm Life

Campers resided in Unit 2 which is divided into four pods and a common or “core” area in the middle. Campers either had a single room or a shared with a roommate. Healthy snacks were always available in the dorms.

Friday Field Trip

Friday's trip to Knight's Action Park was cancelled due to inclement weather. Instead we went to the Incredible Pizza Company.  This is an indoor arcade. Some of the campers had either been to this arcade or another like it. For some it was a new experience for them.  They could play different games and win tickets which they could turn in for prizes at the end of the day.   After the arcade, the campers went to dinner at Diamond's buffet where they all enjoyed a nice meal.

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