Illinois
School for the Visually Impaired
658 East State Street
Jacksonville, IL 62650 (Toll Free 800-919-5617)
217-479-4400 TTY: 217-479-4415 Fax: 217-479-4479
E-mail: ISVI
www.isvi.net
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GENERAL INFORMATION NEWS PARENTS |
YOUNG EXPLORERS CAMP REPORT
The Young Explorers were very busy (but happy!) campers during their week at ISVI. In keeping with the camp theme, "A Touch of Nature", evening activities centered on the great outdoors. Each afternoon, the campers returned from day camp at 3:30 p.m. They were given a choice of playing games and doing crafts inside, or playing outside on the playground. This year, the favorite activities inside were building with blocks and playing with play dough. However, almost two thirds of the campers chose to play outside every afternoon. The last half hour before dinner, the group came together and listened to "Hoot", an award winning book about three children involved in saving a natural habitat for owls. Ask your camper about the alligators in the porta‑potties!
Each afternoon, the Young Explorers went swimming in ISVI's pool that was supervised not only by ISVI's staff, but also a registered lifeguard. Organized pool activities as well as an opportunity for "open swim" were provided each day. This year the Young Explorers enjoyed a variety of activities centered on the theme "The Great Outdoors". The campers enjoyed learning about fishing, boating, camping and nature. Each morning the campers gathered "around the campfire" to review the schedule for the day, play memory games and learn some Nature Knowledge. During the morning, the campers went on 4 Trails: cooking class or Chow Time; Story time or Campfire Tales; crafts or Make and Take with Nature; and music time, or Wilderness Jamboree. The campers also enjoyed two field trips. On Tuesday we took a boating excursion to Lake Jacksonville and enjoyed a ride on a pontoon boat, nature walks, a picnic lunch and playing on the beach. On Wednesday the campers went fishing at Nichols Park during the morning. During "Chow Time" the campers made Trail Mix, Ladybug cookies and S'mores. The campers enjoyed these snacks each afternoon during their Campground Frolic activities outside. Two or more campers each day were recognized as Campers of the Day, based on cooperation, following the rules, good sportsmanship, and participation. The following day the Campers of the Day sat in special chairs and fed the fish in the pond. In Arts and Crafts or Make it and Take it With Nature the campers made musical instruments. Many of the instruments were made out of natural materials such as sticks, cork, and wood. Each camper also made a rock necklace with wire and rawhide. Wilderness Jamboree included singing camp songs and writing a song about our camp. The campers helped write the lyrics and put movements to "Can’t Believe I’m a Campin’ Kid” for the program on Saturday.
Each evening, dinner was served in the Dining Hall from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. The evening recreation activities began each evening at 6:00 p.m. and ended at 8:00 p.m. From 8:00 p.m. to lights out at 9:00 p.m., the campers took showers, ate snacks, and got ready for bed. Two evening staff, Kathy Turner and Joni Frisch, planned and carried out all recreation activities. Two evening dorm staff assisted during dinner, the recreation activity, and in the dormitory. A third staff member, who assisted during the day sessions, also helped with the evening activities. Sunday evening, the campers began with an icebreaker to get to know each other. Each camper shared his or her name, age, hometown, favorite food, and favorite activity to do outside. They also enjoyed dancing to popular dance tunes, such as the "Chicken Dance", "The Macarena" and the "Cha-Cha Slide." Monday found the campers playing BINGO and making nature crafts. The bingo cards were in Braille and large print, white on black lettered, adapted boards. The games were played in the Teen Center at ISVI, and everyone enjoyed popcorn and soda for snacks. Each camper won a prize by the end of the games. They made "Hoot" owls from paper plates and "Treasure Boxes" from Styrofoam bowls. The "Treasure Boxes" were to store any nature treasures they found outside during the week of camp. On Tuesday night, the Young Explorers went bowling in Jacksonville. To assure that each child had a successful bowling experience, the group used gutter guard bumpers and a rack that helped support and aim the bowling ball. Everyone had a great time and the bowling scores ranged from 72 to 110. Wednesday the Young Explorers hoped to begin their evening at Nichols Park. However, an unexpected thunderstorm changed their outdoor plans. Instead, the group boarded the ISVI’s bus and traveled to McDonald’s for a snack. While the rainstorm would have left the park muddy and wet, the playground outside McDonald’s was a good, dry alternative. Everyone enjoyed climbing, crawling through tunnels and sliding after finishing ice cream sundaes or ice cream cones. The campers then returned to ISVI to watch the DVD of "Hoot." Horseback riding was part of the Thursday night evening recreation. Campers rotated between three staff‑lead outdoor activities. "Pony Pals", an area business, set up a ring on the ISVI lawn and gave individual horseback rides. The staff from "Pony Pals" lead the well-trained horse, Buddy, around the ring, while one or two additional staff walked beside each rider. The campers also had the opportunity to ride in a pony drawn wagon. Even children who were hesitant about riding the horse came back later to pat Buddy’s nose! While waiting for their turn to ride, one smaller group of Young Explorers played outdoor games; throwing bean bags through hoops, playing with a parachute, and playing with wind toys. A beeper behind the hoops helped every camper find their mark. A third group enjoyed making S'mores over a campfire while waiting to ride. By the end of the evening, all of the campers were tired and a little sticky! The week ended on Friday with an afternoon field trip to Springfield’s Lincoln Memorial Gardens. The campers were divided into smaller groups and went on nature hikes through the nature preserve. The guides pointed out different types of plants (Solomon’s Seal, Virginia Creeper, and even poison ivy!), animal tracks, and a variety of animal homes. Children smelled wild ginger, sassafras, and wild herbs. Everyone noticed the "fishy smell" of Lake Springfield, and braver campers went right to the water’s edge to feel the shoreline and the water. Inside the Discovery Center, the children met "Charlie" the turtle and a baby raccoon. The Young Explorers then traveled on to the Pizza Machine for supper. The Pizza Machine, located at Vinegar Hills mall, was awesome! The 40-inch pizza was delivered to our table on a crane! Campers got to watch the pizza being made in the kitchen. They also slid down the indoor slide, watched parts of the movie "Cars" in the Space Room, and were entertained by Dave the Magician. Dave did a great job of making his tricks accessible to all campers. One trick involved having three children hold a coin; one American quarter, one British penny, and one coin from China. Dave joined hands with all three children, performed his magic trick, and all three children were holding different coins! How did he do that?
Each of the three daily meals was served in the Dining Hall located in the center of the campus. 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 could sit where and with whom they would like. Meals were planned and organized by ISVI's dietary manager.
All staff involved in the Young Explorers Camp thank you for allowing your child to spend the week with us here at ISVI's Summer Camp! The campers had a great time making new friends, learning new skills, and experiencing summer camp. We all 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. |
EDUCATION
RESIDENTIAL LIFE OUTREACH RESOURCES |
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