Language, Leadership, and Laughter: Kids Kamp 2025 Builds Belonging for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Kids
For one week each summer, a special kind of magic unfolds at Kids Kamp, hosted by Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (D&HHS) in Grand Rapids. Classrooms transform into playgrounds of language. Laughter echoes in ASL. New friendships form, confidence grows, and for many children — especially Deaf and Hard of Hearing kids — it’s one of the few places where they feel entirely seen, heard, and included.
This year’s Kamp, held July 21–25 at West Oakview Elementary School, welcomed a vibrant mix of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, and hearing children, including siblings and friends. Through games, field trips, crafts, science experiments, and hands-on experiences, campers didn’t just have fun — they connected with role models, explored Deaf culture, and strengthened their communication in a supportive, bilingual environment.
For Alex Bono, Youth Program Assistant at D&HHS, it was her first time coordinating the camp — and a powerful learning experience.
“We had 28–29 kiddos in attendance and around 15 volunteers each day,” Alex said. “I really wanted to include more immersive, hands-on activities. For Nature Day, instead of doing crafts inside, we went on a hike with nature journals and scavenger hunts. The kids explored a creek and observed wildlife — one even had a dragonfly land on her head!”
Another highlight? A field trip to the Equest Center, where campers learned how to care for horses — bathing, grooming, and even walking miniature horses.
But beyond the activities, Alex emphasized the heart of the week: belonging.
“Creating learning environments like Kids Kamp is essential for promoting developmental milestones for Deaf and Hard of Hearing kiddos. It creates a sense of community where they can connect with peers and role models who understand their experience.”
That environment is what keeps families coming back year after year. For Kendra Gailey, whose children have attended Kamp three times, the impact is both educational and emotional. Two of her daughters are hearing, and one, Kennedy, is Deaf.
“Kids Kamp is a great opportunity for my hearing children to become more connected to their little sister’s Deaf culture and community,” she shared. “Kamp always strengthens their relationships with each other, which is my favorite part!”
Chelsea Green, whose daughters Adalyn and Tenley are both Hard of Hearing, echoed that excitement — even making the 45-minute drive from Grand Haven every day.
“Their excitement every morning makes the drive worth it. They would talk nonstop on the way home about the new signs they learned, the activities they did, and the kids they met.”
For Tenley, a highlight was reconnecting with her Kamp leader from the previous year. For Adalyn, it was receiving her very own sign name — a memorable and meaningful moment of connection and identity.
Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of Deaf adult volunteers brought the week to life — not only leading activities, but also modeling what’s possible.
Nancy Piersma, who has volunteered at Kamp for six years, remembers a conversation with a five-year-old camper about hearing aids and communication “rules.”
“She asked what my rules were with or without my hearing aids,” Nancy recalled. “I told her, ‘I can do whatever I want.’ She gave me a serious look, and I could tell she was thinking hard about what I said. It was a moment of learning and identity exploration — one I’ll never forget.”
Betsy Smith, another longtime volunteer, has seen the value of that representation time and again.
“Most kids come from hearing families, and many come from areas where they don’t know any other Deaf children,” Betsy said. “Exposure to sign language and interacting with kids like themselves is huge.”
This year’s camp also brought STEM to life, thanks to Claire Roberts, a Deaf high school science teacher at the Michigan School for the Deaf. Returning for her second year, Claire led activities like building catapults, testing aluminum foil boats, and creating bouncy balls — all designed to spark curiosity.
“I embraced the opportunity to serve as a positive Deaf role model,” Claire said. “It’s important to create inclusive learning experiences that honor Deaf children’s linguistic rights and cultural identity while empowering them with the tools and confidence they need to succeed.”
The result? Kids gained confidence, made friends, and left with stronger language skills — and hearts full of joy.
Alex, reflecting on her first year as coordinator, summed it up best:
“I had an overwhelming sense of warmth and joy seeing the kiddos learn, play, and laugh without the worry of barriers. That made it all worthwhile. I’m committed to creating spaces where everyone feels welcomed, accepted, celebrated, encouraged, respected, and loved.”
Thanks to the vision of D&HHS and the support of families, volunteers, and staff, Kids Kamp 2025 was more than a summer event — it was a week of transformation, connection, and celebration for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and their communities.
