Camp Chris Williams – August 2-8, 2020
Registration is open until camp fills up or July 15, 2020: https://app.campdoc.com/register/chriswilliams/camper
- Early Bird Registration: Opens December 1, 2019 $400
- Regular Registration: Jan 1, 2020 $450
- Late Registration: May 1, 2020 $500
Traditional, week-long residential camp for Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth, that stretches back to 1978. Started as Camp Amigo by Lion member, Chris Williams. Today the camp honors his commitment to D/HH youth, renaming the camp with his name after his death in 1984.
Camp serves youth ages 11-17. Currently, each year has a different annual theme, 2020 will be Exploring Space! Building on transitional activities to adulthood, along with typical camp activates enjoyed by campers. Mixed in with wall-climbing, boating, ropes course, swimming, arts and crafts, nature hikes are Leadership Training, mock interviews for jobs, perhaps even creating resumes, meeting adult Deaf and hard of hearing role models, and getting to explore bits of their careers. In the past few years, we have met adult D/HH: nurse, Federal Government recruiter, veterinarian, engineer, scientist, filmmaker and woodworker. You’ll never know who you’ll meet at camp!
Due to space limitations, all campers must have a hearing loss and be of or between the ages 11-17. Interpreters are provided, so campers do not need to know American Sign Language. However, campers need to be at least open to being exposed to a lot of signing and will be expected to pick up some signs. Campers are respectful to all modes of communication other campers may have. Many of our campers are bilingual, (both sign and speak.)
Searching for scholarship opportunities:
Families needing financial assistance have a lot of opportunities if they are creative and look.
Typically, local community service clubs that have also provided many scholarship for campers:
• Lion an Lioness clubs: https://directory.lionsclubs.org/
• Kiwanis Clubs http://locator.kiwanis.org/
• The GoodFellows: (check your local chapter)
• Rotary Clubs https://www.rotary.org/en/search/club-finder
• Optimist Clubs http://optimist.org/ClubLocMap.cfm
• Quota Club (check your local chapters)
• Personal donators –They can pay camp directly and have your child’s account credited.
The past few years, the Family Center For Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (Family Center) have offered Summer Camp Scholarship opportunities:
Families can to apply to receive a summer camp scholarship up to $250. The Summer Camp Scholarship is designed to assist families with sending their child with special health care needs to a summer camp of their choosing. Applications are typically accepted January through the end of March. Families will be required to submit a completed application along with the Registration Confirmation Form, which will need to be filled out by the Camp Director. Please feel free to share this with families within your network or families may request the forms through the Family Phone Line at 800-359-3722. Funding is limited, so please encourage families to apply as soon as possible.
Candi Bush,
Director of Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
Children’s Special Health Care Services
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Office Phone: 517-241-7197
Office Fax: 517-241-8970
Cellular: 517-614-9604
Family Phone Line: 800-359-3722
Lewis Cass Bldg, 6th Flr.
320 S. Walnut St.
Lansing, MI 48913