Illinois
School for the Visually Impaired
658 East State Street • Jacksonville, Illinois
62650-2130
Toll Free: 800-919-5617 • Voice: 217-479-4400 • TTY: 217-479-4415 • Fax:
217-479-4479
www.isvi.net • E-mail:
ISVI
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About Us
General
News Student Meal
Parents
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SUMMER CAMP ‑
2009
Arrival Day This year the Young Explorers enjoyed a variety of activities focused on the theme “The ISVI Ranch.” The campers enjoyed learning about cowboys, round ups, driving cattle and the Wild West. Each morning the campers gathered at the "Round Up"--to review the schedule or“chores”for the day, which included playing games such as “Rattlesnake Ruckus” and “Cow Chip Compliment” and learn some cowboy talk. Each day the “Ranch hands of the Day” were selected based on Cow Hand Cooperation, following the Rootin’ Tootin’ Ranch Rules, and good Buckaroo Participation. These cowpokes dressed up in cowboy hats and bandanas, picked out a prize and rang the cowbell to start the trails.
Daily Sessions &
Organized
ISVI Educational
Staff‑‑Young Explorers Camp
Daily Sessions
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.
Tumble
Weed Mix Place all ingredients in brown paper grocery bag. Shake to mix. This amount makes twenty-seven Zip-Loc sandwich bags full of Tumble Weed Mix.
Cattle
Crunchers Melt margarine and marshmallows in a large pan on stove top. Add salt and vanilla when marshmallows are melted. Stir in the rest of the ingredients. Mix well to cover all in marshmallow mixture. Pour into a greased 9"x13" pan. Compress to evenly spread mixture in a pan. Place in a refrigerator to set mixture. Mixture should come out of a pan easily when ready to serve.
Calf
Slobber (Jell-O Jigglers) Combine boiling water and Jell-O in 9"x13" pan. Stir until all the Jell-O dissolves. Refrigerate for at least three hours. To remove from a pan, dip in warm water for fifteen seconds to loosen Jell-O from sides and bottom of a pan. Jigglers can be cut with cookie cutters or a butter knife.
Arts and Crafts, or Cowboy
Doodlin'
The Hoedown
Trail Tales In the afternoons, the Ranch hands enjoyed a Picture Show which included Back to the Future III; Apple Dumpling Gang; and Hot Lead, Cold Feet. The campers then went to the Old Swimmin' Hole for their daily swim. After swimming the campers enjoyed a snack and ended the day with a Cattle Drive back to the dorm. On Thursday and Friday the Ranch hands participated in some outdoor activities including a Horse Course; Horseshoe Throw; Cattle Herding; Sharp Shooting; Feed Sack Race; Cowboy Dress Up Relay; Water Pail Relay; and Cow Chip Toss.
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 each evening at 6:00 and ended at 8:00 p.m. From 8:00 to lights out at 9:00 p.m., campers took showers, ate snacks, and got ready for bed. Sunday evening's activities began with introductions of staff and students and a review of camp rules. As each camper gave their name, age, and hometown, the staff also asked if they read large print or Braille and if they used a cane for mobility. As the children went around the table sharing information, a sense of commonality began to emerge. Each camper began to realize that, for perhaps the first time, they were in a group of peers who also read large print or Braille, used a cane and had a visual impairment. For many of the campers, it may have been the first time that they did not feel different, but the same. That evening, campers also decorated bright colored tote bags with western themed foam stickers. Amidst the cows, horses, cowboys and horseshoes, there also emerged some flowers, butterflies and dolphins. Each bag was a unique creation! Each day after day camp ended at 3:30, campers returned to the basement of their dorm for a brief time before supper. From 3:30 to 4:00, campers could choose to stay inside and play with Play-Dough, games, blocks, pegs, or puzzles. Campers could also go outside to play on the playground. About 4:00 p.m., everyone reconvened to listen to a story read aloud; “Tucket’s Gold”, by Paul Grayson. This book is one of five in a series about the Tucket family and their adventures in the Old West. “Tucket’s Gold” finds fifteen year old Francis Tucket helping nine year old Lottie and six year old Billy escape from comancheros, only to face possible starvation in the desert. Their encounter with stolen gold bars, a herd of Indian ponies and a village of peaceful Pueblo Indians tells a tale of courage and resourcefulness on the Western frontier. At 5:00 p.m., the campers moved to the dining hall for dinner, and evening recreation activities starting at 6:00 p.m.
After each daily recreation activities ended at 8:00 p.m., campers went to their dorm rooms to take showers, eat snacks and socialize before lights out at 9:00 p.m. Tuesday evening's recreation plans included bowling at the Bowl-In--a nearby bowling alley in Jacksonville. Campers rode on the ISVI school bus, along with a group of older campers from the Technology Today camp. Everyone experienced success in bowling, thanks to the adaptations of gutter guards and ramps. Strikes and spares were enjoyed by all! Wednesday was Western craft night. Campers chose between a flocked “Wanted Poster” picture frame to color, or a foam "Howdy Partner" frame to embellish with cactus and sheriff's badges. Each camper also made a western-themed beaded necklace. Snacks were a personalized ice cream sundae in the ISVI teen center, topped with hot fudge, chocolate, caramel, whipped cream and nuts. Thursday the Young Explorers began their evening at Play-for-All Park. The park is a new adapted playground in Jacksonville that features a water pad, swings, and two big play toys. All of the park is accessible to wheelchairs and was designed to meet the needs of children with disabilities. Everyone had a great time getting wet, which felt wonderful with the temperature in the 90's. After playing for an hour at Play-for-All Park, campers boarded the ISVI bus and rode to McDonald's. Each child enjoyed two items of their choice from the Dollar Menu, and played on the new indoor play equipment. Isn't air conditioning wonderful?! The week's fun recreation activities ended on Friday with a field trip to the Decatur Children's Museum. This hands-on, child-oriented museum included a space climber, pin-art sculpture, a hospital, airport, water room, bubble room, grocery store, and a special Abraham Lincoln exhibit. Children could present the news in the mock TV newsroom, perform an operation in the hospital, make giant bubbles, and try on clothing from other countries of the world. Exhibits engaged all of the senses, making them accessible to all of the campers with visual impairments. Friday evening's dinner was at the Pizza Machine, a unique pizza restaurant in Springfield. Campers enjoyed sliding down an indoor slide, cranking a track that propelled a ball around the entire two story restaurant, watching the cooks prepare their 40-inch pizza, blowing giant smoke rings with a smoke machine, and especially enjoyed the pizza being delivered by a crane. Most of all, everyone loved eating the pizza!
Dormitories &
Meals 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.
Evening Snacks All staff involved in the Young Explorers Camp wish to 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 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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SVI
graduate who has become a well-known entertainer in the Jacksonville area.