BETHLEHEM, Pa. — For many children, summer camp is a right of passage. But often, kids who are visually impaired or blind miss out on that experience.
- Sights for Hope will hold a two-week kids camp for ages 7 to 14.
- Camp I CAN! and is designed for children with blindness and visual impairments in the Lehigh Valley
- The camp starts July 17
That’s why Sights for Hope will hold a two-week camp for ages 7 to 14, starting on July 17.
It's called Camp I CAN! and is designed for Lehigh Valley children with blindness and visual impairments.
"It gives the kids an opportunity to experience some different things."Rita Lang, manager of innovative programs at Sights for Hope
Activities include scavenger hunts, texture art, exploring Mauch Chunk Lake near Jim Thorpe in Carbon County, a tactile tour of Martin Guitar, and cooking and kitchen safety techniques that include chopping and slicing.
The camp started in 2014 and is entering its 10th year.
"It gives the kids an opportunity to experience some different things," said Rita Lang, manager of innovative programs at Sights for Hope.
Overnight camping, too
Campers also will do an overnight trip to Knoebels amusement resort in Elysburg, Columbia County.
The kids pack a bag and have a sleeping bag, with boys and girls in separate cabins. At night, there's a bonfire with hot dogs and s'mores.
"It's really a true camping experience and they just love it."Rita Lang, manager of innovative programs at Sights for Hope.
"It's really a true camping experience and they just love it," Lang said.
This year, campers also will participate in fundraisers for Pennies for Puppies and Dollars for Dogs, a campaign for The Seeing Eye, a nonprofit guide dog agency.
"The idea is for the kids to give back to other organizations and agencies," Lang said.
She said her favorite part of the camp is seeing the relationships that form between campers.
"It's just nice to see the friendships blossom," Lang said.
Sights for Hope offers other youth programming throughout the year. There are get-togethers during school holidays for young people who've aged out of the camp program.
"It's a good learning experience; it's a good social experience," Lang said.
The program is sponsored by the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services, as well as a grant from IronPigs charities, the charitable arm of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs minor league baseball team.
To sign up for the camp, children must qualify as a Sights for Hope client. Transportation is available, and there are appropriate accommodations available for children with physical challenges.