Frequently Asked Questions

We’re not Methodist/We’re not Christian. Can my child attend camp anyway?

YES! We welcome campers of all religious backgrounds. Parents can request for campers to be excused from morning Bible Study and/or Evening Chapel. If you are concerned about this issue, please contact deafcampsinc@gmail.com to discuss options.

What should my child bring to camp?

Please click here for a packing list.

How do I register?

Please click here for registration information and forms.

My child has special needs. Can he/she still come to camp?

We welcome all types of children to camp! Most campers can be successfully included in camp activities, but it is important that you communicate with us about your child’s needs. Our counselors have experience working with children with special needs such as autism, cerebral palsy, and developmental delays. Manidokan has a registered nurse on site to take care of medical needs. In a few cases, the physical layout of the camp may be too  demanding, or a child may not be ready to spend a full week away from home. If you have a child with special needs, please contact deafcampsinc@gmail.com so that we can discuss your child and make sure he or she can be successful during camp.

My child is deaf/hard of hearing but not fluent in ASL. Can he/she still attend camp?

Yes! Please contact deafcampsinc@gmail.com to discuss the best placement for your child. In our Deaf Camps, all activities are conducted in American Sign Language. For a child who is still learning ASL, our ASL Camp may be a better fit.

How will sign language lessons be conducted in the ASL Camp?

Research shows that language learning happens best in an immersion environment. While ASL Camp occasionally features formal lessons, the majority of learning takes place though informal, hands-on lessons (for example, learning the signs for the items on the table during a silent meal) and through interactions with counselors and peers. Older ASL Campers will share lodging and all activities with Deaf campers, giving them a true immersion experience.

Will my child fit in at camp if s/he

• … is hard of hearing?

• … uses a cochlear implant?

• … attends a mainstream school/public school?

Absolutely! In our Deaf Camps, all activities are conducted in American Sign Language, so everyone has equal access to communication. We always have a variety of campers from different backgrounds, so campers learn to respect diversity and have a chance to make new friends. If your child does not sign, please contact us at deafcampsinc@gmail.com to discuss the best placement for him or her.

My child has a cochlear implant (CI). Will he/she have a place to recharge the batteries?

Yes. Most of our facilities have electricity. The Older Deaf/ASL Camp and the Middle ASL Camp will be staying in the shelters, which have no electricity. Campers who need to recharge batteries will be able to use one of the lodges or the nurse’s office. For children who have trouble keeping track of their belongings, disposable batteries may be a better choice during the week of camp.

I want to volunteer as a counselor. Will I get a discount on my child’s registration?

Yes! If you volunteer as a counselor for the week of camp, you will receive a 25% discount off one child’s registration for one week of camp. You may apply this discount to any one week of camp in the same summer at Manidokan. This discount only applies to your own child’s registration, which means you cannot get a discount for your sibling, niece/nephew, or friend’s child. (This is the campsite’s policy, not Deaf Camps, Inc.’s.)

Can my family receive a discount for registering multiple children?

Unfortunately, there is no discount for multiple registrations. (This is the campsite’s policy, not Deaf Camps, Inc.’s.)  However, if you are registering multiple children and facing financial difficulty, please apply for a scholarship from Deaf Camps, Inc.

Can my child get a scholarship to help with the cost of camp?

Many of our campers receive financial assistance through Deaf Camps, Inc.’s scholarship program. Please click here to learn more.

I am looking for a summer job.  Are you hiring?

No, all of our director and counselor positions are 100% volunteer.  Please click here for more information.

Manidokan, the facility where Deaf & ASL Camp is held, does have paid positions. Click here to learn about Manidokan’s job openings.

How old do you have to be to volunteer as a counselor?

Counselors must be at least 18 years old by the time camp starts.  To work in the Older Deaf/ASL Camp, volunteers must be at least 21.  Learn more about counselor positions here.  We have a limited number of spots available for Counselors-in-Training (CITs).  You must be 16 or 17 at the beginning of camp to apply for these spots.  Click here for more information about CITs.

I am an interpreting student.  Can I get mentored hours for my internship/practicum at camp?

We do have a limited number of spots available for Interpreting Interns.  Please click here for more information.

I want to get college credit for volunteering at camp.  Is this possible?

This may be possible depending upon your program.  Please contact us at deafcampsinc@gmail.com to discuss your program’s requirements.

I want to volunteer as a counselor.  When should I contact you?

We will open up volunteer slots and waiting list slots to new counselors beginning on March 15 each year.  Please contact us at deafcampsinc@gmail.com on or after March 15.  Please be aware that these spots go fast!  Learn more about volunteering here.

Why haven’t I heard back yet about __________? (my application, my question, etc.)

Deaf Camps, Inc is 100% volunteer run. Each board member contributes to DCI in between time spent on our families, jobs, and busy lives. Therefore, we’re not able to reply as quickly as other organizations with paid staff. If you haven’t heard from us in 2 weeks or more, you can re-send your message.