Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Sign Their Way to Fun

The annual Signs of Fun camp in Spotsylvania County attracts students from across Virginia and the nation for a week of fun and learning.

by Martin Davis
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Summer camp is a rite-of-passage that many kids look forward to each year. A week away from mom and dad, and an early opportunity to spread their wings and experience life on their own terms.

For too many deaf children, however, camp isn’t an option. Left at a camp with fellow-campers who don’t sign and counselors who don’t sign is as confounding for deaf children as being left at an English-language-only camp for kids who speak Spanish or Chinese.

Since 1995, however, the Signs of Fun camp in Spotsylvania County has created a space for deaf and hard-of-hearing children to gather and thrive.

Rebecca Bennett is in her tenth year directing the camp, and travels from her home in Hawaii — at her own expense — to run the week-long program.

“The most thrilling aspect for me?,” Bennett tells the Advance, is that “campers from all corners of the country are flocking to us each year…. This year, we are welcoming campers from as far away as Michigan and Vermont.”

Room for Families, too

Run entirely by volunteers, the camp offers all the things you expect to find at a summer camp — water, paint, games, hikes, and more. “Witnessing the joy on kids' faces when they realize they are not alone as Deaf individuals” in a world dominated by hearing people “warms my heart,” Bennett said.

This year, for the first time, Bennett said that the Signs of Fun camp will be “entirely staffed by Deaf individuals.” This includes:

• Four counselors

• An art teacher

• A gym leader who is Deaf/Blind

• Deaf mentor who supports campers

• Deaf American Sign Language instructors available for parents.

While the kids are off having fun, the camp offers signing classes for parents and other family members who can sometimes struggle to communicate with their children.

Camp director Rebecca Bennett shares some time with a camper.

“This year,” said Bennett who is herself deaf, “we already have 31 family members signed up.”

As with all children and parents, communication can lead to arguments. But when communication wasn’t happening, even arguments are something to feel good about.

“When a family member witnesses an argument between a camper and a step-parent who never knew how to sign before our classes,” Bennett said, “you know something special is happening.”

It Takes a Village, and Dollars

Running Signs of Fun camp requires both volunteers and funds.

“We have a diverse group of support,” said Bennett, “from vice principals to interpreters, interpreting interns, teachers, and the amazing Fredericksburg Host Lion's Club. Their support and enthusiasm make all the difference.”

However, running the camp still requires about $10,000 a year. The fees cover everything from facility rental costs to entertainment, t-shirts, craft supplies, gym equipment, food, and advertising.

Like many nonprofits coming out of COVID, the pandemic took a toll on the organization’s finances.

“This is why community support is crucial,” said Bennett.

“We are all volunteers here. We do this for the kids, for the community, and for the love of accessibility.”

Pushing for Change

In addition to the camp and all the benefits that accrue to those who take part, Bennett is also committed to addressing issues of importance to those who have hearing loss.

“We [help our campers] focus on both self-advocacy and community advocacy,” Bennett said. “Last year, we worked tirelessly to raise awareness for Laurent Clerc,” a Frenchman who founded the first school for the deaf in America, “by campaigning to have his face featured on a United States postage stamp.”

This year, Bennett says, “our mission is to shed light on the importance of open captions (on-screen subtitles).”

Each year Bennett hosts an After Hours Signs of Fun event that involves treating the kids to an evening out.

“While going to the movies would be a fantastic experience, it is not currently an option due to the lack of open captions in theaters.”

Bennett hopes to change that by calling for change and approaching lawmakers to encourage them to create a bill mandating open captions in Virginia’s movie theaters.

“It is inspiring to see that Maryland and Washington, DC, have recently passed bills in support of open captions,” Bennett said, “and we are eager to follow in their footsteps.”

For Bennett, all the work is worth the effort.

“It brings me great joy … that we not only have achieved my personal goal of a Deaf-run camp, but we have also created a vibrant and inclusive community that celebrates diversity.”

More Information

To learn more about Signs of Fun Camp, visit the organization’s website. (All funds support the camp — funds do not cover Bennett’s travel expenses.)

To support the organization, visit the site’s donation page to support a camper. Readers in our area can also donate snacks, craft supplies, and more.

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