DCI welcomes campers of all signing abilities – from fluent to novice and everything in between!
Deaf campers & ASL campers are integrated at all age levels to maximize opportunities for using ASL and making new friends. All campers are encouraged to use as much ASL as possible with their peers with support from their counselors, including during daily “silent dinners.” New signers can start to prepare for the camp experience by exploring some of the recommended resources below.
Camp Signs
Learn signs for hot dog, hamburgers, archery, campfire, swimming, hiking, rafting, chapel, ice cream, zipline, and counselors.
What’s on the table?
Learn the signs for plate, bowl, cup, fork, spoon, knife, napkin, food, eat, drink, and candy.
STEM signs
Learn signs for the word number and the numbers 1-10 as well as soap, bubbles, measure, science, technology, engineering, and math.
Tie-dye signs
Learn the signs for color, red, orange, yellow, blue, green, purple, pink, shirt, water, dry, and bucket.
Talent Show signs
Learn the signs for talent, sing, dance, audience, comedy, performance
Learn signs from a Deaf family on a wide variety of topics like feelings, clothes, opposites, sports, food, and of course – summer vacation!
Gallaudet University provides free videos on topics like outdoor activities, basic needs, weather, and family – and you can continue your learning with their paid online classes, too!
Dr. Bill Vicars includes a helpful photo/video dictionary where you can look up individual words, as well as thorough discussions of vocabulary, grammar, and culture!
Also from Dr. Bill Vicars, practice reading fingerspelling at 4 different speeds – slow, medium, fast, and Deaf!
Talent Show
Every week of camp features a talent show where campers can participate individually or in small groups. See the guidelines and suggestions below to prepare your skit! (click to enlarge)
Deaf Camps, Inc. 