Deaf-Blind Camper Information

The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.

Important Information

The Deaf-Blind Retreat will be held August 29-Sept 4, 2010, at Seabeck Conference center, in Seabeck, WA. WE are looking forward to a week of relaxation, support and fun together.

Starting in February, we will send our camper applications in the mail. Please send back your application as soon as possible. The deadline for applications is March 19, 2010 (postmarked).

Looking forward to a great retreat with you!

Sincerely,
Tami Berk
Retreat Coordinator

The Retreat is for Deaf-Blind adults:

• Who are able to make independent decisions
• Are 18 years and older OR
• 16 years and older and attending with a parent or adult friend. The parent/friend will need to meet our volunteer-interpreter qualifications and will be matched up as a volunteer-interpreter with other campers.

DEAF-BLIND CAMPERS SELECTION PROCESS

• One reason our Retreat has been very successful is that we try to take good care of our volunteer-interpreters so they will keep coming back. We give all of the volunteer-interpreters a break every day. This means better communication and a more comfortable Retreat for everyone.

  For all volunteer-interpreters to have a break, we need A LOT of them. EXAMPLE:
  60 skilled volunteer-interpreters = 40 DB campers
  45 skilled volunteer-interpreters = 30 DB campers

  What happens if many DB people apply but not enough volunteer- interpreters?

  Some DB people will go on a waiting list until we have enough vol-interps. Then we will add them to the "accepted" list. If we don't get enough vol-interps, some DB people will be turned down for this year.

• Our Retreat includes Deaf-Blind people with a variety of backgrounds, languages and communication styles.
  • Examples: DB from Seattle, as well as other states and countries. DB who use ASL, PSE, gestures, tactile, speech with FM system, or other equipment (typing) to communicate. DB who grew up with different life experiences.
• Safety issues are our primary concern. People who are considered a threat to others are not eligible.
  
  
• We concentrate on the applications that are received by deadline March 19th (postmarked).
  
  
• We look at who is a first-time camper and those who may have been turned down in previous years to lack of space or not enough volunteer-interpreters.
  
  
• For developmentally-disabled Deaf-Blind campers, priority is given to people who work at The Lighthouse. Additional information for Developmentally-Disabled Deaf-Blind people is available.
  
  
• Deaf-Blind Campers costs: $325 full week, $185 half week (Sun-Wed or Wed-Sat).
  
  
• There are no one-day or overnight-only spaces.
  
  
• When we receive your application, we will send you a letter to let you know we got your application. If you do not hear from us within 2 weeks from the time you mailed your application, please contact us.

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR CAMPERS

• General application Due - March 19th, 2010 (Postmarked).

ACCEPTANCE

• Letters stating your acceptance status will be mailed by the last week of April.
• Do NOT send a check or make your plane reservation until you get your acceptance letter!
• Acceptance acceptance will include the following:
  • Transportation Request Form
  • Release Forms
  • Activity Information
  • Fee Form
  • Dietary Needs Information Form
  • Housing Form

WAITING LIST/NOT ELIGIBLE

• If you are eligible to attend, but all spaces have been filled or we do not have enough volunteer-interpreters, we will put your name on a waiting list in case there is a cancellation. We will notify you by July 15th if there is space for you.
  
  
• If you are not accepted this year, we encourage you to apply again next year. You may also want to contact us about visiting for one day.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Some partial scholarships are available for campers. Please contact us if you would like a scholarship form or more information. Phone, address, etc.

WANT TO HELP US FIND VOLUNTEER-INTERPRETERS?

Do you know someone who would be a good volunteer-interpreter for the Retreat? Someone with good communication skills, guiding skills and a good attitude? Please give us their name and address, or ask them to contact us.

Certified interpreters may earn RID CEU's for coming to the Retreat. Interpreters can contact RID for more information.

VOLUNTEER-INTERPRETER SELECTION PROCESS

• We look for qualified volunteer-interpreters. This means they must have communication and guiding skills, as well as experience socializing with Deaf-Blind adults. If you would like more information about volunteer-interpreters, please contact us.
  
  
• A Retreat volunteer-interpreter can check with their boss if they will sponsor the volunteer-interpreter to come to camp (buy the plane ticket, pay the wages, etc.) The Lighthouse can write a letter of support for the volunteer-interpreter for this situation. Volunteer-interpreters can contact the Lighthouse for more information.

Floyd Pitre Scholarship Fund

As many of you know, Floyd Pitre, one of our nation's Deaf-Blind leaders, loved the Seabeck Retreat so much that he chose it to be the place where he spent the last days of his life.

We were honored to have Floyd with us in 1994, and in loving memory of his wonderful spirit, we have established a scholarship fund in his name.

Donations that we receive for the scholarship fund will be used for financial assistance to Deaf-Blind who can not afford to attend the Retreat.

If you would like to donate to this fund, please make your check payable to "The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc." and write "For Floyd Pitre Fund" on the bottom of the check or on a separate note. All donations will be used for Retreat Scholarships.