Where... The Deaf Kids' Kamp is held at the beautiful YMCA Camp Whittle in Big Bear, CA. What... From 1992-2006, we have provided a FREE kamp to over 400 deaf children (ages 6-17) living in the United States and Canada! This is the only FREE American Camping Association-accredited facility west of the Mississippi specifically designed for deaf kids ONLY. Other facilities accept deaf children but they also allow hearing children who, sometimes, do not sign, and then the deaf children are left out due to lack of communication. The kampers enjoy non-stop fun with such activities as arts and crafts, archery, theatre, swimming, rappelling high ropes, low ropes, kayaking, climbing wall, lake front activities, outdoor living skills, and lots of surprises! This Kamp has no competitive sports, and includes exposure to Deaf culture with Deaf role models presenting the majority of the programs. Who... This year we will allow a MAXIMUM of 30 kampers and a MINIMUM of 15 staff. ALL Kampers (deaf kids) attend free (except for a $100 non-refundable processing fee)...regardless of their family's financial situation. We get families involved. Families are REQUIRED to: Bring their kamper to the kamp; Attend an orientation regarding the rules and regulations of the kamp on the first day of kamp; Tour the kamp where their child(ren) will be for the week. On the last day of kamp is an "AWARDS" ceremony. The parents come up on stage and present their child(ren) with an award designated by the counselors. The sponsors are asked to come up on stage and are presentd a "Certificate of Appreciation." How... Kampers are sponsored by clubs, organizations, individuals, businesses, foundations, sign language classes, and Sproul Ranch Inc. fundraising events...including Silent Weekends. Sproul Ranch Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization based in Lancaster, CA.