Silent Weekend 2024 - "Building Bridges" - ASL full-immersion experience
2024-02-16 16:30 - 2024-02-18 12:30 UTC | YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin, 1095 North Briggs Road, Middleville, MI 49333, Middleville, MI, 49333, US
Voices off, CEU’s, Networking, Workshops, Mentoring, Mingling, Entertainment, etc. You do NOT want to miss out on a fantastic opportunity!

Voices off, CEU’s, Networking, Workshops, Mentoring, Mingling, Entertainment, etc. You do NOT want to miss out on a fantastic opportunity! Come with us to help bridge the gaps during this weekend-long event designed to help improve your skills!
Prices are : Early bird
Full weekend Interpreter includes overnight stay, workshops, meals, entertainment – $230
Full weekend Student/Deaf includes overnight stay, workshops, meals, entertainment – $160
Interpreter or Deaf Saturday – includes workshops, lunch, dinner, entertainment – $115
Saturday dinner and entertainment includes dinner and entertainment only – $30
Saturday entertainment (does NOT include dinner) with “SomeDeafGuy” – $15
Hoodie sweatshirt – $35
Early Bird – until January 19, 2024. After this the price increases by $20 plus fees per ticket.
Students must stay the full weekend.
VTRID is an approved RID CMP sponsor for Continuing Education Activities. These workshops are offered for up to 1.0 CEUs in the Professional Studies area at the “little/none” and “some” content knowledge level.
Cancellation Policy – 50% refund if cancelled by January 19, 2024. After January 19 no refund will be given. D&HHS reserves the right to cancel at any time with a full refund.
Meals are included with several (but not all) ticket options. Please be sure to select the correct ticket. If you have any questions or need special meals please email jkolhoff@deafhhs.org.

Interpreters and all audiences:
“Sign Olympics” with Brianna Beck
Back by popular demand! All participants will “compete” with other teams to be the first or the best team to complete all of the 10 stations. Each station will allow opportunity for improving skills in an individual and a team setting. Each team will be able to demonstrate appropriate classifier usage, facial expressions, body language, story-telling skills, signing skills, and teamwork. Judges will compare the skills of individuals and teams to help them improve their abilities and go for the GOLD! This is a combined activity for all levels and all attendees.
VTRID is an approved RID CMP sponsor for Continuing Education Activities. This workshop is offered for 0.2 Professional Studies CEUs at the “Some” Content Knowledge level. Participants will receive a certificate of attendance as proof of attendance. This workshop is appropriate for all signing skills Novice – Expert.
Interpreters:
“Medical Interpreting in the Deaf Space” with Teri Hedding
Teri Hedding is employed as an Assistant Professor teaching ASL at Moraine Valley Community College since 2017. Prior to her current job, she worked as a manager of Sinai Deaf Health at Sinai Health Systems for 17 years where she was responsible for the day-to-day management of interpreters and healthcare access serving the deaf and hard of hearing patients. She also worked in Department of Human Services/Office of Mental Health as a Statewide Coordinator of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services where she ensured that the delivery of mental health services to people who are deaf or hard of hearing met the high standards of quality and accessibility. Her work experience includes counseling, case management, crisis intervention, and advocacy. She received her master’s degree in mental health counseling from Gallaudet University in Washington, DC in 1993 and another master’s degree in sign language education, also from Gallaudet University in Summer 2022. She became a certified deaf interpreter (CDI) in December 2009 and has interpreted in various situations including medical, mental health, government, business, and legal settings. A fun fact about Ms. Hedding is that she loves to visit different forest preserves to hike.
In this workshop, Teri will guide you through bridging the gaps in medical interpreting. With a strong emphasis on classifiers and specialized terminology in the application of anatomy and physiology, she will help build a communication bridge and define Deaf space, the pain scale, and body systems such as the digestive system, cardiovascular system, and urinary system.
VTRID is an approved RID CMP sponsor for Continuing Education Activities. This workshop is offered for 0.6 Professional Studies CEUs at the “some” Content Knowledge level. Participants will receive a certificate of attendance as proof of attendance. This workshop is appropriate for signing skills Intermediate – Expert.
Students:
“ Staying Healthy on the Go.” with Sandria Graham. 1.5 hours
As you bridge the way from your personal life to your professional one, Community Nutrition Instructor, Sandria Graham from MI Health Matters – MSU Extension will discuss strategies you can use to stay on track! During this discussion, Sandy will demonstrate her knowledge and experience in her native language, American Sign Language! MSU Extension helps people improve their lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs and opportunities. MI Health Matters is funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP. **This workshop is being provided to those choosing the Student/Deaf” option and will not be offering CEUs. It is appropriate for those with Novice – Expert signing skills. **
“Where to Start?” with Jessica Vickers. 1.5 hours
Recent graduates may find themselves in the unique position of having the information to perform the work of interpreting but lacking the skills and opportunities to start. Jessica will go over some exciting opportunities and great tips on how to stay sharp while you pursue the certifications you need and stay a motivated participant in your mentee/mentor relationship. **This workshop is being provided to those choosing the “Student/Deaf” option and will not be offering CEUs. It is appropriate for those with Novice – Expert signing skills. **
“ TBD” 1.5 hours
**This workshop is being provided to those choosing the “Student/Deaf” option and will not be offering CEUs. It is appropriate for those with Novice – Expert signing skills. **
“ TBD” 1.5 hours
**This workshop is being provided to those choosing the “Student/Deaf” option and will not be offering CEUs. It is appropriate for those with Novice – Expert signing skills. **
Interpreters and all audiences:
“Deaf Community Panel” with various Deaf Professionals.
In this workshop we will have discussions led by a team of Deaf and hearing moderators. We will discuss, from the panelist’s perspective, what is expected from both the hearing interpreters and Deaf consumers during a job. The moderators will present various scenarios to the panel, and they will discuss how to handle the situation appropriately from their perspective. Also, what should or could be done differently and if any corrective action should be taken.
VTRID is an approved RID CMP sponsor for Continuing Education Activities. This workshop is offered for 0.2 Professional Studies CEUs at the “some” Content Knowledge level. Participants will receive a certificate of attendance as proof of attendance. This workshop is appropriate for signing skills Intermediate – Expert.
MI LARA-BCHS – CEUs Pending for “Ethics”
